Bichon Frise: Temperament, Lifespan, Grooming, Training

Q: Are Bichon Frise yappy?

In theory, Bichon Frise dogs are not a particularly vocal breed. However, as companion dogs, they crave attention and often bark to alert their owners of their presence. Again, due to their lapdog roots, they will bark if left alone for any length of time. Crate training can be especially helpful for dogs who are prone to separation anxiety, but your Bichon Frise will be happiest (and quietest) in a household where someone is around most of the time.

Q: How to clean Bichon Frise eyes

Some eye discharge is normal for every dog breed, and simply keeps your pet’s eyes clear of dirt and debris. However, on white-coated breeds, such as Bichon Frise, this can lead to unsightly tear stains around your dog’s eyes. There are many ways to keep your pet’s eyes clean. Lots of owners opt for tear stain removal wipes and solutions, whilst others swear by simply wiping the dog’s eyes regularly with a damp wash cloth. Excess eye discharge or discharge that is yellow or green could be a sign of infection and it’s important to consult your vet.

Q: Where to buy a Bichon Frise

Whether you’re looking to adopt a Bichon Frise or buy a puppy, it’s important to make sure you’re getting your pet from a reputable organisation or breeder. If you’re looking to adopt, you can use Petplan’s rehoming directory to find an organisation. If you want to buy a puppy, make sure you find a reputable breeder.

Q: Are Bichon Frise smart?

Bichon Frise rank somewhere in the middle when it comes to intelligence. Whilst they’re not the smartest breed, their eagerness to please makes them highly trainable and this little companion dog loves to learn new tricks. They respond best to gentler training methods and often excel in obedience classes.

Q: How big do Bichon Frise get?

As a Toy breed Bichon Frise are known and loved for their smaller stature. An average height for the breed can be anywhere between 23 to 30 cm and their ideal weight is somewhere between 5 and 8 kg.

A star performer who is confident, amusing and eager to please

Once bred to be the stars in circuses and travelling shows, Bichon Frises are cheerful, intelligent and relish being the centre of attention. These energetic little dogs love to be part of the action and thrive in busy households with lots going on.

Vital Stats

Size:	Small
Coat:	Requires daily grooming and regular trips to a professional groomer
Exercise:	Up to 1 hour a day
Life span:	15+ years
Breed group:	Toy
Temperament:	Playful, affectionate, feisty

Size 23cm
-
30cm Coat short
coat Exercise up to1hr Life span 15+years

Bichon Frise Temperament & Personality

Adaptable and cheerful, Bichon Frises do well in most households, including those with children and cats.

Harking back to their history in the spotlight, these sociable little dogs love nothing more than being at the heart of the action.
Bichon Frises are born people pleasers with high intelligence and a willingness to learn.

This breed can be prone to separation anxiety and don’t like being left alone for long periods; they will thrive in environments where someone is home most of the day.
Bichon Frises can be quite vocal, so training and early socialisation is key.

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Bichon Frise Training & Exercise

Intelligent and energetic Bichon Frises are keen learners and benefit from daily exercise.

Training tips

Willing to learn and eager to please, Bichon Frises tend to pick up training easily and respond well to positive reinforcement methods.
This self-assured breed may become overbearing if not trained well from an early age.
Start puppy training from around three months old to reduce the likelihood of common Bichon Frise problems, including excessive barking and slow housetraining.

More puppy training tips

Keeping them happy

Prone to separation anxiety, Bichon Frises can exhibit unwanted behaviours such as barking, whining, scratching and chewing if they are left alone for too long, so they need lots of human interaction.
This breed has the energy of a dog twice their size and regular games and interaction are needed to keep their energy in check.

Exercise

Energetic and alert, adult Bichon Frises need 30 minutes exercise a day.

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Get a Bichon Frise quote

Find out more about the conditions that we see most in Bichon Frises throughout their lifetime.

More Health Information

Bichon Frise Grooming

Bichon Frises’ curly coat makes them less likely to shed than other breeds and better suited for some allergy sufferers.

Adult Bichon Frises are known for their white, cloud-like coat, but puppies can also have overtones of other colours such as grey, buff or apricot.
Their trademark curls catch the shorter undercoat as it moults, meaning Bichon Frises don’t shed as frequently as other breeds, making them more suitable for some allergy sufferers.
As well as daily brushing, to prevent matting, your Bichon Frise will need regular trips to a professional groomer to ensure your dog’s health. You’ll also be able to choose different cuts and styles for your dog.

Bichon Frise Nutrition

As Bichon Frises don't require much exercise, it's important not to overfeed them- including sneaking them too many treats!

Bichon Frise puppies should be given a high-quality, breed-appropriate food in three to four small meals a day, up to six months of age, after which they can be fed twice a day instead.
Common Bichon Frise health issues, such as diabetes, liver problems, bladder stones and allergies, could mean your dog requires a special diet. If one of these conditions is diagnosed your vet will be able to help advise what changes they may need to their food.

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What to know before you buy or rehome a Bichon Frise

Before you start looking for Bichon Frise puppies for sale or to rehome, here’s a few important things about what you should know and that will help ensure that your dog is happy and healthy.

Bichon Frises make great dogs for novice owners and families with children and other pets, who are at home most of the time.
You will need plenty of time for training and playing with this intelligent and high energy breed.
Like all dogs, Bichon Frises can suffer from a range of health conditions, so it is essential to get comprehensive pet insurance for your dog. A reputable breeder will be able to show you proof that your Bichon Frise puppy has been tested and cleared of specific conditions.

Remember ‘Lucy’s Law’. Anyone who wants a new puppy or kitten in England must buy direct from the breeder or adopt from a rescue centre. All dog breeders are required to show puppies interacting with their mother.
Choosing the right pet insurance plan for your Bichon Frise will get you the best possible care should they need it and provide you with peace of mind that the cost of their treatment will be covered.

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FAQs

Are Bichon Frise yappy?

How to clean Bichon Frise eyes

Where to buy a Bichon Frise

Are Bichon Frise smart?

How big do Bichon Frise get?

Help & Support page

FAQs

Are Bichon Frise yappy?

How to clean Bichon Frise eyes

Where to buy a Bichon Frise

Are Bichon Frise smart?

How big do Bichon Frise get?

Help & Support page

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Bichon Frise insurance considerations

Several of the common conditions that we see are more likely in Bichon Frises are long term conditions such as diabetes or Cushing’s disease. This means that they would likely need treatment for the rest of their life to help manage the illness. Making sure you consider if you want dog insurance that covers long term conditions is really important as not all policies will, and some have limits for certain conditions.

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A star performer who is confident, amusing and eager to please