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Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise

Playful, Cheerful, Affectionate

The Bichon Frise is a small-sized breed originally from France / Belgium, best known for being playful, Cheerful, Affectionate and good with Families. With moderate energy and regular grooming needs, this breed suits families and apartment dwellers alike looking for a playful companion.

Playful Companion
🙂Cheerful & Affectionate
👪Great with Families
🛡Hypoallergenic Coat
🏠Perfect Lap Dog

Bichon Frise Breed Score

91/100
★★★★★★★★★★
Family Life
95
Trainability
90
Intelligence
85
Apartment Living
95
Grooming Ease
70

How We Score ⓘ

🌍Origin
France / Belgium
🐾Breed Group
Non-Sporting Group
📏Size
Small
Height
9–12 in
Weight
12–18 lbs
Life Expectancy
12–15 years

Breed Ratings

👪

Family Friendly

★★★★★★★★★★
🧒

Good with Kids

★★★★★★★★★★
🐶

Good with Dogs

★★★★★★★★★★
🐱

Good with Cats

★★★★★★★★★★
🏢

Apartment Friendly

★★★★★★★★★★

Energy Level

★★★★★★★★★★
🧠

Intelligence

★★★★★★★★★★
🎓

Trainability

★★★★★★★★★★
🧴

Grooming Needs

★★★★★★★★★★
🧹

Shedding

★★★★★★★★★★
🔊

Barking Level

★★★★★★★★★★
🛡

Protective

★★★★★★★★★★

Affection Level

★★★★★★★★★★

Meet the Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise are playful and cheerful dogs that quickly become the heart of the household. Belonging to the Non-Sporting Group, they combine playful with a moderate energy level, making every day with them a little different — but always affectionate.

Where It All Began

The Bichon Frise traces its roots back to France / Belgium. Originally developed for a specific purpose within the Non-Sporting Group, the breed has since become a beloved companion around the world, prized for its playful and cheerful.

Personality

Playful Cheerful Affectionate Good with Families

🏃 An Active Lifestyle

This breed does well with regular, moderate exercise such as daily walks and playtime.

  • ✓ 30–45 minutes of exercise daily
  • ✓ Daily walks plus some playtime
  • ✓ Benefits from occasional training sessions

✂ Grooming Needs

Plan on frequent brushing and regular professional grooming to keep the coat healthy and mat-free.

  • ✓ Brushing 3-5x per week
  • ✓ Professional grooming every 4-6 weeks
  • ✓ Regular ear and eye cleaning

❤ Keeping Healthy

Like all breeds, the Bichon Frise benefits from routine vet checkups and preventive care; the conditions below are the ones responsible breeders and owners watch most closely.

  • • Dental Issues
  • • Patellar Luxation
  • • Ear Infections

$ Cost of Ownership

Estimated costs vary by breeder, location and individual dog; use these as a general planning guide.

Purchase Price: $800 – $2,500

Monthly Cost: $50 – $80

First Year Cost: $1,700 – $4,160

Lifetime Cost: $8,000 – $16,900

👍 Pros

  • Adapts well to apartment or condo living
  • Patient, gentle temperament around children
  • Minimal shedding, easier on allergy sufferers

👎 Cons

  • Requires regular grooming and coat maintenance
  • May not be the ideal first dog for a brand-new owner
  • Can be prone to separation anxiety if left alone too long

💡 Did You Know?

The Bichon Frise originally comes from France / Belgium and belongs to the Non-Sporting Group — a fitting background for a breed so often described as cheerful.

Compare Bichon Frise

See how the Bichon Frise stacks up against other breeds to find your perfect match.