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Bichon Frise Dog Breed Introduction
Bichon Frise ( also known as Bichon Tenerife) is a small dog breed of the Bichon Type. It makes a great pet for novice owners and city dwellers. Even though Bichons are small-sized dogs, they have been categorized under the non-sporting group by the AKC. A Bichon Frise is regarded hypoallergenic since it doesn’t readily shed and thus considered suitable for people suffering from dog allergies. Bichons suffer from separation anxiety and should not be left alone for long hours.
Bichon Frise Origin | History
A Bichon Frise belongs to the clan of little white dogs initially known as Barbichon types. Other dogs under this category include Maltese, Havanese, and Bolognese. Although the precise origin of Bichons is not certain, common beliefs hold that they were descended from the water dogs and it is also descended from the poodle type dogs either one of the favorite water spaniel class of breeds or the Barbet. All the Barbichon types have a similar look and disposition and they all originated from Mediterranean.
Due to their merry disposition, the progenitors of Bichons travelled a lot. They were often utilized as barter by Italian sailors as they moved from continent to continent. Ancestors of Bichons found success in Spain. Therefore, it is generally believed that Spanish seamen introduced the early breed to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. The association of a Bichon Frise with European nobility began in the 13th century entering the royal courts of Italy, France, and Spain. French people are credited for developing this breed into a gentle lap-dog variety. The Italian sailors rediscovered Bichons on their voyages in the 14th century and are credited for returning them to continental Europe.
Bichons had success, particularly in France during the Renaissance period amongst French nobility as both lap dog and court companion. Unfortunately the popularity of this breed came to an end during the French Revolution in 1789. During this period, the benefactors of Bichons were imprisoned and their dogs lost their privileges. Many Bichons were turned out into the street to fend for themselves. Although, street entertainers took the agile dogs and trained them to coax a coin or two with their antics from passersby. Soon after, this dog was earning its keep as a circus performer. Hard times were also experienced by Bichons in the 20th century during the 1st and 2nd World Wars as many found themselves out in the cold.
Fortunately, the breed survived after a few fanciers gathered Bichons off the streets of Belgium and France. The survival of the breed saw its recognition in 1933 by the Societé Centrale Canine under the auspices as the Bichon of the curly hair( Bichon a Poil Frisé). In 1964, the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in San Diego. In 1971, AKC recognized Bichons into the Miscellaneous class. Full-breed recognition as a Non-Sporting Group was in 1972. In Australia, Bichons were introduced and since then they have proved successful as both companion and show dog. These dogs were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1973 by two American breeders who emigrated to the UK.
Bichon Frise Lifespan
The lifespan of Bichon Frises in Canada, United Kingdom, and the United States is 12 to 15 years according to surveys of the pet parents. Although, AKC states that the life expectancy of Bichons is 14 to 15 years. There are also reliable records that shows oldest Bichon Frises had a lifespan of 21 years in North America.
Bichon Frise Lifespan in Human Years
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association 15 human years equals to the first year of a small-sized dog, and the second year of a small-sized dog equals to about nine human years, and as from the third year, each dog year is approximately 5 human years . According to the current records, the lifespan of a Bichon Frise is 12 to 15 years which is 74 to 89 human years. However, some may calculate each year from the third year as equivalent to 4 human years. Based on this, Bichons’ lifespan in human years is 64 to 76 years.
Bichon Frise Grooming | Grooming Needs
A Bichon Frise coat should be brushed twice or thrice a week, but preferably daily. These dogs should be bathed and trimmed at least once a month. Parents who take their dogs to conformation shows learn to do these themselves. Although, those who keep their pets as companions take them to the groomer once every 4 to 6 weeks. The frequency of a bath entirely depends on the lifestyle of the owner and the pet, with some bathing once a week or two. At all times, remember to brush the coat to remove any mats or tangles before bathing your pooch. Mats or Tangles tend to get messier when they get wet.
