Bichon Frise

High Maintenance: His hair grows continually and does not shed. When grooming the Bichon you have to remove the old hair by brushing and cut the new hair as it grows. Daily brushing and at least a monthly bath plus a haircut are musts for this breed. Bichons also tend to be a good breed for allergy sufferers.Their nails should be trimmed regularly to avoid overgrowth and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris which can result in an infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Hypoallergenic: YesBichon Frises are prone to scratching and chewing on themselves which commonly results in serious skin conditions. They are hypoallergenic but they themselves suffer from allergies to fleas, chemicals, pollen, dust, etc. Loose knee joints, ear infections, cataracts, diabetes, and heart disease are also common ailments that the breed is known to suffer from.

The striking powder-puff appearance of the bichon derives from its double coat, with a soft dense undercoat and coarser, curly outer coat, causing the coat to stand off the body and even spring back when patted. It is a merry, agile breed, longer than it is tall, with an effortless trot. Its looks, combined with its fitness, enabled it to earn its living as a street performer. Its soft, inquisitive expression enabled it to worm its way into many hearts and laps.

Bichons love to show off, and they respond well to positive training but not harsh tactics. The Bichon is a naturally gentle, playful dog. Attending an obedience class will benefit both pet and owner. He loves activity and requires regular exercise. Highly intelligent and trainable, Bichons delight in entertaining their owners. Bichons also love to run - and they are fast! Your first ‘Bichon blitz’ will amaze you. If you have a yard, make sure it’s securely fenced and work hard on teaching your dog to listen and come when called.

The Bichon Frise (meaning ‘curly lap dog’, also known as a ‘Bichon Tenerife’ or ‘Bichon a Poil Frise’, if you want to be fancy about it) descends from the Barbet, a Mediterranean breed. The Barbet was cross bred with a small coated white breed to derive the Bichon. Bichons were classified under four categories: the Havanese, Bolognese, Maltaise, and Tenerife, from which the Bichon Frise ultimately descended. They were brought home from the Canary Islands by Italian sailors in the 1300’s and became popular pets for the French and Italian upper class, including King Francis I. Bichon Frises sank in popularity through World War I to the point of nearly being lost, but survived via their popularity as tricksters, accompanying street minstrels. French breeders in the 1930’s made an effort to revive the breed, which finally took off in popularity after being brought to America in the 1950’s.