Bichon Frise

Personality

The Bichon Frise is a happy dog. It greets the world with a bounce, a wiggle and a tail that seems to be permanently in motion. The breed is affectionate, playful and sociable, and it genuinely enjoys the company of people, children and often other pets.

Bichons are famous for what owners call the Bichon blitz, a burst of zooming around the house at top speed, often after a bath or a good meal. They are clever, a little mischievous, and quite sensitive, responding best to gentle, upbeat handling.

They do not like being alone. Separation anxiety is one of the breed's most common behavior complaints, and a lonely Bichon may bark, chew or toilet indoors. They are not guard dogs, though they will announce visitors with a bark, and some are prone to yappiness unless taught otherwise. In a home with company, routine and gentle training, the Bichon is a delightful, clownish companion that thrives on being the center of attention.

History

The Bichon Frise belongs to the family of small white dogs known as Barbichon types, which also includes the Bolognese, Havanese and Maltese. The American Kennel Club says these ancient breeds began their modern development on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, where one of them became so popular with sailors that it was known as the Bichon Tenerife, the primary ancestor of today's Bichon Frise.

The breed's close association with European nobles began in the 13th century, and the dogs endeared themselves to the royal courts of Spain, Italy and France, coming into their own during the Renaissance. The French Revolution in 1789 ended their days as pampered lapdogs. Many were turned out into the street, where entertainers took in the bright, agile dogs and trained them as circus performers.

The two world wars brought hard times again, but a few fanciers gathered Bichons off the streets of France and Belgium, and the breed was recognized in France in 1933 as the Bichon a Poil Frise, meaning Bichon of the curly hair. The Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in 1964, and the AKC granted full recognition in the early 1970s.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy dog with a distinctive powder-puff look. Adults stand about 9.5 to 11.5 in (24–29 cm) at the shoulder, a shade under a foot tall, and weigh roughly 12 to 18 lb (5.5–8 kg). The body is slightly longer than tall, with a plumed tail carried gracefully over the back.

The coat is the breed's trademark: a soft, dense undercoat topped by a coarser, curly outer coat. Show Bichons are scissored into a rounded, fluffy shape, while pet dogs are often clipped shorter. The color is white, though shadings of apricot, buff or cream are seen, usually on the ears or body.

The face is round with dark, round eyes, black nose and black lips, and the dark eye rims give a bright, alert expression. Drop ears covered in long, curly hair frame the face. The overall impression is of a happy, lively little dog, as light as cotton on its feet.

Training

Bichons are intelligent and enjoy learning, and they often do well in obedience, rally, agility and trick classes. They are also known for being stubborn at house training, which is the biggest challenge for many owners. Small bladders, weather dislike and distractions all play a role, so a strict schedule is key.

Take your Bichon out frequently, reward success with praise and a treat, and supervise indoors. Crate training can speed things up and give a puppy a safe spot; see our crate training guide. Some owners add an indoor potty option for convenience, but it works best when introduced from the start.

Use positive, fun training methods. Harsh scolding can upset a sensitive dog. Teach alone-time gradually to prevent separation anxiety, and discourage excess barking by rewarding quiet. Socialize early with people, dogs and noises. Handle the feet, face and ears often so grooming becomes a pleasant routine. Keep sessions short and bright, since Bichons enjoy games and tricks.

Exercise

The Bichon Frise is lively but modest in its exercise needs. The AKC classifies it as somewhat active, with long stretches of calm interspersed with brief bursts of high activity, often just running through the house or around the yard. Daily play sessions in addition to walks are required, and many Bichons love a game of fetch, a romp in a secure yard or a bout of indoor zoomies.

Mental stimulation matters as much as physical effort. Puzzle toys, short training sessions and simple tricks help keep a clever little dog occupied. Our exercise guide can help you plan a routine.

A fenced backyard is a good idea, because Bichons are surprisingly fast and may be difficult to catch or call back if they make a dash for freedom. Use a harness and keep the dog on a leash outdoors; Bichons are small and can be vulnerable to larger dogs or traffic. Take care in hot or wet weather, and exercise in the cool of the day. Many Bichons enjoy obedience, agility and rally competitions.

Grooming

The Bichon sheds very little, which is why many people with allergies consider it, but its hair keeps growing and tangles easily. The AKC says shed hair is caught up in the undercoat and must be brushed out to prevent mats. Plan to brush at least two or three times a week, although every day is best, using a slicker brush and a metal comb down to the skin.

