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The Bichon Frise is a happy, jovial white fluffball of a dog. They are small, with little stamina and energy requirements.
They can also be independent, taking themselves off to their basket when they want peace, or letting you know all about it when they decide it’s time to play or go for a walk. But are Bichon Frise high maintenance?
How difficult is it to take care of a Bichon Frise? And are Bichon Frise a good option for first-time owners? In this article, we’ll be answering all these questions. So, if you want to know whether a Bichon Frise is right for you, as well as how to look after one, read on!
How hard is it to take care of a Bichon Frise?
The Bichon Frise is a playful, friendly dog. However, the breed also has a stunning, fluffy coat. Caring for this ultra-soft white coat is easily the most tedious aspect of taking care of your Bichon Frise. But thankfully, with local dog groomers and modern home grooming products, this job is made a little easier!
They are a small, flat-faced dog, too, with low energy requirements. A short stroll around the block is enough to deplete your Bichon Frise entirely. The most difficult part about walking your Bichon Frise is trying to keep that gorgeous coat clean!
What are the cons of having a Bichon Frise?
Though this well-disposed dancing ball of fur is an undeniably adorable family dog, there are a few distinct minor cons when you own a Bichon Frise.
The first is the Bichon breed’s toilet-training problems. For some strange reason, though this obedient breed is otherwise a dream to train, the stubborn Bichon Frise always seems to struggle with getting the hang of toilet training!
The second con is Bichon Frise’s propensity towards separation anxiety. Though many Bichon Frises are happy to spend hours alone, barking out the window and napping, some Bichons develop separation anxiety and hate being left alone. They will show this through the destruction of your favorite shoes, cushions, and anything else they can get their paws on.
The Bichon Frise also has the potential to become a problem barker. I know that my own Bichon Frise isn’t alone in barking at strange sounds, especially if something dares to wake him up! Training him that he doesn’t need to respond to these sounds has helped a lot with this.
The good every day dog programe
If you are looking to learn how to train your dog or puppy using force-free training methods then I recommend this online video course. I purchased it last year and some of the tips I learned I still use today. Most of the training methods aren’t available on the internet.
Each session is bite-sized with the focus on getting the student to take the action with information and demonstrations, find out more here.
And then, of course, the last con is caring for that beautiful yet sometimes difficult to manage coat. You really need to keep up with your Bichon Frise’s daily brushing, or you risk them quickly becoming severely matted. Plus, if their fur gets too long, pests like ticks and fleas can find somewhere to hide. So, you’ll need to get that curly coat clipped often.
Are Bichon low maintenance?
I know we’ve been talking about how high maintenance and difficult to care for the Bichon Frise is so far. But, you can’t deny that there are also many low-maintenance aspects to the Bichon, too!
Sure, the Bichon Frise’s non-shedding coat requires plenty of daily maintenance and care. But this also makes the Bichon Frise a breed with low allergen potential. Plus, no shedding means way less cleaning for you!
The Bichon Frise is also very easy to train. This is because the Bichon Frise is a friendly, people-oriented dog, who loves to impress everyone with their tricks. This means the Bichon Frise usually listens well and picks up on commands fairly quickly.
Bichons are also friendly in general. Bichon Frises will greet friend or foe alike with a spin, hind leg walk, or a wag of their tail. So, you don’t need to worry about introducing a Bichon Frise to a busy household with lots of comings and goings.
Can Bichon Frise be left home alone?
Above, we talked about how the Bichon Frise has a tendency towards separation anxiety. But does this mean that the Bichon Frise can’t be left home alone?
Well, yes and no. Every Bichon Frise is an individual, with their own tolerance for how much time they can bear being alone.
Some Bichons will start to get lonely after just an hour, while others may not have the bladder control to spend all day indoors. That being said, other Bichons love catching up on their sleep or barking out the window all day.
However, there are a few things you can do to help your Bichon Frise when they have to spend a lot of time at home alone. Training your Bichon to use an indoor toilet, for example, will give them a hygienic place to relieve themselves.
On top of this, some dog cameras and apps will let you talk to your Bichon Frise, reassuring them if they have to spend long hours by themselves.
It’s also a good idea to tire your Bichon Frise out just before you leave. Throwing a ball around for a while will quickly have your Bichon lying on the floor panting. Then, you can give your Bichon Frise a treat or chew toy to occupy themselves with as you head out.
Are Bichons difficult to train?
No. Bichon Frises generally pick up on new commands quickly and are also anxious to please. They figure out how to do new tricks quickly, especially if you give them lots of praise when they get it right!
The only part of training your Bichon Frise that can be difficult is house training. The Bichon Frise can be stubborn when they’ve decided on a certain way of doing things, so many owners report that potty training their Bichon Frise takes a long time.
Do Bichons bark a lot?
Bichon Frises are not exactly a yappy dog, and they have no history as a guard dog. Nevertheless, I find that my own Bichon Frise has begun barking at his bowls when they are empty and he is hungry or thirsty. He also barks at shelves and boxes if he has decided that he wants to play with a certain toy that he can’t reach.
As well as this, he barks when someone rings the doorbell or knocks, even when the doorbell is only on TV, and even when I just knock against the table!
Are Bichon Frise good for first time owners?
Well, the Bichon Frise does have its advantages and disadvantages for first time owners. Their non-shedding coat means you won’t have to clean so much, and their friendly, obedient nature means training should be a breeze. On top of this, their small size means that they don’t exactly need a daily hike.
The only thing you will need to commit to is daily, thorough brushing. Invest in a good slicker brush with fine bristles to keep your Bichon looking at their best!
