The Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frisé stands tall at 9.5-11.5 inches at the withers and weighs seven-to-12 pounds. His compact body is medium-boned and is slightly longer than tall. His sassy expression is enhanced by halos of dark skin around black eyes and by black eye rims and nose leather.
Bichon ears droop and are covered with long flowing hair trimmed to balanced a bearded muzzle and a slightly rounded head. The neck is arched, giving the dog a confident stance.
The lowest point of the Bichon chest reaches the elbow or below and flows smoothly along the ribs and abdomen to a moderate tuck-up in front of the hind legs. The back is firm, the body well-muscled for effortless movement. The tail is well-plumed and curves gracefully over the back.
Bichons are always white, but puppies can have shadings of buff, cream, or apricot around ears and on the body. Colors on adult dogs are heavily penalized in the show ring.
The Bichon coat is unique. The undercoat is soft and dense, the guard hairs coarser and curlier. When trimmed, the coat follows the lines of the body and is left long enough to give the breed's characteristic poufy appearance, with hair left longer on head, ears, beard, and tail. The coat should not be wiry, limp, or over-soft.
Gentle, perky, playful, and affectionate, the Bichon is a delightful family companion, well-suited for apartment living or for families with older children. Some Bichons dislike sudden touching, which makes them unsuitable for families with small children. Prospective buyers should keep in mind that this breed needs to be with people; families that spend most of the time away from home should select another breed.
The Bichon gets along well with other animals; he is bright, and outgoing and loves to learn tricks. He's not a guard, but he does bark when strangers approach
Bichon care
Anyone considering a Bichon should carefully weigh the amount of time available for grooming, for the coat needs lots of attention. Bichon undercoat does not drop when the hair dies, so it must be combed from the coat to avoid hot spots and prevent mats and tangles. Even if the dog is to be professionally groomed every month, owners must be prepared to brush the pet at least twice each week. Puppies must be accustomed to brushing at an early age, a process that requires much patience and gentle handling.
Bichon surroundings should be kept as clean as possible to keep dirt and chaff out of the coat and prevent flea infestations. The breed is susceptible to skin irritations; careful coat care can keep skin healthy and problems to a minimum.
White dogs stay white by frequent bathing. The coat must be completely free of snarls before bathing or the hair will compress into felt-like mats.
Other than coat care, the Bichon is a relatively easy keeper. The breed is subject to some allergies that cause skin problems, bladder stones, ear infections, and a neurological problem that has been associated with vaccination protocols.
Bladder stones are linked to excessive protein, magnesium, and phosphorus in the diet and with long confinement that forces the dog to hold his urine. Symptoms of bladder stones include frequent urination, bloody urine, straining to urinate, and loss of appetite.
Ear infections occur in many breeds that have drop ears that do not allow air circulation. Thus it is important to keep Bichon ears clean and free of inside hair. The groomer can pluck the hair; the veterinarian may recommend periodic cleaning with a special ear wash.
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