The Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise Training

If you suffer from allergies, but wish to own a dog, you may want to take a look at the Bichon Frise.

This charming little dog's only purpose is to provide companionship and it does its job very well.

The Bichon Frise dog is classified as a part of the Non-Sporting Group by the American Kennel Club. The Bichon Frise is a seven to thirteen pound dog that stands only nine to eleven inches tall. These fluffy little dogs are known for their thick white coats and attentive, cheerful eyes. The Bichon's tail is carried proudly over its back.

The Bichon Frise and people

The Bichon Frise is a perfect choice for a family dog, as long as the children are old enough to understand how to handle a dog without hurting it. Although your Bichon Frise may permit rough handling, he can easily be injured. These dogs get along well with older children, as well as dogs and other pets. Since the Bichon Frise loves to spend time with people, this breed is utterly content with life in apartments or town homes. Of course, your dog won't object to a home with a fenced yard. If you don't have a fenced yard, you should be ready to take your dog for a daily stroll around the block so he stays fit and strong.

Although the Bichon Frise is a small dog and does not have obstinate tendencies, it is still a good idea to teach your Bichon Frise puppy some basic obedience commands. If your Bichon Frise ever runs out the front door and heads for the street, you will want to be sure that you can call him back to your side. Of course, you can teach him a few simple commands yourself, but puppy obedience classes can make training easier. In addition, these classes are a good way for you to teach your puppy socialization skills. Of course, once you start obedience classes, your little guy's aptitude for obedience may just persuade you to keep on learning. These dogs have a reputation for being incredibly smart. In fact, the Bichon Frise often performs as a highly trained circus dog.

The Bichon Frise and health

The Bichon Frise is not expensive to feed. Since small dogs often have dental problems, you may want to make sure that you use a dry food diet. If you decide to feed your puppy soft food, be sure you brush his teeth regularly.

The good news is that the Bichon Frise is a very healthy breed. This breed actually has no common health problems.

Grooming

The one drawback of the Bichon Frise breed is that these dogs need extensive grooming. You will need to brush out your Bichon's fluffy coat regularly or he will look like a ratty mop head instead of a lovely, elegant little dog. You will also want to have his coat cut and shaped at least once a month. If you can't groom your dog yourself, this can become a major expense.

If you want a sweet and affectionate pet who doesn't cause you to break out in hives, then a Bichon Frise may just be the perfect dog breed for you and your family.