Grooming

The Bichon Frise is a medium-to-high maintenance dog. To keep his coat shiny and his exquisite appearance in order, his coat requires to be brushed frequently throughout the week. It is recommended to brush his coat 2 to 3 times every week with a pin brush, dog comb, bristle brush, and fur de-matting tool in order to avoid the shedding hair getting stuck in the coat and forming knots, tangles, or matting. Daily brushing is even better if time allows as it can help prevent mats. He should also be bathed once a month, and have his nails trimmed as often as needed. Brushing his teeth is also a necessary part of grooming that needs to be done regularly.

The Bichon Frise, like all dogs, is prone to dental issues and periodontal disease. To keep their teeth healthy, it is recommended to brush them a few times per week with vet-approved dog toothpaste. You can opt to use a dog-friendly toothbrush or simply use your finger with toothpaste on it and gently rub it on your dog’s teeth. It is beneficial to begin this grooming step when your Bichon Frise is a young puppy. This will help teach him to be comfortable with the process. A professional groomer should be seen once every few weeks if you opt for a shorter hairstyle. 

For insights on grooming and overall care, you might want to check out the guide on the easiest dog to take care of.

Exercise Needs

The Bichon Frises have low-to-moderate exercise needs. These lovely pooches need about 30 minutes of exercise daily with one or two walks combined with plenty of fun and active playtime indoors to keep them merry and healthy.  

Health

The Bichon Frise dogs are known to be a resilient and healthy breed. There are not many health issues associated with these dogs, but they can develop some of the issues that are common in all small dog breeds. Conditions like cataracts, allergies, and teary eyes can appear in the Bichon Frise breed. 

Lifespan

The life span of these beautiful white dogs is between 12 and 15 years, although they have been known to exceed this mark. With proper care, a nutritious diet, and plenty of daily exercise, the Bichon Frise can live up to 20 years. The oldest Bichon Frise on record lived to be 21 years old.  

Training

The Bichon Frise puppies are very smart fast learning students. The best way to train these cute puppies is to keep training fun, filled with praise and treats, and with no longer than 15 minutes per session. They love being praised and petted when they’ve done something right, and they are very fond of their puppy toys which can be used as motivation. Positive reinforcement works best with Bichon Frise puppies.  

As these puppies are naturally brilliant, they pick up on tricks and commands quickly and can be taught in advanced obedience training. To housebreak, crate train, socialize, and leash train these adorable pups, patience, and perseverance are key.  

Because they are family-attached dogs, the Bichon Frises dislike being left alone. To avoid separation anxiety in Bichon Frise puppies as well as full-grown Bichon Frises, it is best to start the training process as soon as they arrive home. Separation anxiety with the feelings of sadness, loneliness, and destructive behaviors that come with it is easier to prevent in puppies than to treat in adult dogs.  

For a deeper understanding of training techniques and puppy behaviors, read about early training practices.