Article Read By Kate McQuillan
The Bichon Frise, meaning curly lap dog in French, originates from the Mediterranean area. They were loved by Sailors for their friendly nature, so spent time as a travelling companion. They were often used by sailors for bartering and so they ended up with new owners in lots of different countries, which is why Bichon Frise are now popular all over the world.
The Bichon Frise is normally pure white, with a small amount of cream colour around the nose, mouth, paws or ears. Although this doesn’t normally account for more than 10% of their colouring
Personality of a Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a fun and playful dog, with a friendly nature. They love going for a walk, but equally love curling up on your lap or sitting on the sofa looking out the window.
They get on great with other dogs, although they do need to be socialised early on in their life as they can be very timid.
They are very easily trained using a reward based method and are happy to do tricks for treats. Bichon Frise respond particularly well to a treat system.
They love spending time with their owner and enjoy travelling everywhere with them. They get on great with kids and very quickly become attached to their family.
Grooming a Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise has a fluffy coat that is made up of 2 layers. A beautiful silky undercoat with a slightly wavier course outer coat.
Their coat grows very quickly and can be prone to matting, so in order to keep your Bichon Frise looking good, you will need to groom them, at least, every 4-6 weeks.
They are however perfect for anyone with allergies, as they are known for not shedding. Daily brushing to prevent matting means that loose hair is removed regularly.
It’s recommended to get your dog used to grooming very early on so that they see it as part of their normal daily routine. Teaching them to stand still while you groom them when they are a puppy saves a lot of time trying to get them used to it when they are older.
Size of Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a very small dog. They weigh 5–10 kg and are 23–30 cm in height. Slightly larger dogs are often found, but generally speaking, they remain small.
They have a lifespan of 12-15 years, although some Bichon Frise have lived longer.
Diet – What Should I Feed My Bichon Frise?
The Bichon Frise can be prone to sensitive skin, so often a sensitive dog food is required. Food should be given based on their weight and in conjunction with advice from your vet.
As with many small dog breeds they can be prone to putting on weight, so a well-balanced diet is important.
Breeders – Where Can I Get A Bichon Frise?
We would always be in favour of rescuing a dog where possible. There are rescues full to the brim all over Ireland looking for good homes for dogs.
If, however, you wanted to buy a Bichon Frise we would recommend you find a registered breeder through the Irish Kennel Club.
Online websites, like Gumtree and Done deal, are likely to be selling Bichon Frise that have come from a Puppy Farm. Supporting these Puppy Farms only leads to more unnecessary breeding of dogs.
Often puppies from a Puppy Farm will have behavioural and health issues, due to the conditions they are kept in.
How Much Does A Bichon Frise Cost
Most rescues will charge an adoption fee when you take a dog from them. This normally includes vaccines, microchipping and neutering of the dog if needed. Fees can start at 40 euros upwards, depending on the rescue.
To purchase a Bichon Frise, depending on their pedigree, costs from approximately 200 euros upwards.
There are also other costs to consider when getting any dog. There will be supplies you need to get, such as a bed, bowl, food, poo bags, toys and possibly a crate if you are planning to crate train your dog. The cost of these will vary depending where you get them from, but you should set aside 200 euros for initial supplies expenses.
A trip to the vet will be required as soon as you get your Bichon Frise so that you can get them checked out and get any vaccinations they need. They probably will need to get flea and worm medications at the same time as well. I would set aside 100 euros for the first vet visit.
If you work during the day, you need to consider getting care for your dog during the day. That could be a daily dog walker or doggy day care. This could cost around 200-250 euro per month.
Once you have a dog you need to consider how much it will cost when you travel away or need to attend an event. Either Pet Sitting or Kennel Costs need to be factored into any trip. The cost for this starts at around 35 euro per day, depending on the level of 1 to 1 care you want.
Should You Get A Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a gorgeous breed, with a fun and friendly nature. They are full of energy and can be quirky and playful, bringing a lot of joy to any household.
They can, however, be hard to house train, so time will be required to train them, along with a lot of patience. Crate training can be a great way to housebreak your dog. Another option is to use Puppy Pads and then gradually train them to go outside.
A Bichon Frise can also suffer from separation anxiety due to their friendly nature and need for company. If you work during the day you will need to arrange a dog walk for them during the day to break up the day or alternatively consider doggy day care.
You also need to make sure they have plenty of toys to keep them occupied during the day. A Kong can be great for keeping dogs occupied and stop any chewing or destructive behaviour.
Bichon Frise love to bark at any noise they hear. Their barking can be loud and high pitch at times, so if you live in a quiet neighbourhood or apartment then this breed may not be suited to you. This obviously doesn’t apply to every dog and training could resolve constant barking issues.
Getting any breed of a dog involves a time and financial commitment. Consider the breed of dog you are getting before you get it, and make sure they are a good match for you and your family.
