Simply Dog Owners – Page 25 – Resources for Dog Lovers – Dog Breed Articles

Bichon Health Care Guide. Picture of Our Granddaughter Lilly as she was hugging a New Bichon Puppy- here is a lot of information to help you Care for your new Bichon Frise - God Bless Greg Bichon Health Care Guide / What Are the Characteristics of a Bichon Dog? The Bichon is a small breed of dog with curly hair coat and endearing characters. There are different types of bichons as follows: The Maltese bichon: this small dog with long white hair, which measures about twenty centimeters in adulthood, weighs about 10 - 14 lbs. He is endearing and very playful. The Havanese is a small dog with a white coat, it is the ideal companion for children. If you want to take care of your home, this dog is easy to train and will warn you of any intrusion! The bichon frize with curly hair is an excellent companion dog, playful, affectionate, docile. The Bichon Bolognese is an older breed rarer than the other types of Bichon, which has the same characteristics in weight and size, but with a very original curly coat. The poodle is also a famous variety of Bichon with curly hair and a slightly bigger size than bichon frize. The bichon is playful and very lively, he will love agility for example, even if he does not need as much exercise as a cocker spaniel or a husky. Bichon puppies are very affectionate but tend to be anxious when they are alone. Ask your veterinarian for advice on how to educate him. If robust, bichon with age can develop eye or dental problems. He can live until 15 or 18 years old. General Caring Routine of Bichon The Bichon is a long-haired breed with a curly or straight hair length of over 12 cm. The wool cools in summer and keeps the dog warm in winter, especially in the kidney region! The adult bichon has poodle-like hair. Increased hair loss (change to winter or summer fur) in winter and spring, as with other dog breeds, does not occur because it is not subject to a change of fur. Of course, the hair also dies in the bichon, but it gets caught in its fur and is only removed by combing and brushing. This aspect will be particularly appreciated by housewives, there are hardly any dog hairs on clothing, carpets or furniture. Taking care of the Bichon is an important part of its health and beauty. A matted, neglected bichon loses all of its attractiveness, and in addition, if hygiene is neglected, there will be health problems. If a bichon is not combed and brushed for a long time, its hair becomes dull and tangled. This can cause skin irritation, which forms an ideal living space for "subtenants" such as fleas, lice, and ticks. In such a case of neglect, only the only solution remains is complete shearing of the hair. Combing & Brushing Regular combing and brushing, 1-2 times a week, is necessary for a moderately hairy dog like the Bichon frisé. Matting and knotting are prevented, coarse, sandy dirt is combed out. The adult bichon has hair with a thick undercoat and a somewhat harder topcoat! When the hair change is complete, the bichon hair is easy to care for. It is quite sufficient if the dog is combed and brushed properly only 1-2 times a week (comb it down to the skin). The scalp hair, like the rest of the hair, is combed out from the skin towards the ends of the hair In addition, the long "beard" needs regular cleaning, especially when canned food is fed. When taking care of your dog, pay attention to the hair on the anus. The dried feces can become matted and knotted in such a way that the dog can no longer deposit feces despite pressing hard. Bichon puppies still have soft hair and it is nowhere near as dense as an adult dog. They are very easy to care for, combing and brushing is quick. The owner should, however, regularly get his baby used to the care procedure. Bichons in the change of hair, from baby to adult fur (approx. 6 -18 months) brushing and combing at least every 3 days. The youthful hair is still very soft at this time and tends to feel due to the strongly renewable thick undercoat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIloDGFKIsU Eyecare The eye region of a white dog needs more care. You can use a tear stone remover available in specialist shops. Hair that grows above and between the eyes should be trimmed regularly. Ear Care The ear is an important sensory organ for the dog. However, the ears of the Bichon need regular care so that there is no inflammation of the ear canal. Bichon hair grows in the ear canal. The hair clogs the ear canal so that ear wax cannot escape and air can penetrate from outside. A humid climate develops in the ear canal, in which certain bacteria and fungi thrive and can cause inflammation. Therefore, the hair must be plucked regularly. You should check the ears of your Bichon regularly for foreign bodies (e.g. grass seeds) and dirt. If necessary, clean with liquid ear cleaner. Nail Care The claws of your Bichon should be checked for length from time to time and cut if necessary. Dental Care The teeth should be brushed daily to prevent dental diseases. Intimate Wash The most sensitive parts of the Bichon (males and females) should be checked and cleaned