Bichon Frise – The Cotton-Ball of Dogs
Bichon Frise dogs are sweet, small, puffy dogs that have loosely curled, poodle-like double coats that have an outer layer of some texture, and an undercoat that is fine, and silky. The surprising part about the Bichon Frise’s coat is that although even its undercoat is between three and four inches in length – and there’s a lot of it – it is considered to be almost entirely hypo-allergenic.
The Bichon Frise is typically all white in color, though there are some grey, apricot colored, and cream colored types as well. The style of a Bichon Frise’s fur may be clipped like a poodle, or it can be left to grow long, trimmed only at the feet and on the muzzle. Any clippings to the fur should aim for a rounded overall look. The muzzle of the Bichon Frise is moderate in length, and not pointed, but should have a slightly accentuated stop. The eyes of the Bichon Frise are round and dark and have an intelligent expression. The ears do hang down, but are very covered in hair and are not always visible. The neck and the chest of the Bichon Frise is well developed and strong. The Bichon Frise’s tail curls up over top of its back.
Bichons love to be around people. Though they are quite independent in nature, they are also extremely affectionate and have a strong desire for human companionship. Unlike other toy dogs, the Bichon Frise is not necessarily a barky dog. They are happy overall, and are considered to be quite easy to train due to their natural sociability and willingness to please. They travel well, and want to go everywhere with their families. Bichon Frises are also very good with children as well as with other family pets. Although they are very trainable and can do many different kinds of tricks, the Bichon Frise can be challenging to housebreak.
The Bichon Frise was first bred in the fourteenth century by crossing a poodle with a barbet water spaniel. They became favorites among the French nobility of the sixteenth century when they were brought to that country by way of Spanish sailors. Later, they became popular as circus performers and with organ grinders. Today, the Bichon Frise is very successful as a show dog and a companion and family dog.
The average lifespan of a Bichon Frise is over fifteen years. They are prone to eye problems such as cataracts and watery eyes. They can also have many different skin and ear problems throughout their lifetimes, with a high sensitivity to bites from fleas. The are at risk for epilepsy and dislocated kneecaps (patella).
