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Bichon Frise Personality traits and Temperament
They are very cheerful and happy dogs and have a personality that endears to everyone. There is never a dull moment with these dogs around. They are very well suited to an apartment lifestyle and unlike other small breeds they do not yap a lot. They are happiest to be around the family members. They have medium energy levels and need a short walk daily. Due to their lovable nature it is a common sight to see owners spoiling them to the hilt. This should be avoided as they can develop stubbornness and a big attitude that will be difficult to get rid of.
They are very alert dogs and always observant, but they are most likely to befriend strangers. As a result they do not make good watchdogs. They can be taught a lot of tricks and they love performing these tricks to amuse family members and visitors alike.
They are very good with children and can tolerate all the noise and commotion that kids cause. They can even take in a bit of rough handling by the kids. But always supervise the interaction of small children with this breed, as these dogs have a delicate skeletal frame and can get hurt very easily.
Occasionally they are prone to bursts of energy and can be seen running around the house yapping. These are short lived and the exact reason is unknown. They are very social dogs and do not tolerate loneliness very well. These dogs are not suited for owners who are absent for long periods. Separation anxiety is a huge issue in Bichons and dogs can become destructive, chews up and tears anything in the path and can even been seen growling.
Grooming, Haircuts and Shedding
They have a powder puff like appearance with a soft under coat and a coarse outer coat. They are a high-maintenance breed and services of a professional groomer must be made use of at least monthly. Also owners will need to allot considerable time for grooming and bathing. Dogs are very naughty and are prone to get their coat dirty quite often. A bath has to be given whenever the coat is dirty to maintain its white appearance.
These dogs are considered non-shedders, but reality is that they are shedders and the hairs get tangled in the undercoat. If this is left there the coat can develop considerable matting. Therefore daily brushing has to be done. This helps to remove the loose hairs and prevent tangles.
Ears have to be checked for presence of discharge or any adverse smell. Tear stains are very common and these need to be looked into. They can suffer from dental problems so a daily brushing is recommended. Nails are to be trimmed as and when it is required.
Size and Characteristics
Price Range: this dog for sale may cost between $450 – $600
Life expectancy: the life span is generally of about 12-15 YEARS
Weight: 7-12 pounds
Height: 9–12 inches
Colors: White, White & Buff, White & Cream
How to Train this dog
He has a reputation as one of the most difficult dogs to housetrain, although with consistency and crate training, it can be done. They need to undergo obedience training. Since these dogs like to do new activities, training them can be easy provided the sessions are kept short and interesting. Also they have a general desire to make their masters happy. This can be made use of for their training sessions.
Health Issues and Food
Diet: Since they are prone to urolithiasis avoid feeding diets that are very rich in protein, potassium and magnesium. A balanced diet of either home cooked or high quality dry food can be given.
Allergies: Highly prone to allergies. They are extremely sensitive to tick and flea bites. Any signs like excessive licking, scratching, rubbing face often, should be treated as allergic signs and promptly referred to a veterinarian. They can even develop sensitivity to vaccines and certain medications like dewormers. Even though they themselves are prone to allergies, they are considered hypoallergenic and ideal for people suffering from allergies.
Health problems: Urinary infections and bladder stones are commonly seen in this breed. If the dog urinates frequently or shows any difficulty in urinating it is safer to seek professional help. They can also suffer from cataracts, patellar luxation. They can also develop Legg-Perthes disease. Primary ciliary dyskinesia, a congenital condition which affects the respiratory system is also seen in these breeds.
Mixed breeds
Kashon is a Cairn Terrier and Bichon Frise hybrid. These are small sturdy dogs that are extremely good with children. They are excellent jumpers.
Cavachon The Cavachon breed is a mix between a Bichon Frise and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are very smart dogs who are capable of amusing themselves and can be trained to perform many tricks.
Doxie-Chon is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Dachshund. The Doxie-Chon is sturdy, affectionate, and a smart breed, but not the easiest to train.
Best female and male dog names
You can name your Bichon Frise as Boo or Fuzzy if he is a male and Juno or Mabel if she is a female.
How to adopt this dog
You can also browse a specific site to adopt a Bichon Frise
Pictures and Videos
Photo Credits: Sannse,Lucy