BICHON FRISE - Perfect Apartment Dog?

Bichon Frisé (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Bichon Frise is a white powder puff of a dog with black eyes, eye rims and halos, lips, nose, and footpads. Known for less barking problems than other small dogs, the Bichon Frise is a charming dog as a pet but you need to adjust to certain life routines as this particular breed do need attention. Today the Bichon Frise is primarily a companion and show dog. An independent, affectionate, charming breed, the Bichon Frise is very social and is competitive and obedient.

Breed Characteristics

A cheerful attitude is the hallmark of the breed and one should settle for nothing less. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Bichon Frise as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned in the standard. Any color in excess of 10% of the entire coat of a mature specimen is a fault and should be penalized, but the color of the accepted shadings should not be faulted in puppies. On March 5, 1933, the official standard of the breed, as written by Madam Abadie of Steren Vor Kennels, was adopted by the Societe Central Canine de France. The International Canine Federation recognizes the Bichon Frise "as a French-Belgian breed having the right to registration in the Book of Origins from all countries". When seeking a Bichon be sure to find a reputable breeder to get the best personality traits this breed has to offer. Another way to locate a quality breeder is to contact your local Bichon Frise club.

Puppies

Puppies are very fragile creatures and can easily break bones if they are dropped, kicked, or fallen on. Puppies commonly have the buff, apricot or cream color on their ears or head that will almost always fade to complete white. Puppies learn valuable lessons in the first eight weeks of life from their mothers that cannot be learned from anyone else or at any other time in life. As puppies, some Bichons have beige to apricot markings on the head or body, but this color usually fades during maturity. Talk to different breeders and ask them about their puppies and temperament of the dogs what care and needs are needed for their specific breed. Then check out dog rescue agencies, adoption dogs for sale and puppies for adoption as they would all make great pets. Pride and integrity are an integral part of raising great Bichons and placing beautiful puppies in qualified homes.

Because dysplastic dogs often produce dysplastic puppies, buyers should ask if both the sire and the dam of the puppy in which they are interested to have been rated clear of hip dysplasia by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals or by Penn HIP. Because of the Bichon Frise Puppies lively personality, they usually get along well with most other animals in the household. These puppies are best house-trained in a suitably sized dog crate; one that is big enough for an adult Bichon to stand and turn around freely.

Training

The Bichon Frise is an intelligent breed, but they typically are difficult to housetrain. Housetraining is not difficult provided you follow instructions and set aside some time to do it right. Crate training makes it much easier to house train the dog. The Bichon Frise dog can become spiteful and stubborn if he isn't treated with positive training methods and lots of love. Without having to spend a small fortune and without having to spend hours grooming and training. This personality-filled and intelligent companion will definitely require guidance and loving training to become an exceptional performer (no doubt, it's his/her nature) that also doubles as your best friend. Plus training your dog is not only for your benefit, but also for your Bichon Frise's happiness, health, safety, and overall well-being. Consistent, firm, caring and positive love is important in training your Bichon Frise. Basic obedience training should be commenced as early as possible to ensure that the Bichon develops into an enjoyable friend and is acceptable to society in general.

The right dog for you?

Though not much of a guard dog, the Bichon Frise is a more than respectable watchdog. The Bichon Frise is a companion that has been compared to a cloud, but not because he is a lightweight. The Bichon Frise is similar in size to many toys at 9-11" and finely built he is a merry little dog who is lively enough to enjoy playing with children but perhaps not one too well-suited for country rambles. The average lifespan of the Bichon Frise is about 14 years. The Bichon Frise is known as a friendly and playful dog that is rarely aggressive. The Bichon Frise is suited to anyone who wants a companion dog.

By Erik Olsen - Article Source: EzineArticles

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BICHON FRISÉ - Dogs of the World

Bichon Frisé - Dogs of the World

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The BICHON FRISE - The Cotton Ball of Canines

Photo  by gareth1953 New Profile 

The Bichon Frise is a small, solid white dog with the curly hair typical of a poodle. These little guys are appealing for many reasons, including the fact that they just look so cuddly.

As is the case with many breeds, the Bichon Frise saw a rise in popularity after a group of nobles became enamored with these dogs. In this case, it was the French nobility who used the dogs as companions, even going so far as to include the Bichon Frise in their social activities. It's believed that these dogs originated sometime in the 13th or 14th Century. They were quickly picked up by traders who saw the potential for profit from carrying these attractive little dogs to the rich in other countries.

Their natural intelligence combined with their small size has made them a favorite performing dog. They've traveled with any number of performing people, ranging from individuals who collected a few coins performing on street corners to the largest circuses. As a rule, the Bichon Frise will grow no larger than 10 to 12 pounds and some are much smaller.

Blanca, the Bichon of the Operator of this Site - Photo: Werner Cappel

Their small size has also made them a popular dog for people with very limited space. These little guys will play either indoors or out and you can often achieve sufficient exercise simply by playing games with them in the confines of your living room. They like to play with toys and will also get quite a lot of their exercise on their own. Some apartment dwellers have opted to box-train their Bichon Frise to eliminate the need for walking in inclement weather since these dogs can get the needed dose of activity inside.

