The Bichon Frise is a small dog breed descended from the poodle, Barbet and a generic white lap dog originating in the Mediterranean region as early as 600-300 B.C. The breed has been everything from a companion to Spanish merchants, to a lap dog of French royalty, to a circus performer, to a sheepherder, to an American Kennel Club registered competitor.
Known for its white, curly fur and intelligent, sociable disposition, the Bichon Frise has continued to gain popularity. Today, this breed is often mixed with other purebred dogs to create new designer dogs that have features of both breeds. Mixed breed Bichon Frise puppies are highly desirable due to their resemblance to fluffy white cotton balls. The name of the Bichon Frise has changed over time. It descended from the Barbet, was called the Barbichon for many centuries, then called the Bichon, and finally the French added Frise to the name to reference the breed’s curly fur. The American Kennel Club registered the breed in the non-working group under the name Bichon Frise in 1973.
The American Kennel Club sets breed standard traits for every breed of dog registered in the United States. For the Bichon Frise, some of the breed standard traits include a double coat of fur consisting of a dense undercoat and a curly, springy topcoat, ideal weight is between seven and twelve pounds, ideal height is between nine and twelve inches, disposition is friendly and outgoing, at least ninety percent of fur is pure white, mouth and nose are black, eyes are brown or black eyes and have a “human expression”, and fur is groomed appropriately according to the breed standard. A Bichon Frise that is going to compete must be brushed regularly and professionally trimmed at least every three months. The fur is styled with full volume. A Bichon Frise that is not competing can have its fur cropped in a puppy cut, which is a shorter style similar to the natural length seen in Bichon Frise puppies.
Buyers of Bichon Frise puppies should know the history and breed specific traits of Bichon Frise before choosing a Bichon Frise breeder. They should also know what to expect when raising any breed of puppy. Puppies, like babies, require constant care at least for the first few months. Bichon breeders usually keep puppies until they are approximately eight weeks old. Buyers need to make sure they know how the Bichon Frise puppies have been raised within the first eight weeks so that they can continue with the same set regimen.
Buyers of Bichon Frise puppies should approach the breeder with a list of questions. They should expect to be asked questions by the breeder as well. The most important task is to make sure that each Bichon Frise puppy and every potential buyer are a good match to live together. Good Bichon Frise breeders will educate buyers on all elements of raising, grooming and disciplining Bichon Frise puppies. They will provide proper documentation of puppies such as pedigree, medical records and registration papers.
A buyer must do reasonable research to find perfect, purebred Bichon Frise puppies. Tips on how to choose the right Bichon Frise puppy out of many puppies is provided in this article.

