History of the Bichon Frise breed.
According to experts, the distant ancestors of the Bichon Frize were small white dogs, which in turn were descendants of water barbets. Curly fluffies inhabited the coast and islands of the Mediterranean Sea and were very successfully hunted by catching rats, for which they were often settled on ships. The first name of the breed sounded like “bar-bichon”. “Bar”, short for “barbet”, and “bichon” in French means “velvet pillow”. Bichon Frise
Over time, the genus of white dogs with curls has grown substantially, as a result of which branches such as the Bolognese (Italian lapdog), Maltese (Maltese lapdog), and the Tenerife bichon “bud” from it. The latter variety was especially popular among the European elite during the Renaissance and, in fact, gave rise to the modern breed of French lapdogs. By the 13th century, bichons had acquired the status of a luxury item.
From the palace chambers, the dogs quickly moved to the Parisian streets, from where they migrated to wandering circus troupes. As for the distribution of the breed, the favorites of Francis I reached the USA only in the 50s of the last century, and in England, they began to breed Bichons only in the mid-70s.
The appearance of the Bichon Frise
It is difficult to find a more touching creature than French lapdogs. Drowning in their airy “fur coats”, they resemble weightless white clouds, while the miniature dimensions of the animals make them look like a soft wind-up toys. Like the vast majority of representatives of the indoor-decorative breed, the Bichon Frize has an inexhaustible supply of charm. The size of an adult usually does not exceed 30 cm, and its weight is 3-5 kg.
Head
The nose is round, with black skin. Muzzle with a broad base, gradually tapering towards the nose. The transition from the frontal part to the muzzle is not pronounced.
Lips
Thin, black. When the mouth is closed, the lower lip is usually not visible.
Bichon Frise Eyes
Round black (sometimes brown), arranged in a straight line, the whites are not visible. The skin of the area around the eyes is pigmented in black, emphasizing the contrast between the light coat and the organs of vision.
Ears
The ears of the Bichon Frize are hanging, repeating the shape of an isosceles triangle. The exemplary length in the extended state is to the corners of the lips. Covered with long, wavy hair.
Body
Compact in size, with a strong, level back and a broad, slightly arched loin. The chest is of moderate width, deeply lowered, with a pronounced sternum.
limbs
Distinctive features of the forelimbs are thin bones. Legs are straight, elbows look back. Shoulders oblique, not protruding. The hind limbs are straight, with a muscular and wide femoral part. The shape of the paws is rounded, with elastic black pads and fingers gathered in a “lump”.
Tail
Don’t buy. An animal experiencing positive emotions lifts its tail up and holds it parallel to the spine. In this case, the outer hair (suspension) can come into contact with the back, but the tail itself cannot.
Bichon Frise Wool
Curly, airy, not prone to churning into the so-called “cords”, from 7 to 10 cm long. The undercoat is thick, dense, and springy. An animal caught in the rain usually does not get wet, because due to the density of the undercoat, moisture does not penetrate deep into the “fur coat”. The cleanly washed coat of the Bichon Frize is more voluminous, so after bathing and drying the animal turns into a tightly knit “dandelion”. To give the silhouette some completeness, bichons are usually sheared.
Color
Adults are snow white, but in puppies, the shade of the coat may have a beige or yellowish undertone, which disappears as they grow older. According to the standards, areas of wool with a yellowish tint should occupy no more than 10% of the puppy’s body surface.
