How Big Does a Bichon Frise Get? -

Bichon Frise is approximately 6 to 14 pounds and 10 to 11 inches tall when an adult.

As one of the larger small dogs out there, the Bichon Frise can seem fairly big, especially with its extremely curly and puffy coat combed out for Winter.

But while typically standing at 10 inches on average, what is the maximum size and height of a Bichon Frise? How big does a Bichon Frise get?

And what are some of the other dogs in the Bichon breed family, and that look similar to a Bichon Frise? This is what we’re going to be exploring in this article:

Is a Bichon Frise as big as a Poodle?

With the breed’s white fluffy fur, aptitude for swimming, their habit of dancing around, and skill for doing tricks, it’s no surprise that the Bichon Frise is very frequently mistaken for another white, fluffy show dog – the Poodle.

Indeed, both of the breeds also get along great with children, are incredibly easy to train, and have a similar lifespan and playful, affectionate temperament.

Both the Bichon Frise and Poodle make great companion dogs. They have similar activity requirements too, and with their high maintenance coat, neither dog sheds much either, although the Poodle has a larger variety of different coat colors whereas the Bichon is always white.

The Poodle is generally more expensive to purchase, too. However, is a Bichon Frise anywhere near the size of a Poodle?

When it comes to the 15 to 17 pound, 11 to 15 inches Miniature Poodle, a white Bichon Frise can often be visually indistinguishable from this breed!

But, at 15 inches tall or more, and weighing 40 to 75 pounds, the Standard Poodle is much larger than even the largest Bichon, even if they share the same white or cream coat.

And the 6 to 9 pound, maximum 10 inches tall Toy Poodle may be identical to a Bichon Frise as a puppy, but will never reach even the minimum threshold of an adult Bichon Frise’s size.

Is a Bichon Frise like a Maltese?

Another dog that is unbelievably similar in appearance to the Bichon Frise is the silky white Maltese, an ancient toy breed dog.

People used to think that the Maltese were able to cure some diseases, so often, they would place a Maltese dog in an ill person’s bed. This gave the breed nicknames like, “The Comforter” and “The Spaniel Gentle”.

While it’s true that the Maltese have a soft, white or yellow, and straight coat that can look just like a Bichon Frise’s, this coat is actually just a single coat, nowhere near as insulating as the Bichon’s double coat.

But similarly to the Bichon Frise, a Maltese doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods and will bark or tear things up if this occurs. They are both great family dogs too.

Also, as a very old breed, did you know that the Maltese are regarded as being the Bichon Frise’s predecessor? And, since the Bichon Frise is descended from the Maltese, they are both still a similar size – the average Maltese weighs between 3 and 6 pounds and ranges from 7 up to 10 inches tall.

Is the Bichon Frise similar to the Bolognese dog?

Another big white fluffy pooch, the crafty Bolognese dog is easily the most fluffy of all the dogs we’ve mentioned.

Just like the Bichon Frise, the Bolognese dog is known to be stubborn and difficult to housetrain, and both dogs hate to be left alone for hours.

The Bolognese dog is a known, true member of the Bichon family, so some people prefer to refer to this dog as the Bichon Bolognese.

At 10 to 12.5 inches tall maximum and ranging from 8 to 14 pounds, the Bichon Bolognese’s average weight and height make this another breed that’s right on par with the Bichon Frise.

Is the Bichon Frise like the Shih Tzu dog?

The “little lion” Shih Tzu dog breed isn’t actually remotely fierce at all! Pictured in the laps of rulers and royalty since ancient times, the Shih Tzu is just as comfortable living as a lapdog today.

Not only are they visually similar to the Bichon Frise with their often white or cream straight fur and underbite the Shih Tzu also enjoys agility, obedience, and playing together in a family, just like a Bichon Frise does.

So, it’s easy to see why the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise are often confused.

But is the Bichon Frise or Shih Tzu the smaller of the two dogs? Standing at 9 to 10 inches tall and weighing 9 to 16 pounds, though they are pretty much the same size, the Shih Tzu is just a little smaller than the Bichon Frise.

What size is the average Bichon Frise?

So, all the dogs we’ve mentioned in this list range from 6 up to 14 pounds, and from 7 to 15 inches tall. But when it comes to the Bichon Frise breed alone, what is normal? What should you expect?

Well, though the Bichon Frise is considered to be a small dog, they are one of the larger small dogs you may see. Regardless of whether the dog is male or female, the average Bichon Frise is 10 inches tall, as well as weighing 10 pounds.

How small can a Bichon Frise be?

As we previously touched upon, the Bichon Frise breed is placed firmly in the small dog breed category, as opposed to being considered one of the toy dogs, though they aren’t thought of as being a standard-sized dog breed, either.

But if they are not a toy breed, how small can the Bichon Frise really be?

According to most owners and kennel clubs, the smallest known Bichon Frise dogs are just 9 inches tall. The smallest Bichon Frise dogs out there also weigh no more than 7 pounds.

How much can a Bichon Frise weigh?

So, the small Bichon Frise breed really isn’t that small at all. But since they aren’t even considered to be a standard breed how big can a Bichon really be? How much can a Bichon Frise weigh?

Well, according to many vets and owners, the maximum weight of a Bichon Frise is considered to be 12 pounds.

How tall can a Bichon Frise get?

The fairly large, fluffy small Bichon Frise breed of dog is still short-legged, even if many Bichons do have the amazing skill of dancing around on their hind legs. But when they are not doing this, how tall is the tallest known Bichon Frise?

The general consensus appears to be that the Bichon Frise usually stands at no more than 11 inches tall.

So, how big does a Bichon Frise get?

So, one of the larger smaller breeds of dogs, the fully-grown white, curly-haired Bichon Frise is not known to become larger than 12 pounds and 11 inches tall when an adult.

Perfect for the pooch to be your lapdog for part of the day, while also offering the breed the stamina for a few rounds of fetch and agility.

A Bichon Frise wouldn’t get in the way if you took them into the store, but they would also have the energy to walk with you there and back again.

FAQ for Bichon Frise size?

Does Bichon Frises come in different sizes?

Bichon Frises are generally considered a small dog breed and usually fall within the same size range. However, there may be some variation in individual dogs’ size.

How big do Bichon Frise puppies get?

Bichon Frise puppies typically grow to their adult size by the age of 12 months.

Are male or female Bichon Frises larger?

There is typically no significant size difference between male and female Bichon Frises.

Can Bichon Frises be considered a toy breed?

Yes, Bichon Frises are sometimes classified as a toy breed due to their small size.

For more about Bichon Frise see my other articles below

By Michelle McDaid