Dogs:why people love dogs; who owns them? who is Top Dog?

Why no Bichon Fries?
I wonder why there are no Bichon Fries mentioned? My Madison should be Top Dog!

This is what Maddy looked like when he was a puppy:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bichonfrise.htm

Now Maddy is nearly one year old and he looks similar to this (when he's all foo-fooed up:

http://www.calendars.com/product.asp?TID={2D951DF7-2865-4D96-88CD-9F709EC88D1A}&PID=1&MGID=-1&IID=7515
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Bichon Fries Pronunciation
BEE-shon Free-ZAY
Description

The Bichon Frise is a charming puffball of a dog with a loosely curled double coat consisting of a textured outer coat lined with a soft, fine, silky undercoat that is 3 to 4 inches (7-10cm.) long and is virtually hypo-allergenic. It is usually all white, but cream, gray or apricot hairs are permitted. It can be shown clipped like a poodle or long-haired with clippings only at the feet and muzzle. This breed should be trimmed for a rounded appearance. It has a moderate muzzle that is not pointed. Its stop is only slightly accentuated. It has a scissors bite with round dark intelligent eyes and hanging ears that are well covered with hair. The neck is long and the chest is well developed. Its tail is curved over its back.

Temperament
The Bichon is a most appealing little white dog that loves human company. It has an independent spirit, is intelligent, affectionate, bold and lively. This charming, gentle dog is not a yapper. It has a self-assured, happy temperament that is easy to live with. These bright little dogs are easy to train and just plain old love everyone. They need people to be happy. They are naturally sociable and are happiest when they are part of a family that takes them everywhere. This sociable trait also means that they are fine in the company of other dogs & pets and are excellent with children. Used as watchdogs and to perform tricks, this breed is competitive and obedient. Like a lot of smaller breeds, the Bichon may be difficult to housebreak. The Bichon Frise was one of the "Yuppie Puppies" very popular in the 1980's. As a result many were carelessly over-bred and some Bichon lines can be snippy. When seeking a Bichon be sure to find a reputable breeder to get the best personality traits this breed has to offer.

Height, Weight
Height: Dogs 9-12 inches (23-30cm.) Bitches 9-11 inches (23-28cm.)
Weight: 7-12 pounds (3-5kg.)

Health Problems
Some are prone to watery eyes, cataracts, skin and ear ailments, also epilepsy and dislocated kneecaps. They can be very sensitive to flea bites.

Living Conditions
The Bichon Frise can live in an apartment if it gets enough exercise. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Exercise
These are active little dogs and play will take care of most of their exercise needs, but they do love walks and especially to romp in the open.

Life Expectancy
About 15 or more years.

Grooming
This breed should be groomed frequently and bathed every month. Professional grooming is recommended every 4 weeks. Trim around the eyes and ears with a blunt pair of scissors and clean the eyes extensively to prevent staining. Show dogs are trimmed with scissors. The body of the pet dogs may be clipped with electric clippers though the rest of the dog must still be scissored. The Bichon sheds little to no hair and is good for allergy suffers.

Origin
The Bichon Frise first appeared in the 14th century, a cross between the Barbet Water Spaniel and the Poodle. The Bichon was traded by Spanish sailors and became a favorite of the 16th century French royal courts. It was a popular organ grinder's dog and also a circus performer. Today the Bichon Frise is primarily a companion and show dog.

Group
Gun Dog, AKC Non-Sporting

Recognition
CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, NKC, BFCA, NZKC, ANKC

Actually, I think the picture that accompanied the paper article had a pic of a Bichon. My former boss has one and my aunt and uncle have one. Nice little dogs, very sweet and not yappy. :-D

Cleo and Bailey are urban dogs. Bailey particularly so. He couldn't pee in one spot in Michigan, as the grass by the side of the road was toooooooo long. Setanta had to take him to the other side of the road, where the grass was a bit shorter.

mr. bailey can be quite haughty; miss cleo should really be called CUDDLES. when they are at our place and bailey has decided it's bedtime(for everyone !), he'll march off and occupy the centre of the bed. cleo will stay where we are, usually in the livingroom, until we decide to go to bed and she'll happily come along. when mrs. h and i go to bed (it's two beds side-by-side) bailey will sometimes take offence and leave the bed temporarily to go into his carrier. cleo will usually jump right up into the bed and push against me. bailey will usually jump back into bed once the lights are out. but if you come too close he'll sometimes growl and even leave the bed in protest. in the morning mrs. h and i can usually be found hanging on to the sides of the bed; cleo is pushed up against me as closely as possible - often all four legs in the air. and where is mr. bailey ? well, of course, he is in the CENTRE of the bed stretched out as far as possible in all directions ! of course he knows he is the KING ! (except for feeding time when cleo - being a faster eater - will sometimes try to snatch away some of his food. naturally he is just such a fine specimen that he usually will not object to this rude creature interfering with his meal). what a pair those two are ! nevertheless we have on a number of occasions been asked if they are brother and sister - i bet if bailey could hear this, he would spit ! also have been asked a number of ttimes what breed they are ? indeed, a very special breed! hbg

According to a BBC programme (some time ago) from a Darwinian point of view, it is dogs that have successfully manipulated humans not vice versa and "ownership" should possibly be viewed that way round ! BTW a group of native canoe builders from Fiji brought to London to exhibit their skills were observed prostrate with mirth at their first sight of a "sophisticated Westerner taking an animal for a walk".

fresco - i definitely do not own Mr. Bailey and Miss Cleopatra. They are my companions, and I consider myself lucky to be their current guardian and friend.

When I first started dog school (and I started one class before Bailey joined me), the instructor explained right away that the issue was the human's consistency, not the dog's. It is very clear that we are not training them, simply shaping their behaviour to accomodate all of our needs better.

Miss Cleopatra has lately been doing her very best to shape my behaviour to accomodate her needs more effectively. She is learning to herd me into the kitchen, in front of the prep counter, and then she nods significantly in the direction of the frying pan - where she expects bacon and scrambled eggs to be prepared to her specifications. I only noticed it recently, but realize she's been working on me for a while.

fresco : you are so right ! even our neighbour's dog knows how to manipulate us by pretending that at her place she is close to starving, and we fall for it everytime by producing some treats in a hurry(with our neighbour's approval). dogs sure know how to look into your eyes and make you melt. hbg

Both of Beth's dogs have developed the habit of "tapping." Either Mr. Bailey will come and tap on your arm with his forepaw, and nod toward the door to indicate that he needs to do his business, or Miss Cleo will tap on your arm to point out that you are not rubbing her belly, which she knows to be your purpose in life.

The more things change, the more they are the same:



I grew up in Manhattan Beach in the 1950's. At that time, poodles were de pooch du jour!