Frenchie Bichon
9-15 yrs
13-20 lbs
10-11"
United States, Europe

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Frenchie Bichon

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Frenchie Bichon

13-20 lbs

10-11"

United States, Europe

French Bulldog

Bichon Frise

Frenchie Bichons are smart and confident family dogs. They are relatively independent, but don’t shy away from affection either. Their lifespan is average for small breeds at 9 to 15 years, and they typically weigh between 13 and 22 pounds. At their smallest, they are 10 inches tall and at their largest they are 12 inches tall. Frenchie Bichons have a medium-length and dense coat that comes in color combinations of apricot, buff, cream, white, and/or fawn with a possible brindle pattern and ticked markings. This mix is likely to have been bred since the late 1900s and is relatively stabilize in personality and appearance. Those who have a Frenchie Bichon in the family say they are easy to care for dogs who have a lot of spunk.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion

                Date of Origin
              
Late 1900s

                Ancestry
              
French Bulldog, Bichon Frise

Frenchie Bichon Health

Average Size

Height: 11-12 inches Weight: 15-22 lbs

Height: 10-11 inches Weight: 13-20 lbs

Major Concerns

Pulmonic Stenosis
Brachycephalic Syndrome
Skeletal/Joint Conditions

Minor Concerns

Urolithiasis
Hemophilia
Hypothyroidism
Atopic Dermatitis
Eye conditions

Occasional Diagnoses

Entropion
Demodicosis

Occasional Tests

Physical Examination
Biopsy
Internal Imaging (x-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.)
Blood and Urine Tests
Hormone Analysis
Cardiac Test
Clinical Exam

Frenchie Bichon Breed History

The name Frenchie Bichon is a combination of the two names of its breed parents: the French Bulldog and the Bichon Frise. The French Bulldog has a story in both England and France. English breeders worked to breed the English Bulldog down in size to create a “toy” version of the French Bulldog, who in fact, is thought to be a descendent of the Molossers, muscular canines who had a thick neck and short muzzle. Small but strong, the French Bulldog migrated to France along with their owners during the Industrial Revolution. The French eventually standardized the breed, phasing out the English Bulldog’s under bite. On the move again, the story of the French Bulldog continued and the breed made its way to the United States. There, breeders cultivated the “bat” ear that we adore in the French Bulldog of today. The other parent breed, the Bichon Frise, is a canine of the Mediterranean, as are his cousins the Coton de Tulear, the Bolognese, the Maltese, and the Havanese. All in the family, they are thought to be directly related to the Barbet. Once in Europe, they were favored by the nobility and when the trend changed, they became performers on the street and in the circus. Today, they perform, and very well, in the competition show ring. Wonderful companions, they were registered by the American Kennel Club in 1972. The Frenchie Bichon was likely bred starting in the mid-1900s, but it has only recently been recognized as a designer hybrid. It has grown in popularity quickly and is known to have a sweet and playful disposition.

Frenchie Bichon Breed Appearance

Frenchie Bichons have well-balanced Bichon Frise bodies, as well as several French Bulldog characteristics. They are small dogs with an average weight of between 13 and 18 pounds and height of 10 to 16 inches. The Frenchie Bichon does not have the ample coat of its Bichon Frise parent; however, its coat is medium-length and relatively soft with a slight wave to it. Frenchie Bichons vary widely in color and can be any combination of apricot, buff, cream, white, or fawn with a possible brindle pattern and ticked markings. They have “bat” or slightly pricked ears, well-coated medium-length tails, and a sturdy French Bulldog stance. Frenchie Bichons have soft and sweet expressions, complete with round, dark eyes and short muzzles that end in a black nose.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Cream

White

Fawn

Brindle

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Frenchie Bichon Breed Maintenance

Frenchie Bichons are minimal shedders and do not require much grooming. Depending on the coat, a clip or trim may occasionally be needed to keep the shape of the coat. They are not hypoallergenic, but produce less allergens than your typical dog because of their Bichon Frise heritage. These pups are particularly prone to plaque buildup so it is extremely important for owners to brush their dogs’ teeth every day to avoid gum disease and tooth loss. Owners should bathe their Frenchie Bichons no more than once a month; otherwise they risk drying out their dogs’ coat. Finally, owners should clip their Frenchie Bichons’ nails once or twice a month and check their ears regularly.

Brushes for Frenchie Bichon

Pin Brush

Comb

Clipper

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Frenchie Bichon Temperament

These merry dogs are naturally affectionate and cheerful. Frenchie Bichons can be territorial over their owners and toys, but not in an aggressive manner. They tend to stick by their owners' sides outside of the home, but play enthusiastically with other humans and furry friends when they are indoors. Frenchie Bichons are also intelligent and attention seeking, making them great at learning commands and tricks to perform for their admiring audiences. However, their smarts also make them occasionally stubborn. As such, early and consistent training – as well as patience – is essential to rearing a well-behaved Frenchie Bichon. Nonetheless, this breed makes a great pet for apartment or urban living because of its small size, manageable exercise needs, and relatively easy maintenance. Frenchie Bichons also love to snuggle and receive attention from their owners, but are not known to be needy. Overall, Frenchie Bichons are happiest in the company of others, but they are also quite content to sit in a dog bed and chew on a toy.

Frenchie Bichon Activity Requirements

The Frenchie Bichon is well-balanced breed that loves equal parts playing and chilling. As such, they only require an average of 30 minutes of daily exercise. They enjoy short walks and casual trips to the dog park. They also enjoy romping around indoors with other pups and their human family members. Otherwise, you will find this breed curled up on the couch or splayed out in a sunspot. When they feel affectionate, Frenchie Bichons will be happy to sit and snooze in their owners’ laps. This breed is well-suited to all climates since it is primarily an indoor pet. Note, however, that Frenchie Bichons should not be exercised in extremely hot or extremely cold conditions.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
7 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
40 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Frenchie Bichon

Similarly Sized Breeds to Frenchie Bichon

Frenchie Bichon Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$0.70 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00

Written by Kathleen Egger

Published: 10/31/2017, edited: 02/24/2021

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