Bichon Frise Janice Sheehy Size: 9" - 12" tall (shoulders) Weight: 10 - 18 pounds Coat/Color:White powder puff double coat Origin: Mediterranean area Temperament: Gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. Hallmark of breed is a cheerful attitude Purpose: Companion/lap dog Photo:Janice Sheehy's Bichon Frise "Mandy" AKC name: "CH Sterling Silver Jasmine"

The Bichon Frise is a white powder puff dog with black eyes, nose, eye rims and halos, lips, nose, and footpads. As puppies, some Bichons have shadings of buff, cream or apricot on the ears or body. This usually fades with age. The tail is well plumed and carried jauntily over the back. His coat is naturally curly, but when brushed and scissored in the proper style, it is like velvet plush. The adult dog is sturdy and muscular, approximately 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulders. Bichons weigh about 10 to 18 pounds, depending on size.

The Bichon Frise were great favorites with Italian nobility in the 1300s. The breed was pampered, beribboned, and perfumed and carried on silver trays. In the late 1800s, it became the 'common dog' running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, and doing tricks in circuses. In 1956 the first litter was whelped in the United States. The Bichon Frise was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book in October, 1972, and to regular show classification in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC shows April, 1973.

The Bichon Frise is an affectionate, lively companion dog who gets along well with other animals and children. The Bichon is a wonderful housepet and is happiest when he is with his family. He is very unhappy when left alone for great lengths of time. He is not a yappie dog, however, he will announce strangers and the mailman. Bichons are intelligent and outgoing. He loves to play in the house or outside in a fenced yard. He loves to go for rides in the car. As with small children, dogs should also be placed in a doggie seat belt or crate when traveling in the car.

The Bichon has a non-shedding coat and therefore is hypo-allergenic. Grooming the Bichon is imperative since they do not shed. The coat mats and must be brushed frequently. "Frise" means curly in French. The natural coat is long and curly, and the Bichon look is created by brushing the curl out while drying the coat. The coat is then scissored to have the appearance of velvet plush. You can do this yourself or have it professionally done.

If you are interested in purchasing a Bichon Frise, contact the Bichon Frise Club of America, your local Bichon Frise Club, or Bichon breeders at a dog show. Pet shop dogs are usually purchased from "puppy mills'. Puppy mills are not interested in the breed, only in the quantity of dogs that they sell. You may be captivated by the puppy in a pet shop and it may have all the proper "papers" but does it have the true Bichon personality? Take your time looking for the perfect Bichon since it will be a member of your family for the next 12 to 15 years. It is always a good idea to ask for eye certificates (CERF - tested for yearly) and hip certificate (OFA) for the dam and sire.

Recommended Reading:
"The Complete Bichon Frise" by Barbara B. Stubbs
"The Bichon Frise Today" by Richard G. Beauchamp

Janice Sheehy
jasheehy@ix.netcom.com
http://www.netcom.com/~jasheehy/bichon.html