Bichon Frise: Basic Guide For Taking Care Of This Popular Dog
The Bichon Frise is a popular dog breed that has been considered as a hypoallergenic breed; i.e. this is an ideal pet for people with allergies. The breed is a descendant of the water spaniel, and was a favorite pet of Italian, French, and British royalty during the 14th to 19th centuries. Now, Bichon Frises are a common sight in dog shows and have proven to be a loving and gentle family dog.
Description and General Appearance
This breed is slightly larger than the Maltese and is known for their “puffy” fur. Most Bichon Frises have white fur, but there are pups that have grey or apricot coats. These dogs don’t have a pointy muzzle and their skulls are a little rounded. When they are given a show cut, they feature a round body, dropped ears, and a curly tail.
Basic Temperament
Those who own this breed can attest to the dog’s happy and friendly nature. The Bichon Frise temperament makes him an ideal companion for children and families who have other dogs or pets. They are a gentle, charming, and sensitive breed, and are very easy to train.
Despite their small size, this breed makes an excellent watchdog.
Care Required
Bichon Frise care includes regular grooming and trips to the veterinarian. They need to be groomed every four to eight weeks to remove any dirt that has accumulated on the dog’s fur. Owners also have to brush the dog’s fur every day to get rid of any dead hair and keep the fur from matting.
Exercise Requirements
This dog is a small bundle of energy, but he only requires an average amount of exercise every day. Owners should schedule a certain time during the day when they take their dog out for a walk or a jog. They can also start games of fetch and tag with their dog in the backyard; these are excellent ways to help this breed to burn out all the excess energy they have in their small furry bodies.
Training Tips
Owners of this breed won’t have a difficult time with Bichon Frise training, because these dogs enjoy learning new things. The best way to train them is through positive reinforcement, where owners praise the dog whenever he obeys the owner’s command. Owners should never shout or yell at their dog when training him; this will only make their dog nervous and even fear them.
Height and Weight
A full grown male Bichon Frise is normally nine to 12 inches long, while the females are about nine to 11 inches long. This breed weighs about 7-11 pounds (three to five kilograms) once it is fully grown.
Health and Longevity
These dogs can live for about 12 to 13 years, although it has been noted that Bichon Frises in the United Kingdom live longer than those in Canada and the United States. The breed is prone to a number of health problems, such as watery eyes, epilepsy, and cancer. Veterinarians highly suggest that owners of Bichon Frises provide the puppies with the right diet and health care as early as possible, to lessen the chances of the dog developing these sicknesses as it grows older.
Suitability As a Pet
As previously mentioned, this breed makes a good companion for families with children and other pets because these dogs do not display any aggressive tendencies. This is a sociable breed and can live in apartments, provided that their owners give them enough exercise.
For more information about the Bichon Frise, check out the highly recommended Insider’s Guide To a Healthy, Happy & well Behaved Bichon Frise package today!
Other Informative Articles:
• Bichon Frise Grooming – How To Groom A Dog With A Double Coat
• Dog Food Nutrition For Your Bichon Frise
• Dog Allergy Treatment for Bichon Frise
They contain some great Bichon Frise information.
All the best.
