Live Life Team
The Bichon Frise is an older breed and is believed to date back as far as the 14th century. It originated as a cross breed of the Poodle and the Barbet Water Spaniel. Technically a gundog, this dog was popular with Spanish sailors and the French royal courts as a lap dog or pet. It was also popular as a circus performer given the ease with which it can be taught to perform tricks.
The Bichon Frise is renowned for its adorable appearance. It has a wavy outer coat with a silky undercoat. The breed is predominantly found in white but other possible colours are grey, cream and apricot. It is common for the coat to be clipped either all over or at the muzzle and feet. The coat is also hyper-allergic as almost no shedding occurs. It must be groomed frequently but bathing need only take place around once per month. The ears and eyes should frequently have the hair trimmed away from them. The Bichon Frise has a rounded muzzle and dark eyes. It has hairy, pendulous ears. The eyes should be cleaned regularly else the discharge will cause staining to the fur beneath them.
This is a friendly and endearing small dog. It loves to be with humans and is affectionate and playful. It is also lively but, unlike many small dogs, it does not bark or yap excessively. The Bichon Frise responds well to training and its easy-going temperament makes it easy to integrate into any family. They mix well with other pets and are excellent animals to have around children. Their playful nature and their ability to learn tricks make them popular with children of all ages. As with many small dogs, it is important that the owner sets firm rules for the Bichon Frise. The dog needs to learn early that it is not the pack leader to avoid some undesirable behaviour that this can cause. These may include barking, snapping and separation anxiety. As long as the dog is treated firmly and with consistency, this will not happen and the Bichon Frise will be a happy and good-natured pet.
The Bichon Frise is a healthy breed on the whole and has high life expectancy and may live over 15 years. Like most breeds, there are a number of ailments that it is more susceptible to. Problems with watery eyes and cataracts are common as are ear and skin issues. Their skin may also be more sensitive to fleabites than most breeds and so care must be taken to avoid infestation. Dislocated kneecaps are another possible ailment and some dogs are epileptic.
The Bichon Frise is an active and energetic little dog. It does require daily exercise in the form of a walk as well as play. If the dog is not walked daily, it is more likely to exhibit problem behaviours. As long it is receiving walks each day, the dog can easily adapt to smaller living spaces and homes without outdoor space.
