Bichon Frise

Disposition

Bichons are happy-go-lucky puppies with a whimsical ease to their gait and an inquisitive face that is irresistible. This is a breed that is friendly towards strangers and great with kids. These puppies are active and playful. They will need daily exercise to avoid boredom. These dogs were bred for companionship and will not be happy when left alone. They only tend to bark when left alone for too long.

The Bichon Frise is self assured, independent and intelligent. They are easy to live with and will want to make you happy and loves human company. They are intelligent, affectionate, gentle, and active. This gentle breed is not a frequent barker; it has a happy temperament that is easy to live with. They are very sociable and are the happiest when they are a central part of a family. The Bichon Frise is an active breed and needs daily exercise to alleviate boredom which can lead to destructive behavior and separation anxiety.

Training

Bichon Frise puppies can be sensitive and will need encouragement based training, as they will not respond well to harsh corrections or scolding. Be gentle with your Bichon. This bright little breed is easy to train. Socialize your Bichon puppy early to ensure they are comfortable with social environments. They are naturally sociable and are happiest when they are part of a family that takes them everywhere. This sociable trait also means they do well cohabiting with other pets and are excellent with children.

Like many small breeds, the Bichon puppy may be difficult to house-break. They need rules and limits to what they can and can’t do. This structure will help you establish yourself as the pack leader and avoid the common “Small Dog Syndrome” that small dogs tend to take on when they don’t have rules to follow. Provide calm, assertive feedback to your Bichon Frise puppy as well as daily walks and encouragement, and you will have a stable, trustworthy and sweet dog.

Grooming

Grooming a Bichon is a commitment. You’ll need to dedicate time every week to grooming and bathing. You should brush them at least twice a week or more, and you’ll need to bath them whenever they get dirty in order to keep that white coat clean. Always remove mats before you bathe a Bichon, as bathing them will tighten the knots and make them nearly impossible to remove.

Check their ears often to ensure they are clean. Sometimes you have to pluck out the hair that grows in the ear canal (which a groomer can do if you don’t feel comfortable with the job). If you notice a buildup of wax, redness, or a foul odor, or  if you notice them scratching and shaking their head a lot, take them to the vet to be sure he doesn’t have an ear infection.

Most Bichon owners take them in every 4-6 weeks for for a bath, brush, haircut, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. It is also common for people to learn how to groom their Bichon themselves online. The key is keeping a Bichon’s face clean and trimmed. This is for health as much as it is for looks. Mucus and discharge from the eyes tend to build up in the hair that grows around the eyes, and eye problems can result if you don’t clean the area regularly.

Clubs, Registries & Associations

(Based on breed recognition. See store for details on a particular puppy.)

• The American Canine Association Inc.
• The American Canine Registry
• American Kennel Club
• American Pet Registry, Inc.
• Continental Kennel Club
• Dog Registry of America, Inc.
• North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
• National Kennel Club
• United Kennel Club

Additional Information

Group: Companion, Non-sporting
Average Weight: 7-12  lbs.
Personality Traits: Affectionate, gentle, enthusiastic
Country of Origin: Spain
Coat: Double-coat, fluffy

Check out the Bichon Frise puppies for sale we currently have in our stores. If there are none here, please contact us and we’ll be in touch.

✓ This article has been reviewed by Animal Kingdom’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.