Origin: Spain
Origin of Name: A Bichon Frise from French: bichon à poil frisé, French pronunciation: meaning 'curly haired dog' is a small breed of dog of the bichon type.
Size | Temperament | Shedding | Drooling | Monthly keeping cost | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Small | Zero High |
Negligible Hair Everywhere |
Zero Excess |
|
Bichons are members of the clan of small white dogs formally known as the Barbicon type. (They also include Bolognese, Havanese and Maltese.) These ancient breeds are believed to have begun their modern development on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. One of these breeds became so popular with island sailors that it was known as Bichon Tenerife, the primary ancestor of today's Bichon Freese.
The breed's close association with European nobles began in the 13th century. Most notably, he rewarded himself for the royal courts of Spain, Italy and France and came into his own during the Renaissance.
With the arrival of the French Revolution in 1789, Bichon's days as the pampered and fragrant lapdog of the aristocracy came to an end. One by one the miscreants of the breed were sent to prison and guillotine, and their bitches lost their positions of privilege. Many people had to throw themselves on the road. Street entertainers took in bright, agile dogs and trained them to caress one or two passers by their antics. Soon, Bichon was earning his status as a circus artist. Trainable, impenetrably lovable, and always in his best form when in the spotlight, Bichons was an outstanding candidate for showbiz success.
The Bichons again faced a difficult time in the 20th century due to scarcity and austerity brought on by two world wars. And again, many Bichons found themselves out in the cold. Thanks to the few fanatics who gather the Bichans from the streets of France and Belgium, the breed survived and was recognized in France under the auspices of the Societe Centrale Canine in 1933 as Bichon a Poile Frette - "curly hair bichon.
The Bichon Freeze Club of America was founded in 1964 in San Diego. The AKC accepted Bichon in the miscellaneous category in 1971, and a year later the non-sporting group gained full breed recognition.
Bichon is classified as "somewhat active", but is an average. Long segments of quiet activity are often spread with brief bursts of high activity, often simply moving around the house or yard. In addition to walking, daily play sessions are required. Another dog can be a good exercise partner, but Bichon will still need quality play time with his owner. A fence-backed backyard is a good idea; Bichons are surprisingly fast, and if someone makes a dash for freedom, it can be difficult to catch or call you back. Many Bichons enjoy obedience, agility and participating in rally competitions.
Bichon frays should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog's weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Bichons are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will screen breeding stock for health conditions such as allergies, bladder infections, lusading patella, and cataracts and other eye diseases. If dental care and regular brushing of teeth are not a priority, bitches may experience early tooth loss or complications from a gum infection. To avoid ear infections, regular ear cleaning is recommended.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: