Bichon frise dogs are an excellent option for people with a allergies. As can be seen from the bichon frise picture, these are small dogs. They are very companionable, as they love to be around people. This may be a consideration if you don't have a lot of time to spend with your dog, however.
The bichon frise breed are good family dogs. The only caveat here is that they can be hurt easily, so young children at least need to be of an age where they understand how to handle dogs without hurting them. The bichon frise dog will cope with rough treatment however. And being very sociable, they love to be around other dogs and pets. So if you have a multi-pet household, they will fit in well.
As the bichon frise picture shows, bichon frise dogs are quite fluffy, with thick, white coats and alert, cheerful eyes. They grow from nine to eleven inches tall, and adult bichon weigh from seven to thirteen pounds. Perhaps unsuprisingly, the American Kennel Club classify them as Non-Sporting dogs. Because of their coats they do require regular grooming. It will need to be brushed regularly, as well as cut and shaped once a month. If you are unable to do this yourself, it can become expensive, and should be factored into the decision to buy a bichon or not.
The Bichon Frise breed is very healthy, though small dogs as a general rule have a tendency to dental problems. But there are special oral care biscuits you can buy for dogs and cats these days which help prevent dental problems. There are also kits you can buy to brush your dog's teeth regularly, though if you want to do this it is probably best to start as a puppy so they grow used to the idea.
Bichon frise dogs are well suited to apartments and townhouses, and so are great options for city dwellers where space is limited. But they will still need to be taken for a walk if they don't have access to a backyard where they can run around.
Rebecca Prescott
Rebecca is a writer with an interest in pets and health. She takes care of her Mum's cattle dog cross, Ginger, and owns 4 cats.
View all articles by Rebecca Prescott
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said this on 28 Mar 2007 8:43:57 PM EDT
la informacion fue super... recien compre un bichon, no sabia que tenian problemas dentales... pero estare buscando mas inf. Gracias
bRENDA |
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said this on 26 Aug 2007 5:58:13 AM EDT
that was a poor vague and unworthy outline of the bichon frise
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said this on 10 Sep 2007 3:12:32 PM EDT
This was a great article that helped us decide whether or not a bichon was the right breed for us. I have two sons and a daughter sged 4,5 and 14. One of my sons is allergic to dogs and he has asthma aswell. When we got our bichon pup a while back he fit perfect into our family. thanks a lot! xxx
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said this on 24 Nov 2007 10:36:15 AM EDT
I have some questions on this dog. Are they outdoor dogs or do they stay indoors in the evenings?
Another question. Are they "diggers"---in other words, do they dig holes in the yard? Thanks, Sandie |
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said this on 14 Jul 2008 1:32:03 PM EDT
okay, so my father is allergic to dogs, and my family never owned a dog in our entire life. So we want one anyway.. but will a bichon frise be alright?
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said this on 16 Sep 2008 11:46:51 PM EDT
There is nothing in the article about allergies, so the headline is very misleading I think. I am trying to find out why this breed is supposed to better for allergy sufferers as I understand that the allergy stems from a protein present in all dogs. I want a dog so badly, but need more information before I spend a lot of money just to find out if I can be with the dog! My allergist says it's not breed, just individual dogs and you just have to find one.
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said this on 18 Sep 2008 8:08:04 PM EDT
Have you ever seen a brown Bichon? Do they did holes? How big do they get?
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said this on 13 Oct 2008 8:51:02 AM EDT
I love this dog..My mom loves them
Wish we can have one in Amman! |
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said this on 23 Oct 2008 10:28:35 AM EDT
I just wanted to say that the Bichon Frise breed puppy is the prettiest, sweetest, and most lovable you can find! We got our little baby 5 years ago, and it was the best decision of our lives! He is our child!! These dogs are absolutely awesome with children, do not shed, and are the bestest of friends. When you are tired, they sleep with you. When you are excited, they play with you. When you want to chill, they chill with you. My dog is the most well-behaved, go-with-the-flow dog I've ever had (and I've had plenty!!). They are extremely smart. Mine can sit, talk (bark), lay down, roll over, stay, come, go out, potty, shake, give high 5; i taught him all of this (and it toook like no time- just consistency), but he knows so much!! Of course, they dig some, but not anything abnormal. They are dogs for crying out loud. Mine likes to hide his little bone(that he can't finish eating) under the couch so he'll dig dig dig on the carpet (not messing it up of course) and then nudge it under. It's precious; then, he shakes off like he has done some major work. They are like humans in that they cry real tears. They depend on you for everything, so get you an adorable baby! You'll be so happy you did!
*The only downfall is they're high maintenance as far as grooming, but my little boy is well worth it:) |
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said this on 06 Sep 2009 4:29:12 AM EDT
Greatest little dog in the world. Smart, with a wonderful disposition and rarely bark. They are quiet and loving dogs. HOWEVER, before you decide on a dog I suggest you research the AKC website where you can look up all breed of dogs. It will mention allergen issues related to those breeds. I have a 4 1/2 y/o Bichon Frise male. He does not shed dander but does shed lots of hair on couches, bedspreads and his bed. It's so fine and white, you just don't see it. It is impossible to know if someone who suffers from allergies will do well with the Bichon. Generally, the problem is breathing in the hairs, which I have experienced. I groom my own dog in close quarters so this may have been my mistake in breathing in the hair for a long duration. One thing to really consider about the Bichon Frise is that they DO have a strong propensity to produce bladder stones. Males: Oxalate stones that do not disolve with diet or meds and require surgery to remove them or they will chew up the bladder and become painful or will block the uretha path and if not treated immediately can be fatal. The Female: developes Struvite stones that "usually" can be disolved with proper foods or meds. One veterinarian college found that a male Bichon will likely start producing stones immediately after previous stone were removed surgically. It's a very expensive surgery and hard on the dog. Even though mine was on the specialty food,and potassium citrate cranberry tabs, he developed 3 more stones after only 2 yrs from his first surgery. Can't give them ANY people food or treats. They have to maintain a strict diet at all times. Bichon's are people dogs. While they love all people and other dogs, they are most comfortable with adults. They need to be walked frequently during the day do help urinate and eliminate any crystals in their bladder which will reduce the potential for stones. They are very much indoor dogs and do not tolerate the heat well. If you start house-training them as soon as you get them home, you can housebreak them quickly. They do not tolerate heat well and need to be in a cool environment at all times. I have done a great deal of research on the Bichon and spoken with Bichon rescue staff, breeders and other Bichon owners. There is ongoing research for these pups to see why they seem to be the one dog that has the most problems with the bladder stones. As a result of the stone problem, I disagree that they do well in apartment living unless you're there to walk them 3 times a day. It is not good for them to hold their urine for long periods of time. So, please, don't get the Bichon if you don't have an enclosed yard for them, or have the time to spend with them, groom them and afford the food and potential surgeries. If you do decide to get the Bichon, I strongly suggest you purchase the health insurance to cover their medical costs BEFORE a problem occurs.
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said this on 18 Sep 2009 7:41:36 AM EDT
My Bichon is 3 yrs old and I could never have asked for a better Best Friend. I agree with others, he is like a child. I wish everyone could have a Bichon..they would never want another breed.
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