Use a shampoo that is infused with beneficial ingredients like aloe vera or a hypoallergenic shampoo. Bichon Frises are double-coated hence the coat should be thoroughly rinsed after a bath to avoid irritation. After drying the coat, brush to straighten the curl all the way to the skin. Avoid washing the face with soapy water to prevent irritation. Instead, wipe it with a clean damp washcloth. As for the ears, clean them using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls once a week. To maintain good oral health, brush the teeth of Bichon Frise at least twice a week once the permanent teeth grows in.
Use a tasty canine toothpaste and a finger toothbrush designed for pets. Remember to clip the nails at least once a month. Overly grown nails make running and walking painful for Bichons. Brush the coat of a puppy that is below the age of 4 months daily using a pin brush to establish the grooming routine. Always keep the pup on an elongated surface with a non-slip mat while brushing the coat. Always keep your hand on a Bichon to ensure it will not fall down and sustain injuries. Grooming a Bichon Frise from an elevated surface shows that it is no longer play time.
From the age of 4 months, use a slicker brush. As the pup approaches adulthood, frequent baths will be necessary. While brushing the coat, look out for sores, lumps, or rashes. Before the adult coat comes in, Bichons will start to mat more easily. This is because they are experiencing a coat change. This normally occurs from the age of 8 months to 12 months. During this period, the undercoat develops and daily combining is required to prevent matting on the armpits, behind the ears, legs, and at junction of the body. Loose hair quickly forms mats, if left unattended.
Bichon Frise Grooming Brush
Before a Bichon Frise turns four months old, use a pin brush to brush the coat. From the age of 4 months, use a soft slicker brush, while brushing the coat.
Bichon Frise Grooming Tools
The grooming tools that a pet parent utilizes while grooming a Bichon Frise are: Hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner, a clean damp washcloth, pin brush, soft slicker brush, non-slip mat, blow dryer(hands free fluff dryer or high velocity dryer), ear cleanser solution, cotton balls, tasty canine toothpaste, finger toothbrush, and non-slip mat.
Bichon Frise Haircuts | Grooming Styles
Bichon Frises require regular haircuts at least once a month to keep the coat neat without mats or tangles. Some of the grooming styles applicable to this breed include:
Puppy cut – This haircut is also referred to as lamb cut. To achieve this style, trim the coat a couple of inches off the skin. However, leave the fur on the tail and head a little longer. This can be done by using clippers or scissors.
Utility Cut – This is a low maintenance grooming style for a pooch that prefers to play fetch and roll around in the Backyard. To achieve this cut, trim the fur close to the skin. With this haircut, worry less about mats or tangles.
Panda Puppy – The hair is left long on the body but slightly shorter when compared to the show cut. Panda Cut is also shaggier than puppy cut and jeeps the chest, head, tail and the area behind the legs fairly furry. However, this grooming style requires a bit of maintenance by brushing the coat every couple of days a week to avoid tangling or matting.
Show Cut – This is a grooming style preferred for pets that participate in Conformation shows. To get this look, the undercoat is left puffy and thick while the top coat is curly and coarse giving a perfect cotton ball look. The Show Cut requires a lot of skill to master while only using scissors. For the dog to look its best, it should return it to the professional groomer every month.
Bichon Frise Shedding | Shedding hair
Bichons are a low shedding breed since the loose hair is trapped by the undercoat. To prevent matting caused by the trapped loose hair, brush the coat at least twice or thrice a week.
Bichon Frise Coat | Hair | Coat Type
Bichon Frises are double-layered. They have hair | coat that has an undercoat(dense and soft) and a top coat( has a curlier and coarser fur texture). The combination of the two layers gives the coat a soft although substantial feel to the touch similar to velvet or plush. When the coat is brushed or bathed, it stands off the body.
Bichon Frise Hypoallergenic
Although Bichon Frises are considered hypoallergenic, dog experts argue that there is no total hypoallergenic dog breed. A Bichon Frise is regarded hypoallergenic since it is a low shedding breed. The loose hair gets trapped by the dense undercoat that would otherwise spread around the house. Bichons also produce dander though in low quantities when compared to medium or large-sized breeds. Dog’s dander, urine, saliva, fur, and mucus cause allergic inflammation in people suffering from dog allergies. However, the reactions vary by individual.
