Instructions
Diet, Grooming &Exercise
Feed your bichon a good quality dog food. Most premium brands are available at pet stores, but some grocery stores also carry the better brands. A good quality dog food will list meat as the first ingredient. There should be no fillers such as corn or unidentified sources of fat, such as "animal fat" or "poultry meal." Chemicals or preservatives should not be present in good quality dog food.
Groom your bichon on a regular basis. Bichons are high-maintenance dogs. Their hair grows continually, so they must be groomed daily. Brushing will help keep their coats looking fresh and clean between regular grooming appointments. Taking your bichon to a professional groomer is the best way keep it looking good. Trimming the hair into the traditional powder-puff look can be tricky.
Exercise your bichon everyday. A daily walk or run in the yard will keep your dog fit and trim. As a small dog, they can live in an apartment if they are taken out to get enough exercise. Play time should include activities that get them moving. Toss a ball or favorite toy and let them fetch it back to you, play tug of war, or just take them for a walk around your neighborhood.
Visit your veterinarian. Be sure your bichon has all the necessary vaccinations as directed by your veterinarian. A mostly healthy dog, bichons can have flea allergies, which will cause them to have skin problems. This is best addressed by a veterinarian.
How to Take Care of Bichons
Bichon frises are fluffy, white dogs that are known as the clowns of the dog world. They are sturdy little dogs with a naturally happy disposition and curly, predominately white hair, although the color of the hair around the ears or legs may be buff, cream or apricot. A bichon looks like a powder puff when properly groomed. "Bichons also tend to be a good breed for allergy sufferers," the American Kennel Club asserts, but if you suffer from allergies you should consult your doctor before acquiring a bichon.