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Considering buying a bichon frise...need advice

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  • 06-12-2008 8:36pm
    #1
    Humblepie
    Registered Users Posts: 94 ✭✭


    Hi, we're considering buying a bichon frise pup in the near future. We've never owned a dog and am wondering if there is anything I should know about the breed apart from the obvious?
    We're loacted in Galway area. Any advice on who to purchase from? What age should the pups be? Should the seller be a recognised breeder ?

    Many thx


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    #2
    kerrysgold
    Closed Accounts Posts: 969 ✭✭✭kerrysgold


    Bicon Frise are nice pets, they have a lovely temperament and are so playful! If you're not getting a bichon for allergy problems though you could always consider a rescue rather than a breeder? :D

    anyway, back to what you asked.

    Don't bother about looking out for IKC registered breeders, it doesn't really mean anything. A puppy farm can be registered with the IKC if it wants to for example! You really need to go and check out the breeders facilities yourself. Dogs should all be in good condition, have plenty of good food/water/exersize, their kennels should be clean and their runs should be a good size.

    Pups shouldn't be sold any younger than 8 weeks old.

    Also, someone will need to be at home most of the day to look after a pup so that's something to bear in mind if you have long working hours.


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    #3
    w@lkies!
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭w@lkies!


    I have a 4 month old bichon (got him a month ago) and he's a great little dog. He learns commands easily with treats and praise, and he's doing well with housetraining....apart from the odd puddle on the floor when the stupid humans don't read the 'wanna go out' signs correctly! I've read that bichons are renowned for being difficult to housetrain but I'm quite optimistic about my one at this stage.

    I had a dog before but, in all honesty, getting a puppy was a lot more work than I had remembered/imagined. I took the first week off work to get him settled in and I was glad I did because for the first few nights I was up every couple of hours to bring him outside and I was in no fit state to work. It paid off though because now he stays in his crate all night....and I no longer need an alarm clock because I have an extremely regular 7.30am alarm call..... puppies don't care if you think you deserve a lie-in at the weekend! In the past week or so we seem to have found our new normality. As long as he has been exercised, fed, watered, toileted and has something to chew on he is placid and happy. If he is fractious he usually needs one of the above.

    I agree with kerrysgold - if there isn't going to be someone at home during the day don't get a bichon. My partner works from home and if necessary I can call home at lunchtime so the puppy is never left alone for more than 3 hours. Bichons are companion dogs and I've definitely found that company and attention are what really motivates him - even more than food.

    If you do get a puppy I'd advise getting some good dog books beforehand so that you have some idea what to expect. I got one called 'the perfect puppy' which is good for training and behaviour, but I also have another book about general dog care. Puppies chew (anything and everything), they nip and bite and whine, and its good to have books to refer to...and reassure you that your puppy is just being a puppy and is not, in fact, a demon hellhound changeling.

    We got our puppy through an ad on the internet but were keeping an eye on ads and websites for weeks to get to know the lie of the land. The breeder that we got our bichon from gave plenty of info in the ad and was perfectly happy to let us come and take a look at the puppies and their mother before we decided to buy one. Our one happened to be a little older when we got him (12 weeks) so he got an extra bit of time with his mother and some socialisation with the breeder's family. She was IKC registered but I think its more important to satisfy yourself that the breeder isn't a puppy farmer, has some sense and scruples and that the dogs/puppies are well cared for. If the breeder asks you lots of questions about your lifestyle, family circumstances, doggy experience etc thats a good thing so don't be insulted/intimidated by it.

    Bichons require a lot of grooming, and because they don't shed will need to be clipped every 6-8 weeks. Even though they are relatively small they do need regular exercise. Apparantly its quite normal for them to 'Bichon Blitz' for a few minutes every day when they race around the place like they've caught the crazies, barking at nothing, growling at everything. Oh, and every second person will want to stop for a chat with your bichon because he/she looks "juUust like a liddul teddy bearrr!! Donchu? Donchu-lug-juslikaliddle-teddybearrr? oh yes! Yessuudooo!Yesuuudooo". No, I lie, its only women who do that....men tend to say "Is that a bichon? Mmm, thought it was a bichon." but what they actually mean is "ooooh, he looks just loike a liddul teddy bearr...."

    I don't really know where to begin or end because I've learned so much in the past month of puppy ownership that I could prattle on about it forever, but I thought I'd post because I'm where you might be quite shortly if you do get a bichon. They're fabulous, gorgeous, friendly, happy little dogs. If you're totally sure your lifestyle is right for one I couldn't recommend them more highly.


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