The AKC says a Bichon needs a bath and a clipping at least once a month, and that most pet owners visit a groomer every four to six weeks. Show-style scissoring is a skill, but a simple pet clip is much easier to maintain. Learning to dry the coat properly matters, because damp fur can cause skin problems.

Tear staining is common around the eyes. Wipe the area daily and keep hair trimmed. Clean the ears regularly, since poor airflow can lead to infections. Brush the teeth regularly, as small breeds are prone to dental disease; see our tooth-brushing guide. Trim nails regularly. The AKC calls the coat relatively hypoallergenic, but no dog is completely allergen-free.

Feeding

Bichons are small dogs with small appetites, and they do well on a quality complete diet suited to small breeds. Kibble sized for little mouths is easier to chew. Feed measured meals, often twice a day, and avoid free-feeding. Our dog food calculator can estimate daily calories.

Weight is easy to gain and harder to lose in tiny dogs. A few extra treats a day can add up to a large share of calories, so keep treats to about 10 percent of daily intake, and break them into tiny pieces. Check body condition: ribs should be easy to feel under a thin layer of padding. Our overweight guide explains how.

The AKC notes that breeders screen Bichon stock for allergies, and some dogs have itchy skin or ear trouble. If you suspect a food sensitivity, talk with your vet about an elimination diet. Bichons are also prone to bladder stones, so fresh water and a diet advised by your vet are important. Ask your vet before supplements.

Health

The AKC lists a lifespan of 14 to 15 years for the Bichon Frise, and calls it generally healthy, though it carries some risks. The AKC says responsible breeders screen stock for allergies, bladder problems, luxating patella and cataracts and other eye diseases. The parent club adds that white-coated dogs can be prone to skin problems and recommends testing eyes, hips and patellas. Early tooth loss can follow neglected dental care, and ear infections are best prevented with regular cleaning.

Bichons are among the breeds at highest risk of calcium oxalate bladder stones, with more than 20 times the risk of mixed-breed dogs according to University of Minnesota researchers. Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a degeneration of the hip joint in young small dogs, also occurs in the breed.

Buy from breeders who test for patella, hip and eye health. Prompt attention to straining to urinate, blood in the urine, cloudy eyes, limping or excessive thirst helps your dog age well. If your dog cannot urinate or seems in severe pain, go to an emergency vet immediately.

Health conditions to know about

• Allergies and skin disease — Itchy skin is a screened-for concern, and white coats can be prone to skin problems.
• Bladder stones — Calcium oxalate stones are far more common in Bichons than in mixed-breed dogs.
• Luxating patella — The kneecap slips out of place, causing skipping.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease — Degeneration of the hip joint in young small dogs.
• Cataracts and other eye diseases — Eye conditions that can cause vision loss.
• Dental disease — Tartar, gum disease and early tooth loss are frequent in small breeds.
• Ear infections — Regular ear cleaning helps prevent them.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Patella evaluation
• Hip evaluation
• Eye exam

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 25, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Bichon Frise

The Bichon is a superb apartment dog. It is small, adaptable and content with modest exercise, and it is usually quiet enough for most neighbors if barking is managed. A yard is welcome but unnecessary.

The key requirement is company. Bichons want to be with their people and struggle when left alone for long hours. If you work away from home, consider daycare, a dog walker or a pet sitter, and build alone-time skills slowly. A pet camera can be reassuring.

The breed gets along well with children who are gentle, and with other dogs and cats. Toddlers should be supervised because the dog is small. Keep your Bichon comfortable inside in extreme heat or cold. House training takes consistency and patience, so be prepared for accidents in the beginning. Budget for grooming, which is a regular and substantial part of ownership. The white coat shows dirt, so towels near the door help.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Bichon Frise puppy prices vary widely, and the breed's popularity has attracted puppy mills and online sellers. Be careful with listings that offer puppies on demand or ship them without meeting.

A responsible breeder tests parents for patella problems, hips and eyes, and asks questions about your home and schedule. Puppies should be raised in a household, handled often, and not sent home too young. You should meet the mother, see where the puppies live and receive a written contract with a take-back clause.

Bichon and small-breed rescues have adults that are often already house trained and used to grooming, although some arrive matted and need a quick trip to the groomer. Adoption is a great way to skip puppy chaos. After you bring your dog home, schedule a vet visit and look at our puppy first week checklist. Plan the budget not only for purchase, but also for lifelong grooming, dental care and possible veterinary needs.