Are Bichons Frise hypoallergenic?

Yes, Bichons Frise are often considered hypoallergenic dogs because they don’t shed much and don’t produce a lot of dander. But know that no dog breed is truly, 100% hypoallergenic, as all dogs produce allergens in their urine, skin, and saliva. But Bichons could be a good match for certain people with dog allergies.

How long do Bichons Frise live?

The Bichon Frise lifespan is 14–15 years.

Do Bichons Frise bark?

All dogs bark, but Bichons Frise aren’t as barky as some other dogs (like the Chihuahua , for example). Bichons may bark because they’re happy to see you or want your attention. If your dog is barking excessively, they might be trying to tell you that they’re bored and need more exercise or mental stimulation .

Are Bichons Frise smart?

Yes! Bichons Frise are incredibly smart dogs and adept at learning new tricks.

How do you pronounce Bichon Frise?

Bichon Frise pronunciation isn’t as hard as it seems, though it can be confusing, especially if you don’t speak French. The name comes from a French phrase meaning “curly–haired dog.” Bichon Frise is pronounced BEE–shahn FREE–zay.

Should I buy a teacup Bichon Frise or a mini Bichon Frise?

No. Bichons Frise are already very tiny dogs, and breeding them to be even smaller isn’t healthy . Do not work with any breeder who claims to sell teacup Bichons Frise or mini Bichons Frise.

Is there such a thing as a brown Bichon Frise or a black Bichon Frise?

Nope! If you come across a black or brown Bichon, chances are that you’ve just made the acquaintance of the very adorable Poochon, a Bichon–Poodle mix.

Bichon Frise

Updated July 29, 2025

It’s easy to picture a Bichon Frise hiding in a sea of stuffed animals—they’re the poofy white one you could mistake for a plushie. But there’s more to them than their cute exterior: Bichons are intelligent, loyal companions who enjoy exercising, learning new tricks, and standing beside their favorite person (that’s you).

Temperament

Adoring, Sidekick, Smart

Weight

12–18 pounds

Height

9.5–11.5 inches

Life Expectancy

14–15 years

Maintenance Level

Friendliness

Coat Color

White

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A Bichon Frise is your No. 1 fan. Seriously. They think everything you do is the most interesting thing in the world—even if it’s just pouring cereal. (Nobody does it better!)

These tiny pups are proud of their status as Velcro dogs, so expect a little less privacy when you adopt one of these nuggets. (It’s totally worth it.) In return, you’ll get a loyal, lively friend who is basically your personal cheerleading squad—but do them a favor and be their biggest fan, too.

Bichons Frise are great at learning tricks, and if you shower them with praise and affection, they’ll be the happiest pup on the planet.

Bichon Frise Characteristics

Remember: Dogs are individuals and not all dogs, even those of the same breed, will exhibit all the same qualities.

Exercise Needs

Health Issues

Grooming Needs

Training Needs

Shedding Level

Friendliness

Playfulness

Energy Level

Good for Apartments and Small Homes

Sensitive to Cold Weather

Sensitive to Warm Weather

Good for First-Time Pet Parents

Bichon Frise Appearance

Known for their white “powder puff” coat and curious expression, the Bichon Frise dog breed looks like a little white teddy bear. Their long tail curls over their back, and their deep, dark eyes reflect their intelligent nature.

Ears
Bichon Frise ears have long fur and are dropped (meaning they lie next to the head instead of standing up in the air).
Eyes
Their round eyes are black or dark brown.
Nose
A Bichon’s black nose stands out against their white hair.
Coat Length
Bichons are double-coated pups with medium-length fur. Their undercoat is soft and dense, while the outer coat is curlier and coarser. This gives the dog a “plushie” feel, and the coat springs back when patted.
Coat Color
Their coat is white and may have apricot, buff, or cream shadings.
Tail
They have a plumed tail that arches over and rests on the back.

Bichon Frise Temperament

If the movie biz was composed entirely of canines, the Bichon Frise would win a People’s Choice Award. Their charming personality effortlessly captures everyone’s attention.

