| Bichon Frise: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Bichon Frise personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Bichon Frise, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard calls the Bichon Frise "a white powder puff of a dog whose merry temperament is evidenced by his plumed tail carried jauntily over the back and his dark-eyed inquisitive expression."
Cheerful and playful, the Bichon Frise enjoys dashing around the house and yard and accompanying you for walks.
Bichons are so sociable and dependent that they don't do well when left for long periods of time without companionship.
There is timidity in some lines, so early socialization is important.
Though he does have an independent streak, he is not a dominant dog and responds well to nonforceful training.
He prefers learning tricks to formal obedience and is especially bright-eyed when food treats are offered as rewards. Harshness only makes him spiteful."
History
Originating in the Canary Islands, the Bichon Frise was favored by Italian and French nobility and also played the role of common street dog, organ grinder's dog, and circus dog. His name translates to "curly lap dog."
Size
9-12 inches and 12-18 lbs |
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Bichon Frise
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small but sturdy
- Doesn't need much exercise
- Has a curly coat that doesn't shed (one of the best breeds for allergy sufferers)
- Makes a good watchdog, but is not aggressive
- Is good with other pets
A Bichon Frise may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Notorious housebreaking difficulties
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Shyness in some lines, or when not socialized enough
- Stubbornness (mind of his own)
- Frequent brushing and clipping of the curly coat
- Barking
- Chronic skin problems
A Bichon Frise may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Bichon Frise... |
My major concerns would be:
- Housebreaking. As a behavioral consultant, I would put the Bichon Frise on my Top 10 List of "Hard to Housebreak." Consistent crate training is mandatory. Sometimes a doggy door is necessary. And some owners never do get their Bichon Frise fully housebroken.
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, the Bichon Frise needs a great deal of companionship and does not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. The Bichon Frise needs extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural "softness" can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with.
| Bichon Frise puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to a Bichon Frise puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Bichon Frise adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result.
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- Mind of their own. Bichons are not Golden Retrievers. They can be stubborn and manipulative. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Bichon to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Bichon Frise Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Grooming. To keep their coat short and free of mats, Bichons require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months. But don't expect your pet Bichon Frise to look like the Bichon Frise show dogs you've seen in books and on TV. That particular look takes hours of work by experienced show groomers.
- Barking. Bichons Frise are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. If you work all day and have close neighbors, the Bichon is not a good choice for you. For the same reason, Bichons should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, some Bichons have intense, high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
- Skin problems. Many Bichons scratch and chew themselves into horrendous skin disorders. They are often allergic to fleas, chemicals, grass, pollen, and so on.
| Not all Bichons Frises are alike! |
- There are energetic Bichons, and placid Bichons.
- Hard-headed Bichons, and sweet-natured Bichons.
- Serious Bichons, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Bichons, and Bichons who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Bichon Frise puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Bichon Frise... |
There are plenty of adult Bichons Frise who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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