Bichon Frise are small, happy dogs, that have a sociable but independent character.
They need regular grooming and care. Their white coats are notoriously hard to keep white. In 2022, The American Kennel Club had Bichon Frise as the 47th most popular breed out of 199 recognised breeds. But unfortunately, despite being very cute at the beginning, some get abandoned due to the upkeep needed. So the need for Bichon Frise adoption has grown.
The Bichon Frise (pronounced “bee-shon free-say”) is a playful and intelligent breed of small dog. They are good around children and elderly people as they are friendly but not over top. They are prone to ear mites and infections due to their fluffy ears which gather residual dirt. They have small teeth and tend to get gum troubles as they get old (they typically live up to 10-13 years). There is some extra commitment with grooming as Bichon Frise have soft, fluffy, relatively non-shedding, coats.
The Bichon Frise is a somewhat active dog. They can be found in a resting, inquisitive, state quite often. But, sometimes, suddenly, they will have a small period when they are extremely active and require supervision. An enclosed, well fenced, area is needed because they are particularly good at finding ways to escape. They don’t mind being inside, but don’t like to be left alone. They have a higher than normal requirement for companionship so shouldn’t be left alone during the day.
Bichon Frise Rescues
It is common to find groups that claim to be Bichon Frise rescues, but they are really just virtual fronts for puppy mills. If the “rescue group” offers more than two breeds, please be wary, especially if those breeds don’t have much to do with each other. Bichon Frise and Miniature Schnauzer would be a logical rescue breed combination as they have similar needs. But a Bichon Frise and an American Pit Bull Terrier rescue group should make you think twice.
A good Bichon Frise rescue will never take an order for a puppy or treat their dogs like merchandise. They should forthright in telling you that the adoption process should take a long time, i.e. weeks and not just a few days. Good Bichon Frise dogs can be found at the Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust.
A real dog rescue group will not offer to ship their dogs – unless it’s in the immediate area. The benefit of a local group is that they might allow a hosting period before you adopt. This means you get to know the dog and its requirements before you commit long-term to adoption.
Another sign to be wary of is where images of the Bichon Frise dogs don’t look like any of the dogs you might expect to see at a dog show. Rescue dogs will often seem too big, their coat grain twisted, and seemingly of different shades. They still are Bichon Frise, but have not been looked after properly until very recently.
Also, overworked dog rescue workers can easily misidentify Bichon Frise dogs, so you (or a friend of a friend who knows the breed) should go check in person to be sure.
