The Ultimate Bichon Frise Puppy Ownership Guide

12 minute read By Lucy Hughes
Reviewed by: Pawrade Team
November 17, 2023

A Bichon Frise smiles at the camera

If you’re looking for a bright companion dog that will make you laugh, look no further than Bichon Frise puppies for sale!

 
Pronounced “BEE-shawn FREE-say,” these dogs with a fancy-sounding name are actually down-to-earth tiny clowns that will always cheer you up with their positive outlook on life, friendly and social nature, and have enough love to go around for a lifetime. 

Bichon Frise puppies for sale are known for their incredible, fluffy white coats that make them look like little puffs of cotton after they’ve been to the groomer. Their beautiful looks and endearing personalities have delighted owners for centuries.

Before considering Bichon Frise puppies for sale, it’s important to see if this dog breed is right for you and your family. Let’s learn more about this tiny, fluffy entertainer. 

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Courtesy of American Kennel Club

What’s the Origin of Bichon Frise Puppies For Sale? 

Bichon Frises have been a popular choice for people throughout the centuries, and it’s easy to see why due to their spirited personalities and pint-size, upbeat attitudes. 

Although the exact origin of Bichon Frises remains a debated mystery, they are universally considered descendants of “little white dogs” of the Mediterranean with connections to Toy Spaniels, Poodles, Maltese, and Barbets. It’s thought that sailors brought Bichon Frises from Tenerife in the Canary Islands to Europe, where they became wildly popular with aristocrats and nobility beginning in the 13th century. 

For a few hundred years, Bichon Frises were held in great esteem across Europe as companion animals for nobility and were very fashionable pets. However, that all changed with the French Revolution. As nobility dwindled, so did the population of Bichon Frises without their luxurious accommodations available, and they unfortunately became common street dogs. Can you imagine turning the corner and seeing a pack of fluffy white dogs running up to you?

Out of the unfortunate circumstances of Bichon Frises came a ray of hope in the form of street circuses. With all these eager-to-please companion dogs underfoot, people began training them to become street performers as a way for the handler to earn a bit of money to get by. 

Soon, Bichon Frises were the stars of several traveling circuses, wowing crowds with their innate ability to make people laugh, delighting audiences with elaborate tricks like somersaults, walking on their hind legs, and other entertaining actions. Their popularity began to rise again. 

However, despite their popularity, Bichon Frises faced hardships during the two World Wars as Europe was thrown into chaos. Breeding efforts ramped up in the 1930s in France, and the first litter in America was delivered in Milwaukee in 1956. Not long after, the Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in 1964 in San Diego. 

Bichon Frises became popular conformation show dogs, gaining entrance into the AKC’s Miscellaneous category in 1971 with full breed recognition in 1973 in the Non-Sporting Group. Just as in their aristocratic and circus performing days, the Bichon Frise is a popular choice with viewers and judges, even winning Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2001 and 2018.

Today, Bichon Frise puppies for sale continue to be a popular choice for those looking for small, funny dogs. They rank #47 in the AKC’s list of Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2022. The internet is a treasure trove of accounts featuring Bichon Frises performing tricks, making people laugh with their silly antics, and being cute in general. 

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Portrait of Doña María Vicenta Barruso Valdés by Francisco José de Goya

Famous Bichon Frises

It is said Cleopatra loved “little white dogs,” which could be ancestors of modern-day Bichon Frises. Records of Henry III of France noted that he went everywhere with his Bichon Frises in a flat-bottomed basket placed around his neck – and the ladies in waiting adopted the same practice! It must have been quite a sight to see all those little beady eyes peering over the edges of the baskets surrounded by opulent court life.

Several prominent painters were fascinated with the charming Bichon Frise. Renaissance painter Titian featured the Duke of Mantua with a cream-colored Bichon Frise at his side. Sir Joshua Reynolds painted Bichon Frises sitting literally in the lap of luxury of his esteemed subjects. Famous Spanish painter Francisco de Goya depicted a Bichon Frise in a few of his paintings of aristocracy and wealthy patrons as a court painter for Spanish royalty. Later when Bichon Frises were regulated to tavern floors instead of four-poster beds, Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted the now-common dog in scenes of everyday life. 

