Bichon Frise Dog Breed

The Bichon Frise was originally bred to be a ratter and companion dog for sailors in the Mediterranean. In time, they became royal pets, and eventually, entertainers for the common people. These days, they are basically companion dogs and family pets. Their long, diverse history has lent them a great many talents. Bichons are good for first-time dog owners, as companions for elderly people, and for most indoor living situations. Many people get Bichon puppies without understanding that there's far more than feeding and walking them, however, and think that they are too small to attack or be dangerous.

Here are some interesting facts and information about this breed:

The bichon frise has officially been around since the 1300's, however that was the first documented records of the breed so it's likely they were around for much longer. Regardless, when the bichon frise arrived in Europe it has grown in popularity and is today one of the most popular 25 dog breeds.

The breed's happy attitude, intelligence, and charm has made it a favorable dog for centuries. The bichon frise is elegant enough to be favored among kings, charming enough to be used by performers for entertainment, and intelligent enough to be used as guide dogs. Needless to say, it comes as no surprise that the dog is still a favorite among breeders and families.

Bichons make great companion dogs and are wonderful with children. They are very tolerant of sudden noises and commotion commonly associated with small kids. The bichon frise does well with other pets, but they can become a jealous dog if they feel other pets are getting more attention than they are. The breed suffers from separation anxiety, so it's not recommended for owners who are frequently away from their pets.

Hailing from the Mediterranean and more than 2,000 years old, this breed was known by many different names. The origin of the Bichon Frise was the Water Spaniel, better known as the Barbet. (The Barbet was also an ancestral breed to the Poodle and the Maltese.) Originally called a Barbichon, the breed's name was eventually contracted to just Bichon. It was not several centuries later, in the 1930s, that the "Frise" was added.

Spanish sailors carried them on their ships, often to the Canary Islands and in particular to the island of Tenerife. This prompted one of the many name changes: Bichon Tenerife. It was from the Tenerife that the modern Bichon Frise came. By the 14th century, the Bichons were also popular in Italy. Italian sailors took them abroad and traded them to others. During the following century, they were imported by French sailors. They were a hit among the royalty. From the 15th until the mid-19th centuries, Bichons were frequently featured in paintings. A couple of the more famous painters of these dogs were Titian (from Italy) and Goya (from Spain).

By the end of the 1900s, however, the Bichon had fallen into disfavor, and they ended up in the streets doing tricks and relying on their cute looks to survive. After World War I, breeders revived the breed. In 1933, a new breed standard was composed. It was accepted by the Societe Central Canine de France, and a new name was coined: Bichon Frise. The following year, the French Kennel Club officially recognized the breed.

Following WWI, American soldiers took the little dogs home. A few decades later, a French couple took six of the dogs to Milwaukee, WI. In 1964, the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded. A few years later, in 1971, the breed was allowed to be in American Kennel Club (AKC) competitions. The following year, 1972, the AKC recognized the Bichon Frise.

The Bichon Frise is a unique-looking dog that is unmistakable in anatomy and appearance. The button nose is black and matches their little round black eyes. A round skull and little muzzle sits atop a short neck that leads to a small yet sturdy body. The ears are long and floppy and hang halfway down their small heads, and yet they may be groomed to appear without ears. Make no doubt, however: the Bichon Frise face is a very cute one!

The legs of the Bichon are proportionate with the body but may appear short and stubby due to the coat style. The tail, like the ears, is a lot longer than it may appear when groomed in a fashionable way. Under all that poufy hair, the tail should curl up and over the back. The paws are fair-sized and, when popularly styled, may seem like a tubular part of the leg.

The typical coat style is a powder puff look, but if left ungroomed, that same coat can look like a scruffy poodle or terrier. Regardless of which look a Bichon Frise may have, there is no shedding of theft and curly yet robust hair.

When it comes to the Bichon Frise, there is no real variation. Although the coat color varies in shades from off-white to other light colors (all of which are discussed on this page in Bichon Frise Coloring), these are not recognized as varieties.

As for ads you might see selling a teacup Bichon Frise, or a Bichon Toy, or a miniature, mini toy, petit, micro, or even a giant (yes, there are "giant" Bichons being advertised!), none of these types are a purebred. In the rare chance that a tiny Bichon is a purebred, it is sure to have dreadful health problems from being produced by runts or Bichons with congenital defects such as dwarfism. Because these dogs are very popular in Europe, they may have in other languages names that imply very small sizes: Bichon nain (dwarf), Bichon nano (very small), etc.

The Bichon Frise temperament is cute, playful, and affectionate. These gently mannered pooches have the potential to keep this disposition so long as constant and daily care is given them. In return for helping them keep their bubbly behavior intact, you'll be rewarded with a doting dog whose loyalty and love is bigger than her!

On the other hand, the Bichon Frise is highly sensitive to your moods. They can easily become anxious if neglected, handled roughly, subjected to shouting or loud noise, or left alone for most the day. What was once a feisty puppy may become an aggressive and distrustful dog. This dog's cheerful characteristics demand your time, your love, and a lot of socialization with people and other pets. Like grooming her coat, maintaining your Bichon's appealing personality traits can't be done once a week or whenever.

The Bichon Frise has been purebred for some centuries, and this lends to problems caused by in-breeding. Recent attempts to make these dogs even smaller while maintaining their purity has also harmed the breed. As such, they have some problems that tend to be found primarily among large dogs (hip dysplasia), and they also have some rare deadly diseases (Kartagener's syndrome). They may also temporarily experience a harmless "ailment" called reverse sneezing.

Here are some of the other health problems that Bichons can experience:

• Epilepsy
• Gingivitis
• Pyoderma
• Liver shunt
• Ear infections
• Hemophilia B
• Heart disease
• Crowded teeth
• Patellar luxation
• Inherited cataracts
• Endocrine diseases
• Severe chronic allergies
• White Shaker Dog syndrome
• Urinary infections and stones

The average life expectancy of a Bichon Frise is 12 to 15 years.

The Bichon Frise is a universally cute dog that does have a shortened muzzle but not a smushed face. They have a lot of health issues but few that are typical of centuries-old purebred (AKA "inbred) dogs. They might have some teeth crowding or other dental problems, but they are neither "so ugly they're cute" or found among candidates for ugly dog contests. Perhaps the only ugly Bichon Frise you'll find is on an ugly Christmas sweater, and even those are kinda cute. (It's the sweater that's "so ugly it's cute"!)

As for Bichon Frise circus dogs, you'll find more mentioned in the breed's history than these dogs in real life performing at carnivals and fairs. They can still be trained to do an amazing array of circus-like stunts to entertain you, your kids, family and friends.