Bichon Frise Training | Training Guide
A Bichon Frise is eager to please the owner and it is also intelligent which makes training easy. Although, this is not the case with housebreaking. In order to raise a confident, kind, well-mannered, and well-adjusted Bichons, socialization is key. This training starts when the puppy is still with the breeder at the age of 3 weeks and continues when the pup goes home until the age of 16 weeks. That is why it is crucial to ensure you get a pup from a responsible breeder who starts socializing pups at an early age.
A Bichon pup should remain with the mother and its littermates until the age of 8 weeks. This helps the dog to build on its social skills reducing the severity of separation anxiety. In order to socialize your dog, expose it to a wide variety of people, animals, situations, experiences, sights, smell, and sounds like whistles, vacuum cleaners, washing machine, sirens, and lawn mowers. Puppy classes also serve as a form of socialization. These classes also helps the pet parent to identify and correct bad habits like growling when someone approaches the food bowl, etc.
Use positive reinforcement methods when teaching Bichon Frises such as the use of treats, toys, or praise. Avoid use of harsh correction methods since Bichons are sensitive. Remember to teach command words like sit, come, stay, leave it, down, etc. Teach one command word at a time to avoid confusion. Consistency in pronunciation of command words will enhance better understanding and positive outcomes. Keep the training sessions short for a period of 10 to 15 minutes because Bichon Frises easily get distracted and bored.
For effective housebreaking, creating a feeding schedule, potty training, and crate training is key. A crate is an invaluable tool when potty training as it allows pet parents to monitor the dog for signs of elimination. A crate also inhibits the dog from eliminating anywhere and everywhere in the house. This device also teaches this breed to stay alone for sometime since it is prone to separation anxiety when left alone for long hours. Remember to make the crate appealing by lining it with a comfortable blanket and through the use of treats and favorite toys.
At all times, remember to leave the crate door open, so that a Bichon may understand that a crate is not a forced experience but rather a safe place where it can retreat to for some alone time. At no time should a crate be used as a form of punishment. Resist confining your dog in the crate for long hours since it will suffer from separation anxiety and develop destructive behaviors like chewing.
Bichon Frise Potty Training | Potty Training Problems
As earlier discussed, Bichon Frises are difficult to house break even though they are intelligent. This is because they have small bladders and will eliminate frequently as compared to adult dogs, medium or large sized breeds. The general rule of the thumb is that an 8-week-old puppy will be able to hold for 2 hours before eliminating. A 12-week-old pup may be able to hold for 3 hours. However, Bichons pups are small-sized dogs that will be hold for a period of 20 to 60 minutes before eliminating. The bowel and bladder muscles of a puppy strengthens as it matures.
Before bringing your dog home, choose a designated potty area where it will relieve itself. It is also recommended to decide whether the dog will eliminate inside or outside. Indoor potty training is recommended for apartment dwellers who have a hard time accessing a yard or street. Although, indoor training is also recommended for a Bichon Frise that has been extremely difficult to housebreak. However, it is not advisable for male Bichons to eliminate inside since they have a hard time differentiating where to eliminate in the house as compared to their female counterparts. Indoor housetraining utilizes litter boxes and puppy pads that are available for retail in the pet stores.
For outdoor potty training, select a toilet spot that is far from the BBQ area or patio deck. Take your pet outside after every 20 to 60 minutes until it matures to hold for a period of 6 hours, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, immediately it wakes up, after exercise, car ride and playtime, before bedtime, and after naps. Once you take a Bichon to the potty area give it the command word ‘potty’ or ‘toilet’.
Regardless of the command word that you will settle with, consistency is key. At no time should you interchangeably use the command words to avoid confusion. In the toilet area, remain there for at least 15 minutes to allow the bladder and bowel muscles to relax for a pee or poo. If the dog fails to eliminate, take it back to the house and return it to the toilet area after 15 to 30 minutes.
