Bichon Frisé
A cheerful powder-puff — low-shedding, people-loving and endlessly merry.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 23–30 cm |
| Weight | 5–8 kg |
| Life expectancy | 14–15 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 30–45 min/day |
| Shedding | Minimal — loose hair stays in the coat |
| Coat | Soft, curly double coat · white |
| Group | Non-Sporting · FCI №215 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Centuries as a sailors' trade good, a royal lapdog and a circus performer bred one thing into the Bichon: professional charm. It is merry, gentle and genuinely funny, learns tricks with delight, and assumes every visitor came specifically to meet it. The flip side of all that people-focus is real distress when left alone too long.
Habits & quirks
The Bichon blitz
Sudden joyful sprints around the house at full speed, ending as abruptly as they began.
Professional greeter
Every arrival at the door is treated as the best thing to happen all week.
Lap radar
The moment anyone sits down, a small white cloud materialises on their knees.
Showing off
Bred for the circus, it learns tricks fast and performs them for anyone who'll watch.
Care
| Grooming | Brush every day or two to stop mats, with a professional trim every 4–6 weeks — this is the breed's biggest commitment. |
| Company | A true companion breed — build up alone-time tolerance early and don't plan long empty days. |
| Eyes & face | Wipe the face regularly; the white coat shows tear staining quickly. |
| Training | Cheerful and quick to learn, though housetraining small breeds takes patience — stay consistent. |
Common questions
Are Bichons hypoallergenic?
No dog truly is, but the Bichon's low-shedding curly coat makes it one of the more allergy-friendly breeds.
Do Bichons need a lot of grooming?
Yes — brush every day or two to prevent mats and book a professional groom every 4–6 weeks. The white coat also needs face and eye cleaning.
Can Bichons be left alone all day?
Not happily — this is a companion breed prone to separation anxiety. Half-days with company, a dog walker or daycare are far kinder arrangements.