Dog Breeds: Bichon Frise

The name, in French, means curly white lap dog. Other names for this hypoallergenic dog are Bichon a poil frise and Bichon Tenerife.

The Bichon Frise is a descendent of the Barbet or Water Spaniel and was originally called a Barbichon. This name was later shortened to Bichon. There are four categories of Bichon: the Bichon Tenerife, the Bichon Havanese, the Bichon Malteise and the Bichon Bolognaise. All originated in the Mediterranean area.

These happy, lively little dogs, which are friendly and outgoing, love being the centre of attention and becoming a member of their human family.

The dark, alert eyes are full of expression. The nose is black, soft and shiny. The white, soft, corkscrew hair, over a silky undercoat, needs daily grooming to remain in tip-top condition. A small amount of the coat around the ears, snout, paws and parts of the body (not more than 10 percent of the body in total area) may have a buff, apricot or cream hue.

Height is 9 to 12 inches (23-30 cm) and weight 7 to 20 pounds (3-10 Kg). Puppy's noses are pink, but gradually turn black as they grow older. They also have cream or pink markings under their white coat, but these markings should be dark by the time the dog reaches 18 months of age. The legs and head are in proportion to the size of the body. The tail and ears are not docked or cropped. These dogs are of medium to high intelligence.

Because they require a lot of brushing, clipping and bathing, dead hair and dander is constantly being removed. As a result, these dogs make good pets for people who usually have allergic reactions to other dogs. It must be remembered, however, that individual dogs may have more or less allergens than the breed average.

The Bichon Frise is sensitive, gentle mannered, affectionate and playful. It usually gets along well with children and other pets.

The average lifespan of the Bichon is 12 to 13 years, although individual dogs may live for a longer or shorter period. These dogs are prone to cancer, autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), immune-mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) and liver shunts.

My Mom and Dad had a Bichon Frise named “Brandy” when they lived in Regina. She was a sweet little puppy, happy and active. However, as she got a little older, she began to limp and often walked on three legs, refusing to put any weight on her left hind leg. A trip to the veterinarian revealed that she had hip dysplasia. As a courtesy to the breeder, Mom phoned her and let her know that one of the parents was passing a hip dysplasia problem on to some, or all, of the pups. The breeder said, “You bought her, so it's your problem now,” and slammed down the phone. Obviously this breeder was not a good one and was only in it to make money, not to ensure that her stock was of good quality.

“Brandy” was operated on and had the ball removed from the top of her left rear femur. It changed her whole personality. Even after she was completely healed and had undergone rehabilitation so she could use her leg again, she became quiet, sad, slow moving and sullen. When she was about 8 ½ years old, she showed signs of chewing problems, so Mom and Dad took her to the Veterinarian. She examined “Brandy” and advised that she had cancer of the mouth and jaw. When Mom asked how long she had, the veterinarian replied, “she will let you know.” Several months later, she stopped eating. A few days after that, she came up to Mom and laid her head in Mom's lap and whined and closed her eyes. It was time! Mom and Dad took her to the veterinarian where she was put to sleep.

Friends of the family have a Bichon, “Charlie,” who is very outgoing and friendly and much loved by his “Mom and Dad.” So, if you would like to have a friendly white dog that loves attention, you may want to consider a Bichon Frise as your next dog. Just remember, they need a lot of maintenance to keep them looking good.

Until next time,

Teia

Bedding For Your New Puppy

Bedding for your new puppy is very important, as this is where she will be spending quite a bit of time - especially at night. The ideal bedding for your puppy should be a natural fibre, such as wool, because wool absorbs moisture and it will keep your companion warm. When you go to buy your blankets, you may want to try thrift stores, as their blankets will be relatively inexpensive. Puppies love to chew, so you don’t want to buy expensive blankets. They can chew or tear blankets in a very short time, so expensive blankets would be a waste of money.

When you bring your new puppy home, you may find that she is a little stressed by having to leave her mom and the others of her litter and by being in a new environment with strangers. The scents and memories that she came to know and love are now being replaced with new ones. If you are going to get your puppy directly from a breeder, take an old towel with you when you go. Before leaving the breeder, rub the towel on the mother and other pups in the litter. This towel can then be given to your puppy to sleep with. It may help to ease the transition from her original home to yours. If you get your puppy from a pet store, towels, even if they do not contain the scent of her mother and litter mates, when wrapped around a windup clock, are a great way to help her relax and sleep.

You should keep her food and water near her bed, so if she gets hungry or thirsty she can get what she needs. In addition, you should plan to take her out between one-half hour and one hour after she has eaten. You should place a puppy piddle pad about 6 feet away from her bed so that she can use that in emergency situations. You will have to place her on the pad whenever she shows signs that she needs to go to the bathroom. (Some puppies turn in circles just before they relieve themselves, so keep watch for this.)

If you are planning to have your puppy sleep with you, you must be ready to get up once or twice during the night to take her outside to go to the bathroom. You don’t want her to have an accident on your bedding.

If you decide to leave your puppy outdoors, you’ll obviously need to use a different style of bedding. Doghouses are essential for dogs who stay outdoors, as it helps to keep them warm and protects them from inclement weather. Inside of the doghouse, most people tend to use straw so the puppy can make a bed out of it. You can also use a blanket or quilt as well, so that your puppy can wrap herself up in it should she get cold.

If you do not want to use straw, you can consider using wood shavings or newspapers as they also work quite well. Note that newspapers tend to get damaged much more quickly than other forms of bedding, so they will have to be replaced more frequently. You must provide something other than the wooden floor or bare ground for your dog to lie on. Dogs that lie on the ground or cold wooden boards tend to develop arthritis more quickly than dogs that have soft absorbent bedding.

In northern climates where the temperature drops below freezing, puppies should not be left outside in a doghouse in cold weather because they have not been exposed to it during the time they spent with the rest of their litter mates and they could succumb to it. Wait until the weather warms before putting your puppy into the outside doghouse.

Although having an outdoor dog works great for some families, you should still take your dog for walks on a daily basis and let her join you in activities that she finds enjoyable. This way, you can build a unique and lasting friendship with your pet. A dog can quickly become the best friend you have ever had - as long as you take care of her. Making sure that she has proper bedding is a great place to start.

Until next time,

Teia

Choosing The Right Pet For You

Most individuals have an idea just what type of pet they want; however, the maintenance of a pet can cause some concern. Knowing how to choose the pet you want may be easy. You may have had several pets as a child and know you need a companion for your own home, or you may have always wanted a pet but been told you could not have one. Whatever the case, you need to take into consideration some key points about pet care when deciding what pet is right for you.

First, some pets take more care than others. Dogs are very needy animals. They are very sensitive toward their owners. You have probably heard of dogs tearing up a house when left alone all day. Dogs can get bored even when they have other dog companions and toys. They need human interaction. Most dog owners take their dogs out for a walk before work and after work for exercise and play time. Other owners, who work outside, will often let their dogs come to work with them to keep the dog(s) out of trouble. Cats, on the other hand, can amuse themselves and as long as you put your valuables on a shelf they cannot reach and keep a clean house, they will sleep, look out windows and play with toys while you are away. Fish are another type of pet that is typically low maintenance except for cleaning the fish tank, which can be quite a job if it hasn‘t been done for a while.

Pet care is very important when you own a pet. They need attention from their owners, positive reinforcement, training and love. Fish are usually excluded from this statement, as they just need food, proper tank maintenance and a few plants to sustain life. However, contrary to popular belief, fish if made a fuss of on a regular basis, also enjoy human interaction. Of course they don’t need training or being taken for a walk, but they do enjoy being talked to and having their owner peer through the glass at them and wiggle their fingers along the tank front. The point is, proper pet care is required when you own ANY pet. The decision will be yours to make in choosing what the right pet is for you. Above I mentioned three types of pets and a little about their care. Now we are going to look at it in a little more depth.

While dogs are high maintenance and require the most training, they are also one of the best pets to own. They can alert you to danger, alert you to someone at the door and give unconditional love to you. A dog only asks, in return, for proper care and a great deal of attention. If you cannot be home all the time, you will want to make sure the dog has a roof over its head in case of inclement weather and a huge yard to play in. Some dogs can jump six foot fences so it may be best to erect a dog run with a roof so it can move about, but not escape. Also remember that some dogs, if left alone in a yard, bark or howl incessantly, which will make the neighbours unhappy and could lead to you being charged with an offence under a noise bylaw. You may also find that the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) begins to visit frequently. And, if they are active in your area, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which don’t always obey the law, could make your life a living hell. I’m not trying to scare you, but you should know all the possible things that must be considered when determining whether you want a pet and if you do, which one is best for you and your lifestyle.

