Can a Bichon Frise Sleep Outside? -

The quick answer is

A Bichon Frise would be comfortable in a kennel depending on the time of year. And the area where you live.

A small breed of dog with a double teddy bear coat, the Bichon Frise generally has no trouble keeping warm, even in the snow.

Chances are when you let your Bichon Frise out into the yard for that last night time piddle, they want to stay there in the outdoor cool for a long time.

But can a Bichon Frise sleep outside? Is it safe for this pooch to do so? Will they stay warm enough, or could they get lonely? This topic is what we’re visiting in this article:

Is a Bichon Frise supposed to sleep outdoors?

Since they have that soft, fluffy teddy coat combined with dark, heat-trapping polar bear skin, you’d think that the Bichon Frise was bred to sleep outside, right?

Yet there is nothing in the Bichon Frise breed’s history that points to the polar pooch having the ability to withstand extreme night time temperatures.

Instead, the Bichon Frise is seen as a companion and clown dog, supposedly entertaining pirates on their journeys, as well as being a part of the circus.

So even though the breed has an incredibly warm coat, the Bichon Frise cannot withstand seven consecutive hours of extreme night time temperatures.

They are also one of the breeds that are most likely to develop separation anxiety – they absolutely hate to be alone, even if they only chill out when near you.

Could a Bichon Frise nap outside?

Let’s just say that after hours of playing fetch, frisbee, or tug of war together, your Bichon Frise has now finally collapsed in a heap and is out for the count, stretched out in a shady spot on the lawn. Should you let your Bichon Frise sleep outside in the daytime like this?

Well, depending on the current weather conditions, it can be perfectly fine to let your Bichon Frise have a restorative nap outside. But there are a few precautions you should take.

First, check out the area where your Bichon Frise is lying down. Are they chilling out in the grass?

Take a close look and make sure that there are no insects or other creatures that could bother your Bichon Frise – depending on the time of year, as well as the area where you live, ticks or other parasites may be a concern.

And always keep an eye on your Bichon Frise’s safety.

Can a Bichon Frise sleep outside in a crate?

The Bichon Frise really does love having its own space to stretch out in. and yet, the breed is not overly concerned with having a comfortable, soft space to sleep in.

Plenty of Bichon Frises is content with a cool, hard crate with only a thin mat, often even preferring it to their more plush beds! But could a Bichon Frise safely and comfortably spend the night outside in their crate?

Your Bichon Frise would probably be comfortable enough in their favorite bed regardless of where it is currently placed. But no crate could possibly provide adequate shelter from the extreme nighttime conditions for your Bichon Frise.

Even if you covered the crate up with blankets or other restrained coverings, your Bichon Frise is likely to be disturbed by the sounds or motions of outdoor creatures, meaning that they are unlikely to get a good night’s sleep. They may even start to bark and disturb you!

Could a Bichon Frise spend the night outside in a kennel?

Although the Bichon Frise has a remarkably fleecy coat, as we previously touched upon, this downy fur does not provide adequate protection from cold, not for seven consecutive hours.

But if a Bichon Frise had the shelter of a robust wooden kennel, could they spend the night outside like this?

In a kennel, your Bichon Frise would probably be comfortable enough. Your pooch would be warm, dry, and protected from some of the sounds that could disturb them.

But did you know that the Bichon Frise is quite prone to developing separation anxiety?

This means that if your Bichon Frise feels trapped outside away from you, they probably won’t settle down all night and will instead continually scratch at the door of the kennel or your house, trying to get back inside.

Is a Bichon Frise safe if they sleep outdoors?

Plenty of dogs sleep outside all their lives, and they’re fine, right?

But if your Bichon Frise sleeps on or near a lawn, they are at high risk from various insects and bugs – ticks and fleas, for example. Depending on where you live, your Bichon Frise may be at risk from other animals, too.

Not only this, the Bichon Frise is quite a popular breed. So, if you leave them to sleep outside unsupervised, it is quite likely they may be stolen. Therefore, they need good security. If you have gates, get good locks for them, or consider setting up a secure run.

One other thing you should be careful about is making sure that your Bichon Frise cannot get their nose into anything that may harm them. This may be your rubbish bins, for example. Or perhaps their own toys may be a surprising concern.

Can a Bichon Frise sleep outside in the summer?

With the hotter weather and the increase in outdoor activity, you’d be hard-pressed to drag your Bichon Frise in from the summertime street games and parties.

But would a Bichon Frise be safe and comfortable, spending the entire summer evening sleeping outside?

Your Bichon Frise would likely be very comfortable sleeping outside in the summer, at least at first, wanting to stay under the stars listening to the sounds of the night.

But the temperature would quickly and steeply drop, more so than in winter. This would make your Bichon Frise likely to wake up and want to come indoors at some point in the night.

Plus, there are a lot more insects around in the summer daytime to bother your Bichon Frise if they spend lots of time outside – bees and butterflies, as well as mosquitos and horseflies, depending on what part of the world you are in.

And with the increased noise of more people enjoying parties and playing, your Bichon Frise will likely find a lot more to bark at.

Could a Bichon Frise sleep outdoors in the Winter?

When it moves into the colder months of the year and you have to crank your heating way up, you probably notice your Bichon Frise acting like a draught excluder cushion, as well as spending more and more time outside trying to cool down.

In the evenings, your Bichon Frise may not even want to come in!

So, should you leave your Bichon Frise out in the more extreme cold to give them a good chance to cool down? Would they be comfortable enough?

Well, there are certainly a lot fewer bugs and other pests around during Winter that could bother your Bichon Frise – in this way, they’d be a lot safer during this time of year.

But they do need more shelter. Try lining your Bichon Frise’s kennel with plenty of blankets, as well as some of their favorite toys.

But if you do want to keep your Bichon Frise outside to sleep in the Winter, make sure that their food and water are sheltered from precipitation and that they could not possibly freeze – never leave your Bichon Frise outside when minus temperatures are predicted.

For more about Bichon Frise see my other articles below

By Michelle McDaid