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Bichon
Frise
Bichon is French for lap dog,
and the Bichon Frise has been a popular breed for several
centuries.
History:
The Bichon Frise is a cross
between a Maltese and a Poodle, developed in the Canary
Islands prior to the fourteenth century. It was brought to
Europe around that time and first became a favorite of the
Italian nobility in the fourteenth century, and later in the
sixteenth century was much loved by French royalty.
Physical
characteristics:
A small powder-puff, very
playful and lively. Height: 9 - 12 in (22.8 - 30.5 cm) for the
dog and 9.5 - 10.5 in (24 - 26.6 cm) for the bitch, under
Canadian standards; elsewhere 9 - 11 in (22.8 - 28 cm).
Weight: not specified. The head has a shorter muzzle than the
head length. The nose is black and rounded. The lips are thin,
black and fairly tight. The eyes are round and dark with black
rims. The ears are narrow and small, hang close to the head
and are covered with finely curled, long hair. The body has a
well-developed chest, sloping shoulders and well-muscled loin.
The tail is short, raised and curved, but not curled.
The
coat of the Bichon Frise is a double one with fine, silky
hair, loosely curled and 3 - 4 in (7.6 - 10 cm) long. The
color is pure white.
Behavior:
The Bichon Frise is a
delightful little dog with a very strong character. As this
dog looks particularly cute, it is essential that owners are
assertive from the beginning. If there is no intention of
breeding, it is advisable to sterilize the males before they
become too bossy.
With
proper attention, the Bichon Frise will develop into a
wonderful companion animal. To avoid any later problems it is
a good idea to allow this dog to socialize with a range of
other dogs and humans when it is a puppy. The Bichon Frise is
an alert dog and has a strong sense of territory which makes
it a great watch-dog. If this dog is kept in a hot climate it
should be regularly clipped.
With proper attention, the
Bichon Frise will develop into a wonderful companion animal.
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