Little Pawz -- Bichon Frise -- Small Dogs -- Small Dog Breed Information -- Toy Dogs -- Miniature Dogs -- Dog Breeds

The Bichon Frisé has been recognized by the British and American Kennel Clubs only over the past 20 years. It is a most appealing and happy little dog, which will surely become more popular when the public becomes acquainted with the breed.

Size
Height: less than 12 inches (30 cm) smallness being highly desirable

Coat and Colour
The texture of the coat is of utmost importance. The undercoat is soft and dense, the outer coat of a coarser and curlier texture. The combination of the two gives a soft but substantial feel to the touch which is similar to plush or velvet and when patted, springs back.

The coat is trimmed to reveal the natural outline of the body. It is rounded off from any direction and never cut so short as to create an overly trimmed or squared off appearance. The furnishings of the head, beard, moustache, arch of neck, ears and tail are left longer. The longer head hair is trimmed to create an overall rounded impression. The topline is trimmed to appear level. The coat is long enough to maintain the powder puff look which is characteristic of the breed, and when bathed, brushed and trimmed, the coat stands off the body, creating an overall powder puff appearance. A wiry coat is not desirable. A limp silky coat that lies down, or a lack of undercoat are very serious faults.

The colour is white. There may be shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body. Any colour in excess of 10% of the entire coat of a mature specimen is a fault and should be penalized, but colour of the accepted shadings should not be faulted in puppies.

Exercise
The Bichon Frisé will enjoy a romp or walk. It will fit well into city living and regular walks, but will enjoy the occasional off-the-lead country run and ball games in the yard.

Grooming
This is not the breed for novice dog owners, or for those who are not prepared to spend time in meticulous grooming, bathing, trimming and scissoring. Th effect, when complete, should be of an elegant, white powder puff, the head and body trimmed to give a rounded effect, but showing the eyes. Hair around the feet should also be trimmed. Ask your breeder for a grooming chart and for a demonstration.

Feeding
Recommended would be 1/3 – 1/2 can name-brand dog food (13.3 oz 376 g size), with a biscuit, or 1 – 1 1/2 cups dry dog food. Always ensure that your Bichon Frisé has ample fresh water.

Origins and History
The Bichon Frisé, like the Caniche, is a descendant of the Barbet (water spaniel), from which the name Barbichon originates — later the name was abbreviated to Bichon.

These little dogs were said to have originated in the Mediterranean area and were certainly introduced by sailors to the Canary Islands prior to the 14th century. There were then four varieties: Bichon Ténériffe, Bichon Maltaise, Bichon Bolognese, and Bichon Havanais. The breed later found favour with the French and Spanish nobility and was included in paintings by Francisco Goya (1746 – 1828).

A period of obscurity followed until after WWI, soldiers took a few when they left France. A breed standard was written up in France in 1933, when the name Bichon à poil frisé (curly-coated Bichon) was adopted, and the name Ténériffe omitted from its title. Crufts Dog Show in London included a class for the Bichon Frisé for the first time in 1980.

The Bichon Frisé was first introduced into America in 1956, and from further imports a few years later breeding began in earnest. The breed was registered with the American Kennel Club in October 1972 and classified in the Non-Sporting Group of the AKC in April 1973.

Please read more about the Bichon Frisé.