Bichon Frise

Temperament

The Bichon Frise is joyful, sociable and eager for contact. It loves people, both family and guests, and usually lives peacefully with other dogs and cats. It loves to play, can suddenly get the “zoomies” and race in circles around the apartment, then just as happily fall asleep on your lap. It is bright and learns fairly easily, especially when training feels like a game with rewards; it does well at tricks and even agility. It is sensitive to tone of voice and reacts badly to yelling. Without something to do and company, it may bark at noises outside or destroy things. House-training can take longer than with bigger breeds, so be consistent. It usually makes a great team with children, as long as they've been taught to be gentle.

Energy

calmvery energetic

Affection

independentvelcro pet

With children

not idealgreat

With other pets

difficultgreat

Trainability

stubborneager to learn

For first-time owners

for experienced ownersyes

With strangers

waryoutgoing

Playfulness

dignifiedeternal puppy

Shedding

minimalheavy

Grooming

easydemanding

Being left alone

strugglescopes well

Apartment living

needs a house and yardgreat in a flat

Barking

quietvocal

With other dogs

difficultgreat

Protectiveness

lowhigh

Drooling

hardly anya lot

Cold tolerance

feels the coldexcellent

Heat tolerance

strugglescopes well

Scores of 1–5 compare the breed with other breeds of the same species, based on the sources at the bottom of the page. Every animal is different. How we score traits

Who is the Bichon Frise for?

The Bichon Frise suits city dwellers, families with children and seniors who want a cheerful, friendly dog and have time for daily brushing or a budget for a groomer. It's often chosen by allergy sufferers because it hardly sheds, but no dog is fully hypoallergenic: spend time around the breed before deciding. It won't do well with someone who's away from home all day or doesn't want to deal with coat care.

Size and looks

Care and exercise

Grooming is a Bichon owner's most important job. Loose hair from the curly, fluffy coat doesn't fall out; it stays trapped in the coat, so without daily brushing with a slicker brush and a metal comb, mats form quickly. A bath and trim at the groomer every 4–8 weeks is a good idea, and the hair around the eyes and between the paw pads needs regular trimming. Brush the teeth daily, as the breed is prone to tartar. Exercise needs are modest, the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 30 minutes a day, but a Bichon will happily go on a longer walk and also needs play and trick training. Watch its weight and go easy on treats. Keep training gentle, in short sessions.

Health and breed-related conditions

The Bichon Frise is a long-lived breed, usually living 12–15 years. The Royal Kennel Club places it in Category 1 of Breed Watch, meaning no particular conformation concerns, and recommends that breeders at minimum have eye exams done. The most common health problems are periodontal disease, cataracts and corneal dystrophy, bladder stones and diabetes. Small breeds, including the Bichon, can also have patellar luxation, and the pale skin can be prone to allergies. Regular vet checks of the teeth, eyes and urine help catch problems early.

• periodontal diseaseThe breed is very prone to tartar buildup and tooth loss.
• cataractsProbably inherited; they can appear even in young dogs.
• corneal dystrophyClouding of the cornea that usually appears around 2 years of age.
• bladder stones (urolithiasis)Stones in the bladder cause blood in the urine and straining to urinate.
• diabetesShows up as increased thirst, frequent urination and weight loss.

This is general breed information, not a diagnosis. If something worries you, talk to your veterinarian.

Breed history

According to the FCI standard, the Bichon Frise came from Italy to France during the Renaissance. It looked like a very small Barbet, hence the name “barbichon,” later shortened to “bichon.” In the 17th and 18th centuries, little white dogs kept kings and aristocrats company and often appeared in paintings. Under Napoleon III the breed came back into fashion under the name “Ténériffe,” and later became popular in Belgium and France. After both world wars it nearly disappeared and was rebuilt by a handful of French and Belgian breeders. The first dog, Pitou, was born in 1924 and entered in the Belgian studbook in 1932. The current name and status as a Franco-Belgian breed date from 1978.

Fun facts

• The FCI standard allows only white; in puppies up to 12 months, a light beige tinge on no more than 10% of the body is tolerated.
• The name “bichon” comes from a shortening of “barbichon,” meaning a little Barbet.
• Under Napoleon III, Bichons were known in France as “Ténériffe.”
• The first Bichon entered in the French studbook was a female named Ida, in 1934.

Frequently asked questions

This breed also appears in

• Small dog breeds
• Dogs for allergy sufferers
• Best dogs for apartments
• Dogs that don’t shed (much)
• Dogs for first-time owners

Sources

1. 1FCI standard nr 215 – Bichon à poil friséfci.be
2. 2Royal Kennel Club – Bichon Friseroyalkennelclub.com
3. 3PetMD – Bichon Frisepetmd.com

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.