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Bichon Frisé
Or
Bichon Teneriffe
The following are a few of the acceptable standards for Bichons.
Normal size is stated to be 9 ˝ to 11 ˝ inches at the shoulder.
Weight is generally between 10 an 18 pounds.
Color is white and may have buff or cream coloration on the ears.
Eyes are black or dark brown and “Halos” of black or dark brown-pigmented skin surrounding the eye. The eye rims are black. The bridges of the nose will also have black pigmentation. The nose is black. The lips are black. Pads of the feet are black.
Bichons have an undercoat that is very soft and thick, with a more coarse and curly outer coat. The coat has a soft but substantial feel like velvet. When brushed the coat stands out like a powder puff.
Ears are drooping and covered with long flowing hair. Ears are set higher then the eye and tend to frame the face. The length is about half the length of the muzzle.
Body has an arched neck, long carried behind an erect head. The neck blends well into the shoulder. The top of the back is level with a muscular arch over the loin. The chest is deep and well developed. The chest protrudes slightly forward of the shoulder.
Tail is long and well plumed and is rarely cut or trimmed. It curves over the back and the long hair rests on the back. When the tail is extended it will reach halfway to the withers.
Many variations of the above are encountered. The Black pigmentation around the eyes and on the foot pads may be missing. Rescue Bichons have ranged in weight from 7 pounds to over 30 pounds. Bichons seem to have a more sturdy build when comparing them to a Poodle, and are usually more muscular. The coat will vary from soft, silky and smooth to tightly curled and coarse texture. Bichons will not normally have a part to the hair on the top of their head, and the hair stands in more of a crown or puff look. When the coat is not properly groomed, it will easily mat. The only solution is to clip the entire body very short, making identification difficult. This sort of clipping is often done in shelters. Lack of grooming may make the color look buff or apricot, which causes it to often be identified as a Poodle. Tails often will be over the back and curled into a “pigtail”. Legs are straight and medium boned with no curve. However rescues will be seen with longer or shorter legs in proportion to their body.
Probably the most common wrong ID is with Poodles. Bichons will be larger boned and more muscular. Bichon legs are somewhat shorter then a Poodle, and the muzzle is shorter and more sturdy. We see several mixed breeds we classify as Bichon/Poodlewhich are equally as important to our rescue mission.
Submitted by Brant Cramer, a volunteer of Small Paws Rescue
