Does anyone own a bichon frise?

[Ilmb]

If so I wondered if you’d kindly share with me your experiences of them in nature, life with one etc?

We hope to get a dog next year and have narrowed it down, have done my research but wanted some personal experiences?

Thank you

[Kate123cl]

I have a beautiful Bichon!

He's honestly my life, as sad as that may sounds! He's 10 years old, 11 on Christmas Day. His temperament around children, other dogs etc is absolutely amazing. He's the most laid back boy ever.

We initially decided on a Bichon as they don't moult and I had bad eczema.

We found house training our pup quite difficult. If he's left on his own for any amount of time he'll often empty his bladder in the house. In all honestly, we probably didn't put enough time into training and this could've probably been avoided.

Bichons are very needy and prefer to have company imo. He's never had any health problems apart from calcium oxalate stones (which he had removed last week).

Happy to answer any questions

[Ilmb]

I did have my heart set on a dachshund but toileting is putting me off... I rent, although landlord fine with a dog, I don’t really want to wake up every day to wee on the floor.... but Iv read Bichons are similar with toileting?

I work very part time hours (term time too) so would only be alone dofor Max 2 hours... but what Iv read both breeds seem to be destructive if left alone. I can’t have any dog with me 100% of the time as I have to work..<br />
Bichon appeal for the non shedding and dc are asthmatic, no allergies we know of but have to think about../.

[Kate123cl]

I know a few people who have had no problems with toileting I would probably say it's 95% our fault for not putting in 100% when training him from a puppy. He'll only wee on the floor if he's been left alone for a while (no access to outside without us there). If it's a weekend and we're there to let him out then he'll happily go outside and not even think about going indoors!

If you work very part time hours it's definitely a good thing as he/she won't get bored. We've never had any problems with ruining furniture/ ripping things if you're worried about that.

It's a tricky decision when buying a dog.

[Kate123cl]

Here's our boy at 10 years old

[revelsandrose]

I have a bichon, he is very very lazy. Just wants to sit on me 24 hours a day, actually hides when it's time for a walk. He is really perfect in all aspects bar barking at passers by. He is fabulous with children of the family and people he knows but is terrified of strangers and barks constantly if somebody he doesn't know comes into the house. Also won't tolerate strangers outside. He also really likes to be with us, a lot, he's very very lovable, and will do anything for cheese 😬

[Ilmb]

kate oh my! So cute!

Iv been mulling it over for a few years and I’m no closer! I just desperately don’t want to make a mistake?

[Ilmb]

revel that’s what the dc need. Well and me! It would be walked every day without fail but I don’t run or go for mile hikes with the dc...

[beeefcreep]

I don't have one but they are adorable. I always see old people with them so I have always assumed they are fairly laid back easy to handle dogs.

[Ilmb]

beeef I wanted to see what people say on here as Iv seen quite a few in a rescue place I follow and wondered if there was a theme or coincidence s it’s a big rescue

[Slitheringcorpsefeed]

I have a daschund with a cast iron bladder. No toileting issues at all, ever.

[Kate123cl]

@Ilmb I don't think you'll regret it  they're fairly easy dogs and just tend to get on with it themselves haha! They really are lovely.

@revelsandrose mine doesn't really like walking either!

[Ilmb]

Really slithering? Have you had yours since it was a pup? Any advice or tips on what you did?

One I knew who since died, used to wee overnight despite going out for a wee before bed, I have a neighbour with one who’s fine but on here a lot of people say they wee randomly everywhere...

[Ilmb]

kate I’m just worried about making a mistake, end up with one with lots of problems and regret it? Iknow they need hard work and commitment etc and I’m ready to give that..

[revelsandrose]

@kate123cl he's very handsome!
They are lovely dogs, I think they end up in rescue because of separation anxiety. Mine does get left for a few hours a day but there is always somebody coming and going so it's not for long. He also needs to sleep upstairs but is quite happy in a crate, just so long as he's with us.
When left he needs to have the run of he house or he will do a wee out of annoyance at being kept to one room. Also he does bark at passers by but I have pretty tolerant neighbours thankfully.

[Ilmb]

I’ll happily let a dog sleep upstairs with me although not on my bed. One of my dc sleep walks and ends up in my bed every flipping night and sleeps like a starfish! The house that joins me, the lady is mostly deaf! I’m in a dead end so don’t get much passing traffic but some oriole go across the road as we have alley ways but not right in front of the house. No one comes and goes as it’s onlg me an dc, dc are at school but I work 3 part time days and leave the house about 2 hours at a time?

[Pebblespony]

When I was working in a vet's, the majority of dogs we saw were small white ones, bichons and westies mostly, with skin problems that had to be on special diets. I've no experience of owning one though.

[Ilmb]

Yes pebble Iv read that they can be susceptible to allergies.. my sisters white shitzus are the same!

[Pebblespony]

I think it's probably manageable enough though, in the vast majority of cases. Might mean special food and that could be more expensive.

[Skooblies1]

I have a nine year old bichon and she is without doubt the love of my life!! Bichons are amazing around children, never bite and really just want to play and cuddle. At nine she is still running around like a loon and apart from losing a couple of teeth she has had no health problems

However, they are not the brightest dog but what they lack in brain cells they more than make up for in love and affection. You absolutely won’t go wrong with a bichon

[Kate123cl]

Awww @Skooblies1 she's beautiful

I think separation anxiety is the biggest problem with Bichons, they like to be with someone most of the time!

Mine sleeps on my bed, again, because we give in when he was crying in a crate as a puppy. We weren't very strict with training.

[Skooblies1]

I’ve never been strict, it’s just not in my nature. Because of that she hasn’t been brilliantly trained. They like to bark as well. Anyone at the door or walking down the street. But she will listen to my husband so I do realise it’s my authority she doesn’t respect. You are right * Kate123cl* separation anxiety is difficult. They just want to be around people.

[Slitheringcorpsefeed]

llmb I can't claim any credit I'm afraid or offer advice as we adopted him at 3 yrs. He hadn't been fed or immunised properly, his teeth and ears were a mess, he wasn't socialised, couldn't walk on a lead but he was (wierdly) perfectly house trained. He does have a bit of a barking issue though it has to be said!

[SheSparkles]

I have a bichon x shih tzu, he’s just turned 6 and is adorable. Very laid back (apart from barking at passers by 🙄) and is the snuggliest sookiest thing going. We didn’t have any issues with toileting, I’d say the thing you have to factor in is the cost of grooming, I pay £30 every 6-8 weeks.

[Dandybelle]

My mum has one but he's very much the whole family's dog. He's absolutely bonkers but very loveable. If it's raining he goes on a mad one running around the house at 100mph and doing funny little laps of things.

He worships my mum and brings her presents daily (mostly socks, only white ones though, or cereal bars he steals for her out of the drawer)

He's got a dog flap to go out for a wee, he's not great at holding his bladder if he can't get out but no problems at all with the dog flap.

Loves walks but not very far. He went out once and bumped headfirst into a lamppost and refused to continue. My sister had to carry him home. They've got fab little personalities.

This is him

[IHeartKingThistle]

My parents have a couple. They are not clever and the separation anxiety is extreme to the point where my parents are reluctant to leave them at all (not great for us as the dogs can't come to our house due to our pets). One of them cries if my mum leaves the room.

To be fair, my mum refuses to train them. I have been told off for reacting to them jumping on me while I was sitting on the sofa! So they probably could have been better. But my parents adore them and if my mum was on this thread would be telling you to get a dozen. They adore her too.

I'm not a dog person as I'm sure you can tell! Might get off this board now!