Information on AKC Bichon Frise Puppies
AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: Bichon Frise
A cheerful, happy dog, the Bichon Frise is small and sturdy with a dark-eyed inquisitive expression and a plumed tail it carries merrily over the back. The breed is often compared to a cotton ball due to its curled double coat, which consists of a textured outer coat and a silky undercoat. The coat must be white, but may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body.
A Look Back
The Bichon Frise appeared in the 13th century as a descendent from the Water Spaniel. Traded by Spanish sailors and transported from continent to continent, the breed eventually became a favorite of those in the 16th century French royal courts. The breed was also favored by the painters of the Spanish school, who often included them in their works. Although the breed’s colorful past includes use as a circus dog, today the Bichon is enjoyed primarily as a companion animal.
Right Breed for You?
The Bichon is a naturally gentle, playful dog. He loves activity and requires regular exercise. His hair grows continually and does not shed, so extensive grooming is a must to prevent mats. Bichons also tend to be a good breed for allergy sufferers.
If you are considering purchasing a Bichon Frise puppy, learn more here.
- Non-Sporting Group; AKC recognized in 1972.
- Ideal size between 9 ½ and 11 ½ inches tall at the shoulder.
- Companion.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Bichon Frise Breed Standard
General Appearance
The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, white powder puff of a dog whose merry
temperament is evidenced by his plumed tail carried jauntily over the back
and his dark-eyed inquisitive expression.
This is a breed that has no gross or incapacitating exaggerations and therefore
there is no inherent reason for lack of balance or unsound movement.
Any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to
the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable
in the Bichon Frise as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be
specifically mentioned in the standard.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size Dogs and bitches 9½ to 11½ inches are to be given
primary preference. Only where the comparative superiority of a specimen outside
this range clearly justifies it should greater latitude be taken. In no case,
however, should this latitude ever extend over 12 inches or under 9 inches. The
minimum limits do not apply to puppies. Proportion--The body from
the forward-most point of the chest to the point of rump is ¼ longer than
the height at the withers. The body from the withers to lowest point of chest
represents ½ the distance from withers to ground. Substance--Compact
and of medium bone throughout; neither coarse nor fine.
Head
Expression--Soft, dark-eyed, inquisitive, alert. Eyes
are round, black or dark brown and are set in the skull to look directly forward.
An overly large or bulging eye is a fault as is an almond shaped, obliquely set
eye. Halos, the black or very dark brown skin surrounding the eyes, are necessary
as they accentuate the eye and enhance expression. The eye rims themselves must
be black. Broken pigment, or total absence of pigment on the eye rims produce
a blank and staring expression, which is a definite fault. Eyes of any color other
than black or dark brown are a very serious fault and must be severely penalized.
Ears are drop and are covered with long flowing hair. When extended
toward the nose, the leathers reach approximately halfway the length of the muzzle.
They are set on slightly higher than eye level and rather forward on the skull,
so that when the dog is alert they serve to frame the face. The skull
is slightly rounded, allowing for a round and forward looking eye. The stop
is slightly accentuated. Muzzle--A properly balanced head is three
parts muzzle to five parts skull, measured from the nose to the stop and from
the stop to the occiput. A line drawn between the outside corners of the eyes
and to the nose will create a near equilateral triangle. There is a slight degree
of chiseling under the eyes, but not so much as to result in a weak or snipey
foreface. The lower jaw is strong. The nose is prominent and always
black. Lips are black, fine, never drooping. Bite
is scissors. A bite which is undershot or overshot should be severely penalized.
A crooked or out of line tooth is permissible, however, missing teeth are to be
severely faulted.
Neck, Topline and Body
The arched neck is long and carried proudly behind an erect head.
It blends smoothly into the shoulders. The length of neck from occiput to withers
is approximately 1/3 the distance from forechest to buttocks. The topline
is level except for a slight, muscular arch over the loin. Body--The
chest is well developed and wide enough to allow free and unrestricted movement
of the front legs. The lowest point of the chest extends at least to the elbow.
The rib cage is moderately sprung and extends back to a short and muscular loin.
The forechest is well pronounced and protrudes slightly forward of the point of
shoulder. The underline has a moderate tuck-up. Tail is well plumed,
set on level with the topline and curved gracefully over the back so that the
hair of the tail rests on the back. When the tail is extended toward the head
it reaches at least halfway to the withers. A low tail set, a tail carried perpendicularly
to the back, or a tail which droops behind is to be severely penalized. A corkscrew
tail is a very serious fault.
Forequarters
Shoulders--The shoulder blade, upper arm and forearm are approximately
equal in length. The shoulders are laid back to somewhat near a forty-five degree
angle. The upper arm extends well back so the elbow is placed directly below the
withers when viewed from the side. Legs are of medium bone; straight, with
no bow or curve in the forearm or wrist. The elbows are held close to the body.
The pasterns slope slightly from the vertical. The dewclaws may
be removed. The feet are tight and round, resembling those of a
cat and point directly forward, turning neither in nor out. Pads
are black. Nails are kept short.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are of medium bone, well angulated with muscular thighs and spaced
moderately wide. The upper and lower thigh are nearly equal in length meeting
at a well bent stifle joint. The leg from hock joint to foot pad is perpendicular
to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed. Paws are tight and round with black pads.
Coat
The texture of the coat is of utmost importance. The undercoat is soft and dense,
the outercoat of a coarser and curlier texture. The combination of the two gives
a soft but substantial feel to the touch which is similar to plush or velvet and
when patted springs back. When bathed and brushed, it stands off the body, creating
an overall powder puff appearance. A wiry coat is not desirable. A limp, silky
coat, a coat that lies down, or a lack of undercoat are very serious faults. Trimming--The
coat is trimmed to reveal the natural outline of the body. It is rounded off from
any direction and never cut so short as to create an overly trimmed or squared
off appearance. The furnishings of the head, beard, moustache, ears and tail are
left longer. The longer head hair is trimmed to create an overall rounded impression.
The topline is trimmed to appear level. The coat is long enough to maintain the
powder puff look which is characteristic of the breed.
Color
Color is white, may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or
on the body. Any color in excess of 10% of the entire coat of a mature specimen
is a fault and should be penalized, but color of the accepted shadings should
not be faulted in puppies.
Gait
Movement at a trot is free, precise and effortless. In profile the forelegs and
hind legs extend equally with an easy reach and drive that maintain a steady topline.
When moving, the head and neck remain somewhat erect and as speed increases there
is a very slight convergence of legs toward the center line. Moving away, the
hindquarters travel with moderate width between them and the foot pads can be
seen. Coming and going, his movement is precise and true.
Temperament
Gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is the
hallmark of the breed and one should settle for nothing less.
Approved October 11, 1988
Effective November 30, 1988
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