Cats on the other hand can be high or low maintenance depending on the breed as well as their personality. Some cats require hours of people attention while others shirk attention. Some cats belong in a one pet household. They do not like to share their owner’s affections and will become upset and possibly mean toward a perceived invader. Others need a playmate’s attention to live happily. It will be hard to determine just which type of cat you own when you first obtain it as a kitten, because its personality is just developing.

Pet care is the most important factor to consider when you are deciding which pet is right for you and your home. For example, if you have very expensive furniture and carpet throughout your home, you may want to avoid dogs or cats as accidents or scratching or chewing of furniture will happen. Therefore, you will want to consider all the pet care needs of the animals you are looking at, as well as the breed you are looking at, to determine if they will have a happy place in your home and in your heart.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. Remember that getting a pet is a commitment to keeping them for their whole life. The Humane Societies in most towns and cities are overwhelmed by abandoned pets and frequently have to euthanize them to make room for new arrivals. I also recommend that you have your cat or dog, if you choose them as a pet, spayed or neutered. There are too many unwanted puppies and kittens being abandoned or taken to the Humane Society. Don’t think that you will be able to make a few dollars selling any kittens or puppies that your pet(s) may produce because by the time you pay for food, veterinarian bills, vaccinations, etc. the costs will be greater than the income. Being a profitable breeder is a full time job, not a sideline.

How to Buy a Dog From a Breeder

The first thing to decide before buying a dog is what type and size you want. Many factors are important when buying, but be sure to consider what breed is suitable for you and your family. Some breeds require a lot of daily exercise and others require daily grooming. Remember also that different breeds may have genetic health issues to watch out for.

Larger dog breeds can be susceptible to hip dysplasia. This is a degenerative disease that affects the hip joint. When a dog with hip dysplasia matures, the hip joint and socket lose their ability to bear the animal’s body weight. They will have a hard time running or walking and even standing may become difficult. The only cure for this condition is surgery and even that is not very successful. My mom and dad had two dogs with hip dysplasia. The first one was a female Bichon Frise. She was operated on and it changed her whole personality. She went from an energetic puppy with a limp to a dog that only moved when it had to. Their second dog with hip dysplasia was a German Shepard cross. He did well until he was eight, with the help of an Aspirin on days when his hips were sore.

Smaller breeds of dogs can have genetic concerns of their own. Dogs that are in the "Toy" breed category, like the Pug, the Pekinese and the Lassa Apso are susceptible to breathing problems. These dogs have a short muzzle (or nose), which does not leave much room for sinus and nasal development. This is a condition that is often not evident in early development.

So, what should you look for when buying a dog? INFORMATION is the key word! After you decide what type of dog you want, seek out people who already own this type of dog. Maybe somebody you know already owns one? Get the word out that you are looking to buy a dog. Talk to people and gather as much information about the breed as you can. If you go to a pet store, talk with people. Pet owners love to talk about their pets.

Do research on the internet about your dog breed and print out whatever information you can find. Buy books and read about the bread you are interested in. Know that it is extremely important to become an educated consumer BEFORE you buy your dog from a breeder.

Finally, when you talk with dog breeders, ask any questions that come to mind. Honest dog breeders will be more than happy to talk with you and answer every question. Note the condition of the dog’s environment. Are the dog pens clean? Are the puppies well cared for? Can you see the mother and father? What type of puppy food are they being feed? Have the puppies had their shots? Reputable breeders love their animals and go to great lengths to provide a proper "home like" environment. Puppies are products of their surroundings. A good, clean environment will surely be reflected in a dog's playfulness.

Beware of breeders who are interested only in making money. They generally don't pay much attention to their dog’s emotional needs and health concerns. Also, they may inbreed their dogs and this can trigger severe health issues. AVOID THESE BREEDERS!

Some breeders may offer a 72-hour guarantee. This allows you time to take your puppy to a vet for inspection. If any health issues are identified, contact the breeder and get your questions answered.

Good, honest breeders care for their dogs and it shows in their surroundings. There are no guarantees that you will always have a normal, perfect puppy, but you greatly increase the odds when you do your homework first!

Mom and dad have gotten dogs from breeders, pet stores and the Humane Society. They have loved them all, but each source has produced both good dogs and dogs with problems. Sometimes, in spite of all your research, your heart takes over from your head and you just have to get that cute one that bounded over and licked your hand. In those cases, your affection for the dog overcomes any short comings that it may have.

Until next time,

Teia