Thursday, May 22, 2008

Bichon Frise Information For Buyers

The Bichon Frise is a small dog breed that originated in the Mediterranean region as early as 600-300 B.C. Spanish sailors first utilized the breed, then known as the Barbichon, to accompany them on trade expeditions. The Barbichon was so naturally sociable that it made an excellent companion on long trips. The popularity of the breed spread as it was introduced to various countries.

Its name was shortened to Bichon over time and later was changed to Bichon Frise by the French. The name in French loosely means curly lap dog. In the Middle Ages, the Bichon Frise was the favorite dog of French royalty. It fell out of favor when it became commonplace but gained popularity when it was discovered that the dogs could be trained as circus performers. The Bichon Frise was famous for walking the tightrope in traveling circuses. The breed's popularity later spread to Australia and America and in 1973, the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the Bichon Frise. The breed has traits of the poodle, the Barbet and a generic white lap dog. A good Bichon Frise breeder attempts to retain the breed standard traits.

A Bichon Frise breeder will retain the defining characteristic of the Bichon Frise, its white, curly coat. The American Kennel Club breed standard states that at least ninety percent of the coat must be pure white. The ears, areas around the eyes, and the muzzle may have cream or even apricot shadings, which is acceptable. Though Bichon Frise fur does not shed and is hypoallergenic to most people, Bichon Frise themselves are prone to skin allergies. It is important that these dogs be groomed often to keep allergies under control and to maintain the fur's overall volume and texture.

When not competing, fur can be trimmed in a closely cropped puppy cut which is much easier to maintain. Other breed standard traits include brown or black eyes, mouth and nose, pendulous, furry ears, furry tail curled over the back and a human expression. The Bichon Frise must be seven to twelve pounds in weight, nine to twelve inches in height, and have a friendly disposition.
Buyers must do their research before choosing a Bichon Frise breeder. Buyers should educate themselves on the history and breed standard characteristics so that they have a general idea of what to look for and what questions to ask the breeder. Unfortunately, there are illegitimate breeders working to sell fake Bichon Frise, or worse, unhealthy Bichon Frise, to make a profit from unsuspecting buyers. A good sign of a bad breeder is one who sells Bichon Frise to pet stores. No loving breeder would ship and sell puppies like merchandise to just any consumer. A second warning sign is if the breeder is reluctant, unwilling, or unable to provide proper information of the Bichon Frise such as pedigree, medical records, and registration papers. Finally, a bad breeder will not offer any guarantee on the dog's health or behavior.

Buyers must ask many questions to make sure they are getting a real purebred Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise breeder, if legitimate, will also have questions for the buyer to make sure the Bichon Frise will be going to a loving, appropriate home.

A thorough knowledge of the history and breed standard traits is necessary to determine whether Bichon Frise breeders are selling real, purebred dogs. How to spot a fake Bichon Frise breeder and Bichon Frise information and history is provided in this article.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Finding Bichon Frise Breeders

The Mediterranean region is the point of origin for the dog breed now known as the Bichon Frise. In 600-300 B.C., Spanish sailors used this breed, then known as the Barbichon, to create diplomacy with other countries during trade missions. The Barbichon was naturally friendly and outgoing and had an attractive appearance. The popularity of the breed spread as it was introduced to various countries.

Its name was shortened to Bichon and later, expanded when the French added Frise to the name in reference to the breed's defining characteristic, its curly, soft fur coat. Four types of Bichon Frise existed as Bichon Frise breeders began to breed the dogs in Australia and America. In 1973, the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the Bichon Frise in the non-sporting group. This adorable and personable dog is believed to be a mix of poodle, generic white lap dog and Barbet. It has traits of all three. The AKC has defined specific characteristics Bichon Frise must have to be a part of AKC competition. A good Bichon Frise breeder attempts to retain the breed standard traits.

The American Kennel Club's breed standard for Bichon Frise to participate in AKC competition is as follows: a double coat of fur consisting of a dense undercoat and curly topcoat, between seven and twelve pounds in weight, between nine and twelve inches in height, a friendly, alert, and charming disposition, all white fur with less than ten percent being less than pure white, a black mouth and brown or black eyes and groomed according to AKC standard.