Bichon Frises remain a part of our culture today. If you’ve seen the harrowing movie “Silence of the Lambs,” you may remember a Bichon Frise named Darla portraying Buffalo Bill’s dog, Precious. Several celebrities enjoy Bichon Frise companions, including Kristen Chenoweth, Ashley Tisdale, Richard Belzer, and Martha Stewart. 

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What Do Bichon Frise Puppies For Sale Look Like? 

Short answer: A cotton ball with legs! 

A Bichon Frise puppy for sale is barely a foot tall when grown and will weigh 12-18 pounds, the perfect size for a portable lap dog. Even though they’re small, Bichon Frises have sturdy bodies and very round heads that set off their dark eyes and cute button noses. 

Caring for the glorious coat of a Bichon Frise 

A Bichon Frise’s coat has two layers: a silky but curly outer coat and a velvety soft undercoat. When brushed out and trimmed, they look like little white puffballs and could easily be mistaken for a child’s stuffed animal. 

Most people think of an all-white coat when Bichon Frise puppies for sale are mentioned. Did you know that they can also feature apricot, buff, and cream mixed in with white? When maturing, their puppy coats can change colors as they age due to a variety of factors, too. 

Bichon Frise puppies will need regular grooming every 6-8 weeks. While it’s not difficult to groom them, they require haircuts or trims and brushing daily in between grooming sessions. Owners can choose from a variety of cuts, such as the puppy cut or the summer cut, to keep their coats looking tidy. You can choose a professional grooming service or learn DIY dog grooming techniques at home to keep your Bichon Frise looking dapper. 

Facts Bichon Frise Owners Want You to Know

Part of being a responsible puppy owner is examining the personality and temperament of Bichon Frise puppies for sale before you adopt one to see if they align with your lifestyle. Here are some fun facts about Bichon Frise puppies that owners think will be helpful in your quest to determine if the Bichon Frise is a smart choice for you. 

Your Velcro dog

Bichon Frises are primarily companion animals and will act accordingly, sticking right by your side as if they’re made of white Velcro. They want to be near you in all they do and are up for anything – as long as it’s with you. If you’re looking for a more independent dog that doesn’t need your attention every second, the Bichon Frise is not the right choice! 

They’re great for apartment living

Their diminutive size and happy, social attitude make Bichon Frise puppies for sale excellent dogs for apartment living or wherever there are close quarters. They don’t need a lot of room to romp around and do well in urban environments, too. Bichon Frise puppies for sale will be friendly with everyone, from the doorman to encounters with other dogs on the street. They also fit the criteria of a lease’s pet agreement for acceptable dog breeds and sizes. 

Portable pals 

Because they weigh around the size of a bowling ball when fully grown and fit easily into a soft-sided carrier or pet backpack, Bichon Frise puppies for sale make excellent travel buddies, especially when you prepare for an outing with your puppy for a fun adventure. They’re always up for new experiences and will greet those you meet with a smile and a shower of puppy kisses. 

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Small yet active

Just because a Bichon Frise puppy for sale is little doesn’t mean it can live life as a tiny, fluffy couch potato. Instead, these pups are very active and can look like a furry ping pong ball flying around the room when they get the zoomies. Bichon Frise puppies for sale will need about 30 minutes of focused activity a day. You can achieve this by taking a few short walks, playing catch, introducing interactive toys for canine mental stimulation, or anything that keeps them occupied actively. 

Your Bichon Frise is your long-term buddy 

Bichon Frise puppies for sale can enjoy a long life of 14-15 years. They’re a relatively healthy breed, and you can keep them that way by taking them on regular vet visits, putting them on preventative medicines, and maintaining care at home in between check-ups. 

Allergy-friendly pooches

Allergy sufferers will be glad to know this breed is considered to be hypoallergenic. While no dog is truly 100% dander-free and hypoallergenic, their curly top layer traps dander and hair that make allergy symptoms worse, reducing the amount of dander shed. 

Brusha brusha

Because of their small mouths, Bichon Frise puppies for sale may grow crowded teeth. Maintaining canine dental health practices can help prevent serious conditions like abscessed or broken teeth, periodontal disease, and even heart problems. Be sure to use a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for small dogs to ensure proper brushing techniques, and ask your vet about how frequently your Bichon Frise will need dental care.  

