The Bichon Frise is easily recognizable by its beautiful, curly white coat, though you may notice some shades of cream or apricot near their ears and on their body. Weighing between 10-17 pounds and standing 9-12 inches at the shoulders, they’re an ideal fit for families looking to add a compact canine companion.

Despite their size, these little pups have a big heart – they’ve been known to offer up hugs and even kisses to those who show unconditional love. A lifespan of 12-15 years means you’ll get plenty of time with your new furry friend!

And because the breed is hypoallergenic, allergies won’t get in the way of all the hours spent cuddling them up.

History

The Bichon Frise is believed to have originated in the Mediterranean region during the Middle Ages. According to some sources, it was first mentioned in writing by Italian sailors in the 13th century. The French also played an important role in its development, giving it its name, which translates to “curly lap dog.” 

The breed was popular among nobles during this period and became especially popular with French royalty in the 16th century. It is believed that these dogs were responsible for bringing about several other breeds, including the Havanese, Maltese, and Coton de Tulear. 

  In 1956, a family from France immigrated to the United States with two of these pups—and so began the trend of Bichon Frise dogs in North America.

Within a decade, enough interest had been generated that an official breed standard was established and submitted to the AKC for recognition. This recognition came in 1973 with their acceptance into the Non-Sporting Group—the first new breed accepted into this group since 1934! 

Appearance

The Bichon Frise is a beautiful small dog with an endearing appearance. Generally, they have a longer length than their height, a plumed tail that curls over the back, and well-proportioned heads relative to their bodies.

They proudly bear drop ears and a pronounced black nose. Their curious eyes create quite a captivating look! 

Coat

The Bichon Frise may look like a ball of white fluff, but there is actually a lot more to their coat than that. Sporting a double coat, the topcoat consists of soft and fluffy hair that curves its way around their body in a medium curl.

While white is typically the predominant color of the Bichon Frise, the breed can sometimes have subtle apricot or cream shades on its body or ears.

However, one of the best features of this breed’s coat is its hypoallergenic and low-shedding qualities – perfect for families who don’t want to deal with a lot of mess!

Size

The Bichon Frise is the perfect size companion for families and singles alike! Not only are these little bundles of love small enough to fit into any home, they also don’t require much space to thrive.

Both males and females stay relatively compact – typically weighing 10-17 pounds at full grown and standing 9-12 inches tall.

There isn’t much variance between male and female Bichon Frise sizes, so it can be fun to spruce up their look with different colors of bows or collars regardless of gender.

Lifespan

While no dog breed has a 100% lifespan guarantee, Bichon Frise owners can feel fortunate that their companion generally averages an impressive 12 – 15 years.

This lively yet gentle breed will often live even longer with good care and plenty of quality time. So if you’re looking for a special pup who will stay by your side for years to come, then the Bichon Frise should be at the top of your list!

Environment

The Bichon Frise is an intelligent and cheerful breed of dog, making them the perfect choice for urban or apartment living. Although these dogs need minimal exercise, a daily walk can still provide them with mental stimulation.

Having this dog in your urban environment also fosters a sense of connection with the outside world, allowing those living in a concrete jungle to enjoy some greenery on their walks.

Additionally, their small size and social nature make them ideal play partners for children enjoying outdoor areas. With plenty of joy and love to go around, the urban environment is sure to welcome any Bichon Frise!

Temperament

The Bichon Frise is an affectionate and lively breed of small companion dogs with incredible personalities. These stylish pups need a lot of love and attention, but they will return the favor tenfold!

They are high-energy bundles of joy and make fantastic lap dogs, playfully bouncing around their owners to show their joy when reunited after being apart. Bichon Frises develop strong bonds with the people they know—not to mention those mysterious strangers who happen to pass by—and rarely bark excessively.

If you’re looking for a loyal, intelligent, and playful pup all at once, then the Bichon Frise might just be perfect for you!

