On a Bichon Frise, a solid white coat is preferable in the show ring. Markings with colours; buff, cream or apricot can be found on the snout, paws, ears or body, but will not generally exceed 10% of the coat as a whole.

Origin of the Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise was originally a crossover of the Barbet (or Water Spaniel) and the Standard Poodle. First bred in the Mediterranean, they travelled with sailors on their ships and were often used as bartering tools across the continents. When introduced to Italy, they became great favourites of the nobility and were restyled with the fashionable lion-cut that is still popular today.

Sizes of Typical Male and Female Bichon Frise

The typical Bichon Frise weighs anywhere between 5 and 10kg, and measures between 23 and 30cm at the withers. However, due to their varied breeding, larger dogs are not uncommon. The male and female Bichon Frises do not tend to differ in height or weight.

Bichon Frise Temperament

Bichon Frises are bred, as they have always been, to be companion dogs and so make an ideal family pet. They are a cheerful, playful little breed and love to be surrounded by people. They are relatively intelligent dogs, and can achieve high standards of obedience if trained correctly from a young age. They are known to have sudden bursts of energy, called the “Bichon Buzz”, which sees them run all over the house, jumping on furniture and barking or growling constantly. This is a popular feature of the breed, not something to be discouraged, and can last anywhere from 30 seconds to 5 minutes. Afterwards, the Bichon Frise will fall asleep from exhaustion.

Bichon Frise Coats

Bichon Frises are listed as a dog breed that does not shed, but this is not strictly true – they do, but their thick, curly coats trap loose hair and prevents the majority from falling off into the surrounding area. Therefore, it is important to brush your dog daily to remove irritating loose hair and prevent matting. Additionally, having them groomed professionally every three months to keep up with clipping is a good idea. They are also, like the poodle, bred to be hypoallergenic, and are an excellent breed if anyone in your household is allergic to dogs.

Exercise Your Bichon Frise

Bichon Frises are energetic little dogs who love to play, but indoor play can suffice provided they are also taken on a daily walk. It is more important to spend time with them and ensure they are mentally stimulated than taking them for long hikes every day, so providing them with challenging toys and playing with them is essential.

What Health Problems can Bichon Frises Suffer From?

Hereditary problems such as epilepsy and dislocated kneecaps can be found in this breed, but more common are ear and eye infections, cataracts and skin irritations. They can also be very sensitive to flea bites, so a flea collar or regular de-flea treatments are recommended.

The Life expectancy of a Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a remarkably long lived little dog, with the majority living for at least 15 years. The UK average for the Bichon Frise is 16.5 years, but some have been known to live up to 19 years.

The cost of a Bichon Frise

A Bichon Frise puppy will cost between £500 and £600 on average.

Bichon Frise Puppies

Puppies should be alert, outgoing and eager to meet new people, so if you view a puppy that is shy and reacts to attention aggressively, assume that this puppy has not been brought up by a reputable breeder. Additionally, it is important when viewing the puppy for the first time that you see it with its mother, especially if the puppy is under 10 weeks of age. This reduces the risk of buying from a puppy farm, where puppies of multiple breeds are usually neglected and denied proper puppy inoculations, often causing them to die very young due to infections they cannot fight.

Dog Groups Related to Bichon Frises

Toy Group

Similar dog breed(s) to the Bichon Frise

Bichon Maltese, Bichon Bolognaise, Bichon Havanese, Bichon Tenerife, Shih Tzu