Dog Breed

Bichon Frise

Fits in your backpackAdventure DrivenHypoallergenic
Primary image of Bichon Frise dog breed
Full Name
Bichon Frise
Alternate Names
Bichon Tenerife or Tenerife Dog
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Life Span
14 - 15 years
Weight
12 - 18 pounds
Description

The Bichon Frise is intelligent, loyal, and can be a good dog for first-time owners. They have been around for a long time and have quite a history. It is said that they were particularly bred in the early days as "sailing dogs" who would be able to accompany captains and their crew on long voyages.

Bichons can do relatively well on their own when left in the home (comparatively to other dogs at least), but like to be by their owner's side whenever they are around. Because of this, in addition to their trainability, they can make very good therapy dogs. They are very friendly with both dogs and people, but are docked a couple points on child friendliness only due to the fact that they are prone to getting jealous.


The Bichon Frise is one of the most hypoallergenic dogs, so can be an excellent option for anyone who gets dog allergies. Interestingly enough, they are quite prone to allergies though, particularly on their skin.

Origin
France
Spain
Bred For
As a sailing dogs, sometimes as a herding dogs
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Bichon Frise good with children?

    The Bichon Frise is about average in how friendly they are with children. They can be friendly and loving with children, but we recommend that they get early socialization, and are not left alone with children for extended periods.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Bichon Frise friendly with strangers?

    Yes! The Bichon Frise is naturally friendly with everyone. As always, socialization is always important, but the Bichon Frise typically loves everyone they meet
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Bichon Frise friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Bichon Frise naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Bichon Frise typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Bichon Frise like to cuddle?

    The Bichon Frise appreciates affection and that includes kisses and snuggles!
    Playfulness

    Does the Bichon Frise like to play?

    The Bichon Frise is playful both as a puppy and as an adult dog. As they get older they may appreciate their alone time, and may not be in the mood for constant play, but certainly will have plenty of time for play as well.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Bichon Frise make a good service dog?

    The Bichon Frise can be a service dog with the proper training. Bichon Frises are not the most common service dog, but they certainly can be if their personality matches- smart, patient, and extremely dedicated to their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Bichon Frise good for first-time owners?

    The Bichon Frise is an excellent breed for first-time owners. They love pleasing their owner, and rarely are aggressive or over-dominant.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Bichon Frise be trained?

    The Bichon Frise can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Bichon Frise can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Bichon Frise shed a lot?

    No! The Bichon Frise does not shed very much, and can be an excellent fit for someone who suffers from dog allergies.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Bichon Frise easy to groom?

    The Bichon Frise is one of the toughest breeds for grooming. It takes time and money, but the result is a beautiful coat.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Bichon Frise need a lot of exercise?

    The Bichon Frise requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Bichon Frise to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Bichon Frise?

    The Bichon Frise is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Bichon Frise bark? Does the Bichon Frise bark too much?

    The Bichon Frise occasionally barks, but only for specific reasons such as when they need something, for protection, etc.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Bichon Frise a good guard dog?

    The Bichon Frise is the opposite of a guard dog!
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Bichon Frise good at staying alone? Is the Bichon Frise independent?

    The Bichon Frise does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Bichon Frise a good apartment dog?

    The Bichon Frise is an excellent dog breed for an apartment. Some daily exercise is still important, but if they get that then the apartment will be more than enough for them to call home.
    Size

    How big is the Bichon Frise?

    The Bichon Frise is below average when it comes to size. They are not a "toy" breed, but it is still significantly easier to travel with them.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Bichon Frise tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Bichon Frise?

    The Bichon Frise can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Bichon Frise tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Bichon Frise?

    The Bichon Frise does not tolerate cold weather very well, and we would not recommend having a Bichon Frise if you live in a very cold weather climate. Even if your home is warm, it can be inconvenient to go on walks, and you may need to have a sweater for your Bichon Frise.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Bichon Frise try to run away?

    The Bichon Frise does not have a large drive to run away. They can still be distracted and run, so precautions should be taken, but overall they have a less than average urge to run away.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Bichon Frise a healthy dog? The health of a Bichon Frise should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Bichon Frise is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Bichon Frise high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Bichon Frise?

    The Bichon Frise has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Bichon Frise into your home. Can you give your Bichon Frise enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Bichon Frise drool?

    The Bichon Frise does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Bichon Frise have a large prey drive? Does the Bichon Frise like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Bichon Frise has some prey drive, so should not be left alone with very small animals such as birds, mice, or gerbils, but with some gradual introduction should be fine living with a cat in the same home.
    Athleticism

    Is the Bichon Frise atheltic?

    The Bichon Frise is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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  1. Non-Sporting
  2. Bichon
  3. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a purebred dog that belongs to the Bichon sub group, which falls under the larger Non-Sporting dog breed group.
Non-Sporting group: The Non-Sporting group of dogs is probably the most diverse in the sense that it has a variety of dogs, and they were not all bred for one specific purpose. Each breed in the non-sporting group is unique! They have been primarily bred as house pets, and because of that make excellent additions to the family. Exercise is still important for them, but the typical non-sporting dog does not have the energy of of a sporting or working group dog.
Bichon sub-group: Bichons are typically small white dogs that were previously known as Barbichon dogs. Bichon's are a very ancient dog breed, and originate from Spain, presumably from the Canary Islands. It wasn't until the 13th century that they started being associated with royalty... a reputation that still holds today! Bichons need to be frequently groomed, but the result will be an absolutely royal looking dog. Bichons have a hypoallergenic coat, which is smooth to the touch, making them even more of a perfect lap dog. Bichons are adaptable and friendly with children and dogs. They are focused and proud, so can make decent guard dogs. They are the ideal city dogs because of their size, confidence, and swag. On top of all of this, the Bichon can be trained fairly easily, making them an excellent option for first time dog owners.

Bichon Frises for adoption

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