An adorable white puffball of a dog - the Bichon Frise!
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If you are in the market for a small, friendly companion, consider the Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise is a French name, which translates to mean “curly lap dog”. This dog is classified as a non-sporting breed. They typically weigh in around 10-18 lbs, with an overall height of 9-12 inches, making it an ideal breed for apartment occupants. Their average life span is about 12 or 13 years.
What most people find memorable about this breed is their puffy white coat. Their coats consists of two layers - a silky undercoat and a curly overcoat. They do not shed their coat seasonally like other breeds. Instead, each of their hair strands goes through a cycle of growing and falling out as the follicle dies. Another hair then takes it place, somewhat like human hair. You still need to invest in grooming supplies for dogs, or learn about do it yourself dog grooming. Many people with allergies to dogs find they can tolerate a Bichon Frise for this reason. There is a downside to the non-shedding coat, however. Because the hair keeps growing, the Bichon Frise needs daily grooming and frequent trims.
The Bichon Frise has a long history. They were once companion dogs to sailors. Sailors found the breed to be cheerful and hardy. This breed was also pampered by the Italian nobility. This breed has also been immortalized in various paintings by many famous artists of that period. The Bichon Frise came to the United States in the 1950’s, and was recognized by the American Kennel club in 1973. The Bichon Frise is a happy, good mannered canine, with a reasonable demeanor. It has a friendly nature that makes it ideal for families. They make good companions and have a playful disposition. With good training, they are loyal, obedient pets. Like all small dogs, housebreaking can be more of a challenge with this breed, so it is important to provide consistent and steady housebreaking training right from the start. If you are looking for a bright and loyal companion, the Bichon Frise just might be the one for you.