regularly. Bathing In most cases, a bath, when using a suitable shampoo, is advantageous. Aggressive shampoos (also baby shampoo) or other cleaning agents, on the other hand, can be extremely damaging to the skin and coat of the dog even when used once (!!!). Our white, densely haired bichons certainly need a cleansing bath more often than short-haired or colored breeds. The Bichon is not dirty any faster than other dogs, because of its white color you can only see it more clearly. A healthy, well-groomed bichon never smells unpleasant! A dirty, thick bichon hair is very difficult to comb, the comb can hardly get through the thick wool! You can tell when your doggie needs a full bath. Grooming of Bichon Step by Step Equipment Required for Grooming The Bichon https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A15MqMwDcI Trimmer combs nos 10, 7/8. Cards, straight scissors, curved scissors, nail clips, ear clips, Eye comb, a normal comb (eg poodle comb), a slicker brush, Krallenzange, tweezers (for plucking the hairs in the ears), dog shampoo (eg Jean Peau, Diamex, Héry), ear cleaner, hairdryer with different temperature levels, possibly a good brand. Once all the grooming accessories are in hand, you just have to follow the cutting steps one by one. If you are a beginner, make sure you have the right tools and pay close attention to the steps for grooming the Bichon Frize. Keep in mind that the easiest way is to go to the groomer to see him make the gestures and then "refresh" the cut at home between 2 meetings. Grooming standard 1. Very rounded head including the ears, cut with curved scissors 2. Round legs. Do not touch above the foot (curved scissors) 3. Waist marked behind the ribs 4. Clean pants, rear angulation marked with curved scissors 5. Buttocks flat Step by Step Grooming Before the bathroom A prerequisite for a perfect cut is that the hair does not have the slightest matting when the dog is bathed. Nothing is cut in front of the bathroom. After the bath Let the well-dried dog dry completely with a hairdryer (various temperature levels). Brush the dog while blow-drying, but the curls should not be completely blow-dried. 3-4 cm should show their natural frisé structure, the longer hair should be brushed out because otherwise, you can not cut it accurately. With this dog, it is best to work from the back to the front. Hull Use scissors to cut the slightly rising backline from the base of the tail to the tips of the shoulder blades, the hair length depending on the fullness and structure of the rest of the hair. Approximately 7 cm is the ideal length (only for show dogs, the family dog can also be shorter). Create transitions to the flank and side chest and thighs. Cut the anal region and the back of the thigh short. Rod Adjust the underside of the approach to the anal region, do not cut anything else. Hindquarters The rear profile up to the ankle with slightly emphasized angulation. Align the inside and outside in a round shape without a heel. The hind metatarsus is columnar round to the paw. No heel between the midfoot and paw. Finally, use a pair of curved scissors to adjust the thighs in a gentle, round shape to the backline. Paws Keep the hair short under the paws (fore and hindquarters). The dark balls of the feet should be clearly visible. Cut the edges of the bale cleanly. Frequarters Cut from the shoulder blade over the upper arm to the paw in a vertical line. Also, cut the back of the front legs straight down. The forearm should act as a pillar. Neck / Front Chest / Shoulder Adjust and let it flow into the hair of the front breast in a gentle curve. Let the lower line of the chest rise slightly towards the stomach. Then adjust the sides of the shoulder to the front breast using curved scissors. Head Roundhead, no heel to the ear. Before the head hair is cut into shape, the hair is cut between and immediately before the eyes. From the lower edge of the lid, let the hair merge into the beard, which should be cut so that the impression of the spherical head is underlined. Bluntly cut the lower line of the beard and match the length of the hair on the lower side of the neck. Cut off so much of the fringed ears that the lower edge does not extend beyond the round beard. Everything about this dog should look round and full, without any paragraphs. The beard must not be longer than the upper scalp hair and the ear fringes must not be longer than the beard. The entire head is a ball. The hair over the eyes is also easy to shorten. Cut in an arc from one outside angle to the other outside corner of the eyes so that the eyes are clearly visible. Don't just cut bangs. Important!!! Do not cut a poodle crown on the head of the bichon. When cutting the bichon, avoid every paragraph in the hair. Always adjust until it fits seamlessly into the next region. Cut only a few millimeters at a time and slowly work your way to the final shape. The aim of the haircut is to emphasize the natural body contours of the bichon. Everything should look round and cute on him, without steps and angular heels. You need long curved scissors approx. 22 cm, long straight scissors approx. 22 cm and short curved scissors approx. 