What is a Bichon Frise's temperament like?

Bichon Frises are famously cheerful, affectionate, playful, and gentle little dogs, and this happy, loving temperament is the breed's great appeal, Bichons are often described as merry, sociable, and downright joyful companions. Bred as companion dogs (and once popular circus and lap dogs), the Bichon is people-oriented, friendly, and devoted, thriving on human company and affection, and typically bonding closely with its family. Bichons are generally very good with children (their gentle, playful, patient nature) and usually sociable and friendly with other dogs and pets, making them lovely family and companion dogs, and they tend to be outgoing and friendly with people generally (not typically shy or aggressive). They are playful and moderately active, they enjoy play and short walks and have a fun, bouncy, sometimes clownish energy (the famous Bichon "blitz" or "buzz", zooming happily around, is a breed trait), but they are not high-energy or demanding in their exercise needs, and are happy to be affectionate lap companions, which suits many households. They are intelligent and generally trainable (they were circus performers, after all, and can learn tricks), responding well to positive, reward-based training, though, like many small breeds, they can be a little stubborn about house-training (see below), and consistency helps. A key temperament point: Bichons are companion dogs that thrive on being with their people and do NOT do well left alone for long periods, the breed is prone to separation anxiety, so it suits a household where the dog has company much of the time and is not left alone all day. As with any small dog, early socialization and treating the Bichon like a real dog (training and socialization, not just pampering) help ensure a confident, well-mannered companion. Overall, the Bichon Frise temperament, cheerful, affectionate, playful, gentle, and sociable, makes it a wonderful, joyful companion and family dog, one of the friendliest and happiest of the small breeds; the main commitments of the breed are its grooming needs and its need for companionship, more than anything about temperament.

Are Bichon Frises good apartment dogs and good in Montreal?

Yes, Bichon Frises are generally excellent apartment and city dogs and can suit Montreal well, with some considerations around companionship, grooming, and winter. On apartment suitability: the Bichon's small size (typically 10 to 18 lbs) and moderate, easily-met exercise needs (play and short walks) make it well-suited to apartments and condos, and its cheerful, adaptable, people-loving nature suits city living, so the Bichon is a good fit for Montreal's many apartment and condo dwellers. Its friendliness also generally makes it a good neighbour (though, like many small dogs, some Bichons can be a bit barky, which training helps manage, a consideration in an apartment). On companionship: the Bichon thrives on company and is prone to separation anxiety, so it suits a household where the dog is not left alone for long stretches (an important consideration for anyone out at work all day). On Montreal's climate: the Bichon has a curly, double coat (an undercoat plus the curly outer coat) that provides some insulation, so it handles cold reasonably for a small dog, but, being small, it can still get cold, so a coat/sweater for winter walks in very cold weather and sensible limits on cold exposure are wise; the curly coat also readily picks up snow and ice balls in the feathering and around the paws, and road salt, in Montreal winters (a grooming consideration, see the grooming guide). The white coat also shows dirt and, in winter, salt and slush, meaning more frequent cleaning. On grooming: this is the breed's main practical commitment, the Bichon's curly, continuously-growing, low-shedding coat needs regular, diligent grooming, both professional grooming and at-home brushing, to prevent matting and keep it healthy, a real, ongoing commitment (see the grooming guide). On other points: the low-shedding coat is one reason the Bichon is often considered a good choice for people wanting a low-shedding (and sometimes better-tolerated by allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic) dog, which many apartment/city dwellers appreciate. Overall, for a Montreal individual or family, including apartment/condo dwellers, wanting a small, cheerful, affectionate, low-shedding companion, and who can provide companionship (not leaving the dog alone too much) and the breed's grooming, a Bichon Frise is a wonderful, joyful fit that suits city and apartment living very well.

How much does it cost to adopt and own a Bichon Frise in Montreal?

