Just curious. I'm wondering what a Bichon's temperment is like. Of course I've read on the internet about them, but I'm wondering if anyone here has personal experience with one. Thanks.
.

Hello - I feel qualified to answer your question as I have owned several Bichons, currently have 3, and have been active in a large world-wide group of bichonlovers for 11 years.

Bichons are terrific little dogs in the right home/environment and nighmares in the wrong home. They tend to be very needy: high coat maintenance, high need for attention, and yes, they need exercise even tho' they look like they'd just like to loll around on the sofa looking adorable
.


Bichon puppies are notorious for being difficult to housetrain, if not given a lot of time/attention.

Bichon health issues include: juvenile cataracts in pet store lines, bladder issues, skin allergies, allergies to many foods, patellar luxation in knees.

The curly coat requires brushing often to keep it tangle free, and clipping every 4 to 6 weeks.

Despite what you read on the internet, Bichons are not all 10 pounds and adorable. Some weigh as much as 25 lbs, and can be a bit homely if from poor bloodlines. The lack of black pigmentation on the eyes, nose, lips, and paw pads seems to lend itself to health issues. "Pink" Bichons are just poor quality bichons tho' often tauted as 'designer'. Nope, no way ...

Other than that, Bichons are FABulous doggies. With proper handling, they can be as charming as a pet can be, sweet as sugar, and awesome companion dogs. I can't imagine our lives without as least one (2 is my ideal) ... but we also center our life our them and their significant needs.

Check out somephotos taken at our home this weekend when a group of 223 Bichons came for a full weekend of fluff fun!
.


Good luck.

'Joyous' Gaile Avent, Editor
Bichon Frise Information Station

.

Thanks!

Those pictures on your web site are absolutely adorable! Egads, it's a throng of the little cuties!!! LOL

I saw a link on your site to an animal communicator. I met one here where I live a couple of weeks ago and she is pretty amazing.

Thanks again. Enjoy your babies.

>Thanks!

You are most welcome

>Those pictures on your web site are absolutely adorable! Egads, it's a throng >of the little cuties!!! LOL

Yes, it was quite a weekend of Fluff Immersion Therapy for about 300 people who joined in on the fun and frolic. Much laugher, huge smiles, some tears, and wonderful comraderie amongst all except one lone sourpuss woman. How can anyone own a Bichon and remain miserable?

>I saw a link on your site to an animal communicator. I met one here where >I live a couple of weeks ago and she is pretty amazing.

Responses on the feedback survey on the Bash has been coming in and people were incredulous over the things she knew about their dogs. Very popular presenter.

>Thanks again. Enjoy your babies.

My pleasure. The 3 Bichons and 2 poodles are right here at my feet waiting for their doggie soup for lunch. (Soupy liquid snacks helps flush bladders which reduces the chance of crystals and stones. We haven't had any UTI's since I started giving them slurpy snack at lunchtime.
.
)

bichon waves,
'Joyous' Gaile Avent, Editor
Bichon Frise Information Station

.

Yes I have a Bichon Frise. I have had many different breeds who have all been wonderful, but nothing can compare to a Bichon Frise. They radiate love and loyality. They are so funny too, they look like little fluffy clowns doing some of their tricks which they are so good at. I am looking for another, they say that Bichon's are like potatoe chips, you just can't have one. My daughter gave her to me for Christmas and it was the best gift I have ever received. They love everyone, humans and other animals, and everyone loves them.

with interest.

I agree they are cute. Can someone answer these questions?

Do you think this breed would accept two grown cats in the household already?
When our old 19 yr old imperious cat passes (may be soon), I'd like to
get a small dog. The other two cats are very nice, not mean, but they are afraid of customary dogs. If introduced to a small puppy, I think they will accept the pup. (but not my old cat--- and I wouldn't stress her that way in her golden last months anyway).

I used to make medicines for a Bichon. Her owner would bring the dog in to see me occasionally. It was pretty old by then, I think at least 13 and had bad teeth. My job was to make metronidazole liquid for him/her.

We have outdoor property in the summer, and any small dog we finally settle upon has to deal with the outdoors. Do Bichon's like the outdoors? I don't need a swimmer or anything dramatic, but a happy engaged dog would be nice. (like a cocker) We live on a small private island.

Do Bichon's bark alot? are they overly nervous? The one I mentioned above was not much of a barker. We live in the city, but have a 1/2 acre fenced in yard, with lots of wildlife (sort of an oasis in the city). I don't want a large dog that barks alot. (upset the neighbors etc). That is why we have had cats...they are silent.

