The Bichon Frise, also known as the "Tenerife Dog", is a member of the toy dog breed class. They have a curly white non-shedding coat. It was during the 13th century the breed is assumed to have first originated and providing companionship for Spanish sailors is the role they were initially used for. They are still popular as a companion dog for anyone who can perform a high amount of grooming these days. Features such as their friendly and cheerful nature are what they can be distinguished by. They were developed from the Barbet and Poodle and are believed to have been created in the Mediterranean.

They're classed as a small sized breed of dog. The recommended male and female measurements are 9.5-11.5 inches tall and a weight of 14-16 pounds. Their personality is identified as being playful, cheerful and affectionate. The breed is generally friendly with strangers, and this can mean they are unsuitable as a guard dog. The breed is confirmed to be quite clever, and is ranked 45th compared with all other dogs when being trained to comprehend new obedience instructions.

They are great towards kids, which can make them suitable as a family pet. They do get along well with other animals such as cats and other dogs. Looking after their coat is a highly demanding job. They need full grooming every 4 to 5 weeks, and frequent brushing every day. They enjoy having a small backyard (though don't really need one) so they have plenty of room, but can be suitable for apartment life.

As with many small sized dogs, they are for the most part long-lived with an expected life of 12-15 years. Their most severe health risk is patellar luxation, and they're also susceptible to eye problems, cataracts, ear infections or allergies. Activities like games in the yard or park will give them great pleasure. They have a fairly high degree of energy, and that means they need moderate to long walks each day to prevent the development of bad habits.

You ought to be able to spend a lot of time grooming and giving them attention if you bring home the Bichon Frise. They're not an ideal option for owners without patience for grooming, but perfect for families, apartment dwellers or allergy sufferers with time to look after a dog. Perhaps the most common reason why dog owners find this breed so appealing is that it is easy for anyone to love due to its friendly and cheerful nature. One other feature dog lovers like regarding them is due to their curly coat they can be considered hypoallergenic and suitable for allergy sufferers.