Heavenly Bichon Frise Puppies
General Overview Of Bichon Frise Puppies. Inspire Yourself On How To Live And Care For Your Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise (pronounced BEE-shawn FREE-say; the plural is Bichons Frises) is a cheerful, small dog breed with a love of mischief and a lot of love to give. Their black eyes and fluffy white coat make them look almost like a child’s toy. this breed is a great option for those looking for a small dog that doesn’t shed — or at least doesn’t shed much. Even with hypoallergenic dogs, it’s hard to determine how hypoallergenic they’ll be.
It is easy to see that the Bichon can be your happiest and most enthusiastic companion. They are super playful and intelligent, and even novice pet parents and apartment dwellers will get along great with them. However, they do need plenty of playtime and activity. They do not like being left home alone for long hours of the day. If you give your dog lots of attention and love, they will give you tenfold in return.
When considering a Bichon Frise, it’s advisable to prioritize adopting from a breeder to provide a loving home to a dog in need. However, choosing a reputable breeder is crucial if you’re looking for Bichon Frise puppies and decide to purchase one. Conduct thorough research to ensure that the breeder follows ethical practices and prioritizes the well-being of their dogs. Reputable Bichon Frise breeders prioritize the health and temperament of their dogs, conduct necessary health screenings, and provide a nurturing environment for the Bichon Frise puppies. This active approach ensures you bring home a healthy and happy pup while discouraging unethical breeding practices.
Bichon Frise Personality
Playful and Affectionate: Bichon Frises are renowned for their playful and affectionate nature. They thrive on companionship and enjoy spending time with their human family members.
Low Shedding: Their hypoallergenic coat sheds minimally, making them a popular choice for allergy sufferers. However, regular grooming is necessary to prevent matting and keep their coat in top condition.
Intelligent and Trainable: Despite their small size, Bichon Frises are intelligent dogs and can excel in obedience training and learning tricks. Positive reinforcement methods work best with this breed.
Social Butterflies: Bichon Frises are social butterflies who generally get along well with other dogs and pets, as well as with strangers. They thrive in environments where they receive plenty of attention and interaction.
Versatile: Despite their toy breed status, Bichon Frises are surprisingly versatile. They enjoy various activities such as agility, obedience, and even therapy work. Their adaptable nature makes them suitable for a range of lifestyles, from apartment living to suburban homes.
Bichon Frise Health
Bichons are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Bichons will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed. If you’re buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition. In Bichons, you should expect to see health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) for hip dysplasia (with a score of fair or better), elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and von Willebrand’s disease; from Auburn University for thrombopathia; and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal.
A cheerful attitude is the outstanding trait of the Bichon’s personality. This dog loves to be loved, enjoys being the center of attention, and is adept at charming his family, neighbors, groomer, or veterinarian with his winning personality.
The Bichon has a playful, independent streak, but that doesn’t mean he likes to be alone. In fact, this breed hates being alone and commonly suffers from separation anxiety if left alone for many hours. In such situations, Bichons may become destructive, chewing and tearing up anything in sight. Obviously the Bichon is not a breed of choice for people who are away from home for long periods of time (indeed, no dog is).
The highly intelligent Bichon needs to be taught proper canine manners, so it’s essential to sign up for obedience training, beginning with puppy classes. Bichons are quick studies, so taking them to such classes can be very satisfying. They’re also good at tricks and some canine sports. Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them.
Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who’s beating up his littermates or the one who’s hiding in the corner. Always meet at least one of the parents — usually the mother is the one who’s available — to ensure that they have nice temperaments that you’re comfortable with. Meeting siblings or other relatives of the parents is also helpful for evaluating what a puppy will be like when he grows up.
Like every dog, the Bichon needs early socialization — exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when they’re young. Socialization helps ensure that your Bichon puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog. Enrolling him in a puppy kindergarten class is a great start. Inviting visitors over regularly, and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on leisurely strolls to meet neighbors will also help him polish his social skills.
Bichon Frise Children And Other Pets
Bichons are good family dogs and wonderful companions for children. They enjoy palling around with kids, joining in their games or sitting in their laps. They’re very tolerant of the noise and commotion associated with children. As with every breed, however, you should always teach children how to approach and touch dogs, and always supervise any interactions between dogs and young children to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling on the part of either party.
