| The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy breed of dog, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese. He has a black nose and dark eyes, and its white fur consists of a curly outer coat and a silky undercoat. A small amount of buff or cream color may be seen around its ears or on its body. The head and legs are proportionate in size to the body, and ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped). Often the coat is trimmed to make the fur seem even in length. |
| Height: |
9-12 inches |
| Weight: |
10-18 pounds |
| Color(s): |
White |
| Coat: |
Curly outer coat with a silky undercoat |
| Description: |
The Bichon Frise, French for “curly lap dog”, may have descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, and Poodle. |
| Temperament: |
Merry. The Bichon Frise is feisty, playful, and can be affectionate. |
| Training: |
Bichon Frises are obedient and easily trained. |
| Care & Grooming: |
The Bichon Frise requires frequent brushing, trimming, and bathing. Daily grooming prevents tangles and creates a puffier coat. To prevent matting, the coat should be kept clean, brushed thoroughly before bathing, and brushed and completely dried after bathing. Excess hair should be removed regularly from ears and between foot pads. The Bichon Frise’s nails grow at a fast to moderate rate, so should be cut regularly. The hair on the face of a Bichon Frise should be kept clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes. |
| Shedding: |
Extremely light |
| Health: |
Because autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) are responsible for premature Bichon Frisé deaths, Bichon Frisé owners should be particularly alert to the symptoms of these conditions. In AIHA, the dog's immune system attacks its own red blood cells, leading to severe, life-threatening anemia. Symptoms include weakness, loss of energy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, dark urine, and pale or yellow gums. Thrombocytopenia often accompanies AIHA. In ITP, blood platelets (which cause blood clotting) are destroyed. The most common clinical signs are hemorrhages of the skin and mucus membranes. Owners of Bichon Frises showing suspicious symptoms should seek immediate veterinary care as these diseases can strike with little or no warning and kill very quickly. Mortality rates of 20% to 80% are reported. Additionally, Bichon Frises are unusually prone to allergies, and skin problems. Other health issues reported for Bichon Frises include Cushing’s Syndrome, dental disease, patellar luxation and cruciate ligament tears, and bladder and kidney stones. Like many other dogs with fluffy, flappy ears, Bichon Frises are prone to ear mites. In common with most white dogs Bichon Frises are prone to tear-staining around the eyes. Tear staining may be caused by allergies, infections, blocked tear ducts, stray eyelashes, or foreign material in the eyes. |
| Lifespan: |
12.2 years average |
| Litter Size: |
|
|
|
