History

The Bichon Frisé descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name "Barbichon", later shortened to "Bichon". The Bichons were divided into four categories: the Bichon Maltais, the Bichon Bolognais, the Bichon Havanais and the Bichon Tenerife. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

Because of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were often used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The dogs found early success in Spain and it is generally felt that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Tenerife. In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where they became great favorites of Italian nobility. Often, as was the style of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut "lion style." The Bichon Frise has a mild attitude but can be over excited.

The "Teneriffe", or "Bichon", had success in France during the Renaissance under Francis I (1515-47), but its popularity skyrocketed in the court of Henry III (1574-89). The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school often included them in their works. For example, the famous artist, Goya, included a Bichon in several of his works.

Interest in the breed was renewed during the rule of Napoleon III, but then waned until the late 1800s when it became the "common dog", running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs.

On March 5, 1933, the official standard of the breed was adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. As the breed was known by two names at that time, "Tenerife" and "Bichon", the president of the International Canine Federation proposed a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented - the Bichon Frisé. ("Frisé" refers to the dog's soft, curly hair.) On October 18, 1934, the Bichon Frisé was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club.

The Bichon was brought to the United States in 1955, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973.

The first US-born Bichon litter was whelped in 1956. In 1959 and 1960, two breeders in different parts of the USA acquired Bichons, which provided the origins for the breed's development in the USA.

The Bichon Frisé became eligible to enter the AKC's Miscellaneous Class on September 1, 1971. In October, 1972, the breed was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. On April 4, 1973, the breed became eligible to show in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC dog shows.

Temperament

The well-bred Bichon Frisé is feisty, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is a prominent hallmark. Most Bichons enjoy socializing with people and most dogs. They are best when there is a lot of activity around them. Those who are considering keeping a Bichon Frisé as a pet should know that these dogs are smart and playful, but require a great amount of human attention; they are happy to be the center of attention. Bichons may also be relatively stubborn dogs, yet can exhibit a noticeably patient character. They are a non-moulting breed and are suitable for people with allergies. They require a large amount of brushing, and cannot be left alone for very long as they get very distressed. They tend to nip gently in play, and so are not ideal for a family with very young children.

Care

A 7 week old Bichon.
Care must be taken to keep the face of a Bichon Frisé clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes, which can lead to serious problems. Owners must take care to clean their dog's hind (anal) area with a damp cloth after each bowel movement, as the breed's curly hair will tangle in dried excrement

If the owner prefers a puffy, teased-hair appearance, the hair should be brushed daily, or at least 2-3 times a week. If groomed frequently, the hair will puff up and the tail will curl over the dog's back. This breed is prone to knots in the hair. It is important to remove hair tangles prior to shampooing, lest more tangles develop, causing mats.

Care must be exercised when drying the dog's hair. If it is not dried thoroughly it will become frizzy. Many professional groomers use "blasters"- high powered turbines that produce much greater airflow than conventional hair driers. These tend to be quite noisy and may alarm the dog initially.

Bichons can also suffer from mites and it its imperative that remove excess hair growth from their ears and in between the pads on their feet. Commercially available products include Thornax.

In common with most white dogs Bichons can be prone to tear stained coats, especially around the eyes. There are many possible factors responsible for tear staining. Some bichons are allergic to wheat (or other food additives) which is often used to bulk commercial dog foods.

Others may have yeast or bacterial infections. Tear staining can also be the result of a blocked tear ducts. other factors include stray eyelashes or foreign matter in the eye.

It is generally good practice to wipe away the tears on a daily basis. A saline solution may help. there are tropical wipes that available from pet stores that have been shown to help some dogs. Some breeders use products such as backing soda or cornflower to dry the hair but this can lead to the hair becoming brittle. Diet changes can be beneficial for some dogs, especially when complimented with filtered water. To prevent the excessive production in the first place an increasingly popular product is [Angels' Eyes][1]- a food additive.

Concerned owners should first consult a vet.

Appearance

Color - Almost every piece of fur is white, sometimes with cream, apricot or buff shadings, usually around the ears. At least 90% must be white in a purebred Bichon for show. At least 50% must be white in a Bichon puppy for show. Color fades during the first year of life. During this time the coat also changes from puppy fluff to frisé.

Face - Expression should be alert, soft, inquisitive. The eyes are usually very dark, either black or dark brown. The skin surrounding the eye is also very dark, this is called a "halo" and is looked for in purebred puppies and dogs. The nose and lips are always black. The ears are drop and covered in long, feathery fur.

Coat - The undercoat is soft and dense while the outercoat is curly, giving it a powderpuff look. The coat feels thick and should spring back if touched. The coat may feel velvety if is groomed correctly. The fur makes this particular dog look like a small little marshmallow puff dog.

Muscle-The muscle tone should be of exceptional quality, especially the lower thighs and buttocks area.

Bichons as Pets

A "puppy cut" Bichon.
The Bichon lives about 13-16 yrs. Primary health problems consistent with this breed include bladder infections, bladder stones, and subluxating kneecaps. Bichons are especially prone to allergies and ear infections. Dental care is important as the Bichon's front teeth are not used as often, occasional brushing by the owner will prevent the damage - often substantial by age 6. Also, an occasional crunchy treat will help clean the teeth.

For aspiring dog owners with allergies, Bichon hair is less prone to cause allergic reactions than the fur of other dogs: they are hypoallergenic. So, while some owners may still have allergic reactions, the rate is significantly lower.

Bichons bred and cared for as show dogs often have their hair stylized in the full-volume cut linked above, as the show standard. Bichon owners who do not intend their dogs for show, though, often use a "puppy cut," which does away with the volume of the show cut and makes the Bichon's hair look more like fur, as well as being widely considered more cute.

Bichons are very active and love to play with other dogs and people. They get sudden bursts of energy resulting in the "blitz" or "buzz", where they run constantly in circles because they are happy.