Bichon Frise is a small, highly energetic, cheerful, and fluffy white dog breed with a good dose of entertaining mischief. With black eyes peering from a fluffy white coat, the Bichon has a playful, loving look that instantly melts your heart. Given their fluffy white coat, do Bichons shed?
Yes, Bichon Frises do shed. Dog breeders and pet owners may tell you that Bichons do not shed, but the truth is that all creatures that have fur or hair actually shed.
However, the good news about the double-coated Bichons is that the hair shed from the small dog is normally caught in the undercoat and doesn’t fall to the ground, giving it a false image of a hypoallergenic dog breed.
The dead hair can easily be removed by combing or brushing to avoid forming mats and tangles. If left unattended, the tangles and mats of dead hair can cause skin problems for your lovely dog.
In this article, we tell you some of the surprising facts you didn’t know about this baby-doll-faced dog breed and how to keep your Bichon Frise happy, active, and healthy at all times.
Why Is My Bichon Frise Shedding?
If you own a Bichon Frise, then you will have noticed that they do a little shedding compared to other dog breeds. However, like most dogs, they have to shed during the spring in order to prepare for the hot summer months. However, shedding is not to be confused with hair loss.
Excessive shedding or shedding that happens outside of the expected window can happen due to a lot of reasons. One of them is a hormonal imbalance that’s caused by lactation and pregnancy. A condition known as hypothyroidism which is characterized by an imbalanced thyroid, can also cause this.
However, allergies to certain canned foods and kibble are by far the leading cause of unusual hair shedding in dogs. Of course, you know as a dog owner not to feed your dog any table scraps and to not buy your pooch treats that are made in China.
If you observe these rules, then you should perhaps consider that the allergies might be coming from chemicals in household items and cleaning solvents, as well as toiletry products like shampoos or even pests like mites, ticks, and fleas.
Another common cause of dog shedding is the introduction of new toys or bedding, which can cause an allergic reaction.
Are Bichons Non-Shedding?
Most people assume that Bichons don’t shed. But, we can assure you that they do. It’s just that with double-coated Bichons, the shed hair tends to get trapped in the dog’s undercoat.
Unless you comb or brush it out, it’ll get stuck there and form tangles and lead to other skin problems.
That’s why it’s recommended that you brush your Bichon’s mane during the shedding season, even if you don’t notice any active shedding.
Bichon Frise’s Temperament
For the most part, Bichons are friendly and agreeable dogs because of their temperament. However, it’s important to socialize them with other pets and humans as early as possible to avoid timidity.
The playful yet gentle small dog is suitable for apartment living because it doesn’t need too much space to romp and is not known to bark without reason.
Are Bichons Aggressive?
Bichons are known for their aggression when they are, in fact, quite harmless. However, they tend to exhibit a condition known as “small dog syndrome,” which is characterized by excessive aggression to make up for their small stature.
You’ll notice that Bichons tend to bite, bark or growl at objects that intimidate them and this overreaction is what gives them the reputation of being aggressive.
Do Bichon Frise Dogs Bark A Lot?
You’ll know a Bichon wants to get your attention when they start barking at you. But, they also bark to fend off intruders or anyone who seems to be a threat or trying to steal their food.
Although the Bichon Frise is one of the few dog breeds that exhibit independence, they aren’t particularly aggressive.
Are Bichons Clingy?
While the Bichon can make for a lovable pet, your pooch can also be a handful. It’s important to ensure that the Bichon is always clean and that your furry friend always feels secure and doesn’t end up feeling needy.
Are Bichons Jealous Dogs?
As we have mentioned before, the Bichon Frise is an independent dog. With that said, they are known to show a jealous streak and don’t do well in households with more than one dog. They simply don’t like competition.
However, they are usually nice to pets of other species and young children. It’s important to ensure proper breeding and socialization of your Bichon Frise to avoid your pooch becoming skittish as this can lead to timidity and fear of biting.
Do Bichon Frises Like To Cuddle?
The Bichon Frise loves to socialize and spend time with others. Your canine buddy will absolutely enjoy being cuddled and snuggled and may start pawing at you when left alone for too long when feeling neglected.
Separation Anxiety
The Bichon Frise is one of those breeds that suffer from separation anxiety. However, you can avoid this by playing with your dog regularly and giving them all the love and attention they need, because they are incredibly social animals, after all.
The Bichon Frise is not the right dog for a frequent traveler because they don’t like being left alone for too long. In fact, they’re prone to separation anxiety and even depression.
