Don’t get scared by looking at this complicated name because we assure Bichon Frise is one of the cutest puppies alive on this planet. Pronounced as BEE-Shawn FREE-say, this dog breed is cheerful and full of mischief. At first, you must think that it’s a child’s toy by looking at them. Before getting this adorable breed to your home, below is some information you should know.
| Breed Name | Bichon Frise |
| Other Name | Coton de Tulear |
| Dog Breed Type | Companion dogs |
| Origin | Spain |
| Parent Breeds | Standard Poodle, Water Spaniel |
| Height | 9-11 inches |
| Weight | 7-12 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 12-15 years |
| Coat Type | Powder-puff coat |
| Common Colors | White, Apricot, Buff, Cream |
| Grooming Needs | High-maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | Yes |
| Temperament | Cheerful, Feisty, Sensitive, Playful, Gentle, Affectionate |
| Apartment Living | Suitable for apartment living |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes |
| Health Concerns | Joint problems, Teeth problems, Urinary tract problems, Eye problems, Hormonal problems |
| Overall Health | Healthy |
| Intelligence Level | Medium |
| Trainability | Easy to train |
| Energy Level | Moderate |
| Activity | Active |
| Litter Size | 1-6 puppies |
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability 4 stars
Adaptive to apartment living 5 stars
Suitable for new owners 5 stars
Sensitivity range 5 stars
Comfortable being alone 1 star
Comfortable with cold weather 3 stars
Comfortable with hot weather 4 stars
All about friendliness 5 stars
Lovable with family 5 stars
Kid-friendly 4 stars
Pet-friendly 4 stars
Frank with strangers 5 stars
Grooming and Health Requirements 2 stars
Shedding quantity 2 stars
Drooling capability 1 star
Effortless to groom 1 star
Overall health 4 stars
Capable of weight gain 4 stars
Size 2 stars
Trainability 3 stars
Effortless to train 5 stars
Smartness 4 stars
Capable of biting 3 stars
Tendency to attack prey 4 stars
Urge to howl or bark 2 stars
Wanderlust nature 2 stars
Physical Requirements 4 stars
Energy range 5 stars
Intensity 3 stars
Exercise requirements 3 stars
Playful personality 5 stars
Vital Statistics
DOG BREED GROUP: COMPANION DOGS
HEIGHT: 9-11 INCHES
WEIGHT: 7-12 POUNDS
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 12-15 YEARS
Highlights
Bichon Frise breeds are in demand not only because of their fluffy white coats and baby-doll face but also of their mischievous nature. Some even misidentify this breed as a white Poodle. You will mostly see Bichons in white colors, but some can also have cream or apricot-colored coats with black noses and black eyes. They have arched neck that gives them a confident and proud look, and their tails turn elegantly in the back.
The Bichon Frise makes an excellent family pet. These dogs love playing, and they are always content(you can tell that by looking at their face). This doesn’t mean you should leave them alone for long as they don’t like that. They don’t just like family time; they actually need family time.
History
The origin of Bichon Frise still confuses everyone. Some say this breed originates from Spain, while others consider it a French dog. It’s known that the Bichon is a descendant of the Barbet, a woolly medium-sized water dog. The name Bichon is taken from Barbichon, which means a smaller version of Barbet. The Bolognese, the Havanese, the Bichon Frise, the Maltese, and the Coton de Tulear are members of the Barbichon family. All these breeds have origins in the Mediterranean and have similar appearances.
The first traces of the Bichon Frise can be found around the 14th century when they were brought home by the French soldiers from one of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. It’s said that the traders took them there using the Phoenician trade route. That’s why some say that the Bichon Frise is originally from Italy.
Some historians say that this breed was brought to Tenerife by the Spanish seamen, and they were brought back to the continent by the Italian sailors. On this side of the story, when Italy was invaded by the French in the 1500s, the French bought many Bichon Frise dogs as war booty to France.
