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
PlayfulCheerfulAffectionateGood 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.