These appear to be really cute dogs. I like the bright eyes, and general happiness they seem to exude and bring out in people. The Bichon I took care of was a nice dog. We have been researching dogs, and a cockerpoo is the closest I can come. The new Golden crosses with Poodles , look good too.

I want a dog that is happy, fun, and bright. We spend alot of time with our pets, and our cats are almost like dogs..they understand language, go for walks with us, and are very interactive. I don't mind spending extra time with a dog, and can do it well, to get the interaction we enjoy.

Any further comments are really welcome. I feel lost sometimes in our search for a type of dog to fit in with our lifestyle.

Do you think this breed would accept two grown cats in the household already?

Totally dependent on the Bichon and the handling. We had Bichons and a cat for many years, with total peace and tranquility. We also have fostered many Bichons for Bichon Rescue
.
(
.
) with no problems once it was explained to the newcomer Bichon/s that the cat is off limits.

Bichons tend to be VERY intelligent - sometimes toooo intelligent for their own good ha ha! ... and finesse their way around their owners .. and become spoiled little brats. Not a good way to be societally accepted.


>When our old 19 yr old imperious cat passes (may be soon), I'd like to
>get a small dog. The other two cats are very nice, not mean, but they are >afraid of customary dogs. If introduced to a small puppy, I think they will >accept the pup. (but not my old cat--- and I wouldn't stress her that way in >her golden last months anyway).

Clearly you have a good & considerate heart for animals. Thank you!


>I used to make medicines for a Bichon. Her owner would bring the dog in >to see me occasionally. It was pretty old by then, I think at least 13 and >had bad teeth. My job was to make metronidazole liquid for him/her.

If it was an ongoing use of Flagyl, I'd guess inflammatory bowel disease.


>We have outdoor property in the summer, and any small dog we finally > settle upon has to deal with the outdoors. Do Bichon's like the outdoors?

Again, individual to the bichon. We live on a farm, and our dogs ... and all our fosters have LOVED the opportunity to be outside on our fenced lawn, and going for long walkies in the fields and woods. Add'ly they are MUCH healthier than dogs allowed to live just inside.

Further, your outdoor lifestyle is a good reason to adopt only an adult - so you can be sure it doesn't have allergies. So many pups are bred of allergic parents, but pup buyers won't know the genetically likked problems, 'til they are well into the problem with their young dog.

>Do Bichon's bark alot? are they overly nervous?
Broken record here ... personal to each dog. Factors include genetics, handling and environment. We have 3 'chons right now and we foster bichons for
.
. One of ours is an awful barker, one only a few barks when a guest arrives, and the 3rd seldom opens his mouth but puts his excitement into physical expenditure.

>These appear to be really cute dogs. I like the bright eyes, and general >happiness they seem to exude and bring out in people. The Bichon I took >care of was a nice dog.

They can be absolutely adorable if their coat is kept up properly (and matted nightmares if it isn't). The breed standard calls for a jolly, happy disposition. However, we are seeing more and more shyness and agression issues in pet stores pups.

>We have been researching dogs, and a cockerpoo is the closest I can >come. The new Golden crosses with Poodles , look good too.

Mixes can be awesome, and they can be awful. Depends on which attributes of the parents they have taken on.


>I want a dog that is happy, fun, and bright. We spend alot of time with our >pets, and our cats are almost like dogs..they understand language, go for >walks with us, and are very interactive. I don't mind spending extra time >with a dog, and can do it well, to get the interaction we enjoy.

If you can handle the grooming necessities, and acquire one from a reputable rescue or breeder, you sound like a great potential Bichon owner
.


>Any further comments are really welcome. I feel lost sometimes in our > search for a type of dog to fit in with our lifestyle.

I commend you for doing your research before going out and impulsively purchasing a 'cute' puppy. My fellow rescue volunteer fosterers and I could write an entire set of books about what to do and not to do when acquiring a pet.

kindly, 'Joyous' Gaile Avent, Editor
Bichon Frise Information Station

.

The search continues!

We started almost 2 yrs ago when the vet said our matriarch cat would be gone soon. She is still with us, and going strong. So there is time yet!

Thanks for the insightful comments. I feel it is a big job, picking a dog.
I grew up with a cocker, my husband with dachshund, so I guess we will still look and stay "small". But we have had cats exclusively for the past 40 yrs.

I appreciate the comments as well.