As a rule, the Bichon Frise is solid white, though some variations occur and are generally acceptable. These dogs are never dark-colored but may range from a pure white to apricot or a very pale tan. Usually, they are solid colored with no color markings. Because of the close relationship to the Poodle, these dogs are often sought out by people who have allergies. Typically, the Poodle breeds - including the Bichon Frise - are non-shedding and may be tolerated by those with an allergy to most dog dander.

The intelligent eyes of the Bichon Frise seem almost to be questioning and the tail wagging is a sure sign of approval. Grooming is typically not an extensive task for the Bichon Frise. The coat consists of two separate layers. The under layers is much finer than the outer. For families, keeping the coat groomed to a fairly short length will ensure that the dog is easy to care for. One of the few routine tasks needed is cleaning the ears. Because these dogs have that "poodle-curl," the hair inside the ears tends to curl inward, causing potential problems. Plucking and cleaning should be performed routinely to keep the ear canal clean and clear of wax build up and infection.

Bichon Frise that are well-socialized love people and will quickly become happy members of almost any family. Their joyful nature makes them a sought-after pet, and their size and intelligence make them ideal for a show.

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BICHON FRISE: Hot Spots

Photograph of a Bichon Frisé -  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Hot spots” are surface skin infections caused when populataions of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance. They ae generally curcular patches that lose hair, can be swollen, in extreme cases may exude smelly pus, and can be painfully itchy causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of self mutilation. Untreated hot spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl or nip when touched.

Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, fles infestations, iritated anal sacs and grooming problems such as hair tangles and mats. The most common location for hot spots is the legs, feet, flanks and rump. These localized infections can also appear on the ears, neck, and chest if the dog is continually scratching.

To treat hot spots trim the hair around the sore to prevent further spread of the infection and expose the edges of the lesion. Wash the area in a mild water-based astringent or antiseptic. Thjee are over-the-counter products to deter the dog from licking and chewing. The #1 product for most breeders and handlers is called “tea tree spray” or melaluca alternifolia. It is supposed to have healing qualities as well as discouraging the dg from biting or licking himself due to the bad taste.

I also use a product called Sulfodene which specifically for hot spots. I have had good results with this and it can be purchased almost anywhere that sells pet products. (Department stores, grocery stores, etc.) If treated early hot spots may disappear in day or two. Sulfodene is a good early treatment product. Or, medicated powder. Dust the spot several times a day to dry any moisture and soothe the itch. This can also be purchased over-the-counter.

Creams and ointments are not recommended because they can seal in the infection and hinder recobery. Although, a prescribed ointment may be necessary if the area becomes infected. At this stage the hot spot needs to checked bya veternarian for treatament. Some pet owners demand a quick fix for the problem and aren’t tolerent of vets who require return visits. Some vets will give you that quick fix by prescribing steroids for allergies. This quick fix is called “Prednisone”. However, you are setting your Bichon up for serious problems later in life if you do this repeatedly. If you use the Prednisone do so sparingly. Once or twice a month during allergy season followed by antihitamines. 

A steroid given over and over can affect the balance of cortisol in the dog resulting in a condition called “Cushings Syndrome”.

Author: Janet Combs

All About the BICHON FRISE

The Bichon Frise is a small dog that weighs between 10-20 lbs and stands only 23-30 cm. The dog's skull is slightly rounded and the tail is usually long and curly. The coat colors are solid white, grey or apricot. To make the hair even in length, it's recommended that you regularly trim it.

Blanca Photo: DAC

Temperament

The dog is said to have a merry and cheerful temperament. He is also gentle mannered, playful, affectionate, and playful. He loves human company; therefore, you should not chase him when he starts following you. The dog is also friendly to children and he tends to be very playful.

While he is very social, he can become very territorial if he is affiliated with a particular territory and encouraged by owners.

Caring for the dog

Proper care for the dog involves giving him the right foods, water, and exercises. Proper care also involves taking your dog for regular checkups. The most common diseases that affect the Bichon Frise are: cancer, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

Training the dog

One of the best things about Bichon Frise dog is that he is very intelligent and obedient which makes him very easy to train. For ideal results, you should start training him while still a puppy. To potty train your puppy, you should let him sleep in a crate then when he wakes up you should let him outside to relieve himself.

When he urinates outside, you should reinforce the good behavior by playing with him. Before the dog sleeps, you should take him outside and let him relieve himself in the yard. Again, you should praise him when he does the right thing.

As he grows up, you should use the crate less and less. You should not feel guilty for using the crate. You should know that the crate can't harm the dog.

To make your dog comfortable, you should give him a lot of care and attention. To reduce the risk of aggressive and anxious behavior, you should start socializing him early enough. Here you should let him freely interact with the members of the family and other dogs.

The dog is known to be highly energetic which can result to destructive behavior if the energy is not reduced. To reduce the high energy you should take the dog for walks. To ensure that you are in control, you should always put a leash around your dog.

