The Breed History
The history of the breed is centered in the Mediterranean. The
Barbet Water Spaniel was the chief progenitor of the breed, and the
name Bichon evolved from Barbichon, the intermediate ancestor.
Four regional varieties (Bichon Havanais, Bolognais, Teneriffe and
Maltais) developed. They were favored companions to French and
Italian nobility. Frise is a French term to describe their frizzy, soft
hair. They were brought to United States in the mid 1950s, and the
first registry in the AKC studbook dates to 1972.
Breeding for Function
This dog was bred for companionship, though their origins
from water spaniels give them talents that would be useful for
hunting. They were popular in Belgium, but also became a favored
trick-performing dog in the late 1800s.
Physical Characteristics
Height at Withers: 9.5-11.5 " (24-29 cm).
Weight: 7-12 lb (3-6 kg).
Coat: Their distinctive white coat is double, with a dense soft inner
coat and curly fine outer coat. It is springy and stands up when
groomed to give an appearance described as "powder puff". Some
dogs have a hint of cream, buff, gray or apricot to the hairs. They
have high grooming needs including regular trimming, and are low
shedder and low allergen dogs.
Longevity: 14-16 years. Oldest recorded was 21 yrs.
Points of Conformation: This dog is sturdily built and the profuse
haircoat is a distinct feature of the breed. The skull is somewhat
rounded, a distinct stop is present, and the nose is large and
pigmented black. The round eyes are dark brown and palpebral
margins and skin around (halo) is black. Ears are pendulous with fine
leathers, and the neck is long with a high head carriage. Limbs are
straight, and the feet compact. The topline is fairly level, and thorax
is deep with moderately sprung ribs; the abdomen has a moderate
tuck. Slightly longer than high, they should appear to move
effortlessly. Plumed tails are carried over the back, reaching about
half way up to withers but the tail bones should not be resting on
the back, and a corkscrew tail is considered a serious fault.
Recognized Behavior Issues and Traits
This type of dog is ascribed as: Friendly, with an outgoing
temperament. Fear biter or separation anxiety may occur in some
shy dogs, but breeding of dogs that deviate from the typical playful
Bichon personality is not accepted. They are alarm barkers but not
considered watchdogs. They need close human contact, and are
considered moderately trainable. They are fine for city life, as they
are active dogs with average exercise needs.
Normal Physiologic Variations
None reported
Drug Sensitivities
None reported
Inherited Diseases
Hip Dysplasia and Legg-Calve-Perthes: Polygenically inherited
traits causing degenerative joint disease and hip arthritis. OFA
reports 6.7% affected with hip dysplasia.
Patella Luxation: Polygenically inherited laxity of patellar
ligaments, causing luxation, lameness, and later degenerative joint
disease. Treat surgically if causing clinical signs. Reported 4.8x odds
ratio versus other breeds. OFA reports 5.5% affected. Reported at a
frequency of 12% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for Breeders.
Cataracts: Cataracts appear to be inherited in the Bichon Frise as
an autosomal recessive trait. Age at onset of cataract formation
ranges from 1.5-13.5 years, with a peak age of 3 years. Posterior
cortex cataracts predominate, starting as punctate opacities.
One study showed a 5.2x odds ratio in Bichon Frise versus other
breeds. Dorn reports a 1.41x odds ratio. The estimated frequency
of cataracts in the breed is 11.45%. Affected dogs can develop
secondary retinal detachment or glaucoma. Identified in 4.29%
of Bichon Frise CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists
between 2000-2005. Reported at a frequency of 4% in the 2007
BFCA Health Survey for Breeders. CERF does not recommend
breeding any Bichon Frise with a cataract.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA): Polygenically inherited
congenital heart disorder, where a fetal vessel remains open after
birth, causing a mixing of oxygenated and unoxygenated blood.
Affected dogs are usually stunted, and have a loud heart murmur.
Diagnosis with Doppler ultrasound. Treat with surgery. Dorn reports
a 13.35x odds ratio in Bichon Frise versus other breeds.4
Elbow Dysplasia: Polygenically inherited trait causing elbow
arthritis. OFA reports 0.7% affected.
Disease Predispositions
Lacrimal Gland Hypersecretion: Dorn reports a 171.11x odds ratio in
Bichon Frise versus other breeds. Can be associated with entropion,
ectopic cilia, blocked tear ducts, allergies, or other causes.
Allergic Dermatitis (Atopy): Inhalant or food allergy. Presents with
pruritis and pyotraumatic dermatitis (hot spots). Reported at an
increased frequency versus other breeds. Reported at a frequency of
23% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for Breeders.
Cryptorchidism: Unilateral or bilateral undescended testicles. This
is a sex-limited disorder with an unknown mode of inheritance.
Reported at a frequency of 11% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for
Breeders.
Urinary Calculi: The breed is found to be at an increased risk of
developing struvite, oxalate, and cystine calculi (due to cystinuria).
Dorn reports a 4.68x odds ratio in Bichon Frise versus other breeds.
Reported at a frequency of 5% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for
Breeders.
Umbilical Hernia: Congenital opening in the body wall from where
the umbilical cord was attached. Reported at a frequency of 5%
in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for Breeders. Unknown mode of
inheritance.