Teach your child never to approach any dog while he’s eating or sleeping or to try to take the dog’s food away. No dog, no matter how friendly, should ever be left unsupervised with a child. The Bichon enjoys the company of other dogs, as long as he receives his fair share of attention from his owner. With proper introductions and training, the Bichon can get along with cats and other animals.
Bichon Frise Feeding
Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like people, and they don’t all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a highly active dog will need more than a couch potato dog.
The quality of dog food you buy also makes a difference — the better the dog food, the further it will go toward nourishing your dog and the less of it you’ll need to shake into your dog’s bowl. Keep your Bichon in good shape by measuring his food and feeding him twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time.
Bichon Frise Care And Bichon Frise Coat Color And Grooming
Bichons are active dogs but do well as apartment dwellers with proper exercise and play — and they live to play. Don’t leave your Bichon alone for long periods of time. To prevent destructive behavior, the wise owner leaves the Bichon in a crate when leaving the house for even a short time.
The Bichon Frise is a double-coated breed, always white. The soft and dense undercoat and course outer coat combine to create a soft but substantial texture. The coat stands away from the body, giving it a powder-puff appearance. The most popular trim for a Bichon follows the lines of the dog’s body, leaving the coat long enough to give him the
signature “poufy” look. Bichons have a reputation for not shedding, which isn’t exactly true. All creatures with hair shed. With double-coated Bichons, however, the shed hair is caught up in the undercoat instead of falling to the floor. If this dead hair isn’t removed by brushing or combing, it can form mats and tangles, which can lead to skin problems if left unattended. Grooming a Bichon is not for cowards: this is a high-maintenance breed.
You’ll need to allot considerable time for grooming and bathing: you should brush him at least twice a week or more, and you’ll need to bathe him whenever he gets dirty in order to keep that white coat clean. Be sure to make sure the coat is free of mats and tangles before bathing, or the mats will tighten and become nearly impossible to remove. You should check your Bichon’s ears often to make sure they’re clean.
Sometimes it’s necessary to pluck out the hair that grows in the ear canal (which a groomer can do if you don’t feel comfortable with the job). If you notice a buildup of wax, redness, or a foul odor, or if you dog is scratching his ears and shaking his head, take him to the vet to be sure he doesn’t have an ear infection. Most Bichon owners take their dogs to a professional groomer every four to six weeks for a bath, brush, haircut, nail trimming, and ear cleaning. If you want to learn how to groom your Bichon yourself, check out the many good grooming books and videos on the market for instructions.
Keeping a Bichon’s face clean and trimmed is important for health as well as looks. Mucus and discharge from the eyes tend to accumulate in the hair that grows around the eyes, and eye problems can result if you don’t clean the area regularly. Tearstains are common, as a result of eye problems or even food allergies.
Because Bichons are prone to a number of eye diseases, it’s best to have your vet check your dog if tearstaining becomes a problem. Bichons are prone to blocked or small tear ducts, eyelashes that grow toward the eyeball, or eyelids that turn inward and cause the lashes to rub against the eye. Your vet will be able to determine if any of these conditions, or something else, is causing tearstains. Brush your Bichon’s teeth at least two or three times a week to remove tartar buildup and the bacteria that lurk inside it. Daily brushing is even better if you want to prevent gum disease and bad breath.
Trim nails once or twice a month if your dog doesn’t wear them down naturally to prevent painful tears and other problems. If you can hear them clicking on the floor, they’re too long. Dog toenails have blood vessels in them, and if you cut too far you can cause bleeding — and your dog may not cooperate the next time he sees the nail clippers come out.
So, if you’re not experienced trimming dog nails, ask a vet or groomer for pointers. Begin accustoming your Bichon to being brushed and examined when he’s a puppy. Handle his paws frequently — dogs are touchy about their feet — and look inside his mouth. Make grooming a positive experience filled with praise and rewards, and you’ll lay the groundwork for easy veterinary exams and other handling when he’s an adult.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Finding a reputable dog breeder is one of the most important decisions you will make when bringing a new dog into your life. Reputable breeders are committed to breeding healthy, well-socialized puppies that will make great companions. They will screen their breeding stock for health problems, socialize their puppies from a young age, and provide you with lifetime support.
On the other hand, backyard breeders are more interested in making a profit than in producing healthy, well-adjusted dogs. They may not screen their breeding stock for health problems, and they may not socialize their puppies properly. As a result, puppies from backyard breeders are more likely to have health problems and behavioral issues.