Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Bichon Frise is an ancient breed that originated from small Barbet-type dogs once common throughout the Mediterranean region. From the 15th century, they became popular at European courts, especially in France, where they were prized for their pure white coat and joyful disposition. During the Renaissance, the Bichon was favored by artists and nobility alike and later spread throughout Spain and Italy. Although its popularity declined in the 19th century, French breeders revived the breed in the 20th century. Today, the Bichon Frise is recognized worldwide as a refined decorative companion dog.
General Appearance
The Bichon Frise is a small, elegant dog of balanced proportions with a strong frame and soft, rounded outlines. The body is square in format, movements are light and lively. A hallmark of the breed is its dense, soft, curly white coat forming a cloud-like silhouette. The head is proportionate to the body, with expressive dark eyes and small, pendulous ears. The tail is arched gracefully over the back, richly covered with long, silky hair.
Important Proportions
The body is square: the length from the shoulder to the base of the tail is approximately equal to the height at the withers. The head is well balanced in relation to the body. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, the ribs well sprung. The topline is straight, the loin short and strong. The limbs are straight and parallel, ensuring harmony and stability.
Behavior and Temperament
The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, friendly, and even-tempered companion. The breed is highly social, easily bonds with children and other animals. Aggression or shyness is uncharacteristic. Playful, intelligent, and affectionate, the Bichon thrives in human company and becomes a devoted family member with proper training. Its temperament combines liveliness with gentleness, making it an ideal home companion.
Head
The head is proportionate to the body, refined yet solid. The skull is slightly rounded with smooth contours, neither coarse nor flat. The stop is distinct but not abrupt. The muzzle is of medium length, straight, neither pointed nor shortened. The jaws are strong with a correct scissor bite. The nose is always black, large, with open nostrils, contrasting beautifully against the white coat. The overall expression of the head conveys friendliness, alertness, and softness — key characteristics of the breed.
Facial Region
The face is neat and harmonious, giving an impression of roundness and softness. Cheeks are smooth, fitting closely to the bone. The muzzle is straight, of medium width, tapering slightly toward the nose. The chin is rounded, well developed, not protruding or receding. Lips are tight and black-pigmented, enhancing contrast with the coat. The whisker pads are clearly defined, outlining the muzzle gracefully. The facial features should maintain balance and express cheerfulness and warmth.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, round, well spaced, and neither protruding nor deep-set. They should be dark, preferably a deep blackish-brown, lively and shining. The eyelid rims are black, providing contrast and expressiveness. The expression is gentle, intelligent, and bright with a hint of playfulness, reflecting the breed’s happy nature. Light-colored eyes, uneven pigmentation, or lack of black rims are faults. The eyes define the breed’s characteristic expression and are essential to its charm.
Ears
The ears are pendulous, of medium length, set slightly above eye level. They are thin, covered with long, wavy hair, giving them a fuller and softer appearance. The tips are rounded, lying close to the head but remaining mobile in motion. The ears should harmonize with the rounded shape of the head, emphasizing its softness. Ears that are too short, too long, or set too low disrupt the balance. Correct ears enhance the breed’s expression and round silhouette.
Neck
The neck is long enough to allow the dog to carry its head proudly. It is elegant, muscular, and slightly arched, flowing smoothly into the shoulders. Its length is about one-third of the body length, maintaining correct proportions. The neck should never appear too short or too long, as this spoils balance. The correct neck carriage gives the dog a noble, proud appearance — a hallmark of the breed.
Body
The body is compact and square, the length from withers to tail base equal to the height at the withers. The chest is broad and deep, the ribs rounded and well developed. The back is short, straight, and strong; the loin slightly arched and muscular. The abdomen is moderately tucked up, emphasizing harmony of outline. The overall silhouette must appear solid yet elegant, without heaviness or frailty. The body conveys strength, stability, and refinement while maintaining agility and liveliness.
Tail
The tail is set high and carried gracefully arched over the back but not tightly pressed against it. Its length allows the tip to reach the midline of the back. It is richly furnished with long, silky hair forming a plume. In motion, the tail enhances the dog’s lively silhouette and joyful expression. Drooping, tightly curled, or short tails are undesirable. The correct tail completes the balanced and elegant outline typical of the breed.
Forequarters
The forelegs are straight, parallel, with solid bone and well-developed muscles. The shoulders are moderately long, sloping, and well laid back, providing free movement. The angle between shoulder and forearm should be about 90°, ensuring good reach. Feet are small, compact, and round, with black nails and firm pads. Weak limbs, narrow stance, or curvature are faults. Proper front structure ensures stability and lightness of gait.
Hindquarters
The hind legs are strong and muscular, with well-defined angulation. Thighs are broad and firm, lower legs of moderate length and proportionate. Hock joints are strong, correctly positioned, and not turned in or out. Feet are compact and round with thick pads and black nails. The hindquarters provide good propulsion and light, springy movement. Weak joints, cow-hocked or barrel-hocked stance are faults. Correct rear construction ensures balance and typical agility.
Gait and Movement
Movement is light, free, and elegant with good front extension and strong rear drive. The gait should be rhythmic, smooth, and confident. The Bichon moves with buoyant grace, maintaining a level topline and a lively tail carriage. Restricted, uneven, or sluggish movement is undesirable. The correct gait highlights the breed’s vitality and cheerful temperament.
Coat
The coat is the Bichon Frise’s defining feature. It is dense, soft, silky, and tightly curled, forming a plush texture resembling a “cloud.” The undercoat is thick and springy; the outer coat is fine and elastic, creating volume and lightness. The curls must be small and even, providing a resilient texture and shape. Straight, wavy, or limp coats are faults. The correct coat demonstrates the breed’s elegance and requires regular grooming to maintain its distinctive fluffy appearance.
Permissible Colors
ICCF recognizes only pure white as the standard color for the Bichon Frise. Slight cream or apricot shading is acceptable on the ears or isolated areas, provided it does not detract from the overall impression of whiteness. Any other colored markings, dark patches, or uneven pigmentation are unacceptable. The snow-white coat should enhance the contrast of dark eyes and black nose, emphasizing the breed’s refined beauty.
Size
The Bichon Frise is a compact small breed. Height at the withers for both males and females ranges from 24 to 29 cm, with weight typically between 5 and 7 kg. The dog must appear light, well-proportioned, and balanced, neither heavy nor delicate. Despite its small size, it possesses a solid frame and good muscle tone, ensuring agility and vitality.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from the standard that affects breed type or balance: an overly long or short body, weak bone, excessive thinness or looseness. Head faults include an elongated or pointed muzzle, weak chin, or indistinct stop. Ears that are too long, short, high, or low set disrupt harmony. Light eyes, absence of black pigment around the rims, or depigmented nose are considered faults. The coat should not be sparse, straight, wavy, or coarse. Colored patches, cream beyond allowed areas, or uneven pigmentation are also undesirable. Gait faults include stiffness, wobbling, asymmetry, or lack of rhythm.
Disqualifications
Disqualifying faults include severe deviations from type and structure: dogs significantly above or below standard size and weight; absence of black pigmentation on the nose, eyelids, or lips; completely straight or sparse coat; presence of black, brown, gray, or other non-white patches; deformities of body, limbs, or tail; overshot or undershot bite; lameness or abnormal movement. Extreme fearfulness, aggression, or nervous instability also lead to disqualification. Congenital defects affecting health or viability are unacceptable in breeding and show dogs.
Important Notes
ICCF emphasizes that the Bichon Frise is a decorative breed with a clearly defined individuality. The key traits include its snow-white coat of tight curls, square body format, and lively, friendly character. Coat condition is of utmost importance — it must be full, fluffy, and correctly textured. Participation in ICCF shows and breeding programs requires official documentation: an ICCF pedigree, microchip verification, and veterinary passport. Breeders must preserve the breed’s unique look, avoid crossbreeding, and ensure health and temperament integrity. Judges evaluate both appearance and character, as friendliness and sociability are mandatory traits. Maintaining correct grooming, coat quality, and temperament is essential to the preservation of type.
Conclusion
According to the ICCF standard, the Bichon Frise is an elegant decorative breed combining a compact square body, pure white curly coat, and a bright, friendly expression. Essential requirements include correct proportions, strong bone, healthy coat, and a stable temperament. Faults include pigment loss, straight coat, incorrect color, or deviations in structure. Participation in exhibitions and breeding is permitted only for dogs with official ICCF documents verifying pedigree, microchip, and veterinary certification. These measures ensure the purity, health, and preservation of the breed’s refined appearance. The Bichon Frise remains a symbol of elegance, cheerfulness, and charm — one of the world’s most beloved and recognizable companion breeds.
