Lively, playful, and affectionate – Bichon Frisé is a small companion dog with Mediterranean origins. Spanish sailors brought the dog to Tenerife island (Atlantic Ocean) where it was developed and brought back to Europe in the 14th century. They were once called Canary Island lap dogs and Bichon Tenerife, or just Tenerife. Whatever name you use, the Bichon Frisé (pronounced BEE-shon Free-ZAY), is a happy and friendly dog that is not as fragile as it seems.

1. Size

Both male and female Bichons are the same size:

• Height: 9.5-11.5 inches (24 to 30 cm)
• Weight: 12-18 pounds (5 to 8 kg)

They are small and well-balanced dogs. The tail is a plume carried over the back. Ears are hanging, close to the head, round dark eyes, and short, well-developed muzzle.

2. Color

According to the UK Kennel Club, the only coat color is white. Apricot or cream markings are acceptable, but only up to 18 months. However, the AKC is more loose, and accepts these coat colors:

• White
• White and buff
• White and apricot
• White and cream

Black, blue, or beige markings are often found on the skin. The color of the nose and paw pads is black.

3. Social Traits

Bichon Frisé is an amazing lap dog. They are small and cute, playful and fun. Bichon is a friendly dog that goes well with the whole family, young and old. They are also good with other dogs and animals, but they do require proper socialization to prevent any surprises. After all, proper socialization is something every dog needs, no matter the size or breed.

Bichon Frisé is great with children of all ages

Although Bichons are much sturdier than they look, we still need to keep an eye on children during playtime with the dog. Just like we teach our dogs to play nicely, we have to teach children not to pinch a dog or pull its tail or ears.

Good with children: yes
Good with other dogs: yes
Good with other animals: yes

4. Trainability

Although Bichons are easy to train and quickly learn how to do tricks, a lot of owners claim they had a hard time potty training their Bichon Frisé. This doesn’t mean they can’t learn where and when to pee, it simply means you’ll have to have more patience.

It can be difficult to potty train a Bichon Frisé

Being consistent, patient, and using positive training methods with positive reinforcement, without yelling is the key to training a Bichon. Find something they really like, such as a favorite treat or a toy, and use it as a reward when they do a good job. Remember that a treat has to be something special and not everyday food.

Trainability: 4 out of 5 (5 being very trainable)
Struggle with: Potty training 

5. Activity Needs

Bichon Frisé is a small lap dog which means they don’t need a lot of daily exercise to keep them happy and healthy. An adult Bichon needs around 30 minutes of daily walks. However, you need to spend time with your dog and play some indoor games as well. These dogs are very sociable and were bred to be companion dogs so being with their owners is a very important thing for them.

If we don’t spend enough time with a Bichon Frisé, they can easily get bored or depressed, changing the boredom into misbehavior. All dogs need love, mental, and physical stimulation. It doesn’t matter that Bichons are small, they are dogs after all.

Activity needs: around 30 min

6. Feeding

Generally speaking, an adult Bichon Frisé needs from 0.5 to 1 cup of kibble food a day. It is recommended to feed the dog two times a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. That means you need to divide the amount into two meals. For example, if they need 1 cup a day, give them 0.5 cups in the morning and the other half in the evening.

Adult Bichon needs from 0.5 to 1 cup of kibble a day

The best option is to consult a vet. They can do a physical examination of your dog and decide what is the best option. They can also recommend the type of diet, whether it’s dry food (kibble), homemade, or a combination.  

7. Grooming

Bichon Frisé is a dog breed that needs regular grooming. Most dog owners take their Bichons to a groomer every 4 to 6 weeks. Some learn how to groom their dogs at home. Either way, you need to brush your Bichon 2 to 3 times a week but daily brushing is the best option. 

Bichon Frisé sheds little and is considered a hypoallergenic dog breed

The good thing is that Bichon Frisé is considered a hypoallergenic dog breed. This is because they shed minimally and the loose hair that does fall out gets caught in the undercoat. Because of this, they require regular brushing to remove the loose hair and prevent matting.

Use a pin brush to remove loose hair and prevent matting

Like other dogs, they need regular baths and nail trimming. If you take your dog to the groomer, they can do the job for you. If not, then you need to do the job every month.

Shedding: minimal ( however, daily brushing is recommended to prevent matting)

8. Possible Problems

If a dog breeder is responsible and does everything to keep their dogs healthy, including screen-testing their dogs to prevent diseases from being passed to offspring, then we can say that Bichon Frisé is a healthy dog breed.

However, inbreeding, puppy mills, backyard breeding, and so on, lead to numerous health issues. The sad rule is the cuter and more sought after the dog is, the more people with no breeding experiences or morals appear. 

But, even if everything is done correctly, we cannot prevent every health issue. Some can appear no matter how hard we try to prevent them. These issues are:

• Luxating patella
•  Eye problems
• Allergies 
• Teeth problems

Because of the possible teeth problems and consequential gum diseases, it is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Start while they are still young to get them used to the taste of the toothpaste and the process itself. Of course, always use toothpaste made for dogs.

Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years

Summary

Bichon Frisé is a lovable, fun, and cute lap dog that can easily fit any accommodation and any family. They go great with children of all ages. Bichons are also very friendly when it comes to other animals and other dogs. Of course, to truly thrive in any situation and to avoid any undesirable behavior, we should socialize them from an early age.

Bichon Frisé is also great for those with allergies because this dog breed is hypoallergenic. They shed minimally because of their unique coat. But, even though they don’t shed a lot, it is recommended to brush them daily to keep the fur healthy and beautiful.

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Cover Photo by David Brown