Before Bichon Frises are fully house broken, there is a possibility that the dog will have accidents in the house. When this happens, utter a firm No and immediately take it to the designated toilet area. Avoid yelling since it will make a Bichon fearful encouraging future accidents. Remember to clean the mess using an iodine solution or an enzymatic detergent to get rid of the odor. Failure to remove the odor will encourage future accidents once the dog sniffs and relieves in the same spot. Remember to monitor your Bichon for a sign that it wants to eliminate including whining, squatting, circling, sniffing, or lifting a leg against the furniture or wall. Before a Bichon Frise attains the age of 4 months, set an alarm to take it to the potty area at least once a night.
Bichon Frise Training Problems
A Bichon Frise is difficult to housebreak due to their small size hence they have small bladders and should eliminate after every 20 to 60 minutes. This training is also difficult since Bichons tend to retain their puppyish behaviors for a long period as compared to other breeds. Therefore, potty training should take a maximum of 10 to 15 minutes since puppies have a short attention span.
Housebreaking may also be difficult for a Bichon if they are left alone for a long period yet they ought to go outside at least every 20 minutes. Bichon Frises also suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long hours. When combined with the stubborn freak that the breed possesses, it make a disastrous recipe for potty training.
If a pet parent encourages dog syndrome when they meet a large-sized dog, the socialization may be a problem. A Bichon will be fearful of the large dogs and may bite, nip, or growl as a way of defending itself. A dog syndrome also makes the dog overly dependent of its owner making it territorial.
Bichon Frise Temperament | Traits
- Intelligent.
- Confident.
- Curious.
- Alert.
- Adaptable.
- Affectionate.
- Sensitive.
- Gentle.
- Playful.
- Sociable.
Bichon Frise Exercise
In a day, Bichon Frises need 30 to 60 minutes of exercise. Walks and daily play sessions are required. This breed needs long stretches of calm distributed with brief outbursts of running around the yard or through the house. Although, another dog can be a fine exercise companion, a Bichon will still need quality playtime with the pet parent. Many Bichon Frises enjoy participating in agility, rally competitions, and obedience.
Bichon Frise Barking
A Bichon Frise will tend to bark when alerting the owner when someone or something approaches. For this reason, they make nice little watchdogs. However, excessive barking is not normal and may be due to separation anxiety and pent-up energy.
Bichon Frise Growling
Growling is a form of communication for dogs when warning a person or animal for invading its territory, or approaching the food bowl. However, Bichons should be socialized not to growl when someone approaches the food bowl.
Bichon Frise Height
An adult Bichon Frise has a height of 9.5 to 11.5 inches ( approx. 24 to 29 cm).
Bichon Frise Weight
Full-grown Bichon Frises have a weight of 12 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5 to 8 kg).
Bichon Frise Size
Bichons are small-sized dogs that have a height of 9.5 to 11.5 inches ( approx. 24 to 29 cm) and a weight of 12 to 18 pounds ( approx. 5 to 8 kg).
Bichon Frise Aggressive | Aggressive Behavior
Naturally, Bichon Frise is gently mannered. To maintain this temperament socialization is key in order to expose your pet to other people and animals(large in size). This will prevent fear aggression behavior that is commonly associated with small-sized dogs. Fear aggression is common when a Bichon feels threatened and overreact to make up for their small body physique. For this reason, they display aggression through barking, growling, or biting their subjects.
Bichon Frise Bite Force | Bite Force Psi
A Bichon Force reportedly has a bite force of under 200 Psi.
Bichon Frise Biting
As earlier discussed biting habit in Bichons may be due to fear aggression which should be corrected through socialization training. Biting and nipping is also rapid with puppies as they explore their surroundings and texture. This habit may also be rampant when the dog is teething due to discomfort. Most pet owners may not correct biting behavior in this breed assuming that it will not hurt since they are small sized. However, a Bichon’s biting may cause tearing leading to stitching. Therefore, this behavior should be discouraged before it develops into a habit through redirection and bite inhibition training.
