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Bichon Frise Information

The Bichon is a descendant of the Barbet and was originally named the "barbichon".

Bichons were best known for their wonderful disposition. They were frequently offered as trade items, and were transported by sailors from continent to continent.

In the 1300's, Italian sailors rediscovered the Bichons on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where the breed became a favorite with Italian nobility.

In the late 1800's, the breed took on several duties. They would run the streets with the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and even doing trick in circuses and fairs.

At the end of the first World War, a few fanciers recognized the potential of the Bichon. Four breeders in France began to establish lines through controlled breeding programs. In 1933, the official breed standard was adopted and the breed was known by two names; Tenerife and Bichon. The president of the International Canine Federation then proposed a name based on the characteristics of the breed, and the name then became Bichon Frise. Frise refers to their soft, curly coat.

In 1959 and 1960 two breeders in the United States acquired Bichons, which began the Bichon Frise breeding programs in America. In 1973 the Bichon was admitted into the AKC's non-sporting group.

Bichons are truly very lovely dogs and adore everyone. They are very playful and do well with children and other pets. Some may be a tad difficult to housebreak, so they will require a patient owner who can take the time to watch the dog closely to see when they need to potty.

When unhappy, they can become very vocal. They're not too bad with barking, however they do a whiney cry that can evolve into a scream. They can do this for hours to prove how unhappy they are to be left alone so it's best to make sure your Bichon has plenty of toys to keep him busy while you're away.

The major health issue in Bichons is allergies. Allergies can sometimes be related to fleas or to food but this is more often a seasonal problem, especially spring and fall, related to inhalants. Bichons are also prone to dental problems (tartar and early tooth loss) which can be prevented by brushing their teeth on a regular basis as well as professional teeth cleaning by your vet. They are prone to bladder infections and kidney stones, patellar (knee) luxation, ear infections and eye disease. Cataracts in the Bichon Frise are a newly revealed major problem. Some of these can be genetic.

There is a condition called immotile cilia syndrome (or Kartagener's syndrome) found in some Bichons that is thought to be an autoimmune condition that causes the dogs to have multiple symptoms. These may include frequent respiratory disease, such as pneumonia or excessively runny nose.

Immunizations may affect the long-term health of the Bichon if all given at once. It is recommended to give rabies vaccines separate from the other shots (wait at least four weeks). New recommendations indicate that the combination shot may sometimes be given every 2-3 years after dogs reach adulthood. Some Bichons react to the leptospirosis shot (a disease carried by rodents) with chills and fever, usually lasting for several hours. Some Bichons have reacted poorly to the medication found in "PLUS type" heartworm preventatives. Be sure that your vet is aware of these problems that can occur in Bichons.

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