"THE
BREED STANDARD"
Approved October 11, 1988
Effective November 30, 1988
General Appearance |
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The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, white powder puff of a dog
whose merry temperament is evidenced by his plumed tail carried
jauntily over the back and his dark-eyed inquisitive expression. This is a breed that has no gross or incapacitating exaggerations and therefore there is no inherent reason for lack of balance or unsound movement. Any deviation from the ideal described in the standard should be penalized to the extent of the deviation. Structural faults common to all breeds are as undesirable in the Bichon Frise as in any other breed, even though such faults may not be specifically mentioned in the standard. |
 "Ami" |
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Size, Proportion, Substance |
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Size Dogs and bitches 9½ to 11½ inches are to be
given primary preference. Only where the comparative superiority of
a specimen outside this range clearly justifies it should greater
latitude be taken. In no case, however, should this latitude ever
extend over 12 inches or under 9 inches. The minimum limits do not
apply to puppies. Proportion--The body from the
forward-most point of the chest to the point of rump is ¼ longer
than the height at the withers. The body from the withers to lowest
point of chest represents ½ the distance from withers to ground. Substance--Compact and of medium bone throughout; neither
coarse nor fine.
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 "Pixie" |
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Head |
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Expression--Soft, dark-eyed, inquisitive, alert.
Eyes are round, black or dark brown and are set in the
skull to look directly forward. An overly large or bulging eye is a
fault as is an almond shaped, obliquely set eye. Halos, the black or
very dark brown skin surrounding the eyes, are necessary as they
accentuate the eye and enhance expression. The eye rims themselves
must be black. Broken pigment, or total absence of pigment on the
eye rims produce a blank and staring expression, which is a definite
fault. Eyes of any color other than black or dark brown are a very
serious fault and must be severely penalized. Ears are
drop and are covered with long flowing hair. When extended toward
the nose, the leathers reach approximately halfway the length of the
muzzle. They are set on slightly higher than eye level and rather
forward on the skull, so that when the dog is alert they serve to
frame the face. The skull is slightly rounded,
allowing for a round and forward looking eye. The stop
is slightly accentuated.
Muzzle--A properly balanced
head is three parts muzzle to five parts skull, measured from the
nose to the stop and from the stop to the occiput. A line drawn
between the outside corners of the eyes and to the nose will create
a near equilateral triangle. There is a slight degree of chiseling
under the eyes, but not so much as to result in a weak or snipey
foreface. The lower jaw is strong. The nose is
prominent and always black. Lips are black, fine,
never drooping. Bite is scissors. A bite which is
undershot or overshot should be severely penalized. A crooked or out
of line tooth is permissible, however, missing teeth are to be
severely faulted.
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 "Pixie" |
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Neck, Topline and Body |
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The arched neck is long and carried proudly
behind an erect head. It blends smoothly into the shoulders. The
length of neck from occiput to withers is approximately 1/3 the
distance from forechest to buttocks. The topline is
level except for a slight, muscular arch over the loin. Body--The
chest is well developed and wide enough to allow free and
unrestricted movement of the front legs. The lowest point of the
chest extends at least to the elbow. The rib cage is moderately
sprung and extends back to a short and muscular loin. The forechest
is well pronounced and protrudes slightly forward of the point of
shoulder. The underline has a moderate tuck-up. Tail
is well plumed, set on level with the topline and curved gracefully
over the back so that the hair of the tail rests on the back. When
the tail is extended toward the head it reaches at least halfway to
the withers. A low tail set, a tail carried perpendicularly to the
back, or a tail which droops behind is to be severely penalized. A
corkscrew tail is a very serious fault.
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Forequarters |
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Shoulders--The shoulder blade, upper arm and
forearm are approximately equal in length. The shoulders are laid
back to somewhat near a forty-five degree angle. The upper arm
extends well back so the elbow is placed directly below the withers
when viewed from the side. Legs are of medium bone; straight,
with no bow or curve in the forearm or wrist. The elbows are held
close to the body. The pasterns slope slightly from
the vertical. The dewclaws may be removed. The feet
are tight and round, resembling those of a cat and point directly
forward, turning neither in nor out. Pads are black.
Nails are kept short. |
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Hindquarters |
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The hindquarters are of medium bone, well angulated with
muscular thighs and spaced moderately wide. The upper and lower
thigh are nearly equal in length meeting at a well bent stifle
joint. The leg from hock joint to foot pad is perpendicular to the
ground. Dewclaws may be removed. Paws are tight and round with black
pads. |
"Isabel" |
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Coat
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The texture of the coat is of utmost importance. The undercoat
is soft and dense, the outercoat of a coarser and curlier texture.
The combination of the two gives a soft but substantial feel to the
touch which is similar to plush or velvet and when patted springs
back. When bathed and brushed, it stands off the body, creating an
overall powder puff appearance. A wiry coat is not desirable. A
limp, silky coat, a coat that lies down, or a lack of undercoat are
very serious faults. Trimming--The coat is trimmed to
reveal the natural outline of the body. It is rounded off from any
direction and never cut so short as to create an overly trimmed or
squared off appearance. The furnishings of the head, beard,
moustache, ears and tail are left longer. The longer head hair is
trimmed to create an overall rounded impression. The topline is
trimmed to appear level. The coat is long enough to maintain the
powder puff look which is characteristic of the breed.
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 "Honey"
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Color |
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Color is white, may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around
the ears or on the body. Any color in excess of 10% of the entire
coat of a mature specimen is a fault and should be penalized, but
color of the accepted shadings should not be faulted in puppies. |
 " Beamer" |
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Gait
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Movement at a trot is free, precise and effortless.
In profile
the forelegs and hind legs extend equally with an easy reach and
drive that maintain a steady topline. Moving away, the
hindquarters travel with moderate width between them and the foot
pads can be seen. |
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 "Bailey"
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Temperament |
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Gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is the hallmark of the breed and one should settle
for nothing less. |
"Honey" |