Smart with plenty of emotional intelligence, a Bichon can get along well with all types of people—especially when they’re trained and socialized at an early age. They’ll probably be gentle companions for kids, and don’t be surprised to find them having a romp in the yard with your toddler. It’ll be hard to tell who loves who more.

Because Bichons Frise love people so much, they’d really prefer if you never left the house. OK, just kidding, but they don’t like to be alone for long and need someone around during the day. If taking them to work isn’t an option, look into doggy daycare or a trusted pet sitter who can make sure they get in some walks and social activity.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Bichon Frise

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How to Care for a Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise dogs have a coat that, despite not shedding a lot, requires a lot of grooming time. They’ll also need exercise like every other dog breed, but they’re not exactly canine athletes.

They are, however, pros at learning new tricks, so they need a pet parent who can teach them the ropes—and cheer them on.

Your Bichon Frise has an adorable curly double coat, and they need you to help keep it free from mats.

Bathing: Bathe your dog every week or two, depending on how dirty they get. Brush them before bathtime, as any matting will be more difficult to untangle when it’s wet. Use cold air to dry your dog to protect their skin.
Brushing: Brush your Bichon’s hair every day with a slicker brush followed by a comb, like the Li’l Paws Double-Sided Comb. You’ll know you’re done when the comb can glide through your pup’s hair without sticking.
Clipping: Take your Bichon to a groomer about once a month for regular haircuts. Your groomer can help you choose a style, but the most popular Bichon Frise haircuts are:
- The teddy bear cut: The fur is the same length all over and rounded a bit on the head, giving your Bichon the trademark “teddy bear” look.
- The utility cut: Ideal for a low-maintenance pup, the hair is closer to the skin but longer on the ears.
- The lamb cut: Also called the puppy cut, this style has the fur trimmed a few inches from the skin; it’s longer on the head and tail.
Dental care: Help keep your pup’s teeth in shape by brushing them daily with a dog-safe toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Bichon Frise puppy is young, so they get used to the experience. Regular dental procedures are important as your vet recommends them, too.
Nail care: Trim their nails every four weeks—you’ll know it’s time when you hear them clicking on hard surfaces.

Bichons are born performers. They’re naturals at learning new tricks and will love to show them off.

However, they’re also very independent-minded and can get bored with basic cues like sit, stay, and come—but don’t give up. They’ll be more enthusiastic if you make training fun, like a game.

Always use positive reinforcement—praise, special training treats, and favorite dog toys—to keep your pup engaged. Start obedience training and socializing your Bichon Frise puppy as soon as possible.

As smart as Bichons are, potty training might be a challenge. This isn’t because they struggle with the concept, but because Bichons Frise (and their bladders) are so, so tiny.

Keep a strict schedule of frequent bathroom breaks while your puppy is learning. Potty training with pee pads is also a good option for this breed, as you can teach them to go on the pads inside and easily clean them up.

Crate training is a good idea for helping with potty training and separation anxiety. Remember: Bichons Frise don’t like to be left alone and, if left to their own devices for too long, might chew up your house. Ask your veterinarian or hire a certified dog trainer to help with training.

Doggy daycare, a pet sitter, or a dog walker can also be great options for when you’re gone several hours.

A Bichon Frise typically does well on high-quality, commercial dog food for small breeds. The best food for your specific Bichons Frise depends on your dog’s health and lifestyle, but the food should be compliant with AAFCO standards and made for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior).

You can even find breed-specific food for Bichons, like Royal Canin’s Breed Health Bichon Frise Dog Food. Ask your veterinarian if this formula is a good fit for your pup.

Your vet can also help you decide the how much to feed your dog and when. You may want to incorporate mental enrichment into your dog’s meal plan, dispensing treats or kibble through food toys or interactive treat balls.

Because Bichon Frise dogs are so small, every calorie counts—they need to get optimum nutrition with every meal. Remember that treats (even ones you use during training) count toward calories. Be mindful of how many treats you’re giving your dog; they should never make up more than 10% of a Bichon’s daily calories.

