Non-SportingFrance/Spain

Bichon Frise

A cotton ball with a social calendar.

Weight: 12–18 lbs
Height: 9–12 in
Lifespan: 14–15 yrs

In short

The Bichon Frise is a small Non-Sporting companion breed of Mediterranean origin, later a favorite of the French court, weighing 12–18 lbs and living 14–15 years. Its curly, low-shedding coat needs brushing several times a week and a professional trim every 4–6 weeks.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a cheerful small dog that loves everyone
live in an apartment and are home a lot
will budget for grooming every 4–6 weeks

Think twice if you…

are away from home most of the day
want a wash-and-go coat
expect quick, easy housetraining

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 2–3 × 5–10 min
Treat limit: 40–55 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.5/10

EnergyActive6.5/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors10.0/10

SheddingLight shedder3.0/10

What sets it apart

01
Curly double coat
The coat sheds little but mats quickly, so frequent brushing to the skin is non-negotiable.
02
Plumed tail over back
A happy, cheerful carriage that hints at a social, upbeat personality.
03
Dark, round eyes
Tear staining is common, so wipe the eye area daily.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	12–18 lbs	12–16 lbs
Height	9.5–11.5 in	9.5–11 in
Lifespan	14–15 yrs
Coat	Curly, dense double coat with a soft undercoat

Side profile 9–12 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

Bichons are merry, sociable little dogs who want to be in the middle of everything. They are sturdy for their size, playful well into old age, and happiest with company.

With kids

Usually great with gentle children and sturdier than most toys. Teach kids to sit down to hold them.

With other pets

Typically friendly with other dogs and cats, with little prey drive.

With strangers

Most greet strangers as new friends. Some bark at the door, but few are guardy.

Alone time

Prone to separation distress if left for long days. Build alone time slowly and leave enrichment.

Training

Bichons learn tricks quickly and love an audience, but housetraining is famously slow. They respond to praise, food and play, and sulk at harsh handling.

How often

2–3 sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each, ending while the dog still wants more.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Between 8–16 weeks, prioritize handling for grooming (paws, face, ears, the dryer and clippers) and short separations so being alone feels normal.
Self-control

Reliable housetraining and calm alone time matter most. Use a strict potty schedule with rewards outdoors, and practice short, calm departures daily.
What it works for

Food and attention are the big motivators. Use tiny, high-value pieces, keep treats within 10% of daily calories, and mix in praise and a quick game.

Exercise

Bichons need daily walks and bursts of play rather than endurance work. Split the time into two or three outings plus indoor games.

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Two or three brisk daily walks
Fetch in a hallway or yard
Beginner agility or hoopers

Brain work

Trick training (they love an audience)
Food puzzles and snuffle mats
Hide-and-seek with toys or family members

Best home

Excellent apartment dog if walked daily and not left alone for long stretches.

Watch for Small knees are prone to patellar luxation, so discourage repeated jumping off high furniture.

Feeding

Adult maintenance for a typical Bichon Frise (12–18 lbs) lands around 400–550 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.

Puppy (to 12 mo)

Daily calories: 500–675 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 16–20%
Treat limit, all treats: 50–70 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 3 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 400–550 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 14–18%
Treat limit, all treats: 40–55 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 550–750 kcal
Protein: 26–30%
Fat: 18–22%
Treat limit, all treats: 55–75 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–4 pieces a day

Senior

Daily calories: 350–475 kcal
Protein: 24–28%
Fat: 12–16%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–50 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: about 2 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (to 12 mo)	500–675 kcal	26–30%	16–20%	50–70 kcal	about 3 pieces
Adult Maintenance	400–550 kcal	24–28%	14–18%	40–55 kcal	2–3 pieces
Active / Working	550–750 kcal	26–30%	18–22%	55–75 kcal	3–4 pieces
Senior	350–475 kcal	24–28%	12–16%	35–50 kcal	about 2 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Allergies, dental disease, bladder stones and knee problems are the main themes. Daily tooth brushing and a breeder who screens knees and eyes help most.

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Patellar luxation	OFA patella exam	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Hip dysplasia	OFA hip evaluation	Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder)
Cataracts and inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER)	Yearly in breeding dogs

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks Bichon Frise breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Kneecap (patella) check
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)

Also recommended

Heart exam
Legg-Calve-Perthes

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Low, but mats without frequent brushing

Brush and comb to the skin at least 3–4 times a week, daily for longer coats. Book a professional groom every 4–6 weeks, wipe tear stains daily, clean ears weekly, trim nails every 2–3 weeks, and brush teeth daily.

History

Ancient–1400s

Mediterranean ship dogs

Small white barbichon-type dogs were traded around the Mediterranean, including the Canary Islands, by sailors.
1500s

French court favorite

Bichons became pampered companions of French royalty, including Henry III.
1800s–1973

From street to show ring

After falling from fashion they worked as street and circus performers, then gained an official French standard in 1933 and AKC recognition in 1973.

Questions owners ask

Are Bichon Frises easy to train?

Yes, mostly. They learn tricks quickly and love praise, but housetraining is often slow. A strict potty schedule and patience solve it.

Are Bichon Frises good with kids and other pets?

Yes. They are cheerful, sturdy for their size and usually friendly with dogs and cats. Teach young kids to handle them gently.

How much exercise does a Bichon Frise need?

About 30–60 minutes a day, split into walks and play. They don't need long runs, just regular activity and attention.

Do Bichon Frises shed?

Very little, but they are high-maintenance. Brush to the skin several times a week and book a professional groom every 4–6 weeks. Low-shedding doesn't mean allergen-free, so allergy sufferers should spend time with one first.

What health problems do Bichon Frises have, and how long do they live?

They typically live 14–15 years. Common issues include allergies, dental disease, bladder stones, patellar luxation and cataracts, so ask for knee and eye results on the parents.

Is a Bichon Frise good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes, one of the better choices. They are adaptable, friendly and small, as long as you can handle frequent grooming and don't leave them alone all day.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a Bichon Frise needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 40–55 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the Bichon Frise ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.