The bichon frise is a descendant of the water spaniel introduced in the early thirteenth century and originated in the Mediterranean. Originally, they were traded by sailors and eventually ended up in the royal French courts during the sixteenth century. They also have a past history of being used as circus animals and in fairs as trained dog acts. However, today their main occupation is as companion animal. The Societe Centrale Canine of France, adopted by the official standard of the breed on March 5, 1933. The bichon arrived in the United States in 1955. The American Kennel Club admitted the bichon frise in 1972 within the non-sporting group..
Coat
Bichon frise coats are typically white and may have some apricot, buff or cream shading on the body or by the ears. They have two coats of hair. The hair is course and curly on the outer-coat and on the undercoat is softer and more dense. They are considered to be hypoallergenic as they do not shed. Their hair continues to grow and any hair that does fall out, usually gets trapped within the curls of the existing coat. Daily brushing and regular grooming are important for this reason.
Grooming
Bichons should be groomed approximately every 6 weeks. The coat should be cut and trimmed to accent the outline of the body. The cut should always appear rounded and not squared off. When groomed properly, the coat should feel like velvet and appear plush.
Temperament
Bichons are known for their easy, gentle temperament and are purported to get along well with children. They are considered playful, learn quickly and are very affectionate. They tend to get along well with other dogs and have a high energy level.
Height and Weight
Female bichons tend to weigh slightly less than the males and their weight range is typically from 10 to 15 pounds whereas the males weigh from 11 to 16 pounds. Height measurements are measured at the shoulder and on average from 9 to 11 inches for females and from 10 to 12 inches for males.
Health Concerns
Bichons can be very sensitive to flea bites and other skin ailments. The breed is prone to watery eyes that can be caused by allergies and tear duct blockages. Bichons are also prone to developing cataracts. Some develop dislocated knee caps and epilepsy.
Life Expectancy
The life expectancy is between 12 and 15 years for a healthy bichon. The oldest bichon was 16.5 years and lived in the UK.
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