In truth, however, the word “Bichon” (French for “small long-haired dog”) has been in use since 1588 in comparison to “Barbichon” (“small poodle”), which was used in 1694. The time of usage of these two terms as well as historical documents purporting the breed to have originated in the 15th century is proof enough that the Bichons, of which the Bichon Frise is a member, is a much older breed than the Barbichons.

Because of their cheerful temperaments, the Bichon has been a favorite companion of European sailors, and have been used as barter as they traveled from country to country. Initially popular in Spain, it is reported that Spanish sailors introduced the breed to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. During this time, the dog was either called “Tenerife” or “Bichon”. Italian tradesmen then rediscovered the breed and brought the dogs back with them to Italy during the Renaissance period, wherein they became the favorites of Italian royalty. Many paintings of Bichons during this era depicted the plucky little dog with a lion-style haircut.

Thanks to an exchange of cultural ideas, the popularity of the little dog even reached France. In fact, it was said that King Henry III became so enamored of his Bichon that he would carry his pet around in a small basket adorned with ribbons tied around his neck. The Breed was a particular favorite among the Infantas of Spain. Even Spanish painters loved to put a Bichon or two in their paintings. Some of the masterpieces of famous Spanish artist Francisco de Goya featured the Bichon.

Renewed interest in the Bichon was sparked during the reign of Napoleon III. However, by the late 19th century, interest in the dog has waned considerably, so that the Bichon has been reduced to a common stray. Even then, Barbary organ grinders saw the intelligence in the little dog and have used them to perform tricks to the delight of passers by and crowds. The Bichon has even earned the reputation of being one of the earliest “seeing eye” dogs.

In March 5, 1933, the Société Centrale Canine adopted the official standard of the breed, thanks in part to the tremendous success of the “Tintin” books, which featured a Bichon named Milou. Because it was still being called as “Tenerife” or “Bichon” during this time, the President of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale decided to end the matter by giving the breed its official name based on its white curly coat – Bichon Frise. By October 18, 1934, the Bichon Frise was admitted into the Société Centrale Canine’s stud book.

Despite the breed’s popularity in Europe and Australia, it took some time before the Bichon Frise was recognized in the United States. Despites its introduction in 1955, the Bichon Frise was only admitted into the American Kennel Club Stud Book in October 1972.

The story of the origins of the Bichon Frise is testament to the breed’s hardiness through time. Indeed, this cheerful little dog has carved its own niche in the annals of human history.

In these cases, they build quaint dog houses for their pets so that they would have shelter from the heat, cold and rain.

Some pet owners, however, love their dogs so much that they would want their pets to be with them at all times. Because they are considered as members of the family, they are treated with as much love and affection as their children. This is especially true for the Bichon Frise, with its loving and cheerful disposition. It is not surprising, therefore, that owners would want to pamper their beloved Bichons, and one way they do this is by splurging on luxury dog beds. Dog beds come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and all come with a guarantee that your pet will have a good night’s sleep fitting of a king or a queen.

Designer Luxury Dog Beds

The rich and famous want only the best for their pets, and what better way to show their love to their favorite Bichon than by buying designer luxury dog beds. These are no ordinary beds. They have been designed by the top designers from leading fashion houses all over the world, including Louis Vuitton and Burberry. Some exclusive furniture shops design dog beds that will match beds and other furnishings in the home.

To be able to see the designer luxury dog beds that are available, you would need to do a search via Google or Yahoo! These search engines will take you to exclusive retailers which have online catalogs. These catalogs contain images of every style of luxury dog beds in the market today. Some beds come in the shape of a sofa, a chaise or even a real bed made out of the sturdiest hardwoods.

However, there is a catch to buying designer luxury dog beds. Since you are buying the brand, be prepared to shell out more money.

Custom Luxury Dog Beds

A cheaper option to designer dog beds is a custom luxury dog bed. Some furniture companies will take orders for custom dog beds. All you have to do is to give them the design and the measurements and specifications of the bed. Or you can browse through their catalogs for the designs that they have available and then make adjustments in terms of materials to be used, type of padding for the bed, and color. What is important is to buy a bed that will meet your pet’s needs as well as match its personality.

Luxury dog beds can be a very expensive venture. But you can go online and check dog bed retailers for well-made products that are within your budget. If you truly want to pamper your Bichon Frise, be prepared to spend. In the long run, not only will your dog be happy about its bed, you too will be very satisfied that you have provided your pet the best that you have to offer.

Where To Look

It is very important to find a vet for your puppy before you bring it home from the breeder or immediately after. You can easily find a vet in the Yellow Pages or you can ask for recommendations from friends and colleagues. Other good sources of information include pet store owners, pet daycare centers and pet groomers. Consider factors such as distance from your home (the vet closest to you would be the best) and veterinarian fees. Some vets charge exorbitant fees which may put a drain on your wallet.

Some breeders are affiliated with veterinary clinics. If your puppy’s first shots were given at a particular clinic, you might want to continue availing of their services. The advantage of this is that the vet already knows the puppy, having had interactions with it already during its stay at the breeder’s. You might also want to get more information from professional dog organizations like the American Kennel Club and especially the Bichon Frise Club of America. These dog groups have directories of veterinarians per state.

If you are particular about the vet that you want, you might want to consider an animal doctor that has a subspecialty in Bichon Frises. These veterinarians treat only Bichons, so that they are well-informed about diseases that afflict this particular breed. There is a catch, however, to choosing a Bichon Frise specialist. Just like doctors who specialize in Pediatrics, Surgery or OB-Gyne, their fees would definitely be more expensive in comparison to vets in general practice.

Selecting a Vet

Make a list of all the veterinarians to whom you are considering entrusting your puppy’s health to. Call them up at their clinic and make your first appointment. Bring with you a list of questions that you would want to ask. Don’t forget to bring along your Bichon, as you would need to see how it would react and interact with the vet and his or her staff. If your Bichon seems to be wary and distrustful of the vet at first meeting, you might want to consider someone else.

Once you have found a good veterinarian for your Bichon Frise puppy, ask for his or her contact information. You will need to know how to contact them immediately in cases of emergencies. Don’t forget also to inquire about home service.

Some have even incorporated pop psychology into making this choice, believing that the personality differences between male and female Bichons are the same as in male and female human beings – with the boys being more aggressive and the girls more meek and subservient. Nothing can be further than the truth. In fact, female Bichons have been found to have an aggressive streak when it comes to protecting their young.

The decision on purchasing a male or a female puppy is an important family matter that needs to be talked about. Since your new Bichon Frise will practically become a member of your family, you should weigh in everyone’s feelings and opinions. To help everyone make an informed choice, you can do some research on the web or read books on the subject matter. If you are visiting the breeder from whom you will buy the puppy, you can ask his or her opinions as well. Chances are, however, in the end, you will have to make the decision based on yours and your family’s opinions since there are no solid facts to back up which gender of Bichon Frise puppy is better.

Points To Consider When Choosing Puppy Gender

There are certain points that you need to consider when selecting a specific gender of Bichon Frise puppy. First consideration is if you own another Bichon dog. If your dog happens to be a male, getting another male may prove problematic because of their natural instincts to protect their territory. This is a dilemma you will rarely experience if you have two female pups. While you may consider pairing your male with a female puppy, you also have to think about whether you would want to have puppies from their union or not in the future.

Another consideration is house training. While female Bichons seem to be easy to house train compared to males, they tend to forget what they’ve learned just as easily. Any training done on a male puppy tends to sink in much longer, and even permanently. If you are concerned about any potential messes inside your house, better go for a male puppy.

If you don’t have any plans of additional puppies from your male and female Bichon in the foreseeable future, it is strongly advisable to have them spayed and neutered. To protect the purity of the line, some breeders require that pet owners sign a contract on having the puppy spayed or neutered before bringing it home. Spaying and neutering has the added benefits of increased longevity and better health.

