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Bichon Frise
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Bichons Sorry, we currently do not have any Bichons at this time.
Bichon Frise Info from Wikipedia A Bichon Frisé (French, literally meaning curly lap dog) is a small breed of dog of the Bichon type. They are popular pets, similar in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese. They are a non-shedding breed that requires daily grooming. DescriptionAppearanceThe Bichon Frisé is a small but sturdy dog that weighs 10-18 lbs and stands 23-30 cm/9-12in at the withers. It has a black nose and dark 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 or on 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 even in length. TemperamentThe well-bred Bichon Frisé is feisty, playful, and affectionate. Traditionally Bichon Frisés enjoyed socializing with people and most dogs. Bichons may be relatively stubborn, but are also said to be patient. They may have sudden bursts of energy resulting in the "blitz" or "buzz", where they race around in circles until they collapse happily onto their backs. Hypoallergenic qualities and sheddingBichon 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 may be suitable for some people with allergies; however human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies considerably. People with dog allergies should first visit with a Bichon to test their individual reaction before committing to ownership. DO NOT do this at a pet store or any place that has more than just Bichons, as this can actually throw off your reactions. You may be reacting to the Bichon, or another animal in the area. Try to find a friend, neighbor or anyone willing to let you be around their pet for at least 30 minutes. Wait and evaluate yourself ever few hours to see if you are having any reaction at all. 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. Grooming and Skin/Coat CareBichon Frisés should be professionally groomed every 4 to 6 weeks, although you can do this yourself.
Bichon Frisés being shown in conformation have their coat styled in the full-volume cut required by most show standards. Bichon Frisés not being shown are more often kept in a "puppy cut," which is shorter and requires less maintenance. Like all dogs that require frequent grooming, Bichon Frisés should be accustomed to grooming from a young age and care should be taken to keep grooming pleasurable. Daily grooming prevents tangles and creates a puffier coat. To prevent matting, the coat should be kept clean, brushed thoroughly before bathing, and brushed and completely dried after bathing. Excess hair should be removed regularly from ears and between foot pads. The Bichon Frisé's nails grow at a fast to moderate rate so should be cut regularly. The hair on the face of a Bichon Frisé should be kept clean and trimmed, as eye discharge and mucus tend to accumulate in the hair that grows in front of their eyes. In common with most white dogs Bichon Frisés are prone to tear-staining around the eyes. Tear staining may be caused by about anything, includeing allergies, infections, blocked tear ducts, stray eyelashes, or foreign material in the eyes. Tear staning actually happens in all breeds, but those with white faces, show up more. |
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