Grooming

The breed is known for their luxurious white coats, and as any experienced Bichon Frise owner knows all too well, that coat requires a lot of TLC to stay looking great. So let’s review the basics of grooming your Bichon Frise so that their gorgeous fur can remain soft and fluffy! 

Brushing

Depending on the length of your pup’s fur, you should brush them at least once a week with either a slicker brush or a pin brush. This will help distribute natural oils throughout the coat, prevent tangles and matting, and keep dirt from collecting in the fur.

It’s important to be gentle when brushing – start from the neck and work your way down in small sections. 

Bathing

You should bathe your Bichon every 3-4 weeks using a dog shampoo specifically formulated for their sensitive skin. Bathing too often can strip away natural oils from their coat which can cause dryness and irritation.

For best results, use warm water to wet your pup before applying shampoo and then rinse thoroughly with cool water afterward. 

Ears

Check your pup’s ears regularly for signs of wax buildup or infection (a foul odor or discharge). If necessary, clean out your pup’s ears with an ear-cleaning solution recommended by your vet.

Be sure never to stick anything into their ear canal, as this could cause serious damage! 

Nails

It’s essential to keep an eye on your pup’s nails because they can grow quite quickly if they aren’t trimmed regularly. If you don’t feel comfortable trimming them yourself, it is best to seek professional help from a groomer or veterinarian.

Be sure not to cut too close to the quick, as this could cause pain or even bleeding! 

Teeth

Dental hygiene is just as important for dogs as it is for people! Brush your pup’s teeth two or three times per week using toothpaste specifically designed for dogs — never use human toothpaste!

You can also give them dental chews or treats, which help remove plaque and tartar buildup from their teeth without brushing. 

Nutrition

As a Bichon Frise owner, you want to ensure your pup is getting the best nutrition possible. That’s why it’s crucial to understand how much food they need and what types of food are best for them. So let’s take a deeper look into proper nutrition for Bichon Frises. 

Most experts recommend feeding adult Bichons between 1/2 cup to 1 1/2 cups per day, split into two meals. The exact amount will depend on several factors, such as your dog’s activity level, age, size, and health status.

If you have any questions or concerns about how much food your pup needs, talk to your veterinarian for personalized recommendations. 

The type of food you feed your pup will depend on their individual needs and preferences. For example, puppies may require a different diet than adult dogs. Additionally, some pups may need special diets if they have certain medical conditions or allergies.

In general, premium dry kibble with high-quality proteins like chicken or salmon is an excellent choice for healthy pups that don’t have any dietary restrictions. You can also occasionally add wet canned food to their diet as a treat or mix it in with dry kibble to get more variety in their meals. 

Just ensure you are reading labels carefully before feeding anything new to your pup—avoid foods that contain fillers like cornmeal or byproducts like animal fat or brewers rice, as these can be difficult for dogs to digest and provide little nutritional value. 

Lastly, always ensure clean water is available throughout the day, so your pup stays hydrated! 

Training

Bichon Frise training does not need to be a challenge. With patience, consistency, and lots of treats, even novice owners can quickly learn how to get the most out of their cuddly little pup.

Working with your Bichon Fraise early on is essential for teaching basic commands, such as sit and stay, as well as helping them develop good social skills around other people and pets. You’ll also need to find a positive method to help curb any destructive behaviors or chewing habits they have.

Most importantly, though, have fun with it – Bichons are notoriously cheerful dogs that love nothing more than making their humans proud!

Exercise

Exercise is an important part of owning a Bichon Frise to keep them mentally and physically healthy. Bichons need around 30 minutes to one hour of exercise daily, depending on their age and overall health condition.

Walking them or playing with them at the dog park or in the backyard can help your pup stay active while also teaching them fundamental skills that will help ensure good behavior. Incorporating interactive play into their daily routine will help motivate them and is great for development.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a small pup that loves people but doesn’t shed too much fur, then consider getting a Bichon Frise! These lovable pups are highly trainable and make excellent companions with their outgoing personalities.

With regular grooming sessions and plenty of exercise, your Bichon will bring lots of joy into your life—making them the perfect addition to any family!