Bichon Frise / Bich

Breed history:

It is an old breed that was brought to France by the sailors from Tenerife, Canary Islands. It has become, due to its tenderness and charm, a favorite of the French and Italian ladies of the time. The spoiled of the saloons, dressed up with ribbons, it was surrounded by so much attention that it got the name "Bichonner" (dandy). It was appreciated at the royal courts of the time of Ludovic the 14th and Ludovic the 15th. The painters Boucher and Frahgonard immortalized it in their paintings. Until the 20th century it became a widespread breed in France and was often seen accompanying buskers or taking part in circus shows. It got its new name in the 1930's.

Description:

It is a small-sized dog, with a fluffy look. The skull is longer than the muzzle, slightly arched with a prominent stop and a round and black nose. The eyes are round, not too big and dark. The ears are pretty long, drooping and are covered with rich hair. The tail is medium in length, is kept high, gracefully bent, but not kept on the back, the hair that covers the tail is long and falls on the back. The double coat has a thick, fluffy undercoat and a silky, curly, medium length outer coat that is twisted in longer curls with a lenght of 5-7 cm.  It has a pure white colour. The head is completely covered with rich hair forming the whiskers and beard.

Personality:

It is an intelligent, jolly, playful, sociable, active, sensitive, gentle dog. It is affectionate and devoted to its master. It gets along well with children, but has a suspicious attitude towards strangers. It gets along well with other dogs and other household animals.

Grooming:

This dog's fur needs to be brushed daily and must be cut from time to time to avoid becoming too long. The haircut style varies from country to country. Also, it will be washed regularly to keep its fur white and clean. The excess hair between the footpads and from the ears will be cut. This dog doesn't shed.

Living conditions:

It is a dog which easily adapts to the offered conditions and its master's life style. It feels good in a flat with a loving family that has time to take care of it daily. It has a medium level of activity. It likes to accompany its master everywhere. It needs socialization and training.

Training:

With a consistent, varied and gentle training, one can get the desired results without problems because it is an intelligent dog that quickly understands what is required of it. 

Usefulness:

It is a pleasant companion dog.