Bichon Frise Hair Loss
Bichon Frises are a low shedding breed. A dog owner will notice the loose hair while brushing since the undercoat traps it. Hair loss in patches needs medical attention. Possible causes of hair loss in Bichons include demodex mange, allergies especially flea allergy dermatitis, stress due to separation anxiety, increase in estrogen levels during the heat cycle that results in the thinning of the coat, Cushing’s disease, and hypothyroidism.
Bichon Frise Eyes
A Bichon Frise has round-shaped eyes that may either be dark brown or black in color. The eyes are also set on the skull to look directly forward.
Bichon Frise Eye Infection
Dog eye infections are caused by a virus or bacteria. Although, bacterial eye infections are far more common. A Bacteria gets an opportunity of invading the eye after trauma to the eye, dry eye disease, and viruses which compromise the local defenses of the eye. Injury or scratch to the cornea also results in eye infection. Bichons are prone to entropion and distichiasis that scratch the cornea.
Foreign bodies also cause dog eye infection including hair, fur, dust, plant material, debris, and dirt. Signs exhibited by a Bichon that is suffering from an eye infection includes swelling of the eyelids, pawing at the eye due to pain or itchiness, redness, and a discharge. A thick yellowish green discharge is due to bacterial infection while a clear discharge is due to viral infection. Home remedy for eye infections is the use of saline rinses to flush the eye.
Bichon Frise Eye Problems
Apart from eye infection, other eye issues that a Bichon suffers from include:
Cataracts – A Bichon Frise is more susceptible to getting hereditary cataracts as compared to other breeds. Cataracts makes the eye lens milky or cloudy and interferes with the light that needs to reach back of the eye. This often makes the pooch have trouble to see and may even lead to complete vision loss.
Entropion – This is an eye condition that makes the eyelid to roll inward constantly rubbing the cornea. It causes eye infection, permanent vision loss, and corneal damage if left unattended.
Distichiasis – A Bichon that is suffering from this eye problem has extra eyelashes that grow from the margins of the eyelids causing redness, irritation, and even corneal ulcers.
Glaucoma – This is a common eye problem in Bichon Frises that occurs due to the insufficient drainage of the fluid from the eye hence putting pressure on the optic nerve. Glaucoma may lead to blindness if left untreated. Symptoms include bluing of the cornea, squinting, redness in the whites of the eyes, and watery eyes.
Bichon Frise Ears
Bichons have drop ears that are covered with long flowing hair.
Bichon Frise Ear Infection | Ear Problems
A Bichon Frise is predisposed to ear infections due to the drop ears that have hair in the ear canal. Drop-shaped ears protect the ear canal and prevents dirt from getting into the eye. However, hair in the ear canal leads to accumulation of moisture that results in ear infection. Other causes of ear infections in Bichon Frises include endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism, excess wax or debris, yeast imbalances, ear mites, injury to the ear canal, allergies, and excessive cleaning.
Dogs may suffer from three types of ear infections; externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. Externa otitis is the inflammation of the cells located in the external ear. This is the common type of infection in Bichons. If left unattended, it spreads to the middle and inner ear canal. Media and interna otitis is the inflammation to the cells located in the middle and internal ear canal respectively. If left untreated, they cause deafness, facial paralysis, and vestibular signs such as disorientation, dizziness, and blurred vision.
Bichon Frise Ear Infection Symptoms
- Dark discharge.
- Redness.
- Head shaking.
- Swelling of the ear canal.
- Scabs in the affected ear.
- Scratching, rubbing, and itchiness in the affected ear.
- Odor.
Bichon Frise Ear Infection Home Remedy
Once your notice the above ear infection symptoms, give your vet a call. Once your get there, physical examination will be conducted before a swab is taken from the infected ear. If the dog is in too much pain, it will be sedated in order to facilitate thorough cleaning of the affected ear. While going home, a topical medication and ear cleanser solution may be prescribed. After the symptoms go away, ensure to continue with the prescription to avoid recurring ear infections.
