Breed Feature – Bichon Frise

BICHON FRISE

A well-bred Bichon Frise is gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. Bichons love to jump into a comfy lap and settle in for their daily snooze. Bichons aren’t one of the dogs that when you enter a room will just sit and do nothing – they are energetic and love seeing and pleasing their human companion. A cheerful attitude is a prominent hallmark.

The Bichon Frise, although often considered to be a French breed, was in fact thought to have originated in Spain from water dogs such as the Barbet. It was indeed through its favour in the French courts later that the Bichon Frise gained it’s popularity.

Because of their merry disposition, the Bichon Frise often travelled as sailor companions and were often used as items of barter 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. During the 13th century the Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the European continent, where they became great favourites of Italian nobility. Often, as was the style of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut “lion style” much like the modern day Portuguese Water Dog.

Then known as the “Tenerife” or “Bichon”, the breed gained success in France during the Renaissance period under the reign of Francis I (1515 – 1547). Popularity increased again amongst French nobility as both a court companion and lap dog during the court of Henry III (1574-1589). The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favourite of younger children and were often included in portraits of royalty. In particular, Francisco de Goya included Bichons in several of his works.

Interest in the breed was renewed during the rule of Napoleon III, but then waned until the late 19th century when it became the “common dog” running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary (often referred to as the “Barbichon”), leading the blind, and doing tricks in circuses and fairs. After World War I, they had begun to become popular again in France and were bred by French breeders.

On 5 March 1933, the official standard of the breed was adopted by the Société Centrale Canine – the National Kennel Club for France. As the breed was known by two names at that time (the Tenerife and the Bichon), the president of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale proposed

Miss Beatrix Lister by Sir Joshua Reynolds

MPortrait of Federico II Gonzage (c.1529) by Titan (Tiziano Vecellio)

a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented – the Bichon À Poil Frisé which was later shortened to Bichon Frisé. On 18 October 1934, the Bichon Frisé was admitted to the stud book of the Société Centrale Canine.

The Bichon was brought to theUnited Statesin 1955. The first US-born Bichon litter was whelped in 1956. In 1959 and 1960, two breeders in different parts of the US acquired Bichons, which provided the origins for the breed’s further development in that country.

The Bichon Frise became eligible to enter the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class on 1 September 1971. In October 1972, the breed was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. On 4 April 1973, the breed became eligible to show in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC dog shows. In 2001, a Bichon Frise named J.R. won Best In Show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. In the United States, the Bichon Frise was ranked the 40th most popular breed in 2013 according to the American Kennel Club. It would be another 17 years before Flynn the Bichon Frise would once again see the breed take top honours at this prestigious show.

The Bichon was introduced into Australia in the 1970s and since its introduction has proved successful as both a show and companion dog.

Modern Bichon’s have developed into four main categories: the Bichon Frise, theMaltese, theBolognese and the Havanese. These are often treated as separate breeds however the Bichon variety breeds are often thought to also include the Lowchen and the Coton De Tulear.

GENERAL INFORMATION

A well-bred Bichon Frise is gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. Bichons love to jump into a comfy lap and settle in for their daily snooze. Bichons aren’t one of the dogs that when you enter a room will just sit and do nothing – they are energetic and love seeing and pleasing their human companion. A cheerful attitude is a prominent hallmark. Most Bichons

enjoy social interactions with people and other dogs, and are best when there is a lot of activity around them. People who are considering keeping a Bichon Frise as a pet should know that these dogs are smart and playful, but require a great amount of human attention. They are happiest when they are the complete centre of attention. Bichons are non-shedding and are suitable for people with allergies. The Bichon can be difficult to train, but are amazing happy creatures that love company.

CHARACTERISTICS

The Bichon Frise is a lively little dog, with eyes alert and full of expression. The soft, fairly round dark eyes should fill the face with appealing pleasantness. One of the characteristics of the breed is the black pigmentation set against the pure white coat of an adult specimen. The black pigmentation should be present in the nose, lips, eye rims, toe nails (though not essential) and pads of the feet.

Bichon Frise are well suited to family homes where they have constant companionship. Bichon Frise are first and foremost a companion dog and are most content when spending time curled up on the lounge with their people. They are active and lively and will often get their daily exercise during a spurt of hyperactivity known as the “Bichon Blitz”.

Due to their non-shedding coat, the Bichon Frise is often considered a preferrable option for allergy suffers, however it should be noted that their nonshedding coat also means a “high maintenance” grooming routine.

TEMPERAMENT

Gay and Happy – The Bichon Frise should convey a feeling of happiness and brightness on sight. They are neither shy nor aggressive. The Bichon must show the temperament required of a companion dog. Due to their need for constant companionship, it is not uncommon for a Bichon Frise to suffer anxiety. It is important that Bichons are provided exposure to varying situations from an early age to avoid potential anxiety issues which is why it is important to ensure that your breeder has given

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Bichon Frise are best suited to an indoor lifestyle in keeping with their need to always have companionship.

COAT AND GROOMING

The Bichon Frise coat is fine, silky, with soft corkscrew curls. This is a double coated breed with an outer coat of longer hair with a short softer dense undercoat. The adult coat is somewhat thicker than the puppy coat.

A full coated (or show coated) Bichon Frise requires regular, often daily brushing and combing to maintain the “fluffy round headed” style that is characteristic of the Bichon Frise breed. Many pet owners will opt for either a short pet trim or modified show trim for easier maintenance.

Regular weekly bathing is required to maintain the clean white coat. Regular combing through the coat with both a slicker brush and metal comb is vital to keeping the coat knot free. Combing is often required daily during “coat change” which is the period during which the soft puppy coat develops into the mature dense adult coat. Failure to regularly maintain a knot free coat will result is matting which causes considerable discomfort and potential health issues for your Bichon Frise.

Trimming the coat will depend on the style maintained but a regular 4 – 6 weekly schedule with a groomer is highly recommended. This can be done yourself with training however many opt to use professional groomers. The choice of either a clipped style (usually shorter) or a hand scissored style is offered by professional groomers depending on their breed experience. Bichon Frise, like poodles are often a favoured breed for pet stylists due to their thick dense coat which provides an excellent basis for their creativity which in recent years has seen an increased popularity with pet owners for an “Asian fusion” styled trim.

COLOUR AND SIZE

Bichon Frise coat colour is white. Some puppies will often have patches of cream / apricot, usually on their ears or head when they are younger but

A Bichon Frise size should be considered “lapidary”, meaning small enough to fit in your lap. The ANKC standard calls for the breed to be less than 30cm at the wither with smallness being highly desirable. HEALTH AND LIFESPAN:

The Bichon Frise is a relatively healthy breed. Juvenille cataracts was in recent years presenting as a problem within the breed and thanks to the tireless efforts of breeders throughout the world, is becoming less common despite ongoing research projects still unable to isolate any genes within the Bichon Frise breed for specific genomic testing. Bichon Frise are often said to have a problem with “allergies” however this in most instances can probably be attributed to either environmental factors or a diet high in processed preservatives.

Average lifespan of a Bichon Frise is 12 – 15 years.