Bischon Frise

[HunieBunie]

Hi there,

Have been looking into this breed as a suitable family pet. Children are all over 5 yrs, and I am willing to make lifestyle changes/take full responsibility etc. Has anyone got one of these dogs? What are the down sides? (Do they like hamsters)

The dog will be mine (I am willing to share the joys, but will be fully responsible for its care etc), the children have hamsters.


Would be happy for anyone to tell me their worst dog related stories.

[Piffle]

hair hair everywhere
hours grooming, they get filthy!

[HunieBunie]

But I am planning to clip him/her, and what's a little dirt between friends. It will be a good excuse for having a untidy home.

[DogMum]

Hi HunieBunie
The Bichon Frise doesn't shed hair, so you have to either take her/him to the groomers or learn to do it yourself. I only know one Bichon Frise, but not that well. Labradors are good family pets (I'm biased) or you might want to think about a Border terrier if you want something smaller. Whichever breed you choose, it's you that makes a suitable family pet out of it. Whether you're getting a puppy or an older dog, I'd recommend 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey. As well as puppy care, it describes how dogs understand families and packs - essential to understand when you've got children around. I'd also recommend puppy socialisation and classes.

Finally, congratulations on your decision. You've got some hard work coming up, but the rewards for you and your family will be unbounded.

[HunieBunie]

DogMum thank you for your encouraging reply. I have "The Perfect Puppy" already plus the one by Victoria Stillwell "Me or the Dog" on my bookshelf, I will make sure I read them. I plan to take him (I would prefer a male dog), to obedience classes and fully socialise him, I want to be a good dog owner.

I have been thinking about this decision for 2 years, funny, deciding to start a family involved less deliberation!

I will try and find a good breeder and work out the best time for a puppy to arrive into our household. Probably would have been good at start of this summer hols...

[bubblerock]

Our friend has 2, a boy and a puppy girl - they are gorgeous!! Very playful and naughty! We were offered the other puppy but until we are out of the Hotel we can't have a dog - we would have definately had him though, even with 2 kids.

[2labs]

It's worth knowing about the grooming involved before you get one: here

And some good advice on where/where not to get a puppy here .

[HunieBunie]

Thank 2labs. Definately planning on learning to keep his hair short and tidy. Will go to car boot sale to buy large babies bath to use as a place to groom etc.

Hasn't anyone got any terrible dog stories? Would have enjoyed to hear about them.

[k9kuts]

hi huniebunie,i am a dog groomer and have to say that bichons are one of my favourites.they are usually very placid and playful but as you know require a huge amount of grooming,because they dont moult if the undercoat isnt brushed through it can quickly become matted,if you are going to keep the dog in full coat then you would need to brush him at least every other day,and he should be trimmed about every 4 weeks.a lot of my clients prefer to have their bichons in a shorter trim as its easier to keep on top of as for learning to trim yourself i have to admit they are not the easiest breed to groom.sorry for the ramble but i have seen countless bichons verging on cruelty cases all because of insufficient grooming! hope it helps k9 kuts.

[DogMum]

After the summer holidays is probably a better time to get a puppy, as toilet training etc. might be easier if you've got a clear run at it during the day.

OK, you asked for the horror stories. My dog once ate his own poo and then sicked it up at my feet. While it put me off my breakfast, it didn't put me off the dog (poor little mite, he hated being sick.) Fortunately, that nasty habit passed quickly. I'm not worried about what the baby might throw at me - I've never heard of a baby doing anything like that.

[HunieBunie]

Yuck DogMum! Is that a common practice, ie eating their own poo, not sicking it back up?

[DogMum]

I think eating poo is a puppy thing. I felt dreadful because some books say they do it if they're bored, but our pooch had lots to chew, I played with him lots and he wasn't left very much. Fortunately, toilet training means they don't get much opportunity. I don't know many dogs who've done it, although some like horse-poo or goose-poo. Our dog is two and a half now and he hasn't done it since puppyhood, although he does sometimes like a bit of fresh&warm if he gets to one of his friends' poos before it's cleaned up. He doesn't eat his own at all now though. Dogs just don't find poo as disgusting as we do. If he's committed a dietary indiscretion, I just give him a carrot when we get in. That gets rid of it.