Bichon Frise Health Issues
Although Bichon Frises are relatively healthy, some die prematurely due to Autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. These are diseases that strike Bichons without any warning and lead to death very quickly.
In the case of AIHA, the immune system of the dog attacks its own red blood cells resulting to severe life-threatening anemia. Signs of AIHA include rapid heart rate, lack of appetite, pale or yellow gums, diarrhea, weakness, vomiting, dark urine, and lethargy.
ITP causes blood clotting and often accompanies AIHA. In this case, the blood platelets are destroyed. Signs of ITP include mucous membranes and hemorrhages of the skin. Other health issues that Bichon Frises may suffer from include allergies, diabetes, cataracts, patellar luxation, liver disease, and heart disease.
Bichon Frise Names
After getting a Bichon Frise pup from a responsible breeder or rescue center, the next best thing is getting a name for the fur baby. Pet parents may get name inspirations from the origin of the dog, personality, movies, books, food, historical figures, music, celebrities, coat color, etc.
Regardless of the name that you will settle with, ensure that it won’t embarrass you when you utter it out loud in the public places. Avoid giving your pooch a name that rhymes with a command word to prevent confusion.
Remember Bichons and any other dog breeds understand better names that have vowels. Giving your pet a name that is used by other family members or guest who frequent your home may cause confusion. If you settle with a long name, find a nickname for your Bichon.
Bichon Frise Names Female
- Cherie.
- Laika.
- Zoey.
- Poppy.
- Lucy.
- Buffy.
- Tessa.
- Aria.
- Nori.
- Vicki.
- Rina.
- Adara, etc.
Bichon Frise Seizures
Although neurological issues in Bichon Frises are rare, some are also affected by seizures. Also referred to as fits or convulsions is the disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is normally accompanied by uncontrollable muscle activity. Seizures causes are categorized into three; primary, secondary, and reactive. Primary seizures are hereditary even though the cause is unknown. For this reason, they are referred to as idiopathic epilepsy. This is also common with Bichon Frises.
Reactive seizures occur as the brain responds to a metabolic problem like low blood sugar, organ failure, or toxins. Secondary seizures occurs due to brain tumor, trauma to the brain, or stroke. A seizure may last for a period of 1 to 3 minutes. When a dog is experiencing seizure, don’t touch its mouth or feed it anything. This may pose a risk to you and your pet.
Common symptoms of seizures include loss of consciousness, stiffening of the muscles, urination or defecation, disorientation, foaming mouth, staring, and hiding after an episode. A Bichon may also suffer from bichon dyskinesia that mimic seizures.
Bichon Frise Names Male
- Jack.
- Max.
- Teddy.
- Sammy.
- Gus.
- Hugo.
- Winston.
- Enzo.
- Romeo.
- Milo.
- Lucas.
- Rascal, etc.
Bichon Frise Heat Cycle | Mating
A Bichon Frise stays on a heat cycle for about 2 to 3 weeks. Small-sized dogs experience their heat cycle from the age 5 to 7 months. This process will recur two to three times a year if not spayed. Pet parents are recommended to spay their dogs if they have no intention of breeding them.
Some of the signs that a Bichon manifests while on a heat season include swollen vulva, bloody discharge, increased urination, mood swings, loss of appetite, tail flagging, and loss of energy. However, if a dog exhibits the same symptoms weeks after the heat cycle is over, contact your Vet. This is because there is a possibility that it may be suffering from pyometra which is an infection to the uterus.
Before mating Bichons, they should be screened for Legg-Calves-Perthes, cardiac evaluation, Hip Dysplasia, eye health, and Patellar Luxation. Breed a Bichon Frise dam from the age of 2 years to 5 or 6 years once a year. Avoid breeding an aggressive dam since the puppies will also be aggressive or fearful.