If your dog ever exhibits signs of anxiety or depression, we recommend you try the Healing Solutions Lavender Essential Oil. Not only will it calm your canine’s nerves, but it’ll help to soothe sore muscles and relieve stress.
Are Bichon Frises Good Family Dogs?
The Bichon Frise is definitely a good family dog because it’s a social pet that loves to play and cuddle. They have boundless energy and tend to form positive relationships with other pets.
However, a survey that was done with Bichon Frise owners shows that this breed can be prone to snap at children, but this is possible with any dog. That’s why it’s advisable to exercise caution and always oversee interactions between pets and children. However, the same survey shows that the Bichon Frise is one of the easiest pets to housebreak and train.
The Bichon Frise is the perfect breed of dog to have if you live in an apartment because their small stature means that they don’t need a lot of space.
Can Bichon Frise Be Left Alone?
The Bichon Frise doesn’t like to be alone for long. They develop separation anxiety quite easily and have been shown to bark and howl when left alone. However, the older they get, the better they are at being alone.
What you can do is ask a friend or family member to look after your pet when you’re out of the house, or alternatively, take them to puppy daycare during the day while you’re at work.
The great thing about Bichons is that they don’t shed as much as other dogs, which makes them ideal for people with allergies. But, as with anything, it’s recommended to consult with your allergist before you adopt this or any other pet, just to be on the safe side.
Do Bichons Smell? Grooming Needs Of A Bichon
A regularly and properly groomed Bichon shouldn’t exhibit any pet odor because the skin in this case is naturally clean. If a Bichon smells, then maybe your pooch needs cleaning up or is suffering some kind of infection.
Some of the main factors that can contribute to dog odor include allergies, poor hygiene, poor diet, ear infection, kidney problems, and having a particular coat type that can hold undesirable smells.
They tend to respond well to the Wahl White Pear Brightening Dog Shampoo, which works great when used in conjunction with the Pet Magasin Grooming Shears.
We recommend these particular products because the Wahl White Dog Shampoo is made with a gentle formula that’s free from PEG-80, parabens, and alcohol; plus, it’s pH balanced as well.
A little goes a long way with this shampoo, thanks to the inclusion of a coconut-extract sodding agent. It’s also known for its ability to remove dirt and brighten the coat. You’ll be glad to know that this shampoo is easy to rinse off.
As for the Pet Magasin Grooming Shears, we recommend them for the simple reason that they are a complete grooming set. They include two scissors, with rounded tips that are easy and safe to use.
Are Bichon Frises Easy To Train?
It’s relatively easy to train a Bichon because they’re always up for a challenge. However, they don’t respond well to harsh training methods due to their sensitive demeanor.
For best results, owners should stick to using providing positive rewards as a means to get the desired results, such as clicker training techniques.
Whatever you do, make sure to discourage your dog from developing “small dog syndrome.” This unfortunate condition happens as a result of excessive coddling and treating the dog like a doll instead of a pet. While it’s tempting to do so, consider the fact that this behavior might lead to anxiety, skittishness, and aggression.
But, as with any other breed, housetraining your Bichon won’t be a walk in the park. But, with little effort, you should be able to get the desired results.
Are Bichons Hard To Potty Train?
The first port of call (mind the pun) when it comes to training your new Bichon puppy is to potty training.
As soon as you get home, take your pooch outside to the potty area and give dear fido a round of applause and other rewards whenever the furry companion relieves in the designated potty area.
For best results, try to come up with a command phrase that your dog can associate with this area so that your doggie knows what it’s for. You can say something like, “pee pee” or “poo area”.
Related Questions
Can Bichons Be Black? Black Bichon Frises do exist! A Bichon Frise is typically white in color, but there are instances of Bichon Frises that have black-coated fur. They have the same black noses and eyes, arched necks, and gracefully curved tails. Taken together, these features make for a refreshingly different Bichon Frise, but with the same proud and well-proportioned appearance typical of the breed, especially for its size.
Are Bichons Lazy? Although Bichon Frise can be playful and fun, they love their beauty sleep and can often be found catching up on their 8 hours throughout the day if they think there’s nothing else to do. With that said, they do enjoy socializing with humans and other pets.
Which Dog Is The Least Smelly? The Bichon Frise is practically odorless, which makes them an ideal indoor house pet. Let’s face it; some dog breeds are smellier than others. If you want to avoid your pet developing an undesirable doggy odor, then you should come up with and stick to a regular grooming schedule. With that said, some dog breeds are lucky enough not to be prone to any pet odor, and the same can be said for the Bichon Frise. Because they don’t shed as much, they’re less likely to develop dandruff.
