History: The Bichon Frise originated in France and has been documented since the 14th century. They were first developed in the Mediterranean region and are believed to be descendants of the Barbet. The breed was a favorite among nobility and popular in royal courts in the 16th century. During the 1800’s the Bichon Frise became commonly owned by organ grinders and circus performers and were occasionally trained as seeing-eye-dogs. The Bichon Frise was first brought to the United States during the year 1956.
Temperament: The Bichon Frise is typically cheerful, affectionate, and playful. They can have an independent side but for the most part, hate being alone. It is common for this breed to suffer from separation anxiety where they may become destructive if left alone for long periods of time. Properly crate training your Bichon Frise as a young age will help to prevent this problem. They are highly intelligent and need to be taught proper canine manners with obedience training to make sure they know the rules of the house. Like any dog, starting training and socializing at a young age will make sure you have a well-mannered dog for you and your family. The Bichon Frise will do well in a suburban or city home as long as they are given the proper exercise to fit their needs. They do have a lot of energy and it is recommended to go for a daily walk on top of obedience training to give them the physical and mental exercise they need.
Health/Grooming: The Bichon Frise has a double coat that is always white in color. They have a soft and dense undercoat while their outer oat is more coarse. This breed does have a reputation for not shedding, although this isn’t fully true. When the fur sheds it ends up being caught up in the undercoat instead of falling away from the dog. They will need to be brushed regularly in order to remove this dead fur and prevent matting or any skin issues. Also keeping an eye on the fur in their ears and making sure to have your groomer pluck or trim the hair will help to prevent ear infections from buildup. The Bichon Frise may be more prone to health issues such as bladder problems, allergies, luxating patella, and eye diseases. Making sure to see clearances from OFA and CERF to ensure the dogs have been tested for these issues.
