Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a popular and widely loved dog all over the world. With their small bodies and jolly disposition, these lapdogs can make almost anyone fall in love. This breed is full of social butterflies who will love meeting friends and running errands right by your side.
Breed Profile
Height
9 – 11
Inches
Weight
10 – 20
Pounds
Life Span
12 – 21
Years
Health
health
Cataracts
What is it?
When protein builds in the dog’s eye and leads to blindness.
% of dogs affected
1.61%
Clinical Signs
Symptoms of cataracts include a cloudy look in the dog’s eyes as they get older.
Treatment
The best treatment for this disease is surgery.
Eligible vet bill
$3,000
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Happy
The Bichon Frise is well known for its cheerful disposition.
Curious
These dogs will love exploring your home and joining you for adventures outside of the house.
Sociable
Speaking of leaving the house, the Bichon Frise loves people and will join you anywhere you go to make new friends.
Lifetime Care
Coat
The Bichon Frise has a dense, curly coat.
Colors
The only color recognized by the American Kennel Club is pure white.
Hypoallergenic
Grooming
The Bichon Frise’s beautiful coat comes at a price. Frequent grooming is required.
Training
With early and consistent training, this breed is very obedient.
Learn more about the cost of caring for a Bichon Frise.
Bichon Frise Breed Information
The Bichon Frise is a popular lap dog loved around the world. This small breed is known for its dense curly white coat, dark nose and round eyes.
They have incredibly happy attitudes and love to meet new people. Any time you go on outings they will love to tag along. Their curious attitude will lead them to explore your home and play lots of games.
At Spot Pet Insurance, we believe that pets make us better people. That’s why we’re committed to helping protect your pet. Request a free pet insurance quote today and learn about the coverage options for your Bichon Frise.
Bichon Frise Dog: Introduction to the Breed
When you’re ready to introduce a new dog to your family and your home, it’s important to do your research on the pup’s personality. Sure, they may be cute, but when you’ll be living with a Bichon Frise for 12 – 21 years, you can’t rely on looks alone. Here are a few things to know before buying this breed.
Bichon Frise dogs are:
Obedient
Good with kids
Social
When you take the time to train a Bichon Frise from a young age, they are very obedient. These dogs aim to please. Just make sure the training is consistent, so these dogs know what to expect.
Do your kids want a dog? The Bichon Frise would make a great companion. These dogs are very friendly and laid-back. Plus, dogs can teach kids so many life lessons about responsibility and learning to think of the needs of others.
The Bichon Frise is a very social pooch. They will love tagging along with you on errands, visits to friends, or just a trip to the park. They love to meet new people and rarely shy away from strangers. Learn more about what is the price of a bichon frise?
What Are the Origins of the Bichon Frise Dog?
It’s easy to assume that the Bichon Frise is from France given its French name. “Bichon” means small dog, and “Frise” means curled fur. However, these pups originated from Spain.
They were popular sailing dogs and were often brought on Spanish ships to be used for bartering. At different seaports, it’s no surprise that the Spaniards had great luck with this because of the dog's attractive features and cheerful temperament.
When they eventually made their way to France in the 1500s, they were used as lapdogs. Many noble people of the royal French court-owned the Bichon Frise breed. The dogs are in many paintings from that period.
What are the Risks for the Bichon Frise?
Although the Bichon Frise dog breed is generally very healthy, like any other dog they aren’t immune to sickness. One of the biggest health problems they struggle with is cataracts. This is when proteins build up inside the dog’s eye and give it a cloudy appearance. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness in the Bichon Frise. Thankfully, with surgery from a licensed veterinarian, it can be treated.
Other Bichon Frise health issues can include:
Allergies
Patellar Luxation
Heart Disease
Liver Disease
Luckily, when it comes to your dog’s health, there are a lot of little things that you can do to help prevent sickness. Doing your part to avoid problems now can help save you and your pooch a lot of trouble and pain down the road.
Two things you can do to prevent sickness in your dog are:
Work with a responsible and reputable breeder
Keep up with your dog’s regular care needs
Working with a responsible and reputable breeder can give you a lot of peace of mind about your Bichon Frise. The breeder will often run tests on the parent animals before the breeding process. Be sure to visit the litter before the purchase as well as ask questions and reach out to past buyers.
Don’t skip the small stuff when it comes to your Bichon Frise. Regular grooming, vet check-ups, diet, and exercise are all crucial. The better you take care of your pup, the less likely it is that preventable illnesses can harm them.
Sources:
Institute of Canine Biology
Pets WebMD
Wikipedia