Put down the credit card

Watch your wallet! Why? Because you will want to buy your Bichon Frise puppy more outfits than you own yourself! All the sweaters, costumes, raincoats, cold-weather coats, and accessories will catch your attention for every occasion. It’s fun to dress up your Bichon Frise for every major holiday or just because it’s a Tuesday. Your Bichon Frise will feel dapper and prance around, too. 

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Don’t leave them alone for a long time

Like other companion dogs, Bichon Frise puppies for sale crave being around people. When they don’t have a human around for long periods, they can suffer from separation anxiety in puppies and exhibit undesirable behavior. Some Bichon Frise puppy owners report that their dogs excessively bark or destructively chew things when they are left alone for a long time. 

No need for the lint roller

Thanks to their soft hair that grows rather than fur, Bichon Frise puppies for sale are low-to-no-shedders. This means you don’t have to spend money on expensive vacuums specifically marketed to clean pet hair or stash lint rollers in every room, bag, and car. You can enjoy sitting on your couch with your Bichon Frise puppy snoozing in your lap and not worry about clingy dog hair covering your clothes and upholstery. 

Look into my eyes

There’s something mesmerizing about looking deep into a Bichon Frise’s eyes. Bichon Frise owners swear their humanlike expressions can read the emotions of humans and respond accordingly. They’re very in tune with their owners and are full of empathy for whatever feelings you may be expressing. 

Providing comfort

Because they’re so in tune with human emotions and their friendly nature, Bichon Frise dogs make excellent therapy and comfort dogs. Their hypoallergenic coat and compact size mean they can sit next to a person struggling with mobility issues or on children’s hospital beds during a therapy session. 

A friend to all 

If you have children or other pets in the household, you can rest assured knowing that Bichon Frise puppies view all creatures as potential friends. They aren’t very shy and are outgoing instead. Children will find a fluffy playmate in a Bichon Frise puppy, and they get along great with other dogs in the household. Make sure to supervise when children and other pets play with your Bichon Frise puppy to ensure safety and a good time. 

Curious and inquisitive

If there’s something novel in their environment, a Bichon Frise puppy is going to investigate. Their curious, inquisitive nature makes for some funny moments, and the mischief they exhibit will have you laughing. They’ll also feed off your positive reaction and want to please you even more with a series of attention-grabbing behaviors. 

Not the best choice for a watchdog  

While Bichon Frise puppies are vigilant in informing you about delivery trucks or people walking by, they make terrible guard dogs for protection purposes. They’re more likely to see an intruder as a potential friend rather than actually defend you from real danger, and their tiny size certainly doesn’t scare anyone away. 

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Where Can I Find Happy Bichon Frise Puppies For Sale Near Me?

We know you’re thinking, “I’m ready! A Bichon Frise is the right dog breed for me!” Now, let’s find one to make you a Bichon Frise puppy owner!

When you’re searching for “Bichon Frise puppies for sale near me,” you might not know where to start. There are so many options out there that seem too good to be true. Always pay attention to red flags, such as extremely low prices, unsecure payment methods, no health guarantee, or no puppy contract. These are all indications that you’re about to walk into a Bichon Frise puppy scam

Adopting Bichon Frise puppies for sale with Pawrade will give you peace of mind. Our breeder partners are screened to eliminate puppy mills and scams, hand-selecting only the best that pass our rigorous standards. We offer a comprehensive health guarantee and 30-day MetLife insurance with each puppy, protecting you, the breeder, and most importantly, the well-being of your puppy.   

Our 100% scam-free process connects potential puppy owners with the best Bichon Frise breeders using a secure transaction management system. You’ll experience a comprehensive concierge service with our team for a smooth, personalized adoption process.

If you’re ready for a lively cotton ball of your own, browse our Bichon Frise puppies for sale. When you find the perfect Bichon Frise puppy, our Puppy Concierge team will walk you through each step of the process one paw at a time. 


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Lucy Hughes

Lucy Hughes has been teaching and writing professionally for half her life. She has a passion for helping people choose a puppy and lead an exciting life with their new furry companion. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and her beloved Golden Retriever, Bowie.

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