Eventually, making the choice of which gender of Bichon Frise puppy to buy will fall on you. Ask the breeder if you can play for a bit with both the male and female puppies. It would be best to get to know the pups so you choose which one has the best personality that would jive with your family.

However, there is a lot more involved in choosing that right Bichon Frise puppy. Because it will become a part of your family, you need to get all the information that is available to make sure that you have made the right choice. In the case of Bichon Frises, the main reason why people want these dogs for pets is because they are cute and adorable, resembling stuffed toys. A plus for the breed is their cheerful temperament. Dog lovers who suffer from allergies have found the perfect pet for them in the light-shedding Bichon.

Once you have you heart set on getting a Bichon Frise, the next step is to choose the right puppy for you.

How to Make the Right Choice

If you are at the breeder’s and you find yourself confronted by many adorable, eager, happy faces, how can you possibly choose just one when you want to take the entire litter home with you? Is there a way to determine which pup is the one for you? There are several books and articles in magazines and websites that could guide you in making an informed decision.

Many newbie pet owners make the big mistake of letting the Bichon Frise puppies choose them. While it may be taken as a sign of exuberance and being sociable if the puppy approaches you directly, it may also be indicative of aggressive behavior in the future. Give every puppy – including the shy ones – a shot. Play with them a bit and see how they react to you.

It is also important to observe how the whole litter acts. Litters acting shyly or aggressively may be indicative of inexperience in a breeder especially with regards to Bichon Frise temperament. For a Bichon pup to be a happy furball, its parents should also possess an exuberant nature. In some cases, the Bichon breeder has not allotted times for socializing the pups with humans and other dogs, so that the puppies are aloof and aggressive. The worst case scenario is that the breeder is abusive of the dogs and puppies in his or her care.

One of the best ways to choose a Bichon puppy is by spending quality time with each pup in the litter. This will enable you to determine the personality that a puppy has. Wave your keys or a toy at it. Foes the puppy sniff it and reach out for it or does it shy away? Does it wag its tail or is it tucked between its legs? An inquisitive pup with a wagging tail is a sign of a good disposition.

Some may have been recommended by your veterinarian, pet store, or close associates. You may have done additional research on the breed to help you in determining a good breeder.

Once you have your list, you can start scheduling appointments with each breeder. Take the time to jot down questions that you would like to ask the breeder. Make sure that you schedule at the most two breeders in a day – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. You need a lot of time not only for the interviews, but also to tour their kennels and other facilities. It may take two or three visits, before you are sure that a breeder is the right one for you.

Here is a checklist of things to take note of during your visit to a Bichon Frise breeder…

1) Where the puppies are being kept = Is it a special building or just inside the house? Are the cages clean? Do the facilities allow for socializing between the puppies and humans, as well as with other dogs?

2) Temperaments of the puppies = Are they happy and cheerful? Do they yap and wag their tails, or even stand up against a wall of the cage in greeting? Or are they shy, aloof, or even wary? Puppies that withdraw from human contact or cower in their cages may be a sign that the breeder has not been applying the right socialization techniques or may be even committing animal abuse.

3) Ask to see the mother = Reputable breeders should be very happy for you to meet the mother. It should be healthy and have a good temperament.

4) Take note of the facilities = There should be adequate space for play. Some breeding facilities even have space where the puppies can relieve themselves. The kennels should also be very clean. Be wary if the breeder hesitates to give you the full tour.

5) Inquire about veterinarian services that they are affiliated with = Inspect the records of check-ups and vaccinations of the puppies.

6) Test the breeder’s knowledge = A good breeder specifically should know the breeding schedules of their female dogs and other information pertaining to the breeding process.

7) Take note if the breeder invites you back = Most reputable breeders would like potential pet owners to get acquainted with their puppies first. This will enable you to find the puppy that is right for you. This will also help the breeder to determine if you will be a responsible pet owner.

Once you have made the decision to buy a puppy, make sure that all the papers – contracts and pedigree documents – are in order before you sign on the dotted line.

