BREEDS - BICHON FRISE

General Information
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.

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 colourful past includes use as a circus dog, today the Bichon is enjoyed primarily as a companion animal.

{Source: wikipedia}

Characteristics

Group:	Non-Sporting
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.
Temperament:	Gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is the hallmark of the breed.
Head And Skull:	The skull is slightly rounded, allowing for a round and forward looking eye. The stop is slightly accentuated. 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.
Eyes:	Eyes are round, black or dark brown and are set in the skull to look directly forward. Halos, the black or very dark brown skin surrounding the eyes, accentuate the eye and enhance expression.
Ears:	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.
Teeth:	Scissor bite
Neck:	The arched neck is long and carried proudly behind an erect head. It blends smoothly into the shoulders.
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.
Forequarters:	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.
Hindquarters:	The hindquarters are of medium bone, well angulated with muscular thighs and spaced moderately wide.
Feet:	Paws are tight and round with black pads.
Tail:	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.
Gait/Movement:	Movement at a trot is free, precise and effortless.
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.
Colour:	Colour is white, may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body.
Sizes:	Ideal size between 9 ½ and 11 ½ inches tall at the shoulder.
Bichons at Forrest Park:	Attila Genghis Lola