Adoption fees in the Montreal area typically run from around $300 to $600 depending on the organization and the dog's age, and that fee normally covers spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping, which represents a substantial saving over buying a Bichon Frise from a breeder, where purebred puppies commonly run $1,500 to $3,000 or more (and a reputable breeder matters, as popular small breeds like the Bichon are common in puppy mills). Beyond the adoption fee, budget for ongoing and occasional costs, with grooming being a notable one for this breed: good-quality food (a small cost given the breed's tiny size); routine veterinary care (vaccinations, check-ups, parasite prevention); grooming, this is a significant, recurring cost for the Bichon, as the breed's curly, continuously-growing coat needs regular professional grooming (many Bichon owners have the dog professionally groomed every 4 to 8 weeks or so, for bathing, clipping/trimming the coat, and tidying, plus at-home brushing between grooms), which is a real, ongoing expense (see the grooming guide); dental care, small breeds including the Bichon are prone to dental disease, so dental care (brushing and professional cleanings over the dog's life) is an important recurring consideration; a coat/sweater for Montreal winters; and a fund or pet insurance for health issues (Bichons can be prone to allergies/skin issues, dental disease, luxating patellas, bladder/urinary stones, eye and ear issues, and some others, see the health guide). Pet insurance is worth considering (take it out while the dog is young and healthy). Under Quebec's Civil Code (article 898.1), animals are recognized as sentient beings, not mere property, a reflection of the genuine responsibility of pet ownership. Overall, a Bichon is a moderate cost to own, but the regular professional grooming (a defining recurring cost) and the potential dental and other health costs are notable, so it is a somewhat higher-maintenance (mainly grooming-wise) breed than its size suggests, and prospective adopters should budget for the grooming and potential health costs over the dog's life (Bichons are fairly long-lived, often 14 to 16 years).

What should I know before adopting a Bichon Frise?

Before adopting a Bichon Frise, understand what this cheerful little breed needs so you can give it a great home: (1) It has a wonderful, joyful temperament, Bichons are cheerful, affectionate, playful, gentle, and sociable, generally excellent with children and other pets, and one of the friendliest, happiest small breeds, the temperament is the breed's great appeal. (2) Grooming is a significant, ongoing commitment, this is the main practical thing: the Bichon's curly, continuously-growing, low-shedding coat needs regular, diligent grooming, professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks plus frequent at-home brushing, to prevent matting and keep it healthy (a neglected Bichon coat mats badly), so a real, recurring cost and effort (see the grooming guide). (3) It needs companionship, Bichons thrive on company and are prone to separation anxiety, so they do NOT suit a household where the dog would be left alone for long stretches; they need to be with their people. (4) It is low-shedding (often tolerated better by allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic), which many owners appreciate, but this comes with the high grooming needs. (5) It can be prone to certain health issues, especially allergies/skin issues, dental disease, luxating patellas, and bladder/urinary stones (the breed is somewhat prone to these), plus eye and ear issues (see the health guide), so good preventive care (especially dental and skin) and a health fund or insurance matter. (6) It can be a bit stubborn to house-train (common in small breeds), so consistent, positive house-training (and patience) is worth planning for. (7) It is small and long-lived, a long commitment (often 14 to 16 years), and, being small, needs gentle handling (supervision around very young children or large dogs). (8) In Montreal, it needs a coat for winter and its coat picks up snow/salt (a grooming consideration). For an adopted Bichon, ask the rescue what is known about the dog's temperament, history, and health, especially any skin, dental, or urinary issues, and house-training status, and rely on their assessment. If you can provide the grooming, companionship, dental care, and love, a Bichon Frise is a cheerful, affectionate, joyful, wonderful companion; the grooming and companionship needs are the main things to be genuinely prepared for.

Should I buy a Bichon Frise puppy or adopt?

We would always encourage you to consider adoption first. Buying a Bichon Frise puppy from a breeder commonly costs $1,500 to $3,000 or more, and, because the Bichon is a popular small breed, it is unfortunately common in puppy mills and irresponsible/high-volume breeding (which produce dogs at higher risk of health and temperament problems), so choosing a genuinely reputable breeder, one who health-tests and raises puppies well, and is transparent, takes real care, and cheap Bichon puppies or those from anyone not health-testing (or from pet stores, which often source from mills) are a serious warning sign. Adoption, by contrast, gives a dog in need a home, costs far less (typically $300 to $600, including spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping), and, if you adopt an adult, lets you see the dog's actual temperament and any health/skin/dental considerations, and rely on the rescue's assessment. The main consideration is that purebred Bichons are popular and can go quickly in rescue, so adopting one may take patience, being open to a Bichon mix (including the many lovely Bichon crosses, such as Poochons, Shichons/Teddy Bears, and others, which turn up in rescue) or an adult helps. If you have your heart set on the breed and truly cannot find one through rescue after genuinely trying, choose a responsible breeder and avoid puppy-mill, pet-store, or cheap puppies. But given the number of dogs needing homes, the prevalence of puppy-mill Bichons (making adoption an ethical choice that avoids supporting mills), and the value of knowing an adult dog's temperament and health, we would always encourage exploring adoption first. Start with LocalPetFinder's Montreal listings and local/small-breed rescues.

Bichon Frise Adoption in Montreal

Q: Where can I adopt a Bichon Frise in Montreal?

