It’s important to research any breed thoroughly before making the commitment to get a dog. A responsible owner will always read up thoroughly on how to buy a dog responsibly before making the decision to buy one. We’ve also put together a guide to buying a puppy or dog online to help you safely and sensibly assess your options. Once you’ve done your research, you might like to check out Gumtree for any bichon frises for sale. Rather than purchasing a dog or puppy, you could also try meeting a few at a local shelter to see if your perfect pet is already there and waiting to be rescued.
Care
It’s a good idea to feed your bichon frise puppy three or four small meals a day to help them grow. Older dogs can have two larger meals, with most owners feeding their dogs morning and evening. These little pups can be picky eaters. So it’s best to stick to a brand of complete dog food that you know they like. If you want to change their food, try mixing the new kind in slowly over several days to prevent an upset tummy.
They might be lapdog-sized, but you’ll still need enough space for your bichon frise to play at home. Plus you’ll need somewhere to put a dog bed for them to curl up in. These sociable little dogs are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. They are therefore happiest in a home where someone is about most of the time and there’s plenty of entertainment on offer in the form of humans or other pets.
Grooming
Bichon frises have a soft, thick, curly white coat. Their fur is gorgeous and very strokable, but also prone to getting matted. To prevent this and keep your dog comfortable, it’s a good idea to brush them two or three times a week. This is best done on a damp coat and you can mist them lightly with water from a spray bottle before going in with the dog brush. The bichon’s dense coat will also need washing with a dog shampoo once or twice a fortnight to keep it soft and healthy. You can also take your bichon frise for a haircut every 4-6 weeks. This will help keep the tangles under control and make brushing easier.
Exercise
These small dogs are generally not big walkers, with most needing around half an hour of exercise a day. Ideally, this should be a mix of walks, spending time with other dogs and people, and active play. Many bichon frises love learning new tricks and games, making this a great way to give your dog some exercise and stimulate their brain at the same time.
Temperament and training
With their sweet, gentle nature, most bichon frises are friendly and sociable dogs. They can seem aggressive in situations where they feel scared, though. You can help minimise this by introducing your dog to other people and dogs from a young age so they learn to cope with different situations.
Being smart and eager to please means your dog will love learning tricks and training should be fun for both of you. However, Bichon frises can be stubborn when they choose to. So things like house training might require a lot of patience and dedication to help your pup get it right. Bichons are also prone to yapping and chewing things when they get bored. Something that can be prevented by not leaving your dog alone for long periods, and by providing toys to keep them entertained.
Health concerns
It’s worth knowing which health conditions are most likely to affect your dog so you can keep an eye out for symptoms. Some conditions such as dental issues are more common in older dogs. If you’re thinking about getting a bichon frise, these could be things to check the dog’s parents for or to speak to any potential breeders about. If you’re concerned about your dog, it’s always worth speaking to a vet.
Luxating patella. With this condition, your dog’s kneecap can slip out of place. It’s easy to spot as they will have difficulty jumping and may hop on one leg. Left untreated, it can lead to painful arthritis but is usually fixable with a simple surgery.
Legg Calvé Perthes disease. Dogs with this condition don’t have enough blood flowing to their thigh bone, causing it to collapse and leading to painful hip joints. The main symptom is lameness around the back legs. Vets can prescribe painkillers, but dogs with this condition will need hip replacement surgery and rehabilitation therapy.
Periodontal disease. Key things to watch out for are brown or yellow tartar on your dog’s teeth, red gums and unwillingness to eat. Dental treatment will be needed to remove the tartar and any damaged teeth. You can prevent this problem by cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly to remove plaque, using a toothbrush or dental chews.
Thinking of buying a puppy? Take a look at what to expect in your puppy’s first year.
FAQs
How long do Bichon frises live?
Healthy dogs that are properly cared for usually live for 12-15 years.
Do Bichon frises shed?
Despite their thick, curly fur, these dogs don’t shed. Your Bichon frise will need regular brushing and haircuts, though.
How to groom a Bichon frise?
To prevent tangles, a Bichon frise’s thick, curly fur needs to be brushed 2-3 times a week and cut regularly.
How much does a Bichon frise weigh?
A healthy female weighs about 5 kg and 27 cm in height, while males weigh about 7 kg and are 30 cm tall.
Are Bichon frises hypoallergenic?
They don’t shed hair, so dog allergy sufferers may find reactions to Bichon frise are less severe than for some other dogs. If you are allergic to dogs, always spend some time around the breed you’re considering before adopting one to make sure.