Bichon Frise Registration — Register Your Bichon Frise or Any Bichon Mix with DKC

General Appearance

The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy, and well-proportioned dog with a distinctive powder-puff appearance. Its coat is soft, dense, and curly, giving the breed a plush, round silhouette. The expression is gentle, inquisitive, and alert.

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Size

• Height: 9.5 to 11.5 inches (24–29 cm) at the withers

• Weight: 12 to 18 pounds (5.5–8 kg)

• Proportion: The body from point of shoulder to point of buttocks is slightly longer than the height at the withers.

Head

• Skull: Slightly rounded on top, with a moderately defined stop.

• Muzzle: Not pointy, approximately one-third the length of the head.

• Nose: Black and prominent.

• Eyes: Round, dark, and set forward. Expression is alert and soft.

• Eyelids: Rimmed in black.

• Ears: Dropped, well-feathered, and set level with the eyes, framing the face.

Body

• Neck: Arched, long enough to allow a proud carriage of the head.

• Chest: Well-developed with a prominent forechest and well-sprung ribs.

• Back: Level topline from withers to croup.

• Loin: Strong and slightly tucked up.

• Tail: Well-plumed and curved gracefully over the back but not tightly curled or touching the back.

Legs & Feet

• Forequarters: Straight and well-boned with laid-back shoulders.

• Hindquarters: Strong and muscular with moderate angulation.

• Feet: Small, tight, and round with black pads.

Coat

• Type: Double coat. The undercoat is soft and dense; the outer coat is soft and curly, forming a plush texture.

• Texture: The coat should spring back when touched.

• Color: White is preferred. Puppies may have cream, buff, or apricot shadings, which typically fade with maturity.

Gait / Movement

The Bichon moves with a lively, precise, and effortless gait. The movement is free and flowing, with good reach in the front and drive in the rear. When trotting, the topline remains level.

Temperament

The Bichon Frise is playful, affectionate, and friendly. Known for its gentle manner and sensitivity to human moods, the breed is excellent with children and other pets. The Bichon is confident, outgoing, and has a merry, comic personality.

• Disposition: Cheerful, curious, and adaptable

• Trainability: Intelligent and eager to please, responds well to positive reinforcement

• Social Traits: Enjoys human company, thrives on attention

Faults

• Lack of proper coat texture or grooming

• Shyness or timidity

• Over- or undersize

• Eyes too light or set too close

• Poor movement

Disqualifications

• Aggressive or overly shy temperament

• Solid patches of color (except for minor shadings in young puppies)

• Overshot or undershot bite that affects the breed’s expression

• Height under 9.5 inches or over 11.5 inches (adult dogs)

Ideal Owner

The ideal owner is attentive, affectionate, and dedicated to regular grooming. The Bichon does best in an environment where it is not left alone for long periods and can be part of daily family life.

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The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, powder-puff companion breed with roots in the Mediterranean. The breed is believed to have developed on Tenerife in the Canary Islands from the ancient Barbet or water-spaniel type dogs. Spanish sailors carried them across Europe, where they became favorites of the royal courts of Spain, Italy, and France beginning in the 13th century. King Henry III of France was famously devoted to his Bichons. After a period of decline, the breed was revived in France and Belgium; the Société Centrale Canine adopted the official standard in 1933 under the name “Bichon à Poil Frisé” (Bichon of the curly hair). In 1956 Helene and Francois Picault brought the first Bichons to the United States. The Bichon Frise Club of America was founded in 1964. The American Kennel Club admitted the breed to the Miscellaneous Class in 1971 and granted full recognition in the Non-Sporting Group in April 1973.

Because the Bichon Frise is an AKC-recognized purebred, the American Kennel Club will register purebred Bichons with proper pedigree. However, AKC cannot and does not register any Bichon Frise mix or hybrid regardless of generation. Popular Bichon designer crosses include the Cavachon / Cavashon (Bichon Frise × Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Maltichon (Bichon × Maltese), Bichpoo (Bichon × Poodle), Havachon (Bichon × Havanese), Chi-Chon, Doxie-Chon, Frenchie Bichon, Biton, Affenchon, and many others. Designer Kennel Club was built specifically to serve owners and breeders of both purebred Bichons and every Bichon mix that AKC cannot register.

Designer Kennel Club provides official registration papers and ownership documentation for purebred Bichon Frises, Cavachons, Maltichons, Bichpoos, Havachons, and all other Bichon Frise crosses with no AKC papers or pedigree lineage required. DKC Foundation Dog Registration ($65) accepts any Bichon or Bichon mix without existing documentation. For breeders, DKC Litter Registration ($100) gives each puppy an individual DKC registration number that new owners can use to register for $45. All registrations are completed online and papers are delivered as a PDF via email within 2–3 business days.

Whether you are registering a purebred Bichon Frise whose papers were lost, a rescue Bichon, a first-generation Cavachon, a Maltichon, or any other Bichon mix, Designer Kennel Club provides the official breed and ownership documentation accepted for veterinary records, grooming services, training programs, housing requirements, and general ownership verification. Register at designerkennelclub.com/registration.