General Information

Dog NameBichon Frise
Other NamesBichon à poil frisé
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeLap Dog
GroupToy
ExtinctNo
Country of OriginFrance

Physical And Size

Min Life Span14
Max Life Span15
Min Ideal Weight for male5
Max Ideal Weight for male8
Min Ideal Weight for female5
Max Ideal Weight for male8

Ranking

Intelligent Rank
Trainability
Playfulness
Affection Level
Social Needs
Barking
Watchdog Ability
Territorial
Mouthiness
Adaptability

Characterisitics

TemperamentPlayful, Cheerful, Curious
Prey DriveYes
Fighting DogNo

Friendliness

Stranger FriendlyHigh
Child FriendlyHigh
Cat FriendlyHigh
Apartment FriendlyHigh
Senior Citizens FriendlyHigh
Service DogHigh
Search and Rescue DogHigh
Biting PotentialLow
Country of OriginFrance
Nicknames and Other NamesBichon à poil frisé, Bichón Tenerife
Scientific NameCanis lupus familiaris
Breed TypeLap Dog
GroupToy Group
Bred ForCompanion
SizeSmall-Sized
Recognized By
AKC, FCI, UKC, CKC, NZKC, KC, ANKC
Life Span14-15 Years
Ideal Weight12-18 pounds (male and female)
Ideal Height9.5-11.5 inches (male and female)
Fur TypeMedium-sized, silky, slightly wavy
Common ColorsWhite, White and Cream,
White and Apricot, White and Buff
MarkingsNo
AvailabilityWidely Available
Achievements First Non-sporting group champion
Suitable for ApartmentsYes
Used in World WarNo
Most Similar To Cotton De Tulear

With a compact body, fluffy white hair and baby-doll faces, Bichons are very appealing dogs whose looks are intensified by a perky and good-natured disposition.

This little puffy dog is somewhat longer than height. They are adorable little dogs with a head that is well-portioned to their body, a plumed tail which is carried over back, ears that are dropped and a cute little nose which is pronounced and black in color.

Origin and History

The exact origin of Bichon Frise is still a mystery but it is said that their ancestors are from Canary Island. They were thought to be the descended of Barbet (a medium sized woolly water dog ). The name Bichon is derived from the word Barbichon which is a miniature of Bichon.

The Barbichon family of dogs includes Bichon Frise, the Bolognese, the Coton de Tulear, the Havanese, and the Maltese. All these dogs were originated in the Mediterranean region and got similar looks.

Dogs of this breed were bred to travel as the companion of Spanish sailors, who have used them as items of barter.

These cute little dogs were quite popular with European nobility, in the English court during Henry II’s reign, and were even included in paintings by Goya.

But by the end of the 19th century their popularity started declining, they became street dogs and somewhere used in circus troupes. But again after World war I the breed started gaining popularity.

Are they child friendly

The sweet little fluffy dog has a natural affinity with people and therefore they generally get on well with children thanks to their playful and fun-loving personalities.

It is important to supervise any interaction between dogs and the kids by an adult to make sure playtime does not get too boisterous which could make a child being frightened or can injure by accident.

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Behavior, Temperament, and Personality

Bichon Frise is the highly adaptable pet and is considered a great all-around pet who is both playful and gentle. They get along with other dogs and pets well.

They are similar to poodles in terms of their powder-puff coat which consists of silky coat but curly from outside and silky from inside.

Bichons are excellent dogs for first-time owners, they are always happy and eager to please and will happily accompany you on walks, runs or Sunday drive around town. They bring smiles wherever they go.

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These dogs are very easygoing, they love people of all ages, go well with children and always enjoy to be around people.

Separation anxiety is common in Bichons. They love to be around people and if left alone for too long they become anxious which can result in chewing and over barking, but proper training can prevent this.

Bichons are barkers and have a high-pitched bark but their bark is not aggressive, they just want to alert everyone that a new person is arriving.

Trainability

Bichon Frise is quick-witted little dogs which makes them easy to train but their training must be consistent. Giving them whatever they want can raise unwanted behavioral issues. Let the Bichon know the boundaries and limits, and then they can be easily taught to be well-behaved.

If they are allowed to get away with too much, a Bichon being so clever would soon take on the role of alpha dog which often seems to be harder to manage like before because they develop a condition known as “small dog syndrome”.

Facts

Common Facts About Bichon Frise

  • The Bichon’s name means “curly coated,” in French and is very apropos.
  • Bichons do not shed and are a hypoallergenic breed.
  • Bichon puppies sleep 90% of their day for the first few weeks of their lives.
  • Bichons puppies are born toothless, deaf, and blind.

Common Health Issues

General HealthHealthy
Common Health IssuesAllergies, Hip Dysplasia, Bladder Stones,
Patellar Luxation, Juvenile Cataracts
HypoallergenicYes
Vaccination RequiredRabies, Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis,
Canine Parainfluenza, Kennel Cough,
Canine Parvovirus, Canine Coronavirus
SheddingLow shedding
DroolingLow
GroomingHigh
Weight Gain PotentialAverage to High
Separation AnxietyHigh Chance
AllergiesSkin and Food allergies
Diets and SupplementsProtein: 28%
Fat: 8%
Multivitamis
Glucosmine
Probiotic

The average life expectancy of a Bichon Frise is between 12 to 15 years.
However, like so many other pure breeds, they are known to suffer from certain health issues which include the following:

  • Hereditary cataracts – tests available
  • Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia (ITP)
  • Autoimmune Haemolytic Anaemia (AIHA)
  • Immune-mediated hemolytic anaemia .

Color

Bichon dogs are found in four different colors, they are:

  • White
  • White and Cream
  • White and Apricot
  • White and Buff

Price of Bichon Pup

Group Of Bichons
Bichon Puppies Posing For The Click
Image via Pinterest

If you are looking own a Bichon Frise, you would need to pay anything from £500 to over £600 for a well-bred pedigree puppy.

Dog similar To Bichon

Dogs similar to Bichon are:

Visit Doglime For More Dog Breed Information.

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