Learn About The Breed: Bichon Frise
Developed solely to be a companion dog, the Bichon Frise is a friendly, happy little dog. These delightful little characters have a long and interesting history.
The breed is believed to have originated in Spain, the result of cross breeding the Poodle and the Barbet Water Spaniel. As far back as the 13th century, Spanish sailors were using these little dogs as an item of barter, and as a result the breed spread across western Europe. Many ended up in France, and by the 1500s, the Bichon was a firm favorite of French royalty.
The Bichon has always had an unsurpassed ability for learning tricks, and for this reason has always been a popular performing dog with circuses and other entertainment troupes.
The Bichon Frise is a small dog that is classified in the Toy or Companion Group by most registries. They are sturdy little dogs, weighing up to 12 pounds and standing between 9 and 12 inches tall. The coat is soft and silky and is considered hypoallergenic, making the Bichon an ideal pet for someone with allergies. Coat color is always white, although there may be apricot or cream shading on the ears.
As a dog bred to be a human companion it's no surprise that the Bichon has a wonderfully balanced personality. They are friendly, outgoing and affectionate, forming close bonds with those they love. They are good with children and other pets, and generally just a joy to have around.
These are intelligent dogs with a strong desire to please, so training is an absolute pleasure. That is, unless you bring house training into the equation. The Bichon has a reputation for being difficult to housebreak.
This is a relatively healthy breed, although not immune to the conditions typically present in purebred dogs. Cancer, epilepsy, cataracts and fleabite allergies are among the health issues that afflict the breed, while liver shunts, a condition requiring surgery, is also known to occur. Despite this, the Bichon is a long-lived breed, with a lifespan often exceeding 15 years.
The Bichon Frise is relatively high maintenance when it comes to grooming. That luxuriant coat needs to be brushed every day and also requires regular trimming and clipping to keep it in shape. The dog can be bathed once or twice a month, but they tend to have sensitive skin, so don’t overdo it.
This is an ideal breed for keeping in an apartment. The Bichon loves to be close to its human companions and will develop separation anxiety if left alone for long periods. They are energetic dogs but can meet most of their exercise needs with indoor games. However, it is still important to get your dog out of doors, for at least a short walk, every day.
If you’re looking for a name for your Bichon Frise, the best advice is to visit a puppy names, website. The one that I recommend is Puppy Names HQ, which has a huge database of excellent dog names including 1000s of male dog names.
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