| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Q. Should I get a male or a female puppy? A. Good question! Many people have the misconception that females are easier to housetrain. That is incorrect. While it is true that males will "mark" their territory more often than females (yes, females do it, too!) this is greatly reduced by having the young male neutered. This behavior is independent of housetraining, anyway, and comes from an entirely different neurological response in the male puppy's brain. Males make just as good housepets as females, especially when they are neutered. It has been my experience that males retain a little more "puppy energy" as they mature, and tend to be a little more playful than females as they age. So, if you want your pet to be a child's companion, or you prefer a more playful pet, you might want to consider a male over a female. Both male and female Bichons are close and attentive companions, so the choice is really a matter of individual preference! Q. Should I have my pet spayed/neutered? A. Yes, definately! Both males and females should be sexually altered at around 6 months of age. It is not necessary to let a female have her first estrus (heat cycle) prior to having her spayed. Your pet will live longer, with far less chance of developing cancer if you have him or her altered at 6 months, and you won't be concerned of an unwanted pregnancy, sexually contracted disease, wandering, fighting, soiling, and the other undesirable issues that accompany mating behaviors in unaltered dogs.
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| Q. What should I feed my Bichon? A. Your puppy has been started on a very high quality diet of cereal supplemented with protein, vitamins, and minerals. You will receive a two week supply of the food that your puppy is accustomed to eating when you pick him up. I recommend that you continue feeding him this diet exclusively for the first two weeks, while he adjusts to his new home. Then, you can gradually switch his diet to a dry puppy chow over a period of about two weeks. I recommend Eukanuba lamb and rice for puppies, or Diamond puppy chow. A high quality dog chow is essential to your pet's health. You can also give him a scrambled egg once a week for additional protein. Dogs have fewer problems with bad breath, oral hygiene, and tear staining when they are maintained on a high quality food. This is one of the most important considerations in maintaining your pet's health and well-being. Q. What vaccinations will my puppy need? A. Your puppy should receive vaccinations at 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks. He will also need a rabies vaccine at 6 months, and annual boosters thereafter. They are started on Vanguard Plus 5/CV. This protects the puppy against parvovirus, hepatitis-2, distemper, parainfluenza, and corona virus. At your puppy's initial veterinary check, ask whether he or she feels your puppy would benefit from leptospirosis protection. Some veterinarians will recommend that you wait until the first annual booster to begin leptospirosis vaccination if it isn't a problem in your area because it can cause an allergic reaction in puppies. If you plan to leave your puppy in a kennel, you should have him immunized against Bordetella (kennel cough) two weeks prior. Many kennels require proof of Bordetella immunization prior to accepting a dog for boarding. Follow your veterinarian's recommendations for flea and tick control, heart worm preventative, and anti-helmentic treatment.
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| Q. How often should I have my Bichon groomed? A. Most Bichons should be groomed every 6 weeks. You should bathe your Bichon once or twice between groomings. A good groomer will pluck the hair out of the ear canals and cut and file the toenails in addition to grooming the coat. It is important that you brush your Bichon with a wire brush three times a week to remove dirt and loose hair, and to prevent mats from forming. If you begin gently when the dog is very young, he will enjoy the grooming time, and cooperate nicely. Avoid neglecting the coat until it becomes a matted mess and then trying to correct it all at once. Understandably, this will result in your pet becoming fearful and anxious at grooming time, and learning to hide when he sees the grooming brush! The Bichon "pet cut" is fairly simple if you are inclined to attempt it yourself. The neck, chest and body are sheared to about 5/8" and the legs, face and ears are scissor cut. If you decide to groom your pet yourself, I recommend you invest in a high quality electric clipper (I use the Oster Golden A-5) and a grooming table. Begin with short sessions, and lots of praise and treats at an early age so that your pet doesn't dread the grooming sessions.
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| Interesting Bichon Frise Links |
Did you know that performer Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones owns a Bichon Frise named Delilah Rose? Actress Debra Messing of "Will and Grace" owns a Bichon Frise. Model Milla Jovovich owns a Bichon Frise.
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