Bichon Frisse
History
The descendant of Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle, Bichon Frise is believed to have existed before the time of Christ. Originated in the Mediterranean area, the dog was brought to Italy by Italian sailors in the 1300s. The breed was christened Bichon Frise by Madame Nizet de Leemands, head, Breed Standards Committee of the Federation Cynologique Internationale. The dog was registered with the AKC in 1972.
Appearance
Popular as a lapdog, Bichon Frise bears a charming look with a loosely curled white coat. The dog, trimmed for a rounded appearance, has a medium-boned compact body with a tail that curls over its back. The undercoat of the dog is soft and dense while the outer coat is coarse and curly. The color of the hair is usually white. However, hues of cream, gray or apricot are also present in few areas. The breed with dark intelligent eyes and hanging ears is 11.5 inches tall and weighs 11 pounds. The silky coat of the breed requires regular maintenance and the hair around the eyes and ears should be trimmed regularly. The hair should be straightened after bath.
Personality
The well bred Bichon Frise is cheerful, appealing, affectionate, gentle, smart, frisky and highly sociable. A highly sociable breed, Bichons does well with other pets and kids.
Health Concerns
Bichon Frise is prone to health problems including dislocated kneecaps, cataracts, skin and ear ailments, watery eyes and epilepsy. The normal life expectancy of the breed is above 15 years.