Bichon Frise Breed Standard:
Origin
and Purpose
The Bichon Frise originated in the Canary Islands and was formerly called
the Bichon Teneriffe after the largest of this group of islands. It has
been bred as a companion dog because of its friendly and affectionate
nature.
General Appearance
The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, white powder puff of a dog. Its
dark-eyed, intelligent expression, and plumed tail carried jauntily over
the back attest to its merry temperament and create an overall air of
elegance and dignity.
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.
Temperament
Alert, gentle mannered, playful and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is
the hallmark of the breed and one should settle for nothing less.
Size
Dogs and bitches 9.5 inches to 11.5 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.
Coat and Colour
The texture of the coat is of utmost importance. The undercoat is soft and
dense, the outer coat 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.
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, arch of neck, 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, and when bathed, brushed
and trimmed, the coat stands off the body, creating an overall powder puff
appearance. A wiry coat is not desirable. A limp silky coat that lies
down, or a lack of undercoat are very serious faults.
The colour is white. There may be shadings of buff, cream or apricot
around the ears or on the body. Any colour in excess of 10% of the entire
coat of a mature specimen is a fault and should be penalized, but colour
of the accepted shadings should not be faulted in puppies.
Head
The skull is slightly rounded, allowing for a round and forward looking
eye. The skull should be broad, not coarse, covered with a topknot of hair
giving it a rounded appearance.
Muzzle:
A properly balanced head is three parts muzzle to five parts
skull. This is measured from the nose to the stop and from the stop of the
occiput. The stop is slightly accentuated. 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 chiselling under the eyes, but not
so much as to result in a weak or snipey foreface. The lower jaw is
strong. Nose:
The nose is prominent and always black. Mouth:
Lips are black, fine, never drooping. Bite is scissors. A bite
which is undershot or overshot should be penalized. A crooked or out of
line tooth is permissible, however missing teeth are to be severely
faulted. Eyes:
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 colour other than black
or dark brown is a very serious fault and must be severely penalized. Ears:
The ears are dropped and covered with long, flowing hair. When extended
towards 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 frame the face.
Neck
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 one-third the distance from forechest to
buttocks.
Forequarters:
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.
Upper Arm
The upper arm extends well back so the elbow is placed directly below the
withers when viewed from the side. The elbows are held close to the body.
Lower Arm
Legs are of medium bone; straight, with no bow or curve in the forearm or
wrist.
Pasterns
The pasterns slope slightly from the vertical. The dewclaws may be
removed.
Body
The body from the forward most part of the chest to the point of rump is
25% longer than the height at the withers. The body from the withers to
lowest point of the chest represents half the distance from withers to
ground. The back from the withers to the set of tail is slightly shorter
than the dog is tall.
Topline
The topline is level except for a slight, muscular arch over the loin.
Chest
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 forechest is well pronounced and protrudes slightly
forward of the point of shoulder. The rib cage is moderately sprung and
extends back to a short and muscular loin.
Abdomen
The abdomen is well muscled, not flabby, with a moderate tuck-up.
Loin
The loin is short and muscular.
Croup
There is a slight, muscular arch over the loin. The croup is level.
Hindquarters:
Hipbone flat, not protruding, slightly muscular.
Upper Thigh/Lower Thigh
The upper and lower thighs are nearly equal in length, meeting at the
stifle bend.
Hocks
The leg from hock joint to foot pad is perpendicular to the ground.
Stifle Bend
The stifle joint is well bent.
Feet
The paws are tight and round with black, thick pads. The dewclaws may be
removed. Nails are kept short.
Tail
The tail is well plumed, set on level with the topline and curved
gracefully over the back in line with the spine so that the hair of the
tail rests on the back. The tailbone is not to touch the back. Carried in
this way and extended forward towards the head it reaches at least halfway
to the withers. A low tail set, a tail carried perpendicular to the back
or a tail which droops behind is to be penalized. A corkscrew tail is a
very serious fault.
Gait
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
maintains a steady topline. When moving, the head and neck remain somewhat
erect and as speed increases there is a very slight convergence of legs
toward the centre line. Moving away, the hindquarters travel with moderate
width between them and the foot pads can be seen. Coming and going,
movement is precise and true.
Faults
Cow-hocks; incorrect head proportion; poor pigmentation; protruding or
almond shaped eyes; undershot or overshot bite; missing teeth; incorrect
body proportions; incorrect tail set or carriage; overly trimmed coat on
adults or puppies which does not portray a powder puff appearance;
aggressive or shy behaviour.
Disqualifications
Over 12 inches (30 cm) or under 9 inches (23 cm), yellow eyes; black hair
in the coat; pink eye rims and/or nose; showing aggression by biting or
snapping.
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