Fall in Love with a Cuddly, White Puff - the Bichon Frise
Mike Mathews
The Bichon Frise is a captivating dog that looks like a puff ball because of its curly hair. Energetic, this lovable, curly-haired dog is smart, bubbly and even-tempered. Its affable character makes it a winner for anybody, young or old, to have as a companion at home. It is believed to be a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle. It gained popularity as a circus performer and as the organ player's dog!
Compatibility and Usage: Due to his happy disposition, he makes for a complete family dog. The Bichon Frise is not a guard dog nor is it a popular show dog. He loves being indoors but at the same time will love to take a walk outdoors or at a dog park where he will happily make many friends.
Physical Appearance: The Bichon Frise has a non-shedding white fur coat although different breeds may have different coat color. They sometime have a cream color coat or even in apricot with shadings around their ears. But a purebred Bichon Frise will have a white color coat. Their eyes are normally black or brown in color and have an unmistakable halo around the eyes.
Temperament: The Bichon Frise is a dog with a happy disposition and can make friends easily even with strangers and hence can't be considered as a good guard dog. He is also quite sensitive and affectionate. The most important trait is his cheerful attitude, which is why he is so popular. They have an overall great temperament, which helps them to socialize with humans and other dogs alike.
It is very sociable with other pets and humans but can also perform guard dog duties for its master due to its protective demeanor. When playing, they may exhibit some tenacious attitudes but otherwise they are a good choice for the companion of the young and old alike.
Caring & Health: The average lifespan of the Bichon is approximately 12 years. The male Bichon has a maximum height of 12 inches and the female from 9 to 11 inches. Their weights may vary anywhere from 7 to 12 pounds. The Bichon's non-shedding coat calls for regular grooming otherwise it may lead to an assortment of skin allergies and problems.
Regular brushing is necessary to remove the hair tangles of the Bichon's coat; tedious as this may be, it contributes to making the dog's coat puffier, more beautiful and highly attractive. Do not feed your dog with high fat content foods to avoid their common affliction, pancreatitis. To ensure your dog's health, it is necessary to walk him regularly on a daily basis.
Some of the other medical problems that the Bichons are susceptible to include skin irritations allergy, cataract (happens with age), senility and vestibular disease. The last one is a disease of the ear and needs to be taken care of immediately. Minus the diseases, which are common for almost all breeds, choosing a small breed dog like the Bichon Frise is like bringing home a fur ball of happiness!
About the Author: Mike Mathews is the owner and editor of the popular
http://Dog-Breed-Facts.com/ Dog Breed Facts website. His new ebook titled "http://choosingadog.dog-breed-facts.com/ Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle" is a fantastic resource for the new dog owner. This article is available as a
http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=36354&b=79 unique content article with free reprint rights.