Bichon Frise Pregnancy Length
Following conception, a Bichon dam has a gestation period of 63 days ( approx. 2 months ).
Bichon Frise Litter Size
The litter size range for Bichons is 1 to 6 puppies. Although, the average litter size is 3 to 5 puppies. A smaller Bichon could have one puppy while a bigger Bichon can have more than one pup.
Bichon Frise Harness
Most Bichon Frise parents prefer to walk their dogs on a leash that is attached to a harness. This accessory is recommended for a dog that pulls or is prone to tracheal collapse. Whereas a traditional collar is suitable for a dog that has leash manners. Both a collar and a harness have pro and cons. Therefore, there is no definite answer whether to use a harness or collar.
Bichon Frise Muzzle
Although Bichon Frises are not aggressive, they are also muzzled. This is in a case where the pet parent is not sure how the dog will react to a new environment that may be has other animals. A Bichon that is not properly socialized is prone to fear aggression that leads to barking, growling, and even biting their subjects. A dog that is in pain should also be muzzled since it is also prone to biting and nipping.
AKC encourages dog owners to create positive association with the accessory through the use of treats and praise so that a dog won’t be defensive when muzzled. However, a muzzle should not be used to correct behavior problems like chewing, biting, or barking.
Bichon Frise Feeding
The amount of food that a Bichon Frise feeds on depends on the body size, age, activity level, and metabolism. During the different stages of life, Bichons have different nutritional needs. A sudden change in appetite is usually a sign that the dog is not feeling well. Bichon puppies start weaning at the age of 4 weeks while they are still with the breeder. The following is the feeding guide for a Bichon Frise:
At the age of 1 to 3 months, feed a Bichon 4 times a day in small portions.
Between 3 to 6 months, feed a Bichon 3 times a day.
From the age of 6 months, Bichons feeds twice a day a total of 1/2 to 1.5 cup of food.
Bichon Frise Food | Dog Food
For optimal health, Bichon Frises need minerals, vitamins, fats, protein, carbohydrates, and water. Depending on the time and budget of the owner, he or she may decide whether to feed dry kibble food, wet food, raw food, or homemade food. Regardless of the food that you choose, ensure that it meet all its nutritional requirements.
The best way to know whether you are overfeeding or underfeeding your Bichon is to take them to the vet to know more about their health and weight. However, you can also tell by checking the physique of your dog, if you can see your pooch’s ribs, chances are they are being underfed. If a pet parent cannot feel the ribs of a Bichon Frise under the coat, then chances are that it is being overfeed. Food bowls should not be left out all day after meals since these dogs have a tendency of overfeeding.
When you get a Bichon from a breeder, chances are that you will want to switch to another quality of food than the one it was previous feeding on. Gradually do this by mixing small portions of new food with old food for the first week. During the second week, feed your Bichon with the same amount of the new food and old food.
On the third week feed your pooch with 1/4 of old food and 3/4 of the new food. During the fourth week, totally switch to new food. If a dog owner wants to feed commercial dry or wet food, they should purchase food that are specifically designed for small-sized puppies, adults, and senior dogs.
Some of the other dog breeds include:
Pug.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Bichon Frise Collar Size
The Collar size of Bichon Frises is 14 to 18 inches ( approx. 35 to 46 cm ).
Bichon Frise Colors
The acceptable coat color of Bichon Frises is white. It is also permissible if this dog has shadings of apricot, cream, or buff around the ears or on the body.
Bichon Frise Allergies
A Bichon Frise is susceptible to various forms of allergies as discussed below:
Skin allergies – Bichons are affected by skin allergies due to food, contact, and environmental allergies. If left untreated, it results to skin conditions and secondary infections.
Food allergies – Although rare, Bichons also suffer from food allergies. True food allergies result in an immune response that affects the skin and digestive system.
Contact allergies – This inflammation occurs once the skin comes in contact with the allergen. Commonly affected body parts include feet, paws, and around the muzzle. Some of the contact allergens that affect Bichons include plastics, lawn chemicals, bed linens, carpet cleaning detergents, latex, medication, and grooming products.