Competition Bichon Frise must be groomed or professionally trimmed every three months. When not competing, fur can be kept in a shorter puppy cut which requires less maintenance. The full volume look used in competition requires daily brushing. Every Bichon Frise breeder, along with retaining breed standard characteristics, must be aware of the health issues prone to Bichon Frise. For example, though Bichon Frise fur is hypoallergenic to most people, the Bichon Frise suffers from many allergies of the ears, eyes and skin. A good Bichon Frise breeder will explain the breeds' positive and negative traits to buyers prior to purchase.
Some signs of a reputable Bichon Frise breeder include well-maintained kennels, the puppies are comfortable around people and other animals, both the puppies and parents have been screened for genetic defects, availability of medical records, pedigree, and registration papers. Other things that reputable breeders are concerned with include providing a warranty/return policy, interviewing potential buyers to make sure the puppies are going to good homes, either run or are affiliated with animal rescue centers and can be considered to be experts on Bichon Frise information and educate buyers on the breed. Professional breeders do not breed parents with known medical conditions or behavioral problems and do not sell puppies to pet stores.

Questions to ask Bichon Frise breeders include: May I meet the parents/puppy before purchase? Can you teach me how to care for my Bichon Frise? What is the history of the Bichon Frise? What are common health problems specific to Bichon Frise? Can I buy a rescued Bichon Frise instead? Will you provide pedigree and registration papers? Do you offer a warranty? Can I return the Bichon Frise if I can't keep it?

Legitimate Bichon Frise breeders interview buyers to ensure they are a good match for their puppies. Questions to ask a breeder and some general Bichon Frise information is provided in this article.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Finding Proper Bichon Frise Breeders

With all of the research you have been doing, you have finally been able to come to the point where you have decided on a Bichon Frise and you are secure in the fact that you know everything there is to know about the breed. Now, all you have to do is find some Bichon Frise breeders so you can begin your search and interview process in order to find the perfect one for you and your home.

Although it may seem like with all of the breeds out there being sold, it could take weeks, if not months, to find Bichon Frise breeders but that is just simply not the case at all. There are plenty of them out there if you just know where to look and these breeders often always have a supply of Bichon Frise ready to be adopted and taken home to be loved and cared for.
With the way our world is beginning to function, we are relying on technology such as the Internet for everything from getting ours news, our mail and even for shopping and that includes shopping for a dog. You can easily find a lot of Bichon Frise breeders on the Internet but the problem is that even if they all sound wonderful, without seeing the dog in person, you really do not know what you are getting until the puppy is delivered to the airport.

But, on the bright side, you can always take advantage of the Internet and search for local Bichon Frise breeders and this way, you are getting the convenience of the Internet search but are still able to drive to the location of the breeders and check out the puppies for yourself. All in all, using the Internet can be an excellent tool in trying to find the puppy that you have been waiting for.
Another way to go about trying to find Bichon Frise breeders is by looking through your local newspapers. This will generally take a lot more time then searching the Internet but you will know at least that these are breeders that have the dogs on site and that you can go visit their home environment in order to make sure that you really want a puppy from that breeder.

Depending on where you live and depending on sheer luck, you may have to wait a few months before finding any Bichon Frise breeders, but then again with luck on your side, you may find one the next time you flip open your paper. Also, if you are having troubles finding Bichon Frise breeders, you may want to put a want ad in the paper letting people know the type of dog you are seeking and you never know, you may end up lucky.

Many Bichon Frise breeders are found through searching the Internet but if you wan to find those that are close to you that you want you may want to use another search option. Even though using the newspaper to find Bichon Frise breeders is much slower, this will give you more time to research and learn some Bichon Frise information.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Personality Of The Bichon Frise Dog

The Bichon Frise is a sturdy, yet small and predominantly white colored powder puff dog that sports his merry temperament quite easily. This is evident from the inquisitive expression you see in its dark eyes and also noticeable in the jaunty manner that he carries his plumed tail. In addition, the Bichon Frise standard is characterized by the absence of any gross exaggerations or incapacities that makes the Bichon Frise free from unsound movement or even lack of balance.

The average purebred Bichon Frise is also known to have deviations from the American Kennel Club standard, much like any other breed, though the standard may not actually specify all possible faults. Whatever faults are noticed from the ideal defined by the Bichon Frise standard can be penalized to the extent that the faults deviate from the standard. According to the standard, it is normal for the males as well as females to stand between nine and a half inches to eleven inches in height.
The Bichon Frise standard also states that the skull of the Bichon Frise must be of a slightly rounded shape and the head must be balanced in the ratio of five parts skull and three parts muzzle when measured from nose to stop and from stop to its occipital parts. In addition, the standard also requires that the jaw be strong while the nose must be prominent and black in color and the lips should be black while not drooping.

