One popular purebred dog is the Bichon Frise. The breed has existed in its current form since the Middle Ages. The Bichon Frise has been a companion of Spanish sailors, a beloved pet of French royalty, and even a popular and charismatic circus performer! Intelligent and charming, the Bichon Frise is popular because of the breed's powder puff white fur and human expression. The breed is also extremely friendly and outgoing and even helped the Spanish increase diplomacy on their trade routes.

Its name was shortened to Bichon over time and later was changed to Bichon Frise by the French. The name in French loosely means curly lap dog. In the Middle Ages, the Bichon Frise was the favorite dog of French royalty. It fell out of favor when it became commonplace but gained popularity when it was discovered that the dogs could be trained as circus performers.

The Bichon Frise was famous for walking the tightrope in traveling circuses. The breed's popularity later spread to Australia and America and in 1973, the American Kennel Club (AKC) registered the Bichon Frise. The breed has traits of the poodle, the Barbet and a generic white lap dog. A good Bichon Frise breeder attempts to retain the breed standard traits.

The most common and desirable trait of the Bichon Frise is its white, curly fur coat. The breed's powder puff coat consists of a dense undercoat and a springy, plushy topcoat. The fur springs back into shape when touched. Bichon Frise fur must be at least ninety percent pure white to meet breed AKC standards. The fur does not shed and is thus hypoallergenic. However, like most white breeds, the Bichon Frise are themselves prone to many skin, ear, and eye allergies. A Bichon Frise breeder can educate a potential buyer on how to properly groom and care for the Bichon Frise to keep its allergies under control.

When dogs are not competing, fur is cropped in a shorter puppy cut which requires less maintenance. A Bichon Frise breeder should be able to educate potential buyers of breed standard characteristics as well as how to maintain and groom Bichon Frise. One important trait to note is that Bichon Frise fur is hypoallergenic to humans, however the Bichon Frise suffers from many skin, eye and ear allergies.

Buyers must do their research before choosing a Bichon Frise breeder. Buyers should educate themselves on the history and breed standard characteristics so that they have a general idea of what to look for and what questions to ask the breeder. Unfortunately, there are illegitimate breeders working to sell fake Bichon Frise, or worse, unhealthy Bichon Frise, to make a profit from unsuspecting buyers. A good sign of a bad breeder is one who sells Bichon Frise to pet stores.

Good breeders usually keep a puppy from each litter to either use in competition or to use to breed future litters from. Good breeders maintain their own kennels and give puppies house privileges so that they can become socialized around people and other animals. Good breeders interview buyers and educate them of proper care and discipline.

Buyers must ask many questions to make sure they are getting a real purebred Bichon Frise. The Bichon Frise breeder, if legitimate, will also have questions for the buyer to make sure the Bichon Frise will be going to a loving, appropriate home.