A Bichon Frise may never compete in a marathon (relatable, honestly), but they do still like to get in some movement every day.

They do well with short bouts of exercise throughout the day (about 30 minutes total). This may include walks around the neighborhood once or twice a day, a few low-key games of fetch, and some scent work in the backyard or at a nearby park. Some Bichons may even enjoy agility training.

Honestly, the Bichon Frise is just happy to be wherever you are. They’ll love a big house as long as they can easily find you. But they also do great as apartment dogs because they don’t need a ton of space, they don’t bark a lot, and they don’t need excessive exercise.

The ideal Bichon parent is someone who’s a homebody and can spend a lot of time with their pup—or someone who’s up for bringing their best friend everywhere (they’re delighted to accompany you to the hairdresser, to work, to the store, wherever—they’ll love it because you’re there!).

Bichon Frise Health

A typical Bichon Frise lifespan is 14–15 years. Here are some health issues to be aware of. 

Bladder stones: Bladder stones are common in Bichons. They’re very painful, so treat this as an emergency and get to your vet ASAP if you notice your dog peeing more often, having accidents, straining while peeing, or licking their genital area frequently. Treatment could be as simple as a change of diet, or it could be surgery.
Diabetes: Bichons Frise are more prone to developing diabetes mellitus. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, resulting in elevated blood-sugar levels. Diabetes can be managed with daily medication, injections, and a strict diet.
Eye issues: Bichons can develop a few different eye conditions.
- Cataracts are cloudy areas on the lens that hinder vision. They aren’t usually painful, but they can cause vision loss, so get a yearly eye test to catch them early. Surgery is the go-to treatment. 
- Distichiasis is when an eyelash grows inward toward the eye, causing irritation and pain. Surgery can treat severe cases. 
- Corneal dystrophy causes cloudiness in the outer layer of the eye and can be seen in Bichons as young as 2 years old. It’s inherited and doesn’t always require treatment. 
Luxating patella: Bichons can develop a luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of place. A bunny hop, skip, or limp could be symptoms. It may be treated with supplements and medications, if mild, though surgery may be necessary in severe cases.
Portosystemic shunt: Also called a liver shunt, a portosystemic shunt is when blood vessels circumvent the liver, preventing the organ from clearing the blood of toxins. Symptoms include behavioral changes (like head pressing or circling), poor appetite, eating strange things, vomiting, diarrhea, increased thirst or urination, weight loss, poor growth, and/or seizures. Surgery is often the best treatment.

Bichon Frise History

The Bichon Frise has a folkloric history that would make for a fascinating drama perfect for these little performers.

Their origins are shrouded in mystery—are they Egyptian? Maybe. Greco-Roman? Possibly. Adorable? Definitely. Regardless, a small white dog breed is believed to be the ancestor of the modern Bichon, according to the breed club.

What we do know is that this breed’s ancestors lived in Tenerife, on the Canary Islands. Around the 13th century, Bichons Frise were brought to the European mainland and were the delight of royal courts across the continent.

You often see them in Renaissance-era paintings, and King Henry III of France was so taken with the breed, he carried a few with him everywhere in a basket.

In the 18th century, as the aristocracy fell out of favor in many places, so did this sweet breed. They became famous for working with street performers, who adored their winning personality and quick-thinking intellect.

In 1956, Bichons made their way to California, where the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in 1964. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1973.

A Bichon Frise puppy can cost between $600–$1,000. If you choose this route, pick a responsible breeder.

You can also adopt a Bichon Frise, as there are many looking for their forever homes. Check with a Bichon Frise rescue, like the Bichon Rescue Brigade; keep an eye out for a Bichon Frise for adoption at your local shelter; or search Chewy’s database of adoptable dogs in your area. 

FAQs

This content was medically reviewed by Barri Morrison, DVM, Chewy veterinarian.

Similar in size and pet care needs as the Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise