June 12, 2025, 9:03 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The Bichon Frisé is one of the most popular dog breeds in Germany—often underestimated at first glance as a lapdog. However, there’s more to this fluffy exterior. With its cheerful nature and quick intelligence, the Bichon Frisé is not only an ideal family pet but also an active companion in everyday life.
Big eyes, short legs, and fluffy fur. The Bichon Frisé stands out primarily for its cute appearance. But there’s more to this fluffy exterior than just a lapdog. With noble ancestors from France, these dogs are considered sociable and loyal companions. Their high intelligence makes training easy. Unfortunately, this is often underestimated, as their cuteness allows them to quickly learn how to manipulate their humans. A certain level of consistency is necessary to prevent the lapdog from becoming a barker—but also empathy, as the Bichon Frisé is a sensitive creature. Despite its curly, fluffy coat, the breed is easy to care for, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Origin
The ancestors of the Bichon Frisé likely hail from Italy and France, where they were initially called “Barbichon” during the Renaissance. This later became “Bichon.” In the 16th and 17th centuries, the small dog gained increasing popularity, mainly among the elegant circles of wealthy French and Belgian society. As a result, it is immortalized as a lapdog in many paintings and portraits from these centuries. However, during the two World Wars, people lost interest in small ornamental dogs, but breeders in France and Belgium ensured the survival of the “Bichons” for the future. In 1932, the first Bichon Frisé was registered in the Belgian studbook (LOSH). About ten years later, the French studbook (LOF) was updated to include the breed.
Appearance & Coat
With a shoulder height of about 9 to 12 inches and a body weight of 11 to 22 pounds, it can be easily taken anywhere. The breed’s name is derived from its curly coat, as “Bichon Frisé” translates from French to “little dog with curls.” The Bichon Frisé’s coat is white and, in a healthy dog, soft and shiny. It can grow up to 4 inches long, but it is usually trimmed early. The coat provides optimal protection against wetness, cold, and heat. With thorough grooming, the Bichon Frisé resembles a fluffy cotton ball, making it a popular lapdog. Since these cute pets rarely shed and thus hardly undergo a coat change, they are also well-suited for allergy sufferers.
Character & Temperament
Lively, friendly, and up for any outing: The Bichon Frisé is a sociable and loyal companion. Its good mood is contagious, and it enjoys every cuddle session. A strong bond with a primary caregiver is particularly important to it. Being left alone is not its forte—it much prefers to be a fully-fledged family member in the middle of the action. Besides its open, cheerful nature, the Bichon Frisé impresses with high intelligence. It learns quickly and visibly enjoys being taught small tricks or new tasks. Overall, it is considered easygoing and usually gets along excellently with people and other animals. While it is not a classic barker, its alertness should not be underestimated—if something unusual happens, it will certainly make itself heard.
Training
The small dog is not only intelligent but also very eager to learn. Therefore, training the Bichon Frisé is beginner-friendly. However, as an owner, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of dog training and attend dog school with your pet. Since the small dog is very sensitive, it is important to remain friendly and calm. Nevertheless, a certain level of consistency is required in training. Commands work best when the dog is rewarded with plenty of cuddles or its favorite treat.
Care & Maintenance
In terms of care, the Bichon Frisé is relatively uncomplicated. While daily brushing of the curly coat is recommended for puppies to prevent matting, a routine every three to four days is sufficient for adult dogs. Once a month, the Bichon Frisé enjoys a thorough wet wash. The soft coat should be trimmed regularly, as this greatly facilitates care. The fur around the eyes should not be too long, as eye irritations are otherwise inevitable. Therefore, the eyes and the area around the mouth and nose should be cleaned daily with a damp cloth to remove dirt and food residues from longer hair.
Nutrition
Even though the Bichon Frisé is a small breed, it has specific dietary requirements. High-quality food with a balanced ratio of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals is important—ideally tailored to small, active dogs. Since the breed tends to gain weight, special attention should be paid to the correct amount of food—treats should be given sparingly and preferably as a reward during training. At the same time, Bichons benefit from a diet that supports teeth and coat, as they are prone to tartar, and their white coat is sensitive to low-quality ingredients.
Susceptibility to Certain Diseases
In general, the Bichon Frisé is a very cheerful and resilient companion. However, some dogs have shown a tendency toward an inflamed eye area, noticeable by brownish tear stains on the white fur. To avoid such eye irritations, the fur around the eyes should always be kept short, and the eye area should be cleaned regularly. Like many small breeds, the Bichon Frisé occasionally suffers from patellar luxation—a displacement of the kneecap. Here, sufficient exercise and a stable weight should be maintained. Despite its fluffy appearance, the Bichon Frisé lacks a protective undercoat and can only tolerate cold and wet conditions to a limited extent, so it may need a dog coat in winter.
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The Bichon Frisé at a Glance
- Character: intelligent and lively
- Size (shoulder height): up to 12 inches
- Weight: 11–22 pounds
- Coat: white, soft, and curly
- Exercise needs: moderate, enjoys 3 to 4 walks per day
- Average lifespan: 12–15 years
- Special features: Excellent companion for families and retirees, suitable for allergy sufferers