Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is an intelligent dog breed that is quick to learn, making training relatively easy. They are also good-natured dogs that enjoy being around children. Though they do not require a lot of exercise, they were originally bred as sailor’s companions and have a merry personality. Today, they remain popular companion pets due to their small size and elegant white coat.

The Bichon Frise is a sociable dog that gets along well with other animals but may suffer from separation anxiety. The breed has a loosely curled, medium-length coat that can become stained and matted. Frequent brushing is required to keep the dog in good condition, and the Bichon Frise should ideally be groomed professionally several times a year. The average lifespan for the breed is 12 to 15 years, but some health problems can affect them so it’s important to choose a healthy bloodline.

The Bichon Frise is an ideal companion because he is so affectionate. His tricks made him a great circus dog in the past, but these days he prefers to entertain his people at home. He loves being the center of attention and will do anything to get it. This shouldn’t be surprising given that he has performed for royalty and in front of packed crowds at the circus with only applause as his reward.

His dark eyes gleam with mischief, but similar to his cousins the Havanese, Maltese, and Coton de Tulear, he mostly uses his abilities for good. Making sure he has the softest bed and only one small bite of your dinner makes you both happy. But don’t anticipate a Bichon to be naturally “perfect”: housetraining him can be difficult and he needs to learn where he belongs in the family hierarchy.

Although Bichons love snuggling, they still require exercise and obedience training. It would be foolish to never spoil your Bichon, but it is important to focus the training on matters that are truly important—such as nipping, snapping and barking. You want your dog to remain bold and happy, not turn into a yappy tyrant.

Although the Bichon breed can make a great family pet, it may not be well-suited for families with rowdy kids, both young and old. They’re small build makes them susceptible to injury if play gets too rough and they might even bite a child if they get scared.

While the Bichon’s non-shedding coats lead many people to believe they are “non-allergenic,” that simply is not the case. It’s a dog’s dander – flakes of skin – that typically trigger allergic reactions, not the coat itself. The non- shedding coat on Bichons means there will be less dander in your environment and possibly fewer allergic reactions. However, Bichons still produce dander and can cause an allergic reaction for some people. Therefore, you should avoid any breeder who tells you their dogs are “non- allergenic.”

  • Group AKC Non Sporting
  • Origin France, Spain
  • Size Small
  • Weight 10 to 18 pounds
  • Coat Length Long
  • Coat Type Curly, Double
  • Colors White, White & Apricot, White & Buff, White & Cream
  • Other Names Tenerife Dog, Bichon Tenerife, Bichon A Poil Frise, Bichon Tenerife, Purebred Bichon
  • Temperament Affectionate, Cheerful, Feisty, Gentle, Playful, Intelligent, Sensitive

Breed Characteristics

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