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Bichon Frise
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A Bichon Frisé (French, literally meaning curly lap dog) is a small
breed of dog of the Bichon type. They are a popular breed which
is similar in appearance to but larger than the Maltese. They are a
non-shedding breed that requires daily grooming.
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Description
Appearance
The Bichon Frisé is a small but sturdy dog that weighs approx. 10-
18 lbs and stands 9-12 in at the withers. It has a black nose and
dark round 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, snout, paws or on its body, but normally
these colors should not exceed 10% of 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 of even length.
Temperament
The AKC refers to the Bichon Frisé as "merry" and "cheerful", and
the breed standard calls for a dog that is "gentle mannered,
sensitive, playful and affectionate." Bred to be companion dogs,
the Bichon Frisé tends to get along well with both children and
other animals.
Bichon Frises are very obedient if training is started early and
continued consistently.
Health
Mortality
Bichon Frisé in (combined) UK and USA/Canada surveys had an
average life span of about 12–13 years, with Bichon Frisé in the
UK tending to live longer than Bichon Frisé in the USA/Canada.
This breed's longevity is similar to other breeds of its size and a
little longer than for purebred dogs in general. The longest lived of
34 deceased Bichons in a 2004 UK survey died at 16.5 years.
The oldest Bichon Frisés for which there are reliable records in
various USA/Canada surveys have died at 19 years. In August
2008, a Bichon Frisé from Illinois named Max died at the age of 20
years and 3 months.
In a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey, the leading causes of Bichon
Frisé death were old age (23.5%) and cancer (21%). 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. Bichon Frisés in the UK survey had a
lower rate of hematologic deaths (3%) than in the USA/Canada
survey (11%).
AIHA and ITP
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.
Hypoallergenic qualities and shedding
Bichon Frisés often appear on lists of dogs that do not shed
(moult), but this is misleading. Every hair in the dog coat grows
from a hair follicle, which has a cycle of growing, then dying and
being replaced by another follicle. When the follicle dies, the hair is
shed. The length of time of the growing and shedding cycle varies
by breed, age, and by whether the dog is an inside or outside dog.
"There is no such thing as a nonshedding breed." The grooming
required to maintain the Bichon Frisé's coat helps remove loose
hair, and the curl in the coat helps prevent dead hair and dander
from escaping into the environment, as with the Poodle's coat. The
frequent trimming, brushing, and bathing required to keep the
Bichon looking its best removes hair and dander and controls the
other potent allergen, saliva.
Bichon Frisés are suitable for people with allergies, as they are
bred to be hypoallergenic. However, it is important to note that,
human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies
considerably. 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.
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Bichon Frise
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Country of origin
Spain/Belgium then
taken to France
Weight
10-18 lb
Height
9-12 in
Coat
Curly outercoat, silky
undercoat
Color
White (with small
amount of tan)
Life span
12-13 years
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Dog DNA Test samples analyzed in about two weeks
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