There are several routes to adopting a Bichon Frise in the Montreal area. Start with LocalPetFinder's Montreal dog listings, which aggregate adoptable dogs from Montreal-area shelters and rescues in one place and are refreshed regularly, and search for Bichon Frises and Bichon mixes. Bichons and Bichon mixes do turn up in rescue, so also: check the Montreal SPCA (spca.com), the largest animal-protection organization in Quebec, which takes in dogs of all kinds; watch Montreal-area general and small-breed rescues (many are foster-based and post dogs through their websites and social media as they become available); consider breed-specific and small/companion-breed rescue networks in Canada that sometimes cover Quebec; and keep in mind that Bichon mixes (including crosses with poodles, shih tzus, and other small breeds, such as "Shichons"/Teddy Bears, Poochons, etc.) turn up in rescue and can make wonderful pets. Because Bichons are a popular small breed, purebreds can be adopted quickly when they appear in rescue, so adopting one may take patience, being open to a mix or an adult helps, and staying in touch with rescues. Setting up alerts is useful. Adopting an adult Bichon has advantages: you can see the dog's temperament and any health or skin/dental considerations (the breed can have allergies and dental issues, so knowing an adult's status helps). If you specifically want a Bichon and cannot find one through rescue, and are considering a breeder, choose responsibly, a good Bichon breeder health-tests and is transparent, and be wary of anyone breeding or selling Bichons cheaply or without health testing (small, popular breeds are common in puppy mills). But rescue is always worth pursuing first.

The short answer

Bichon Frises are cheerful, affectionate, playful, gentle, and sociable little companions, one of the friendliest, happiest small breeds, generally great with children and other pets. Their small size and modest exercise needs make them excellent apartment/city dogs, and the low-shedding curly coat is often better tolerated by allergy sufferers (though no dog is truly hypoallergenic). Start on LocalPetFinder's Montreal listings, the Montreal SPCA, and small-breed rescue (be open to a mix, and note Bichons are common in puppy mills, so adoption avoids supporting them). Two main commitments: the curly coat's regular grooming (professional grooming every 4 to 8 weeks plus brushing) and the breed's need for companionship (prone to separation anxiety). Adoption runs ~$300 to $600; they're long-lived (~14 to 16 years).

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A Bichon Frise in Montreal — A cheerful, affectionate, low-shedding little companion, the Bichon suits apartments and families for owners ready for the coat grooming and its need for company.

Few dogs are as reliably joyful as the Bichon Frise, that merry, bouncy, affectionate little charmer in a cloud of white curls. It's one of the great small companion breeds, easy to love and well-suited to city life. The main things to be ready for aren't about temperament at all: the coat needs real grooming, and the breed genuinely needs your company. Here's what Montreal adopters should know.

Where to adopt in Montreal

A few routes, though popular purebreds can go quickly, so patience helps:

•LocalPetFinder's Montreal dog listings, aggregating adoptable dogs from Montreal-area shelters and rescues, refreshed regularly. Search Bichons and Bichon mixes.
•The Montreal SPCA, Quebec's largest animal-protection organization.
•Montreal-area general and small-breed rescues, many foster-based, posting dogs through their websites and social media.
•Bichon and small/companion-breed rescue networks in Canada that sometimes cover Quebec.

Because the Bichon is a popular small breed, it's unfortunately common in puppy mills, so adoption is an ethical choice that avoids supporting them. Adopting an adult lets you see the temperament and any skin/dental considerations. Be open to a Bichon mix (Poochons, Shichons/Teddy Bears, and other lovely crosses turn up in rescue) or an adult.

The cheerful, affectionate temperament

Bichons are famously cheerful, affectionate, playful, and gentle, merry, sociable, downright joyful companions. Bred as companion (and once circus) dogs, the Bichon is people-oriented, friendly, and devoted, thriving on company and bonding closely with its family. They're generally very good with children (gentle and playful) and usually sociable with other dogs and pets, and outgoing and friendly with people generally. They're playful and moderately active (enjoying play, short walks, and the famous bouncy Bichon “blitz”), but not high-energy, and happy to be affectionate lap companions.

They're intelligent and generally trainable (former circus performers, they love tricks) with positive methods, though, like many small breeds, a little stubborn about house-training (consistency helps). A key point: Bichons are companion dogs that thrive on being with their people and do NOT do well left alone for long, the breed is prone to separation anxiety, so it suits a household where the dog has company much of the time.

As with any small dog, early socialization and treating the Bichon like a real dog (training and socialization, not just pampering) ensure a confident, well-mannered companion. The temperament is the breed's great appeal, one of the friendliest, happiest small breeds, with grooming and companionship the main commitments. See our health guide and grooming guide.