Distichiasis: Abnormally placed eyelashes that irritate the cornea
and conjunctiva. Can cause secondary corneal ulceration. Identified
in 3.33% of Bichon Frise CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists
between 2000-2005.
Corneal Dystrophy: The epithelial/stromal form occurs in the breed,
causing opacities on the surface of the cornea. Average age of
onset is 2 years. Unknown mode of inheritance. Identified in 2.74%
of Bichon Frise CERF examined by veterinary ophthalmologists
between 2000-2005.
Ciliary Dyskinesia: Inherited abnormal anatomy and function
of cilia. Causes chronic secondary respiratory infections due
to abnormal respiratory ciliary clearance, and infertility due
to abnormal sperm motility. Unknown mode of inheritance.
Reported at a frequency of 2% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for
Breeders.
Persistent Pupillary Membranes: Strands of fetal remnant
connecting; iris to iris, cornea, lens, or involving sheets of tissue. The
later three forms can impair vision, and dogs affected with these
forms should not be bred. Identified in 1.95% of Bichon Frise CERF
examined by veterinary ophthalmologists between 2000-2005.
Hypothyroidism: Inherited autoimmune thyroiditis. 1.7% positive
for thyroid auto-antibodies based on testing at Michigan State
University. (Ave. for all breeds is 7.5%).
Primary (Narrow Angle) Glaucoma: Ocular condition causing
increased pressure within the eyeball, and secondary blindness due
to damage to the retina. Diagnose with tonometry and gonioscopy.
Diagnosed in 1.59% of Bichon Frises presented to veterinary
teaching hospitals.
Portosystemic Shunt (PSS, Liver Shunt): Congenital disorder,
where abnormal blood vessels connecting the systemic and
portal blood flow. Vessels can be intrahepatic or extrahepatic.
Causes stunting, abnormal behavior and possible seizures. A case
study documented secondary pruritis that resolved with surgical
correction of the shunt. One study showed a significantly higher
prevalence versus other breeds, and a 12:2 female to male ratio
in the Bichon Frise. Tobias reports a 13.3x odds ratio versus other
breeds. Undetermined mode of inheritance.
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia: Auto-immune disorder
where the body produces antibodies against its own red blood
cells. Treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. There is generally
a female preponderance with this disorder. One study found a 5.3x
odds ratio in Bichon Frise versus other breeds.
Diabetes Mellitus: Caused by a lack of insulin production by
the pancreas. Controlled by insulin injections, diet, and glucose
monitoring. Dorn reports a 3.24x odds ratio in Bichon Frise
versus other breeds. Unknown mode of inheritance. Reported at a
frequency of 1% in the 2007 BFCA Health Survey for Breeders.
Motor Dyskinesia: A rare disorder presenting with episodic
involuntary skeletal muscle activity with normal levels of
consciousness, similar to paroxysmal dystonic choreoathetosis. The
disorder is differentiated from partial motor seizure activity by the
character of the episodes, absence of identifiable preceding aura,
absence of autonomic signs and the fact that multiple limbs are
affected in a varying pattern without generalization and loss of
consciousness.
Brachygnathism, Deafness, Entropion, Epilepsy, Factor IX
Deficiency, Prognathism, Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Retinal
Dysplasia, Shaker Syndrome, Ventricular Septal Defect, and von
Willebrand's Disease are reported.
Isolated Case Studies
Congenital Alopecia: A Bichon Frise puppy was born with an
absence of hair follicles, erector pili muscles, sebaceous glands,
and sweat glands. This defect was not associated with abnormal
pigmentation, normal black and brown pigmentation developed
independently of the alopecic pattern.
Hydrocephalus and Antidiuretic Hormone Deficiency: A
13-month-old male bichon frise with a domed skull was examined for
the investigation of intermittent seizures, ataxia, abnormal behavior,
polyuria, and polydipsia. Severe hyponatremia and hypoosmolality
were identified, and diagnostic testing indicated inappropriate
antidiuretic hormone secretion. MRI revealed severe hydrocephalus.
Episodic Ataxia/Ion Channelopathy: A four-year-old neutered
male Bichon Frise developed chronic, progressive, episodic cerebellar
ataxia. All testing was normal. Treatment with 4-aminopyridine
resolved all signs, suggesting an ion channelopathy.
Genetic Tests
Tests of Genotype: none
Tests of Phenotype: CHIC Certification: Required testing includes
hip radiographs, patella evaluation (after 12 months, and then
annually), and CERF eye examination (annually). Optional testing
includes congenital cardiac evaluation, and bile acids for liver shunt.
(See CHIC website; caninehealthinfo.org).
Recommend thyroid profile including autoantibodies and elbow
radiographs.
Miscellaneous
- Breed name synonyms: Bichon, Bichon Teneriffe, Teneriffe
(historical), Bichon a Poil Frise
- Registries: AKC, CKC, UKC, KCGB (Kennel Club of Great Britain),
ANKC (Australian National Kennel Club), NKC (National Kennel Club)
- AKC rank (year 2008): 35 (4,675 dogs registered)
- Internet resources: Bichon Frise Club of America:
bichon.org
Bichon Frise Club of Canada: bichonfriseclubofcanada.com
Bichon Frise Club of Great Britain:
bichonfriseclubofgb.info/
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