14 cm for the cut. Characteristics of different varieties of Bichon Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOOHxN7OV2o The physical appearance of the Bichon Maltais The first thing that catches our attention when we meet a Bichon Maltais is his beautiful white dress. Unlike other breeds of dogs, the Bichon Maltais does not have a layer of undercoat, which facilitates the maintenance of its coat. According to the FCI, the coat of the Bichon Maltais must fall vertically to the ground in a single layer of smooth, thick and silky hair. As for the size of the Bichon Maltais, it varies between 21 and 25 cm on average. The weight varies between 3 and 4 kilos for healthy individuals. These criteria are not mandatory for a dog to be recognized as a Bichon Maltese, but they are in order to be able to participate in official competitions. Bichon Maltese character The Bichon Maltais is a very popular dog among families, due to its kind character. Excellent companion of human beings, the Bichon Maltais is a cuddly dog and loyal to his human family. It occupies the position number 59 of the classification of intelligence of Stanley Coren. It is, therefore, a dog of average intelligence, capable of learning orders and actions by repetition (about forty repetitions are required on average). The Bichon Maltais is an excellent companion dog, who also knows how to exercise a watchdog. He will not hesitate for a moment to warn his master against the slightest possible threat and he will be able to be distant in the face of strangers. What is more, the Bichon Maltais is a dog that adapts very well to changes in the environment. He gets along well with children, adolescents and the elderly. As it is a dog that needs little physical activity, it will also be the ideal companion for people with reduced mobility. The Maltese bichon remains nevertheless a very playful dog, with which one never gets bored. How to take care of a Maltese Bichon? The physical peculiarities of the Bichon Maltais mean that we have to pay attention to several aspects to take care of it. Hygiene Certainly, we should not abuse our showers and baths for our dog, at the risk of causing him skin problems. But neither should we fall into reverse abuse. A good indicator to know that our Bichon Maltais needs to be washed is if it starts to give off a bad smell or if the dirt is visible on its coat. A frequency deemed normal would be once a month. As its coat is white, it will still be necessary to adopt a few simple everyday gestures for her maintenance. It is advisable to clean the area around the eyes and muzzle daily. Maltese Bichons produce a lot of eye secretions, which in the long run can yellow the hairs in this area. Care should, therefore, be taken to keep it clean. The food of the Bichon Maltais The Bichon Maltais is not a particularly sensitive dog breed in terms of digestion. It will still give him, like all dogs, food with good nutritional intake. The choice of the type of food is at the discretion of each. It is advisable to favor foods with a high percentage of meat (around 30%). Fat and proteins must represent 20% of the intake. The cereal content should be fairly low. As the Bichon Maltais has a fairly rapid metabolism, it is advisable to distribute the quantity of food given each day, over two meals. The training of the Bichon Maltais You will still need a little patience to teach your Bichon Maltais new orders. We advise you to create a peaceful atmosphere free from distraction. Do not make a session last more than 15 minutes. After this time, the dog will no longer be able to focus on your directions. Remember to always use positive reinforcement techniques and give your dog a small reward for good behavior. Recurring health problems in Bichon Maltais In general, the Bichon Maltais does not present too many health problems (unlike other breeds such as brachycephalic dogs ). It can still present the following complications: Overweight. It is important to monitor his diet since small dogs suffer more from overweight problems. Dislocation of the patella. This movement of the patella can cause walking difficulties and severe pain. If in doubt, it is best to take the dog to the veterinarian. Conjunctivitis. Conjunctivitis is often found in these dogs. This causes excess tears and irritation. The treatment is quite simple, thanks to the help of a veterinarian. 