How to choose the right dog breed: The Bichon Frise

The profile of the Bichon Frise shows that it ranks fairly high on obedience training and low on aggression, so this breed may appeal to people who want a tiny dog with these traits. With most of the other small breeds, especially the terriers, you get a pet ranked high on aggressive traits and low on ease of training. This breed's high level of demand for affection makes it a good candidate among small breeds for a family pet. Notice, though, its high rank on snapping at children, which might require special preventive steps when small children are about.

For a tiny dog, its modestly high reactivity traits and medium ranking on excessive barking are about as mellow a blend as you can get. As an added bonus, the Bichon Frise is in the top decile on ease of housebreaking. Between its tiny size and its facility in housebreaking, you should have no cleanup worries with this breed.

The Bichon Frise can't be considered a watchdog however. If you're looking for a tiny dog with aggressive traits but with high reactivity and a substancial aptitude for training, 3 other breeds - the Maltese, the Shiz Tzu and the Toy Poodle - have profiles similar to the Bichon Frise's. All these breeds are slightly higher in reactivity. You might consider one of those breeds if you value watchdog barking, because they rank high despite their overall modest rankings on aggressive traits.

The Bichon Frise:

Weight: 9 lbs
Height: 10 in.
Build: Very light
Coat: Silky, profuse; little shedding and regular grooming required.
Color: White.

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