Frisé bichón - one of the best company dogs

Frisé bichon is one of the best company dogs that exist, despite which now it is not among the most popular races and it is rare to see them through our streets, which is a shame.

Weight: between 3 and 7 kilos
Hair type: Long, fine and curly
Character: affectionate and very sociable
Health: normal, but with several problems associated with its size and race
Life expectancy: between 12 and 14 years

Origins

The origins of the Bichon dog race are in Europe and there is division of opinions between fans, because some say that it is French and others that is Spanish.

Yes, it is known that dogs of the type of this bichon have been around the Mediterranean area and that this race can come from a crossing of Water dogs for centuries ago With white pets.

In the sixteenth century the race was known as Bichón de Tenerife, whose name comes to him because he developed on the island, which he arrived from Spanish sailors from the 12th century.

Already in the Renaissance, this bichon of Tenerife was a dog of the court, being very abundant in Spain and in Italy. In fact, the race comes out in several Renaissance paintings and also in those of Goya centuries later.

It did not take long to popularize in France, where María Antonieta was one of the most famous owners of this bichon, falling into oblivion later and being like a street dog.

When I was in the streets it caught the attention because it was very beautiful, so people were collecting it, until in 1930 the breeders of France got to work and hence it is said that the Frisé bichon has its origin in this country.

At the end of World War II its population was very low, but the race could be saved because in the 50s it was taken to the United States, where the American Kennel Club* did an excellent job.

It is now known worldwide, but it is not a race of the most popular, although being out of fashions does not always have a negative thing.

Main characteristics

In the Bichón Frisé dog race, the first feature that stands out is your hair, long and silky with a pull -shaped shape, creating the curls that give the race an unmistakable appearance.

It has up to 10 cm in length and must always be pure white, since it is the only color that is currently admitted by the FCI*.

We are facing a small dog, less than 30 cm and the very contained weight. The standard says nothing about the minimum or maximum weight, but the average is in the five kilos, not exceeding seven or eight.

The tail is striking, which has been raised and folded in a rather funny gesture, which combines very well with the expression of his face. When he looks at us it always seems alert, as if he were waiting for something.

His gaze is not accidental, since it is one of the easiest breeds to train for the great intelligence they possess.

Frisé bichon character

Frisé bichon has what we can call as an ideal character to be a company dog.

He is very cheerful and playful, but it is not nervous like other small dogs, since in turn it is very affectionate and sensitive with its owners.

Besides, Although he is little, he loves to exercise, so he is a good dog for the people they like to walk or even make small hiking routes.

When he is at home he is not heavy and loves to rest on the couch or in bed with his owners, whom he always looks for in order to have his company, so he is not a dog to be able to leave in a garden just not being that he has a canine companion.

They are usually sociable animals with strangers, dogs and other pets. That makes them ideal for those who have cats, with whom they are going to get along very well from day one.

The same goes for children. They will play with them without showing aggressiveness, which is not always possible in small dogs, many of whom do not take to teach their teeth if the children of the house tire them.

Despite their character, it is best to socialize them well since they are puppies. This is avoided that when they are adults they are shy, which means that they are aggressive for fear even with their owners.

Care

Whether we are going to adopt a dog of this race as if we buy it, The first thing we should know is that hair carries enough work and that tends to form knots, which means that you have to comb it every day.

In our hairdressing bag we must always have a soft comb and a card. With the comb we brush it in favor of the hair (so we do not bang

Although we comb it often, it is best that we take it at least once every three months to the hairdresser, where they can bathe it and leave it with an impeccable appearance.

Not only will we dedicate ourselves to combing it, but we will have to take it to the street a couple of times, better if there are three, so that you can exercise. He is not an athlete, but he needs to run, find the ball and play with other dogs.

As a company dog that is adapts very well to small floors whenever it is accompanied. Does not support loneliness, so if it will spend a lot of time just because we are almost all day away from home, the bichon Frisé is not a race that we should consider.

Frisé bichon feed

It has normal food needs, but you have to give it a quality feed for dogs of this size, with a croquette adapted to its mouth, which is composed of very small teeth.

Because of its tendency to gain weight, like most small dog dogs, we can opt for what is called a “grain free” or grain free feed, since it will be better than one that contains wheat, rice or corn.

We must be careful with the amounts that we give, always paying attention to the manufacturer and the veterinarian, which will be the one that tells us if we are happening with the ration or we fell short, although we see that we see the naked eye.

Health

There are several health problems that the Bichón Frisé dog suffers. Some are typical of the race, genetic, and others come for the size it has and are common in races like these.

Bladder calculations

This disease is always associated with small breed dogs. Because they do not have intense physical activity, they drink little water, so in the end they accumulate calculations in the urine that will be deposited in the bladder.

They can be eliminated with a specific diet provided that they are taken in time, since if the calculations have reached the bladder it is best to operate.

Dental problems

Frisé bichon has crowded teeth, as with other small breeds. There is not much space between dental pieces, so infections are usual if we do not clean your teeth frequently.

We can also go to the veterinarian, which can carry out in depth cleaning if necessary (for this you have to sleep the dog).

Youth cataracts

Here we talk about a genetic disease that can lead to the dog to lose sight. Cataracts usually appear in elderly animals, but in that case they are seen in specimens that are not yet adults.

Patelar dislocation

Patelar dislocation causes the kneecap to get out of place, something operable, although it is always attempted by less invasive means such as condoprotectors and rehabilitation.

It is another of the hereditary diseases of the race, although it can also be given by a blow or an excess of exercise with which care must be taken, especially in the youth specimens.

When this disease appears, the responsible breeders withdraw them from the breeding, since their descendants will have this problem with almost total security.

Idiopathic epilepsy

This kind of epilepsy occurs in all races and in the bichon has a greater incidence than in others.

The origin is not known (hence its name) and appears when the dog is very young, before three years. Luckily, medications have already been developed that help the animal have a very good quality of life.

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References:

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