The History of the Bichon Frise

Most people believe that the little white dogs come from the Mediterranean.  We believe that the first ones were seen  around 1200 A.D.  For the next 100 years or so Bichons were shipmates, traveling from continent to continent with their sailor owners. Keeping sailors company on their long voyages was right up their alley. The dogs then became very popular in Spain and soon after that, they were brought to the Canary Island of Teneriffe.

 During the 1300’s, sailors from Italy fell in love with the Bichon Frise dog breed and took them to their homeland.  As you may have guessed, Bichon Frises were an instant hit with the Italian nobility and the wealthy.  During the 1500’s, the aristocracy in France regarded these cute little dogs very highly. Because of this, Bichon Frises often lived in the courts of French kings. They were kept to entertain and delight their masters.

Young Girl with Bichon Frise by Fritz Zuber-Buhler

About the Bichon Frise Breed

The small but sturdy and resilient Bichon Frise stands among the world’s great personality dogs. Since antiquity, these irresistible canine comedians have relied on charm, beauty, and intelligence to weather history’s ups and downs.

A good-size Bichon will stand a shade under a foot tall at the shoulder. The breed’s glory is a white hypoallergenic coat, plush and velvety to the touch, featuring rounded head hair that sets off the large, dark eyes and black leathers of the nose and lips.

Bichons are adaptable companions who get on well with other dogs and children. Alert and curious, Bichons make nice little watchdogs but generally they are lovers, not fighters, and operate under the assumption that there are no strangers, just friends they haven’t met yet. Their confidence and size make them ideal city dogs. Bichons train nicely and enjoy performing for their loved ones. Finally, there’s the happy-go-lucky Bichon personality that draws smiles and hugs wherever they go.

Caring for a Bichon Frise

Grooming

The Bichon Frise needs to be brushed regularly.  Ideally every day, but at a minimum of 3 times a week.  The same goes for brushing their teeth.  Ideally it should be done everyday, but at a minimum, their teeth needs to be brushed at least 3 times a week.  They should be taken to the groomer every 4 to 6 weeks.

Exercise and Nutrition

The Bichon Frise is considered a “somewhat active” breed of dog.  This means that they have long stretches of calm that are interspersed with brief high energy bursts of activity.  Play sessions and walks are a necessity for this breed.  While they love to play with other dogs, they need to have quality play time with their owner on a daily basis.

The Bichon Frise thrives on a high quality dog food and their diet impacts their life heavily.  The age of your Bichon should also be considered.  When choosing food, make sure it aligns with the age group of you pup.  Consulting  your veterinarian about the diet for you bichon is always recommended.

Potential Health Concerns

Bichons are a healthy breed by nature.  Responsible breeders screen for health conditions such as allergies, bladder infections, luxating patella, and cataracts or other eye disease in there breeding stock to prevent such concerns from being passed down.  Dental care is a must for Bichons or they may face complications such as early tooth loss or gum infections.  Their ears should be cleaned regularly to avoid ear infections as well.

At Fraser’s Bichons, we evaluate our dogs on a regular basis to ensure that they are healthy and that they pass those healthy genes to the next generations.  We have hip, patella, and Ophthalmologist evaluations done to meet the AKCs Bred with  H.E.A.R.T. standards.

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