A well-bred Bichon Frise should also possess a long neck that must blend well with its shoulders. And the chest must also be well developed and it should be adequately wide to allow the Bichon Frise to move his feet easily. The tail should be well developed and must curve back in a stylish as well as elegant manner and should rest with grace on the back of the dog.
When all is said and done, the Bichon Frise standard has laid out the way that the breed should look, and what its size as well as proportion and substance should be. In addition, there are certain guidelines as to its physical build, and its coat and color also should conform to standards. Though there would hardly be any instances when you will find a Bichon Frise that possesses all of the required qualities, the more it is free from faults, the better will be its outlook, temperament and other qualities.

The Bichon Frise standard is also clear that a well-bred Bichon Frise must be able to move without impediments and the movement should be effortless as well as cautious. The Bichon Frise dog should hold its head high and his neck in a straight manner when he is running at a good pace. Also, the Bichon Frise personality must be affectionate, gentle as well as of good temper, which should ensure that he would make an ideal family dog.

The Bichon Frise standard has laid down the qualities desired in the breed and for more information you can refer to publications such as The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards. If you need to find out more about the standard go through this article, which will provide you with all the Bichon Frise information that is required to understand what this breed is all about.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

The Loveable Bichon Frise Dogs

There is generally not a lot of people that would try to argue the fact the Bichon Frise Dogs are simply cute and very easy to fall in love with. But like with any other big decision that you make in life, you will really want to take the time to consider all of the pros and cons to bringing a Bichon Frise into your home, life and heart.

In order to make sure that you will live together in peace and harmony, you must make sure that the Bichon Frise can give you what you will be expecting from it. By carefully looking over and learning about this breed, you will be able to determine if adopting one is the right decision for you. This way, when no mistakes are made, no one gets hurt and someone who does not mind the mannerisms of this breed can adopt the puppy.
A lot of problems that people have when trying to pick a breed that is suitable for them are that they may live in the city or somewhere where there is not a lot of yard space or they may live in a tiny apartment. But luckily for them, Bichon Frise dogs do not require a lot of exercise and will do well in those locations or with people like the elderly who cannot get out that often.

Also, this tiny yet sturdy breed is one that is able, willing, and ready to alert their masters of the presence of strangers. But while they make wonderful watchdogs, they are not such wonderful attack dogs because the Bichon Frise lack the aggressiveness needed for such a trait. And for those who suffer from allergies, know that the curly coat of the Bichon Frise does not shed so there are no worries there.
As with everything in life there are good points and bad points. And Bichon Frise dogs are no exception to that rule. While their curly coat is excellent for those who suffer from allergies, it can mean a lot of grooming time so you must be willing to go through all of that. This means a lot of bonding time spent brushing and clipping in order to maintain the look of the Bichon Frise that we all know and love.

And unlike some dogs who seem to catch onto housebreaking with ease, the Bichon Frise need to take that little bit of extra time so patience is required. There may also be extra vet visits with this breed, as they are known for suffering from various skin conditions. Now, if that was not enough to scare you away from the Bichon Frise, then this may very well be the dog for you.

It is easy to fall in love with a Bichon Frise but other things must be considered when planning to get one. There is a lot of Bichon Frise information out there if you really look for it.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Bichon Frise Dog Personality

It is believed that the Bichon Frise has its origins in the Canary Islands from where it was brought to Europe by Italian sailors sometime in the fourteenth century. Essentially, the Bichon Frise dog is curly coated and of toy breed size and it is also the only dog to have a double coat among the Bichon type. It is closely related to the Barbet and Water Spaniel, and were at one time the favorites of both Spanish as well as French royalty, after which they even developed into circus performers.

The Bichon Frise is described as a charming puffball and the Bichon Frise personality is that of being lovable and cute as well as playful and also loving of humans. In addition, he is strong and has an independent spirit and he is also robustly tenacious. The Bichon Frise makes an excellent pet as far as children go and also is ideally suited as a pet for those who have allergies to dogs because he is non-moulting.
The Bichon Frise dog is an excellent choice for those who want a small yet sturdy pet and also one who does not need much exercise and he is good watchdog that also gets along well with other pets. Also, the Bichon Frise personality is such that he requires a lot of companionship and is not happy when left alone. When he is unhappy about something, the Bichon Frise will show it through becoming destructive and also by barking. He is also naturally soft by nature and if he is not given adequate exposure to people, he can become excessively shy and even suspicious.

