Judy Taylor
Bichon Frisé can be translated from French into German as “curly lap dog”. That says a lot about its appearance, which at least from afar reminds of a white, flexible ball of fur. The little one isn’t fat, just very short overall, like all dogs of this size. Due to the dense, fluffy fur, its overall appearance appears rather round. This makes him exactly the kind of four-legged friend that you want to pick up and cuddle right away. This suits the Bichon Frize very well, as he loves to cuddle and cuddle – especially with his owners. However, he is also usually open to strangers and makes friends quickly, which befits his cheerful, carefree character.
All About the Bichon Frize
Despite their fondness for cuddling, the Bichon Frize is a very active dog that needs and gets plenty of exercises. However, it is not enough to just take the lively four-legged friend for a walk. He wants to play, preferably all the time. This is why the Bichon Frize is very fond of children since like him they are usually in the mood for a game. If not, he challenges them until they are ready to throw the ball for him or play tag.
The small, intelligent dog is just as happy to learn new tricks or small tricks, which it can then show off to the family. He is very docile, likes to be the center of attention, and wants to please his owners. If something doesn’t work right away, you shouldn’t be too strict with him, because he can react very sensitively. This also applies if he has done something. Of course, scolding is necessary to make the mistake clear to him, but it should remain within the limits that the Bichon Frisé can tolerate. After a reasonable time, you should hug him to show him that the world between man and dog is in order again.
Because nothing hurts the Bichon Frisé more than being reprimanded or even rejected by their mistress or master. That’s why you shouldn’t leave him alone any longer. Some specimens react with sadness, others howl or howl, if need be, for hours. Still, others vent their displeasure on the home furnishings. They chew on unwanted places or objects and tear them into pieces of textiles or anything else that cannot withstand their frustration. The Bichon Frisé is a companion dog in both senses of the word. Its presence is good for people, but conversely, it also needs human contact.
A Bichon Frisé will usually be very attentive and is therefore also suitable as a guard dog with some reservations – its barking is loud and piercing, even if it usually falls silent again quickly. Of course, he doesn’t do very well as a protector due to his size and light build. Puppies of this breed in particular are sensitive and prone to injury because of their delicate nature. If there are small children in the family, the handling of the dog must be supervised and the children must be taught to be gentle with it from an early age.
Because the Bichon Frize is quite intelligent and docile, it is easy to train and, as mentioned above, can be taught something quickly. Nevertheless, he is rather difficult to raise, which is not a contradiction in this case. He just enjoys learning tricks, and obeying commands that he doesn’t immediately understand, but less so. At times he can be very stubborn and needs clear rules to follow. This requires a lot of discipline from the owner, since the Bichon Frisé, with its funny appearance and charm, can tempt you to turn a blind eye from time to time. However, one should not give in to this but insist on compliance with the rules with gentle severity.
Nature and Character of the Bichon Frize
The visual impression of the happy and carefree Bichon Frisé conveys its character traits relatively precisely: it is a real lap dog that loves to be pampered and cuddled. Cuddles on the sofa can extend over a longer period of time without getting bored. He brings this cuddliness primarily to his caregivers. However, the Bichon Frize also quickly makes friends with other people and also accepts their caresses. He is open-minded towards fellow animals and other animals. Almost everyone is initially greeted with an interesting greeting. If the encounter turns out to be unpleasant, he will be a little more careful next time.
When the Bichon Frize is not cuddling, sleeping, or eating, he is on the move. It seems like he can’t do anything else. He is therefore always available for a game and not least because of this he especially loves children, with whom he can romp around for hours. Also, he is eager to learn new tricks. This is where his above-average intelligence comes in handy. Of course, a great incentive for him is the praise of his owner, whom he primarily wants to please. If everything goes well, the little one likes to bask in the splendor of his fame.
Even if the Bichon Frize is eager to learn, it is not easy to train him because, like many other Bichons, he can be very stubborn. If a command goes completely against the grain, he simply ignores it. Not overly strict, but consistently you have to put him in his place to have an obedient dog. If you let him get away with too much, he won’t listen to anything anymore. This is fatal. Because at some point he does something that would require a larger cannonade of abuse – and he doesn’t take it well.
