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A good-sized bichon will stand a shadow under one foot tall at the shoulder. The splendor of the breed is a white hypoallergenic coat, plush to the touch and featuring velvety, round head hairs that close large, dark eyes and black leather to the nose and lips.
Bichans are adaptable companions that get along well with other dogs and children. Conscious and curious, the Bichons make good little watchmen – but they are lovers, not fighters, and operate under the assumption that there are no strangers, just friends they haven’t met yet. Their confidence and size make them ideal city dogs. Bitchons train well and enjoy performing for their loved ones. Finally, there is the happy-lucky Lucky Bichon personality who smiles and hugs wherever he goes.
Bichons are members of the clan of small white dogs formally known as the Barbicon type. (They also include Bolognese, Havanese and Maltese.) These ancient breeds are believed to have begun their modern development on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands. One of these breeds became so popular with island sailors that it was known as Bichon Tenerife, the primary ancestor of today’s Bichon Freese.
The breed’s close association with European nobles began in the 13th century. Most notably, he rewarded himself for the royal courts of Spain, Italy and France and came into his own during the Renaissance.
With the arrival of the French Revolution in 1789, Bichon’s days as the pampered and fragrant lapdog of the aristocracy came to an end. One by one the miscreants of the breed were sent to prison and guillotine, and their bitches lost their positions of privilege. Many people had to throw themselves on the road. Street entertainers took in bright, agile dogs and trained them to caress one or two passers by their antics. Soon, Bichon was earning his status as a circus artist. Trainable, impenetrably lovable, and always in his best form when in the spotlight, Bichons was an outstanding candidate for showbiz success.
The Bichons again faced a difficult time in the 20th century due to scarcity and austerity brought on by two world wars. And again, many Bichons found themselves out in the cold. Thanks to the few fanatics who gather the Bichans from the streets of France and Belgium, the breed survived and was recognized in France under the auspices of the Societe Centrale Canine in 1933 as Bichon a Poile Frette – “curly hair bichon.
The Bichon Freeze Club of America was founded in 1964 in San Diego. The AKC accepted Bichon in the miscellaneous category in 1971, and a year later the non-sporting group gained full breed recognition.
Bichon Phrase is a small, strong, white powdery puff of a dog whose miraculous nature is manifested by his heartless tail on the back and for the expression of his keen-eyed inquisitiveness.
It is a breed in which there is no gross or incompetent exaggeration and therefore no underlying cause of lack of balance or unprovoked movement. Any deviation from the norm described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural defects common to all breeds are as undesirable as any other breed as the Bichon Frize, even though such defects are not specifically mentioned in the standard.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days
The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time.
Bichon is classified as “somewhat active”, but is an average. Long segments of quiet activity are often spread with brief bursts of high activity, often simply moving around the house or yard. In addition to walking, daily play sessions are required. Another dog can be a good exercise partner, but Bichon will still need quality play time with his owner. A fence-backed backyard is a good idea; Bichons are surprisingly fast, and if someone makes a dash for freedom, it can be difficult to catch or call you back. Many Bichons enjoy obedience, agility and participating in rally competitions.
Bichon frays should perform well on high quality dog food, whether it is commercially manufactured or prepared with the supervision and approval of your vet. Any diet should be appropriate for the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior). Some dogs are at risk of being overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treatment training can be an important aid, but giving too much can lead to obesity. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet. Clean, fresh water must be available at all times.
Bichons are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will screen breeding stock for health conditions such as allergies, bladder infections, lusading patella, and cataracts and other eye diseases. If dental care and regular brushing of teeth are not a priority, bitches may experience early tooth loss or complications from a gum infection. To avoid ear infections, regular ear cleaning is recommended.
Recommended health tests from the National Breed Club: