Standard of the Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise was finally accepted in 1971, and then fully recognised in 1973, by the American Club. This occured more than 100 years after its recognition as a specific breed in Europe.

Well balanced dog of smart apperance, closely coated with handsome plume carried over the back. Natural white coat curling loosely. Head carriage proud and high.

Ratio of muzzle length to skull length 3:5. On a head of the correct width and length, lines drawn between the outer corners of the eyes and nose will create a near equilateral triangle. Whole head in balance with body. Muzzle not thick, heavy or snipey. Cheeks flat, not very strongly muscled. Stop moderate but definite, hollow between eye-brows just visible. Skull slightly rounded, not coarse, with hair accentuation rounded apperance. Nose large, round, black, soft and shiny.

Dark, round with black eye rims, surrounded by dark haloes, consisting of well pigmented skin. Forward-looking, fairly large but not almond shaped, neither obliquely set nor protruding. Showing no white when looking forward. Alert, full of expression.

Hanging close to head, well covered with long flowing hair longer than leathers, set on slightly higher than eye level and rather forward when dog alert, forward edge touching skull. Leather reaching approximately half way along muzzle.

Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite - upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Full dentition desirable. Lips fine, fairly tight and complete black.

Arched neck fairly long, about one-third the length of body. Carried high and proudly. Round and slim near head, gradually broadening to fit smoothly into shoulders.

Shoulders oblique not prominet, equal in length to upper arm. Upper arm fits close to the body. Legs straight, perpendicular, when seen from front; not too finely boned. Pasterns shorts an straight viewed from front, very slightly sloping viewed from side.

Forechest well developed, deep brisket. Ribs well sprung, floating ribs not terminating abruptly. Loin broad, well muscled, slightly arched and well tucked up. Pelvis broad, croup slightly rounded. Length from withers to tailset should equal height from withers to ground.

Thighs broad and well rounded. Stifles well bent; hocks well angulated and metatarsals perpendicular.

Normally carried raised and curved gracefully over the back but not tightly curled. Never docked. Carried in line with backbone, only hair touching back; tail itself not in contact. Set on level with topline, neither too high nor too low. Corkscrew tail undesirable.

Balanced and effortless with an easy reach and drive maintaining a steady and level topline. Legs moving straight along line of travel, with hind pads showing.

Fine, silky and with soft corkscrew curls. Neither flat nor corded, and measuring 7 - 10 cms in length. The dog may be presented untrimmed of have muzzle and feet slightly tidied up.

White, but cream or apricot markings acceptable up to 18 months. Under white coat, dark pigment desirable.

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.