Bichon Frise

Grooming

A Bichon's double curly coat keeps growing and doesn't fall out on its own; leave it two weeks without care and it starts to mat, and within a month the mats may be bad enough that the whole section has to be shaved short. Professional grooming in Hong Kong generally costs $400–800 per session every 4–6 weeks, averaging about $500–900 a month, or about $2,000–4,000 a year — an ongoing expense you cannot skimp on; eye cleaner, brushes, shampoo and other daily care items are extra at about $100–300 a month. In daily care, use a pin brush every 2–3 days, brushing up from the undercoat until you can see the skin; after bathing the coat must be dried thoroughly at low temperature, because an undercoat that isn't dry through easily leads to wet-dog smell, yeast and skin problems. Tear stains show up very clearly on a white curly coat: wipe the mouth after meals, wipe the paws after walks, keep the eye area dry with eye cleaner daily and trim hair that covers the eyes; if tear staining suddenly worsens or comes with redness and scratching, see a vet to rule out ingrown eyelashes, blocked tear ducts and infection. Bichons are a low-shedding breed, but dead hair gets trapped in the curly undercoat and clumps if not brushed — "low shedding" doesn't mean no maintenance. Grooming is the Bichon's biggest fixed expense, not food, so put it in the monthly budget rather than waiting for mats to fix things. Don't bathe too often, and choose a mild pet shampoo.

Training

The right way to start with a Bichon is short and frequent: 5–10 minutes per session, 2–3 sessions a day, and stop as soon as they get distracted — they get bored, not lazy. Reward before correction: food motivation is high, and taking part of the dry food out as rewards is the simplest approach. Toilet training has four anchor points: on waking, after meals, after play, and before bed they must go to the spot, and reward immediately when they get it right. Start toilet and crate training from the first day home, and consistency of rules is key. They love to perform and will spontaneously jump onto the sofa seeking attention, so turn the performance into a command game while setting boundaries. Strong learning motivation and an ability to read your face make them the classic "clever but will negotiate" companion dog. The socialisation window is about 3–14 weeks; follow vaccination progress and your vet's advice on going out, exposing them to different surfaces, sounds and friendly people and dogs. They are extremely sensitive to tone of voice and expression, so scolding does particular damage — use only the reward route, with a steady tone. Scolding and physical punishment make them cower and work worse; when they get it wrong, take them back to the spot and do it again, and clean away the smell — that's enough.

Diet

Choose a small-breed formula labelled "Puppy", with protein and a calcium-phosphorus ratio suited to skeletal development — don't add calcium powder yourself in excess. The number of meals decreases with age: at 2–3 months, 3–4 meals a day; after 6 months, transition to 2 meals a day; feed at fixed times and amounts, and don't free-feed — leaving the bowl out for all-day eating is the easiest way to raise a fat Bichon. Start portions from the packaging recommendation and adjust every two months according to the weight curve, keeping treats under 10% of daily calories. Change food gradually over 7–10 days; slow down if stools go soft, because Bichons generally have sensitive digestion and a sudden food change is the number one cause of diarrhoea. High-risk foods are grapes and raisins, onion, xylitol and cooked bones — never feed them. After neutering the metabolic rate drops, so reassess calories, possibly reducing by 10–20%; staple food and treats cost about $500–1,000 a month, and sensitive individuals can choose a low-allergen formula. Puppies on dry food need their water intake watched; note any sudden increase and follow up with the vet. Do a body condition check every two weeks — feel the ribs and look at the waistline — which is more reliable than a single figure in kg. In puppyhood don't treat snacks as meals, to avoid excess weight in youth.

Living environment

A practical setup for a Bichon in a small flat: fixed positions for the food and water bowls, with a non-slip mat to reduce spills; put the crate or pen in a corner of the living room to create a "safe den"; add steps to the sofa and bed to reduce the joint load from daily jumping. Hong Kong's humidity is persistently high from May to September (5–9), a severe test for a double-coated Bichon — an undercoat that isn't dry through is effectively throwing a party for yeast and bacteria, so use a dehumidifier at home to keep humidity at around 50–60%, and dry the legs and belly after walks in the rain. In summer walk in the early morning or after sunset, avoiding the 11:00–16:00 peak sun; before a walk hold the back of your hand on the ground for five seconds — if it's too hot to touch, walk on grass instead. A dog must never be left in a car. Housing Society rental units have in principle allowed small pet dogs with a valid dog licence since April 2025 (month 4); for private units, check whether the building's deed of mutual covenant has a no-pets clause. In autumn and winter grooming can be every 5–6 weeks, and deworming should not stop all year. A Bichon's muzzle is a normal length so it dissipates heat better than flat-faced dogs, but a thick white curly coat and small size still don't mean it can be overheated at will. If the dog scratches persistently, the skin changes colour or thickens, or the ear canals smell, that falls under dermatology — see a vet early rather than applying ointment yourself.