Anyone have a Bichon Frise???

[aGalChangedHerName]

Anyone have one? Looking at a child friendly small dog and really like the look of these.

Any advice or warnings would be appreciated.

TIA

[aGalChangedHerName]

Sorry had to go out. A bit gay lol?

I just want a 'nice' dog. What do you have if you don't mind me asking?

[zenlikecalm]

We have a Havanese, it's a rare breed but related to the Bichon. It's the best thing I have ever done. She is a good watchdog but super friendly and funny, doesn't shed and not so energetic as a terrier.

[aGalChangedHerName]

The fact that the Bichon doesn't shed hair is definitly a plus. Good to hear your Havanses is so good too. I am sooo excited!!!!

[Heated]

They don't shed.
Only men secure in their masculinity like being seen walking them.
Can be yappy.
The only one I know gets attacked by cats, but is very gentle.

[Wilts]

My friend has a Bichon, it always seems slightly bonkers to me.

Every time I see him it seems as if he has taken speed that said, he always seems good around the children and other dogs.

[MintChocAddict]

Next door neighbour has one. Cute and friendly but yappiest dog in the world - ever!

[islandofsodor]

Thay are a fantastic breed with children. I don't think they are at all yappy personally,m ours has a proper bark, you woldn't know he wasn;t a much bigger breed if you heard him before seeing him.

They do have a rather endearing characteristic called the bichon buzz where they tear up and down play growling, often after goading you to chase them). They don't shed and they are very loving. They do like ltos of fuss and attention, they are lapdogs.

The main thing is that you need to groom them properly if you have them scissor cut as they are supposed to be. We used to have ours scissor cut but when we had dd we had him clippered instead as that is easy to maintain. You do have to take them to a groomers for this every 6-8 weeks unless you are able to do it yourself.

They can be prone to skin complaints but nothing major.

They are gorgeous dogs and I would now have no other breed.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Lol DH is very secure. That said he may walk it with the dd's every night. God it's just luck in a way isn't it? Yappy i can put up with,better than huge dog with hair everywhere.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Oh thank you islandofsodor. We will have her groomed reguarly. Our dd's are really nervous/scared of big dogs so that is a consideration for getting a small dog.

[winestein]

I am a Staffordshire Bull Terrier lover, but along our walks we have met many a Bichon. In my experience, with my dog, it is a lovely breed - lots of personality and not prone to temperament problems so long as treated like a dog, if you know what I mean.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Yes we have been told not to treat it like a lap dog too much. I plan to go to dog training/obediance stuff. Would you all reccommend thta. I have never had a dog so really pretty clueless and want to do it right iyswim?

[islandofsodor]

I think with all dogs you have to remember it is a dog and not a toy (or the children do).

However they do love to lie with their head on your knee having a tickle.

[winestein]

I would certainly advise dog training classes if it will be your first (as they are for you, not the dog!) but in all seriousness, as a non-telly watcher in general I would advise you to watch The Dog Whisperer with Cesar Milan. By the time I watched that program I already knew a fair bit, but I wished I had seen that before as so much became suddenly obvious to me and as such taught me so much more than an obedience class ever could.

I always was a responsible Staffordshire Bull Terrier owner because I researched a lot about the breed and can understand peoples fear of them. He can be a grumpy monkey, but since learning the tactics of Cesar Milan I rarely need the lead.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Do you think that at 3 and 5 my dd's are too young to have a dog? I did wonder if we should wait a year or two?

[winestein]

DD's better than DS's with pups in my experience! Always get a pup rather than a mature dog and always let them know their place in the family... bottom. Teach yor DD's to do the same, so long as it's with respect and all should be well.

[islandofsodor]

My children are 5 and 7 and we had our bichon before either of them were born. I think they have grown up with a healthy attitude and I love the fact they have a dog.

However our dog was well estanblished before they came along, he knew his place and we had got the puppy settling in over with. You will need to be extra careful at first to give the new dog space and be patient.

[aGalChangedHerName]

The Dog Whisperer? I think i came across that on the web today so i will def watch it.

My mil and my parents have dogs but tbh i will not be seeking advice/puppy training tips from them. Both their dogs are spoiled and own the place. My mums Westie has to wear a muzzle when they have visitors etc so dog classes will be useful for me.

[winestein]

According to my vet (who can do anything - and I do mean anything with my Staff) Westies are by far the worst!! They can be little buggers, but, after all, are of the terrier breed who should not be underestimated!

Obedience classes and Cesar (this is coming from me who usually avoids TV and especially American TV - However, even to me, the hardened cynic, Cesar is simply lovely and gets his message across in the most easy to understand terms).

[aGalChangedHerName]

Thanks so much island and winestein. Feel a lot more confident now after all your advice x

[spugs]

I have a bichon x mini schnauzer who is 4 mths old. Hes much more like a bichon then a schnauzer though.

Hes lovely, very friendly and playful. Great with the kids 1,3 and 8 who roll around on the floor with him, pick him up etc.

No problems with the cat (we have had him since almost 9 weeks old though which helps).

He needs grooming at least every other day which takes about 15 minutes (has a bichons coat) but i do it when im watching tv and he has a sleep while im doing it . He goes to the evil groomers every 6 - 8 weeks though im going to try doing it myself.

Hes quite yappy and doesnt like being left but is getting better with training. We go to puppy school once a week and he picks up commands very quickly though unfortunately house training is prob going to take a long time. (He has maybe one accident a day - which might actually be quite good im not sure).

He doesnt need much exercise, a 30 min walk and play in the house and hes happy.

All the bichons ive met (theres loads round here) have been lovely and i would definitely recommend them.

One more thing, bichons are becoming very popular dogs and as a result the puppy farms are starting to churn them out so be careful where you get one.

[spugs]

Oh and they dont shed which is brilliant.

Ceaser Millan - be careful, a lot of doggy people don't agree with his methods. I think there was a thread on here a while ago. He himself does not recommend using his methods unless guided by a dog trainer. Personally I wouldn't do what he does with my pup as it would scare him whitless. Theres a british trainer called Victoria Stilwell who has a program 'its me or the dog' who has more gentle methods which are prob more suitable for basic training. Its the same kind of thing we do in puppy class.

[winestein]

I think Cesar says that because of the cases seen on TV Spug. I certainly wouldn't recommend someone watch his program and then tackle an aggression problem so to an extent I agree with you, but I do think he teaches a lot in terms of dog psychology.

[bakerslovecakes]

We've had our bichon for a couple of months now, shes 3 yo and was used for breeding by her last owner she is the best dog that we've had, i cant think of anything bad to say about her but that could be because this breed suits our family. If you're looking for quite an active dog who loves playing fetch and lots of running around then this may not be the breed for you. My mum has a 4 yo bichon and has just got another bichon pup. They are great with children but you have to be prepared to take them to the groomers. I would recommend bichon as a family pet.

[aGalChangedHerName]

Thanks Bakers Really glad we chose our girl now. We have 4 dc so lots of people around to play with her.

Won't be a problem to make sure she is groomed reguarly either.

Thanks again all x