Apartment and climate fit

The Bichon's small size (10 to 18 lbs) and modest exercise needs make it an excellent apartment/city dog, a great fit for Montreal's many apartment and condo dwellers, and its cheerful, adaptable nature suits city living (manage any barking through training). The main caveat: it thrives on company and is prone to separation anxiety, so it suits a household where it's not left alone all day. The low-shedding coat is a plus for apartment/city living (often better tolerated by allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic), but comes with the grooming commitment.

On climate: the Bichon's curly double coat gives some insulation, so it handles cold reasonably for a small dog, but, being small, it can still get cold, so a coat/sweater for very cold winter walks and sensible cold limits are wise. The curly coat readily picks up snow, ice balls, and road salt in Montreal winters (a grooming consideration), and the white coat shows dirt, salt, and slush, meaning more frequent cleaning. For a Montreal individual or family, including apartment/condo dwellers, wanting a small, cheerful, affectionate, low-shedding companion who can provide company and the grooming, the Bichon is a wonderful, joyful fit that suits city and apartment living very well.

The real cost

Adoption fees run ~$300 to $600 (usually covering spay/neuter, vaccinations, and microchipping), vs $1,500 to $3,000+ from a breeder. Ongoing costs are moderate, with grooming a notable one: small-breed food, routine vet care, regular professional grooming (every 4 to 8 weeks, a real recurring expense, plus at-home brushing), dental care (small breeds are prone to dental disease), a winter coat, and a fund or insurance for potential issues (allergies/skin, dental, luxating patellas, bladder/urinary stones).

Pet insurance is worth considering (take it out while the dog is young and healthy). Under Quebec's Civil Code (article 898.1), animals are recognized as sentient beings, not mere property. A Bichon is a moderate cost to own, but the regular professional grooming (a defining recurring cost) and potential dental and other health costs make it somewhat higher-maintenance (mainly grooming-wise) than its size suggests, budget for the grooming and potential health costs over the dog's life (Bichons are fairly long-lived, often 14 to 16 years).

Browse adoptable dogs in Montreal

Bichons and Bichon mixes turn up in rescue, and adopting avoids supporting the puppy mills the breed is common in. Refreshed regularly across Montreal-area organizations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I adopt a Bichon Frise in Montreal?

Start with LocalPetFinder's Montreal listings, the Montreal SPCA (spca.com), general and small-breed rescues, and Canadian Bichon/small-breed rescue. Popular purebreds can go quickly, so be patient and open to a mix (Poochons, Shichons, etc.) or an adult. Bichons are common in puppy mills, so adoption is an ethical choice that avoids supporting them; adopting an adult also shows you the temperament and health.

What is their temperament like?

Cheerful, affectionate, playful, gentle, and sociable, one of the friendliest, happiest small breeds, generally great with children and other pets. Playful and moderately active (the bouncy Bichon “blitz”) but not high-energy, and happy to be a lap companion. Intelligent and trainable, though a bit stubborn about house-training. They thrive on company and are prone to separation anxiety.

Are they good apartment dogs in Montreal?

Yes, excellent, small size and modest exercise needs suit apartments and city living well, and the low-shedding coat is a plus (often better tolerated by allergy sufferers, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic). The main caveat: they're prone to separation anxiety, so shouldn't be left alone all day. In winter, a coat helps and the curly coat picks up snow and salt (a grooming consideration).

How much does it cost?

Adoption runs ~$300 to $600 (usually including spay/neuter, vaccinations, microchipping), vs $1,500 to $3,000+ from a breeder. Ongoing costs are moderate, with grooming notable: food, vet care, regular professional grooming (every 4 to 8 weeks), dental care, a winter coat, and a fund or insurance for allergies/skin, dental, luxating patellas, and bladder stones. They're long-lived (~14 to 16 years).

What should I know before adopting one?

A wonderful joyful temperament, but grooming is a significant ongoing commitment (the curly coat needs professional grooming plus brushing, or it mats), and the breed needs companionship (prone to separation anxiety, don't leave it alone all day). It's low-shedding, can be stubborn to house-train, and can have allergies, dental issues, luxating patellas, and bladder stones. A long-lived, long commitment (~14 to 16 years).

Should I buy a puppy or adopt?

Consider adoption first. Buying runs $1,500 to $3,000+, and because the Bichon is a popular small breed, it's common in puppy mills, so a genuinely reputable, health-testing breeder takes care to find (cheap, pet-store, or mill puppies are a serious warning sign). Adoption costs far less, avoids supporting mills, and, with an adult, shows you the temperament and health. Be open to a mix or an adult.

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