2. The Bichon Bolonais, an elegant dog with an endearing look The Bichon Bolonais is a very pleasant, gentle, calm and always happy companion dog. Elegant, it looks like a very soft little ball of hair, with a very endearing look. Its small size also makes it a discreet dog. Description and characteristics of the Bichon Bolognese The Bichon Bolonais is a small elegant dog recognizable by its cute head and its beautiful coat made up of long and very silky hairs, of a pure white, which form wicks. Its body is rather stocky and compact, and it has a tail that it carries curved on its back. The long ears of the Bichon Bolonais are also covered with large soft white hairs. They are tied high and fall down along his head. His big eyes, even if they are hidden behind his long hairs, give him an intelligent and lively expression. Character and behavior of the Bichon Bolognese - Who is it for? The Bichon Bolognese, dog always cheerful despite his serious look, is the ideal companion for families with children, but also for the elderly. He is intelligent, gentle, calm, very affectionate, obedient and easy to educate. It is also a discreet dog and can be taken anywhere because of its small size. The Bichon Bolonais is very attached to his master and his family. He shows a lot of tenderness, kindness, and loyalty. It is a dog that does not tolerate loneliness well. His master must be available. How to Take Care of Your Bichon Bolognese: Their Needs The Bichon Bolonais adapts very well to city and apartment life. It is essentially an indoor dog even if it adapts very well to all living conditions. Since he does not need a lot of physical exercises, it is enough to offer him daily and calmly walks. The very beautiful white hair of the Bichon Bolonais requires very careful maintenance so that it retains its beauty and elegance. Her dress should be untangled and brushed 2 to 3 times a week. It is also recommended to take him to a professional groomer regularly. The Food of the Bichon Bolognese The Bichon Bolonais does not require any special diet. Industrial food particularly suits him very well. As with all dogs, it must be of good quality and suitable for its age, health, and physical activity. Be careful though, the Bichon Bolonais is prone to obesity. His rations should, therefore, be carefully monitored. The health of the Bichon Bolognese The health of the Bichon Bolonais is quite good. However, he may suffer from dislocation of the kneecaps and eye problems due to a possible abnormality regarding the implantation of his eyelashes. The Hairy Bichon is an always cheerful and enthusiastic pet, but also calm. It is also a charming and gentle dog, rarely aggressive, which particularly appreciates being pampered and caressed. He is very attached to his masters and always enjoys the presence of children. It is also suitable for the elderly as their physical expenditure needs are moderate. Easy to educate, the Bichon Frize is perfectly suited to a master even a non-expert in dog breeding. He accepts the presence of other animals in his family. How to take care of your Bichon frize: its needs The Bichon with curly hair adapts very well to city life, in housing without a garden. But it should be taken out regularly, at least once a day, even if it doesn't require a lot of physical exercise. It is a dog that does not support loneliness well and which needs to know its owners always close. On the maintenance side, the Bichon with curly hair loses little of its hair. But it is important to brush them very regularly, on the one hand, to preserve their beauty, but also to avoid the formation of Knots. Particular attention should also be paid to his eyes and ears and to be cleaned often because of the proximity of his long hair. The Hairy Bichon adapts very well to city life The feeding of the Bichon frise The Bichon with curly hair does not require a particular feeding. The important thing is that it is balanced, of quality and specially adapted to its weight, its age, its state of health and its way of life. The health of the Hairy Bichon The Bichon with curly hair has rather robust health, but it is however predisposed to certain diseases such as in particular that of Legg-Perthes-Calvé which affects the hip joint and which causes the dog to limp. 4. Character and Behavior of the Havanese The Havanese is the playful and dynamic dog par excellence. Very playful, he particularly appreciates the presence of children with whom he is very patient. Behind his liveliness and his cheerful temperament also hides an affectionate and attentive little dog which makes him a perfect pet. The Havanese is also a very good alert dog thanks to its barking when approaching people foreign to its family. If it is used from a young age to live with other congeners, the Havanese will be very sociable. Its training is generally easy. The Havanese is the playful and dynamic dog par excellence How to take care of your Havanese: its needs The Havanese is more of an indoor dog. It fears cold and humidity which must, therefore, be protected. In terms of maintenance, despite its abundant coat, this dog does not require special care apart from brushing once a day in order to maintain the shine of its coat in particular. It does not lose much of its hair. It is not a dog that needs a lot of physical exercise. However, for its well-being, the Havanese are to be walked every day. It is the happiest of dogs from the moment it is close to Its owners. Food of the Havanese The Bichon Havanais adapts to all types of food. However, it must first of all be light to keep him in good health, knowing that he does not need to eat a lot. The health of the Havanese The health of the Havanese is not a big particular problem. However, like most small dogs, it is necessary to watch his kneecaps, prone to dislocations, and his teeth to avoid the deposit of tartar. Article FAQ - Bichon Frise - 81 Frequently Asked Questions