Bichon Frise

[toby99]

Hi - I am thinking of buying a Bichon Frise dog and don't know whether to buy a boy or a girl. Does anyone have any suggestions?. Also, do any of you own one and how do they adapt to being left alone during the daytime? thanks

[craft1948]

Bichons are lovely dogs but thrive on company........do you mean leave whilst you're out at work?

[Clanad]

Be sure to consider craft's advice. We have (or I should say Mrs. C has, a Bichon/Shih-Tzu cross (called a Zuchon and I've neever seen a smarter dog nor one that requires the socialization that she needs (the dog, not Mrs. C). The little dog wants only one thing from life... to be the center of the universe and (OK, two things) play incessantly..

We live on a cattle ranch in the western U.S. and have always had working dogs. Blue Heelers, primarily. They live in the barn and are only sociable enough to insist on riding in the back of the pick-up when headed out to check on things. So this took some getting used to for me.

This cross is an F1 between the Bichon and Shih-Tzu, meaning first generation. As such they are a great deal more genetically vigorous than either parent lineage. Be sure you are aware of the several potential health problems in the Bichon. Know your breeder and ask questions.

Here's one source for additional information:

http://www.doggedhealth.com/diseases-a-symptom s/breed-by-breed-health-concerns/bichon-frise. html?gclid=CJmWxLShqZwCFQUhnAodamqHj...

Best of luck!

[toby99]

Thanks - Yes, are the ok if left when you are at work?

[toby99]

Thanks Clanad for your advice and links

[Jan1957]

They are lovely friendly little dogs but mine didn't like being left for long. I could hear him bark and start to howl when I left for work but checked with my neighbour and she said he stopped very quickly. I only worked for 4 1/2 hours a day so he was ok but personally I don't think you should leave them any longer.

[lankeela]

It is very unfair to get a dog and leave it all day, unless it is already used to being left, or maybe elderly and likely to sleep most of the time.

If you are thinking of a puppy, how do you expect to house train it, or provide the several meals needed, as well as provide mental and physical stimulation and socialisation if you are not going to be there? All dogs need company and time spent with them training and exercising.

[woofgang]

from experience, ANY pup needs just about full time supervision and care...had you considered an older dog?
http://www.bichonfriserescue.me.uk/

[toby99]

Hi - thanks all - I am actually after an dog, not a puppy, as I totally agree I cannot be there to help a puppy settle. I would like a dog who needs a very loving home, but also recognise I work. However, I am home every evening, I get up early to go on walks, and have most weekends away in a caravan, so I think a dog would have a very good home full of love and family involvement. I could also come home at lunch if needed.

I just can't make my mind up though because I too feel you should be with them all day, but so many people work full-time and still have dogs

Jan1957 - do you have any suggestions regarding getting a boy or girl?

[Jan1957]

Sorry toby, have had both, a bichon dog and a german shepherd bitch. If you are not getting a puppy don't think it should make a difference if they have been "done". Both mine were rescue dogs and never had any problem with either so I think I have been lucky. If I did get another I think my preference would be with a dog.

[lankeela]

Bichon Rescue will not rehome to people who are at work all day. Neither would my breed rescue, and nobody I know would sell a dog to someone at work all day. Please think long and hard before making this decision, not only for the dog's sake, but for yours too, as you may end up with a dog that causes problems with neighbours, destroys your home or injures itself or makes itself ill if left too long (by this I mean a dog that needs to go to the toilet but is too clean to do it in the house might end up with kidney problems if it holds it for too long).

[madmaggot]

Toby, please don't choose a breed of dog by it's looks!

People seem to think that all dogs are the same except some prettier than others; this is not the case.
Anyone should research extensively before choosing a breed that will suit their lifestyle.

Also, I agreed with those previous posts who state that you should think very carefully before getting any dog if it is going to be left alone all day.

Dogs Today magazine have a feature that matches dogs to people, don't know if they do this on-line though.

[EdohEdoh]

I have Bichon Frise dog who if left alone howls A LOT! He wants company all the time and will follow you wherever you go.

I must add that he is hardly ever left alone - again you really shouldn't get a dog if it will be left alone all day. Is there a relative or friend who could look after him/her during the day for you?

[fredpuli47]

Not advised at all. No dog should be left alone all day. Mine might be left for some hours (not often, since I'm mostly around 24/7) but there are nine of them, mostly related to one another. In a pack like that they have their own company, own society and own rules. You can't achieve that with one dog on its own.
And a bichon is just the very kind of breed that is most likely to be upset by any absence at all.It was bred as a lapdog.Lapdogs expect and were bred for constant company, which explains the 'clinging' behaviour (and the distress) described above.

[Ice.Maiden]

I don't think anyone should own a dog and then leave it all day. What about it needing to go out? They need regular walks, and, like us, company.
One of our nearest neighbours chose a Bichon Frise because they thought he looked cute, but they were soon told that the dog howled as soon as the owners went out. Also, although I think they're pretty little dogs, once they start yapping, it can get on your nerves - it's not like a good solid bark!
Nice dogs, but please don't buy ANY if they're going to be left . 3-4 hours MAX.