Remember, however, that your journey toward being a full-fledged Bichon Frise owner does not end with finding the right breeder. Once you have acquired the puppy of your dreams from a breeder, all the responsibilities for its care and well-being now fall upon your shoulders.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know the qualities of a good Bichon Frise breeder. Some only seek breeding facilities that are within their local area, but are not particularly concerned about the conditions of the kennels and the qualities of the breeder’s services. Many have even been duped into buying hybrids from unscrupulous breeders and puppy mills. Other breeders are just simply “running a business”. These individuals know very little about the dogs in their kennels and, instead, mouth off facts from Wikipedia to make themselves appear knowledgeable.

If you want to have a genuine Bichon Frise puppy, you must go the extra mile to find a certified breeder. Take note that these breeders are the first human beings that the puppies have been in contact with. Most reputable breeders will not sell you a puppy until it has already become familiar with both people and other dogs and has started to socialize. Also, because of the fact that they know the personalities of each puppy, they can help you in determining which pup would be best for you. Of course, he or she should also understand if you do not accept their recommendations.

Utilizing All Information Resources

The advent of the Internet has made it possible for you to find the perfect Bichon Frise puppy breeder. Use search engines like Google or Yahoo to find breeders in your locality. There are also Bichon Frise specialty websites that have lists of breeders. However, some of these breeders may have paid the site to get the advertisement, so make sure that you personally interview these breeders and check out their facilities.

If you are pretty “low tech”, you can also find potential breeders in the Yellow Pages. Simply give them a call and schedule an appointment to visit their kennels.

One sure way to find certified breeders is through professional dog organizations like the American Kennel Club and the Bichon Frise Club of America, both of which can be contacted by phone or email. You may also want to check for any Bichon Frise clubs in your area. Some of these clubs have breeders among their members.

You can also find quality breeders by attending dog shows, sponsored by leading dog organizations. Some of the pet owners and event organizers may recommend a breeder or two. You might even be lucky and actually meet a breeder attending the show or has a dog in competition. You can also try your luck with veterinarians and pet daycare centers.

After you have compiled a list of breeders, make sure that you meet with them and inspect their facilities. By making the extra effort, you are sure to find that Bichon Frise puppy you’ve long dreamed of.

While meticulous breeding methods and genetic testing has minimized the risk of inherited disease, it is still very important to get the medical history of the parent Bichons because, chances are, your pet may be susceptible to certain diseases which its parents have been afflicted with in the past. This would include infectious diseases and other conditions, such as skin, eye and ear diseases, epilepsy, hip and joint problems, and heart disease. Also, don’t forget that the aging process brings with it certain diseases as well, such as weakening of the bones and poor eyesight and hearing.

Bichon Frises have always been prone to skin infections caused by bites of fleas and ticks, or through irritation caused by dirt. To avoid the development of skin problems, brush its coat regularly and give it a bath at the most once a month.

Watch Out for Allergies

It is ironic that the Bichon Frise is considered an ideal pet for people suffering from hypersensitivity reactions (since they are light shedders) when the breed itself is notorious for allergy problems. Because of certain anatomical features – such as their large eyes, short tear ducts, and slightly protruding noses – the Bichon Frise is susceptible to allergens like molds, pollen and dust mites, which may lead to watery eyes, ear infections, runny noses, and breathing difficulties in severe cases. Some Bichons may develop food allergies, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting.

If your pet presents with allergy symptoms or other signs of disease, bring it to your vet immediately for a thorough check-up. Never attempt to treat your pet yourself. While at the vet, take the opportunity to avail of any vaccinations that your Bichon might need. Since veterinarian care can be pretty expensive, you can purchase health insurance for your pets. This will cover any medical expenses incurred for your dog’s treatment.

Bichon Frises are susceptible to dry skin, which may cause itchiness, scratching and even biting behaviors in your pet. While some pet owners advise the application of lotions like Jergens, always consult first with your vet. Most lotions in the market are formulated for thick human skin and not the thin, furry skins of dogs. Your vet is sure to know the best skin product to use on your pet. You can also make similar inquiries with the breeder you bought your dog from.