Other aspects to the Bichon Frise personality include his being quite stubborn at times, and even quite manipulative. Thus, to get them to obey you, the Bichon Frise needs to be consistently shown that you mean what you say, and not allow it to think otherwise by vacillating between firmness and softness while training him. In addition, the Bichon Frise will bark at the slightest provocation and this can be quite unnerving because of his intense as well as high-pitched bark.
The Bichon Frise dog is a toy breed that is usually of white color and which has a puffball coat. It is also known to be very affectionate and easy to get along with. This excellent companion dog has a penchant to be around people and thus does not thrive when left alone. The main features of the Bichon Frise personality include being very sociable and affectionate and being adaptive to other dogs as well as to children.

The Bichon Frise dog has a very happy temperament and he thrives when in the company of humans and loves the attention that he gets. The Bichon Frise personality is also well known for its intelligent and high level of obedience, and so it can easily be trained and will even learn how to perform tricks for its master. Though a toy breed, the Bichon Frise will not bark too much, this very trait makes him unsuitable for being used as a guard dog.

There is a lot of Bichon Frise information available that will help you choose this breed over others, and even from experience you will come to love and understand its sense of humor though you may also have to sometimes put up with its somewhat stubborn nature. For those who need to find Bichon Frise information about what to expect from the Bichon Frise personality, this article has provided the necessary informat

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Bichon Frise: Non-Sporting Category

The Bichon Frise has always been famous and was commonly known as the Bichon Tenerife that originated many thousands of years down the ages, especially from the region around the Mediterranean Sea. In fact, the history of the Bichon Frise shows that it is descended by cross breeding the Barbets or Water Spaniels with little white dogs. Furthermore, the different categories of the Bichon Frise each owe their name to place from where it developed such as the Bichon Tenerife that came from the Canary Island of Tenerife.

It was only in the sixteenth century that the Bichon Frise appeared in France where its popularity rose and fell depending on who was pulling the reigns of power in France, though notables such as Francis I, Henry III and Napoleon III were largely instrumental in making the Bichon Frise very popular. In fact, many portraits from this time featured the Bichon Frise along with royals, which lent to their fame and enhanced their stature.
The Bichon Frise, from the time of the Renaissance was called the Bichon Tenerife, which obviously alludes to its origins from the Canary Islands. But its early masters, the Spanish sailors of the early fourteenth century, affectionately named it the Bichon Tenerife. It later became a pet most favored by both Italian and Spanish nobility and only in the reign of Francis I during the sixteenth century, did the Bichon Frise become established in French royal courts and its popularity peaked under the reign of Henry III of France towards the latter part of the sixteenth century.

Also, the famous Spanish painter named Francisco de Goya painted the minute Bichon Frise in the portrait he made of the Duchess of Alba that led to the continuing popularity and fame of the breed. In fact, the Bichon Frise was the subject of other paintings as well, and one such painting was even to become a postage stamp in Yemen. And, in the nineteenth century, under Napoleon III’s reign, the Bichon Frise came to enter the French royal court as well.
The Bichon Frise is a Mediterranean breed and according to the International Canine Federation, he is a French Belgian breed that is today recognized in almost all parts of the world, though at one time he was recognized only in Italy, France and Belgium. However, once he was bred in the United States, this breed gained worldwide recognition and on September 1, 1971 the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Bichon Frise.

Even though the fortunes of the Bichon Frise have undergone a fair share of ups and downs, the breed survived because of its immensely likeable nature and also because of his ability to perform tricks, and after he came to the U.S. he has won over the heart of the working class who find him to be an excellent companion as also a show dog. Thus, the one-time favorite of notable personalities such as Francis I and Henry III has now become darling of the average owner and thus continues to survive even in the modern age.

To learn more about the history behind the Bichon Frise requires sifting through every available bit of information that will help you understand how this toy breed has survived many ups and downs in his life. For those who want to learn about the history behind the breed, this article provides all the necessary Bichon Frise information on the subject.

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