Bichon Frise

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The Bichon Frise is a cute little “puffy” dog that is friendly and thrilled to be with family. This is a small but sturdy dog who can be taken on family trips, and will be sad if you leave him at home. The Bichon Frise is known as one of the semi hypo-allergenic dogs, and is a good choice for those with mild allergies that are being treated with antihistamines.

This dog is a friendly and fun dog to have around. The breed may be sad if left alone for long periods of time. The Bichon Frise is a good family dog and will love everyone in his “pack.” This dog is good with children, however may be jumpy as a young dog and therefore not great with small children. The Bichon Frise is fast, lively and energetic and loves to run in the yard and house.

You may find some of this breed may bark quickly at any sound, so be sure you know your dog before living in an apartment. Some are fine, and some may be a bit “barky.” This dog is intelligent and is often used in circus acts and other animal shows.

Training

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The Bichon Frise is a very intelligent dog and can be trained to do tricks. Unfortunately, this breed is known as a dog that is very hard to housebreak, so plan to spend at least six months housetraining this breed. You may consider crate training the Bichon Frise when housebreaking.

Exercise

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The Bichon Frise does not need hours of run time, but is very active and certainly needs to run around daily. This can be in the house, the backyard or on a walk. You will find the young Bichon Frise a bundle of happy energy.

Grooming

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This breed has a curly outer coat and soft undercoat. The fur is known to be semi-hypollergenic. The Bichon Frise needs a good clipping about every few months. Brush to keep the fur from matting. This breed does not shed.

Health

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The Bichon Frise is prone to skin problems, and can chew his skin enough to worsen a problem area. He may suffer from food, skin, environmental or flea allergies. This breed is also prone to eye problems, dislocated knee caps and epilepsy.

Whippet

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The Whippet is beautiful, regal and gentle. He loves to be with you, and is often called the “velcro dog.” This breed is incredibly affectionate, and wants to be with you all the time. This dog is good with children. If you have a cat, you probably should not introduce a whippet into the family unless it is a puppy. The Whippet is hard wired to chase (and kill) small animals, so watch for rabbits, mice, cats and other small creatures.

Although tall, this breed cannot be handled roughly. They are more delicate than most dogs, and do not have a lot of “padding” to protect them. These dogs will not do well in the cold, and are sensitive to both hot and cold conditions. The Whippet should wear a sweater in the cold, and should not be kept outside in the extreme old or heat for any reason. Due to the dogs “lack of padding,” your Whippet will want to be on your soft furniture. If you absolutely forbid this, you may want to choose a different breed of dog for your home.

Whippets were bred to chase small animals, and are incredibly fast. Be very careful on walks and be sure your whippet is secure. If you see something run by quickly, be ready to grab your Whippet. If the Whippet sees it before you, he will be gone in a flash and will not come back. You will never be able to chase him down, and he will not stop until he is very far away. You may wish to have your Whippet microchipped for this very reason. Your fence needs to be secure as well, since the Whippet has a strong urge to chase and can jump high easily.

Training

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The Whippet is easy to train and wishes to please. He is smart and sensitive, so harsh training will not work. The Whippet needs loving, gentle training. Housetraining is fairly easy with the Whippet.

Exercise

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The Whippet enjoys walks and running. He does not require huge amounts exercise, but should be able to run in a nice fenced yard every day. If your Whippet begins to run around inside the house, he is not getting enough exercise outside.

Grooming

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This breed is easy to care for and is an average shedder.

Health

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The Whippet is a healthy breed. Whippet’s may be prone to heart conditions. He may also require quick attention if he receives a cut, since his skin is tight and the rip may quickly spread. The Whippet is a sighthound and is extremely sensitive to medications and strong chemical smells. Be sure your veterinarian understands that your Whippet may need a smaller dosage of medications as well as anesthesia.