If you have not yet found a vet for your dog, make a list of veterinarian clinics in your local area and check out the services that they have to offer. It is advisable to go for a vet that provides home service in the event that you are afraid to move your Bichon if it gets very sick or seriously injured.

If you are familiar with pedigree dogs, you would probably observe that there is a haughty, snooty air to them, as a result of their being pampered, high class breeds. They definitely exude an aura of class.

While considered a pedigree dog, Bichon Frises are good-natured, cheerful and energetic little pets that crave love and affection. Take a look at images of Bichons on the web. All the dogs in the pictures have sweet smiles on their faces. Who wouldn’t want to have such a cute furball for a pet?

Know Your Bichon Frise’s Personality

Bichon Frises have long held the reputation of being natural companions. This means that they tend to form firm attachments toward their owner and become a bit clingy. Everywhere you go, your Bichon is sure to follow. If you’re going to watch TV, you will suddenly find your pet jumping onto your lap and curling up to take a nap. If you’re not quick enough to close the bathroom door, you will discover a furry peeping tom peeking at you through your shower curtains or grinning up at you while you answer the call of nature. In all of these cases, just give them a smile and a pat on the head. Unlike other dog breeds, Bichons are very sensitive to your moods, and would go out of their way to cheer you up. It is also because of this sensitivity that Bichons do not respond well to harsh scolding and yelling. Hurting their feelings will only lead to the development of unsavory defensive and/or aggressive behaviors.

One characteristic of a Bichon Frise is its strong independent-mindedness. There will be times when your pet will try to assert itself as the boss of your home. When this happens, you should be firm with it and strongly establish yourself as the “alpha dog”. Again, never yell at it or hurt it. This way, your pet will know its limits without it developing feelings of resentment toward you. Don’t extend punishments, such as the silent treatment, for long periods of time. Give it some playtime, so that your pet will understand that you have forgiven it.

A Bichon Frise is also a sociable animal, curious of new people and new places. While keeping them on a leash so that they don’t run off, take them to the park or other places they are sure to enjoy. You can also bring them to doggie daycare in order for them to meet other dogs.

Although these are the general traits of Bichon Frises, it is important to remember that no two Bichons have the same personality. Do some research on other character traits to expect in your pet. More importantly, get to know your Bichon personally by observing the subtle nuances in its behavior.

A special gift for you Bichon need not be an expensive new toy which it will most definitely chew to bits. You can prepare a yummy homemade treat for your pet, which they will be sure to enjoy.

Here are some recipes for tasty holiday treats that will have your Bichon’s sweet tooth tingling…

1) Chilled Creamy Banana Delight

• Blend together 1 large container of vanilla yogurt, 1 banana, and 3/4 cup water until you have a smoothie.

• Pour into small cups. Cover and freeze.

• Before serving, let it thaw so that your dog won’t have to crunch through it. The best time to serve is when your pet is hot and thirsty after playing or training.

2) Dog Nog

• Crack one egg and completely separate the egg white from the yolk. Dogs have difficulty in digesting albumin.

• Blend together the egg yolk and 1 tbsp sugar.

• Add 1 cup of milk. Stir and blend very well.

• Serve immediately.

3) Tasty Doggie Bowl

• In the dog’s bowl, mix equal portions of dry or wet dog food with crumbled dog treats.

• Top with peanut butter spread evenly over the mixture.

• If your dog loves cold treats, let it chill first in the fridge for 10 minutes.

4) Banana and Peanut Butter Frosting

• Mash 1 1/2 bananas until creamy in consistency.

• Add 6 tbsp peanut butter and 1/2 tbsp brown sugar.

• Stir and blend well together.

• Use the frosting as a tasty extra on milk bones and other doggie treats.

Take note though that these treats can be fattening if you give your Bichon too much. Practice moderation also when giving your dog tasty holiday treats.