Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frisé descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, Poodle, and is a generally white, small "lap" or ladies' dog, which existed in the Mediterranean area as far back as 600-300 B.C. from which came the name "Barbichon", later shortened to "Bichon". Because of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were often used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent.

The Bichon went to sea as a working Spanish boat dog. They were perfect for a boat because they do not shed, don't need a lot of exercise, and are fine companions, as well as obedient and easily trained. Though not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, due to its ancestry, has an affinity for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's job was to meet and greet people with great enthusiasm. Their purpose was to make weary people smile and feel at ease, but most of all to cause these people to like the Spanish. It is one of the few dogs that has eyes like a human, that it shows the whites of its eye as well as expressions of happiness in them. The Bichons were the little happy ambassadors for the Spanish at every new port of call.

A Bichon Frisé (French, literally meaning curly lap dog) is a small breed of dog. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese. They are a non-shedding breed that requires daily grooming. Bichon Frisés may be suitable for some people with allergies; however human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies considerably. People with dog allergies should first visit with a Bichon to test their individual reaction before committing to ownership. Although hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still present and can stick to "clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home"; inhaling the allergens, or being licked by the dog, can trigger a reaction in a sensitive person.

The Bichon Frisé is a small but sturdy dog that weighs 10-18 lbs and stands 23-30 cm/9-12in. at the Withers. It has a black nose and dark eyes, and its white fur consists of a curly outercoat and a silky undercoat. A small amount of buff or cream color may be seen around its ears or on its body. The head and legs are proportionate in size to the body, and ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped.) Often the coat is trimmed to make the fur seem even in length.

Like all dogs that require frequent grooming, Bichon Frisés should be accustomed to grooming from a young age and care should be taken to keep grooming pleasurable. Daily grooming prevents tangles and creates a puffier coat. To prevent matting, the coat should be kept clean, brushed thoroughly before bathing, and brushed and completely dried after bathing. The hair on the face of a Bichon Frisé should be kept clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes. In common with most white dogs Bichon Frisés are prone to tear-staining around the eyes. Tear staining may be caused by allergies, infections, blocked tear ducts, stray eyelashes, or foreign material in the eyes.

The well-bred Bichon Frisé is feisty, sometimes playful, and sometimes affectionate. Traditionally Bichon Frisés enjoyed socializing with people and most dogs. Bichons may be relatively stubborn, but are also said to be patient. They may have sudden bursts of energy resulting in the "blitz" or "buzz", where they race around in circles until they collapse happily onto their backs. Few have been reported to be retarded, deaf, or blind.

Although Bichon Frisés are often considered a "hypoallergenic" breed for people prone to dog allergies, Bichon Frisés themselves are unusually prone to allergies. Between a quarter and half of Bichon Frisés (depending on the particular survey) in USA/Canada surveys have skin problems and allergies, including atopy (inhalant allergies). Skin problems in Bichon Frisés were less often reported by owners in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, but were still more prevalent than among other breeds. Other health issues unusually common in Bichon Frisés include Cushing's Syndrome, dental disease, patellar luxation and cruciate ligament tears, and bladder and kidney stones. Bichon Frisés, like many other dogs with fluffy, flappy ears are prone to ear mites and usually need constant care around the ears.

In a 2007 USA/Canada breeders survey, the leading causes of death were cancer (22%), unknown causes (14%), hematologic (11%), and old age (10%). Hematologic causes of death were divided between autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP). AIHA and ITP were responsible for the greatest amount of Bichon Frisé "years lost." "Years lost" is a measure of the extent to which a condition kills members of a breed prematurely. While cancer is a more common cause of death than AIHA/ITP, Bichon Frisés that died of cancer died at a median age of 12.5 years. Hematologic deaths occurred at a median age of only 5 years.

Because autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA, also called immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, or IMHA) and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) are responsible for premature Bichon Frisé deaths, Bichon Frisé owners should be particularly alert to the symptoms of these conditions. In AIHA, the dog's immune system attacks its own red blood cells, leading to severe, life-threatening anemia. Symptoms include weakness, loss of energy, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, dark urine, and pale or yellow gums. Thrombocytopenia often accompanies AIHA. In ITP, blood platelets (which cause blood clotting) are destroyed. The most common clinical signs are hemorrhages of the skin and mucus membranes. Owners of Bichon Frisés showing suspicious symptoms should seek immediate veterinary care as these diseases can strike with little or no warning and kill very quickly. Mortality rates of 20% to 80% are reported.