I'm in sort of the same situation as Mrs. D. I have 4 cats, but one of them is my senior citizen cat. I'll not have a dog as long as she is around. I'm afraid it would upset her too much and she's a fragile little old lady as it is.

The other 3 cats would adjust...eventually. And they are all fairly young. Well, 2 of them are about 6 years old and the newest addition was born in February.

My daughter's mini dach is the NOISIEST dog on earth, I swear to God!!! If you were trying to hide a pet, he would not be the pet you would want. He barks at the TV, the cars going by, anything and everything. Sometimes it is nearly unbearable, his constant barking. But then when he is quiet, he is so darned cute and snuggly.

However...one night while walking Otto I met another woman walking 2 mini dachs. She said her female was nice and quiet but her male was very bark'y'. So, who knows!

I never buy in pet stores, refuse to. My animals are always rescues.

Well, whoever you get, Mrs. D, is gonna be one lucky little doggie in my opinion.
.

Hi Doody!

You may have read in the pet bereavement thread posted by Ali, that I had to have my 15-1/2 year old Bichon, Susan, put to sleep Monday. The grief and emptyness is almost unbearable. I live alone and in a wheelchair due to advanced MS and fibromyalgia so she will be my last pet since I can no longer care for them properly. She was my loving, faithful friend for so many years, my house feels as empty as the hole in my heart.

A friend had given her to me when she was just three, already housebroken, no puppy chewing, etc. He hadn't socialized her too much so she was a little leery at first going for walks, but grew to love being outside. My friend's wife had purchased her from a reputable breeder and a year later, the wife died. He was good to Susan, but you know for some men, a little, white fluffy dog just doesn't cut it and he realized how much Susan and I loved each other right off the bat.

At first I was a little nervous about her being around my grandchildren, but she was always fine with them. Of course I didn't let them play rough with her, put their faces too close, etc., and DEFINITELY kept them away from her food!!! That was the only time whe showed agression.

She was groomed about every two months since I couldn't do it myself. The last three times I had a service come to the house called Zoomin Groomin. They have a self-contained truck made up like a grooming salon and they do the whole thing in your driveway. It was great after I could no longer drive to take her to the groomer.

Intelligent???? You bet!!! She understood just about everything I said to her. Let's "read the mail" and she'd head for the sofa in the living room -- "do email" and down the hall to the study she'd go -- bathroom, car, outside, supper, etc. If she couldn't go with me in the car for some reason, I'd tell her the "sad" story that she had to stay here and I'd be back in a little while. Well, she was so insulted, she wouldn't even look at me, but every time I came back, she was watching from a low/small window by my front door.

She always had some allergy problems -- biting/licking her front paws but otherwise was very healthy. At the end she was anemic, her kidneys were failing which led to congestive heart failure. Such a gut-wrenching decision to have her put to sleep, but I didn't want her to suffer any more and keep her alive just for me. Her quality of life went downhill very fast her last two weeks. When I get her ashes back, I've instructed my adult "kids" when my time comes, I'd like her ashes put in with me. I know that's not really her, but then it won't really be me either. It's a comforting thought now though.

As to size, Susan was a little bigger than some Bichons. Of course whe was spayed since she wouldn't be bred and she did get up to 26 pounds. The day she died, she weighed 20 lbs. and there certainly wasn't any fat on her then. Actually, the bigger size was better around kids, not as fragile.

Gaile: I love your website, Bichon Information Station!!! I've had it bookmarked for years. All your rescue work is just wonderful and I so wish I was healthy enough to foster. I've found the petloss site comforting too. It's associated with Best Friends Animal Society in Utah to which I've donated for years. Keep up the good work!! By the way, do you think those "animal communicators" are for real? Just curious! I do appreciate the Rainbow Bridge especially now and personally believe it's true.

Susan was never a "yapper". She would bark a little if someone came to the door (or she saw another dog walk by), but once the person was in the house, she'd just kiss them to death! In her old age she seemed to forget she was housebroken, but finding out she had a kidney problem explained that. She was always with me and knew enough to stay back from my powerchair. On my "bad days" she seemed to sense my pain and stayed extra close. Funny, on those days, she'd bite her leg joints more too. She did have some arthritis but it didn't keep her down.

I'd love to have another one if possible, but not for awhile since none of them would compare to Susan right now. Hoping time will be a great healer.....and yes, I would recommend getting a GOOD one as a pet as long as you're willing to spend lots of time with her/him. They don't like being alone!

Good luck to you in your search for your perfect companion. Hope this helps! Take care........