Bichon Data
Other Names
Bichon Tenerife, Tenerife Dog, Bichon a Poil Frise.
Dog Group Kennel Club & Life Expectancy
The Toy group and have a life expectancy of 15 years
Breed Classification
Bichons belong to the toy group and are used as companions and obedience dogs. With their extraordinary coats they also make excellent show dogs.
Average Food Cost & Feeding Requirements
Bichons are very inexpensive dogs, average costs £4 per week to feed and normally eat very little. The main expenditure is their grooming requirements.
Average Litter Size & Puppy Price
The average litter size is five and the average price of a puppy is £500 - £800.
General Physical Description
Well-balanced dogs with smart appearances, Bichons are small, solid dogs. Their jet black eyes and noses contrast against their snow-white loosely curled outer coat which is lined with a soft, silky undercoat. This double coat breed is typically all white is color as an adult, but may exhibit cream, apricot, or grey hairs as puppies. They are non-shedding and considered to by hypoallergenic. The Bichon Frises coat should not be wiry or overly soft. their tails are like plumes which are curved and carried over their backs. Their silken coats which consist of spirally formed hair give them the appearance of powder puffs. Their bouncy stride gives them a happy, carefree presence.
Height |
Min |
Max |
Weight |
Min |
Max |
|
Bitch |
23cm |
30cm |
Bitch |
3kg |
6kg |
|
Dog |
23cm |
30cm |
Dog |
3kg |
6kg |
Size Category & Country of Origin
Small, Belgium/France.
Ailments
Bichons are very healthy little dogs and relatively free from hereditary and congenital problems. Dislocation of the kneecap and epilepsy have been recorded in the breed and bladder stones can occur in bitches. The most important factors are proper care of teeth, eyes and coat. Regular inspection of these must be done as a matter of course as well as preventative treatment to ward of pyorrhea and pemphigus.
Susceptibility To Illness
Low.
Energy & Overall Exercise
Low and excersise per day 0 - 20 minutes.
Distress Caused if Left Alone & Risk of Sheep Worrying
Medium.
Personal Protection, Suitability As Guard Dog & Tendency to Bark
Low.
Ease of Transportation & Suitable For Children
High.
Compatibility With Other Animals & Level of Aggression
High.
General Character And Temperament
These are lively, happy little dogs who adore family life and, as such, make ideal children's pets. They love to accompany the family on all outings but can be left alone occasionally. They socialise well and are fine in the company of other dogs and pets in the household.
Coat Length, Colour & Shedding
Short/Medium, snow-white and no shedding.
Groomin Requirement & Trimming
Owning a Bichon means spending a lot of time on grooming. The coat should be combed thoroughly every day to prevent matting and subsequent skin problems. Trimming is required occasionally to prevent it becoming too long. Check the hairs round the eyes regularly to ensure they are not causing irritation and clip excess hair between the pads of the feet. As this breed does not shed hair, it is important to remove dead hairs with a brush. To keep the show-ring appearance of a 'powderpuff', it is recommended to use a professional groomer every 5 or 6 weeks.
Intelligence
These are bright little dogs who quickly catch on to what you want them to do therefore there is no real problem training them.
Show Characteristics
All pigmentation should be black. The head should be slightly rounded with a moderate but definite stop. The hair should be clipped to give a rounded appearance. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The eyes should be round and dark and show an alert expression. The ears should hang closely to the head and be well-covered with flowing hair and set on slightly higher than eye level. The neck should be arched and fairly long, being carried high and proudly. The body should be square with well-sprung ribs; the front legs straight and not too fine-boned, the thighs being well-rounded with well-bent stifles. The feet should be tight, rounded and well-knuckled up. The tail should be raised and curved gracefully over the back, with only the hair touching the back, set on level with the top-line.
