| One popular purebred dog is the Bichon Frise. The | | | | and care for the animal to keep its allergies under |
| breed has existed in its current form since the Middle | | | | control. |
| Ages. The breed has been a companion of Spanish | | | | Another desirable and standard trait of the Bichon |
| sailors, a beloved pet of French royalty, and even a | | | | Frise is its outgoing personality. The American Kennel |
| popular and charismatic circus performer! Intelligent and | | | | Club even lists its friendly disposition as a breed |
| charming, the Bichon Frise is popular because of the | | | | standard trait. Besides being sociable, the Bichon Frise |
| breed's powder puff white fur and human expression. | | | | are also intelligent and extremely active. There is even |
| The breed is also extremely friendly and outgoing and | | | | a phrase to describe their random bursts of |
| even helped the Spanish increase diplomacy on their | | | | hyperactivity- the Bichon Frise blitz. |
| trade routes. | | | | Spotting a faux Bichon Frise is not as easy as spotting |
| The American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the | | | | a faux breeder. A puppy or adult dog may appear to |
| breed in 1973. The name translates in French to curly | | | | have all the breed standard traits including a friendly |
| lap dog. The breed is descended from the poodle, | | | | disposition, but this doesn't necessarily mean it is a |
| Barbet and white lap dog found in the Mediterranean | | | | purebred Bichon Frise. Purebred Bichon Frise breeders |
| region as far back as 600 B.C. The name has | | | | will offer pedigree information, registration papers, and |
| changed from Barbichon to Bichon to the current | | | | medical records as well as a warranty or guarantee |
| name. A good breeder is an expert on the history of | | | | on the dog's health. |
| the breed as well as breed standard characteristics. | | | | Good breeders usually keep a puppy from each litter |
| The most common and desirable trait of the Bichon | | | | to either use in competition or to use to breed future |
| Frise is its white, curly fur coat. The breed's powder | | | | litters from. Good breeders maintain their own kennels |
| puff coat consists of a dense undercoat and a springy, | | | | and give puppies house privileges so that they can |
| plushy topcoat. The fur springs back into shape when | | | | become socialized around people and other animals. |
| touched. The fur must be at least ninety percent pure | | | | Good breeders interview buyers and educate them of |
| white to meet breed AKC standards. The fur does | | | | proper care and discipline. They do this because they |
| not shed and is thus hypoallergenic. However, like most | | | | care about the type of home the dog will be going to. |
| white breeds, these dogs are themselves prone to | | | | If any of these traits are not present, the breeder is |
| many skin, ear, and eye allergies. A good breeder can | | | | probably not running a legitimate business and may be |
| educate a potential buyer on how to properly groom | | | | selling fake or unhealthy Bichon Frise. |