Environmental allergies – Some of the allergens that affect Bichons include fleas, mites, ragweed, dust and dust mites, house molds, pollen, grass, trees, and mosquitoes. Flea’s saliva result in flea allergy dermatitis that affects back legs and underneath the tail. This results in excessive scratching until the skin around the bite area is raw. Symptoms of environmental allergies include swollen eyes, runny nose, congestion, and itchiness on various body parts including paws, ears, muzzle, groin, armpits, wrists, between the toes, belly sides, and around the eyes.
Bichon Frise Food Allergies
A Bichon Frise may suffer from food allergies or food intolerance. The former is rare and results in an immune response that is accompanied by a wide range of symptoms including skin issues signs like hives, dermatitis, pruritus, facial swelling, sores, and hot spots as well as gastrointestinal stress including acute vomiting and/or diarrhea.
On the other hand, food intolerance is common and don’t result in an immune response. Instead it occurs as a result of a gradual response to an offending ingredient in the diet or snacks of a Bichon. Some of the offending ingredients include wheat, soy, corn, beef, pork, chicken, lamb, turkey, milk, eggs, additives, chemicals, preservatives, flavors, etc.
Signs of food intolerance in Bichon Frises include vomiting, diarrhea, foot infections, ear infections, loss of appetite, and poor skin and coat. Pet parents should work along with the Vet to manage the symptoms exhibited and find the offending ingredient in the diet of a Bichon.
Bichon Frise Skin Allergies
Skin allergies may be a result of food allergies, genetic factors, and environmental allergies that result in atopic dermatitis. This is a skin condition that result in reddened circular areas, bumps, and patches. Common symptoms of skin allergies in Bichons include biting, licking, hot spots, hives, dandruff, rashes, hair loss, ear infections, lesions, and flakiness. Common affected body parts by skin allergies include belly sides, paws, ears, face, muzzle, etc. If left unattended, chewing and biting causes secondary skin infections.
Bichon Frise Head
The head of a Bichon Frise is slightly rounded that gives an impression of an alert and inquisitive expression.
Bichon Frise Tail
These dogs have long and curly tails that are carried over the back. An extended tail of a Bichon Frise toward the head reaches at least halfway to the withers.
Bichon Frise Teeth
An adult Bichon has a total set of 42 permanent teeth that starts growing from the age of 12 weeks(3 months) until the dog is 6 months old. Bichon puppies are born with no teeth, the deciduous teeth starts growing in from the age of 2 weeks until it has a total of 28 milk teeth. For good oral health, regular teeth brushing and is recommended at least twice a week. Irregular teeth cleaning result to gum infection and tooth loss.
Bichon Frise Nose
A Bichon has a black-colored nose that is always prominent.
Are Bichon Frise Hypoallergenic |Is the Bichon Frise Hypoallergenic
Yes. Bichon Frises are regarded hypoallergenic since they rarely shed and the loose hair is trapped by the dense undercoat. Although, Bichons also produce dander in small quantities as compared to medium and large-sized breeds. Dander, urine, saliva, mucus, and hair cause allergic inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. However, the allergic reaction may vary by individual.
Are Bichon Frise Aggressive
No, Bichon Frises are naturally gentle-mannered. However, improper socialized Bichons are affected by fear aggression that is commonly associated with small dog breeds. Therefore, it may display aggression through growling, barking, or biting its subjects.
Are Bichon Frise Smart
Yes, Bichons are smart and always eager to please their owners which makes them highly trainable.
Bichon Frise Quick Facts
- A Bichon Frise is categorized by AKC under the Non-Sporting Group despite their small size that make people think they are toy breeds.
- Bichons were introduced in the United Kingdom in 1973 by two American breeder who emigrated with two Bichon Frises that created a litter size of five puppies.
- In 2013, Bichons were ranked the 40th most popular breed in the United States according to AKC.
