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Dogs 101 — BICHON FRISE — Top Dog Facts About the BICHON FRISE
The Bichon Frise is a small curly-haired toy dog known for its striking powder-puff appearance. The breed originated in the Mediterranean area, and is believed to have been developed by a cross between a barbet, which is a large water dog, with small lap dogs. The cross resulted in four Bichon breeds – Maltese, Bolognaise, Havanese and Tenerife. The Tenerife, named after the island of Tenerife, later developed into the Bichon Frise. In the 14th century, Italians brought some specimens to the mainland, where they became popular among the nobility. French invasions of Italy took the breed to France, where their popularity reached a high under the rule of Henry III in the late 16th century. The breed’s popularity waned over the next few centuries, and it survived mainly as a dog used by peddlers to perform tricks, only to see revived interest in the early 1900s, when the breed was formally established. Arrival to the US after World War II helped the breed secure its future by excelling as a show dog as well as a beloved pet.
Time for some Ruff Trivia:
— The Bichon group of dogs has inspired a word in French – ‘bichonner’. What does it mean?
o A: To play
o B: To pamper
o C: To hunt
What do you think, give it your best guess in the comments below before we get to the answer! Hang on tight and we’ll get back to this Ruff Trivia Question toward the end of the video.
The height range for the adult Bichon Frise is 9.5 to 11.5 inches. Weight varies between 10 to 16 pounds, with the female being slightly lighter than the male. The dog’s undercoat is soft and dense, with the always whiteouter coat having a distinctive coarse and curly texture that springs back when patted. The skull is slightly rounded; the muzzle is not pointy, but not flat either. The tail is tall and curly and carries over the back.
Grooming:The Bichon Frise does not shed, but the loose hair can get entangled and cause matting. This requires daily brushing to remove old hair, coupled with a bath at least once a month to keep the dog clean. The hair grows continually and requires periodic cutting. Teeth have to be brushed, nails trimmed and ears checked for wax buildup regularly.
Temperament:‘Merry’ and ‘cheerful’ are words typically used to describe the Bichon Frise. It is a gentle, sensitive, playful and loving breed that loves human company. It is also a very friendly breed, getting along well with children and other pets. It gets friendly with strangers very easily. These dogs also tend to bark a lot.
Training:The Bichon Frise survived for a substantial part of its history as a trick-performing dog, which is a testament to its intelligence and trainability. Early obedience training is highly recommended. It is an active dog that requires either an exhausting game indoors or a moderate walk on leash or game in the yard everyday.
Health:The life expectancy for the breed is 12 to 15 years, which is on the higher side for dogs of this size. While the dog does not cause allergies in humans, it is itself prone to a number of allergies from chemicals, fleas, pollen, etc. Skin-related issues, patellar luxation, tooth loss and cataract are some disorders seen commonly in the breed. Cancer is a leading cause of death in these dogs.
The BishonFrise is a cheerful, happy-go-lucky, friendly bundle of cotton that is ideal for people prone to allergies. Once the companion of royalty, the dog loves being pampered, and is perfect for owners who enjoy fussing over their pets.
Find out if the Bichon Frisewould be a good addition to your home. Now you can visit Brooklyn’s Corner.com to take our quiz and find out which dog would be the best match for you.
Music by Kevin McLeod — Royalty Free