Size
One of the reasons the Bichon Frise dogs look so adorable is their small size. The largest size of these dogs is barely a foot. Don’t go on their size because they’re hardy. Despite being so small, the American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize them as a Toy breed and makes them a part of the Non-sporting group.
Personality
One word that best describes the Bichon Frise is cheerful. These dogs want their human attention and love and are absolute charmers to their neighbors, veterinarians, friends, family, or groomers. They have a playful and independent attitude, but that doesn’t mean you can leave them alone. They are prone to separation anxiety when left alone for a long time. When they are faced with such situations, they use destruction as a coping mechanism.
They have moderate intelligence levels, so obedience training would be the best route for them. The Bichon Frise dogs are quick learners, so it becomes quite easy to train them from puppyhood. Canine sports also suit this breed.
The Bichon Frise looks so adorable that you will want to hold them all the time. But behind their adorable doll-face is a mischievous personality. They are so naughty, but all they want to do is please you and make you happy. You can give this breed the best cuddler award.
Health
The Bichon Frise generally has very good health though their life span might be short. Like all breeds, this breed also faces some health issues that you need to know about before making them a part of your family.
- Allergies
- Vaccination Sensitivity
- Bladder problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Juvenile Cataracts
Care
One thing you need to take care of before bringing a Bichon Frise home is that you have a backyard. These dogs love running around with their small legs. They run very fast that you’ll run out of breath but never catch them. However, make sure your yard is fenced so that they don’t jump outside. Their beautiful coat doesn’t remain the same always because you have to maintain it from time to time. Frequent bathing, brushing, and grooming are needed to maintain their elegance. Like every dog breed, the Bichon Frise can get oral diseases if you don’t maintain their dental hygiene.
Feeding and Diet
High-quality dry dog food in amounts of 1/2-1.5 cups divided into two meals a day is recommended for a Bichon Frise. The dietary requirements of every dog differ because of their age, size, health, and many other factors. You should never give your dog anything by asking anyone randomly. Go to your vet and make a special diet plan for your dog. Your vet will ask every necessary question and keep in mind your dog’s unique needs before scheduling a diet for your adorable fur ball.
Coat color and grooming
Usually, the Bichon Frise is known to have white-colored coats, but this is not a fixed color for every dog. You might get to see a combination of white and cream, white and apricot, or even white and pale yellow. They get the puffy coat look because of their coarse outer coat and dense and smooth undercoat. Their beautiful coat needs to be maintained from time to time, making them high-maintenance dogs. You need to brush your pet’s coat at least three times a week to avoid matting and later skin problems. At-home grooming wouldn’t be enough for these dogs, so you need to take them to professional groomers also after every 4-6 weeks for nail trimming, bath, and haircut.
Children and other Pets
One of the reasons why the Bichon Frise make great family pets is because they are so good with other pets and children. As long as these dogs are getting love and attention from their owner, they have no problem with anyone in the house. These dogs are suitable for any type of house, be it full of pets and children or just them. They actually enjoy the company of kids and other pets. However, you still need to socialize them so that they behave well even outside the house.
Shedding
The Bichon Frise dog doesn’t shed a lot making it an excellent pet for allergy sufferers. They do shed a little, but their loose hair can get stuck in their undercoat. You need to brush their coat from time to time to remove dead hair.
Male vs. Female attitude
The attitude of a Bichon Frise isn’t differentiated on the basis of their gender, and it depends mostly on their upbringing.
Exercise
The Bichon Frise dogs are little fur balls full of energy. You need to give them daily exercise along with long walks to keep them healthy.
Little known facts
The Bichon Frise was featured many times in paintings by the famous painter Francisco Goya from Spain.
FAQ on breed
- Where do the Bichon Frise dog breeds come from?
Spain
- What is the best diet routine for a Bichon Frise?
Feed your dog ½ to 1 cup of high-quality dog food a day.
- How much exercise is required for a Bichon Frise Dog?
Daily exercise with long walks.