BICHON FRISE
Characteristics and facts
The Bichon Frise is considered a small breed dog, reaching its full adult size within the first year of life. Their structure is compact, elegant, and well-proportioned, giving them a balanced, straight posture with a proud, forward-looking gaze.
Here’s a breakdown of the Bichon Frise growth stages:
🍼 Puppy stage: birth to 18 months
Rapid physical and emotional development
Fluffier coat with slightly darker ears compared to the body
Socialization and early training are crucial during this phase
🐕 Adult stage: 18 months to 8 years
Fully mature in size and personality
Ideally weighs between 10 to 18 pounds (4.5 to 8 kg)
Stands approximately 9.5 to 11.5 inches (24 to 29 cm) at the shoulder
Coat color typically becomes uniform, pure white or very light cream
🐾 Senior stage: 8 years and older
Metabolism slows down; needs a senior-appropriate diet
Monitoring joint health and dental care becomes important
With good nutrition and exercise, a Bichon Frise can live up to 15 years or more
🧬 Bichon Frise physical characteristics
The Bichon Frise isn’t just beautiful, they’re uniquely built for both beauty and function:
Body Structure: Proportional and balanced, showing a straight, sturdy stance.
Coat: Soft, dense, and curly, similar to plush velvet. Their coat is double-layered and hypoallergenic, making them a popular choice for people with mild pet allergies.
Color: Predominantly white, although some Bichons may have a slight cream hue. Puppies often show slightly darker ear tips that lighten with age.
Skin: Light pink base color, often with natural dark spots or skin moles, which are completely normal.
Tail: Long and gracefully curved upward, arching over the back in a beautiful plume.
Head Shape: Rounded like a snowflake, with well-trimmed, fluffy cheeks.
Eyes and Nose: Large, round, dark brown or black eyes; black nose and lips forming a classic visual triangle on the face.
Ears: Drooping downward, blending softly with the head’s rounded silhouette.
The structure of their body is proportional, and their measures should be visually balanced, showing a straight posture with a forward gaze.
Proportion:
A) The length from the beginning of the chest to the end of the rump is ¼ longer than the height from the withers to the ground.
B) The height from the withers to the lowest point of the chest is half the height of the withers to the ground.
Measures:
- Height: 13″ – 16″
- Height at withers: 9.5″ – 11.5″
- Length: 18″ – 22″
- Weight: 12 – 18 pounds
Other measures of our Bichon Frise:
- Head circumference: 12″ – 13″
- Neck circumference: 9.8″ – 11″
- Chest circumference: 15.3″ – 15.7″
- Waist circumference: 13″ – 15.5″
- Front thigh circumference: 4.7″ – 5.5″
- Back thigh circumference: 6.1″ – 7.1″
- Tail length: 6.3″ – 6.7″
🎉 Fun facts about the Bichon Frise
🏰 The Bichon Frise has ancient Mediterranean roots, originally traveling with sailors before becoming the favorite of French royalty.
🎭 Their name, “Bichon Frisé,” translates from French to “Curly Lap Dog.”
🎾 Despite their aristocratic history, Bichons have a playful and mischievous spirit, often acting like happy little clowns.
🎨 Thanks to their plush, powder-puff coat, they are often compared to little living stuffed animals.
🧮 Curious about their age in human years? A 15-year-old Bichon Frise is approximately 105 human years old using the traditional 7:1 dog-to-human age ratio.