By Duncan Lancer We are dog training experts. Visit our website to learn how to train a bichon frise. Article Source: EzineArticles

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TEDDY BEAR Breed Information

Teddy Bear (Shih Tzu x Bichon Frise)

The Teddy Bear (Zuchon, Shichon) is a hybrid dog that is a result of a few different designer dog breeds. They can be the result of the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise, the Shih Tzu and the Poodle and the Bichon Frise and the Toy Poodle. In many cases the Teddy Bear breed can be a mix of all three of these breeds.
Size

Photo Flickr blsbee blue

The size of Teddy Bears will vary but generally the dog is rather small weighing in between 12 to 14 pounds and measuring no higher than 12 inches.

Coat and Color
All color variations of parent breeds are available in the Teddy Bear. Since they are multiple breeds mixed, sometimes more than just 2, they can come in so many different coat and color options all depending on the parents.

Grooming
This breed is a minimal shedding dog that has a very soft, fluffy coat that is reminiscent of the stuffed animal. This breed of dog needs frequent grooming in order to prevent their coat from becoming tangled. They need to be brushed daily and like all dogs they also need basic grooming such as brushing their teeth and trimming their nails on a regular basis.

Character and Temperament
They are a very people oriented dog that is extremely well mannered and friendly. The temperament of your Teddy Bear will depend on their breeding however they are typically affectionate and very playful. They are also extremely outgoing and very social and the get along with everyone especially children, other pets and dogs. They can grow very attached to their family and if left alone for too long can develop separation anxiety.

Training
Every combination of the parent breeds of the Teddy Bear is extremely intelligent so this means that they are extremely intelligent and eager to learn as well. They are people pleasing dogs so it is easy to train them as they do well on picking up commands and different tricks. However like other small dogs they can often be difficult to house train. A consistent routine can help them along with this.

Activity level
The Teddy Bear is not a very active dog so they need some kind of physical exercise either inside or outside to keep them in shape. They do need regular play on a daily basis but simple games and a daily walk will make a world of difference in behavior and energy level.

By F. Szczepanski Breeders Association of America Inc http://njpup.com/designer-mixes-for-sale Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=F._Szczepanski http://EzineArticles.com/?Teddy-Bear-Breed-Information&id=9118905

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The Unique Characteristics Of The BICHON FRISE Breed

Bichons are a very popular dog breed to those who are allergy sufferers because they are one of many Hypoallergenic dogs. If you are interested in other dogs that are great for those who suffer with allergies, the following is a list of a number of Hypoallergenic dogs. This list is not exhaustive. However, you can easily research the many other Hypoallergenic breeds on the internet.

Non-Sporting Group (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1) The Schnauzer
2) Yorkshire Terrier
3) Bedlington Terrier
4) Shih Tzu
5) Basenji
6) Chinese Crested
7) Samoyed
8) Italian Greyhound
9) Poodle
10) Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless)

Your Bichon Frise is unique and has a personality all his or her own. Even so, just as there are general guidelines for taking care of a baby, here are a few basic similarities in this particular breed that most Bichons will exhibit:

They do not like to be left alone for long periods. A Bichon left alone for more than a few hours on a regular basis can develop separation anxiety, which could mean chewed shoes!

Bichons can be hard to house-break. Be sure to stock up on puppy pads, plenty of paper towels, and patience. A kennel can help, too.

They love attention. Expect to see those two sparkling eyes and nose up-close often. It's a good thing Bichon Frise dogs do not shed, or you would likely be covered in white hair.

They are watchdogs, and will be kind enough to alert you to any guests, mail men, paper boys, visiting squirrels, and unique cloud formations.

There is a lot of home grooming needed so your Bichon Frise looks, and feels velvety soft. If you are not able to brush his or her coat out once a day, it should be done at least twice a week. Otherwise, the coat will become matted and tangled. 

Professional grooming visits are highly suggested every four or five weeks. Consider it a spa day for your pup. 

Bichons can be stubborn, but they are known to respond very well to training; especially when treats are involved.

Your Bichon Frise is a lively entertainer. They love to learn new tricks and show them off. Consider taking the time to teach them a few and don't forget those treats!

If you are interested in purchasing a Bichon Frise, it is always best to purchase your Bichon from a reputable breeder. The American Kennel Club is a great resource for finding one. A lot of how your puppy responds to you depends on how they've been treated before they arrive in your home. No animal acts out without reason and Bichons are not any different. If they are withdrawn and/or edgy there is most certainly a reason why. The American Kennel Club has specific standards for breeders they recommend. Starting your breeder search at their website would be a great place to start in finding your Bichon or any other breed.

By Johnn Williams Jr. Johnn Williams - A 25+ year aviation professional, pet enthusiast, musician and writer, leads a highly professional team in the publishing of quality books that educate and entertain the reader. Johnn's five star rated book: "Bichon Frise Unique Among Dogs" is an informative read that will benefit any Bichon Frise owner. You can find out more information on this book at http://mybichonfrise.com. For other guides by this author please go to: http://www.amazon.com/author/john_williams/. Article Source: EzineArticles

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