Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Chien Particolor à Poil Frisé is a rare decorative breed that developed in Europe as a variety of small companion dogs with soft curly coats and a distinctive spotted pattern. It is believed that its ancestors were ancient Bichons and Barbets, from which the breed inherited its characteristic coat texture and friendly disposition. These dogs were popular among aristocrats and urban residents due to their attractive appearance, lively temperament, and ease of keeping. Over time, the type became established and received a name that reflects the combination of a bright particolor coat and soft curls. Today, the breed is known as a decorative companion with a gentle temperament and charming appearance.
General Appearance
The Chien Particolor à Poil Frisé is a small, elegant companion dog with a compact body, soft lines, and a distinctive plush silhouette created by its wavy or curly coat. The construction is balanced and proportional, with a straight topline, moderate chest depth, and well-defined, harmonious body contours. The head is small and refined, with expressive eyes and a sweet expression. The limbs are straight, fine-boned, and well-proportioned, supporting light, elastic movement. The breed’s overall appearance conveys delicacy, balance, and decorative charm.
Important Proportions
The Chien Particolor à Poil Frisé has a compact and harmonious format with evenly distributed mass and smooth body lines. Height at the withers approximately equals body length, creating an almost square outline. The chest is deep enough to reach the elbows, providing stability and balance. The head is proportional to the body, with balanced skull-to-muzzle proportions. The neck is of medium length, flowing smoothly into the body and emphasizing the breed’s elegant silhouette. The limbs are straight, sturdy, and well-proportioned, ensuring light, springy movement. Proportions must highlight the decorative yet harmonious and functional nature of the breed.
Behavior and Temperament
The breed’s behavior is characterized by softness, sociability, and a lively temperament. These dogs are friendly, balanced, and strongly oriented toward human interaction, easily forming emotional bonds. They adapt quickly to new environments, enjoy attention, and take pleasure in play, maintaining a joyful and open disposition. The breed is not prone to aggression and gets along well with children and other pets. Intelligent and responsive, it learns easily and seeks to please its owner. With insufficient interaction, it may become overly attention-seeking, so regular companionship is important.
Head
The head is small, harmonious, and proportional to the body, with smooth, rounded lines that underscore the decorative type. The skull is slightly domed, moderately broad, and free of heaviness. The stop is gentle yet noticeable. The muzzle is short, neat, well-filled, and tapers softly toward the nose without sharpness. The nose is small, black or dark, with well-opened nostrils. Lips are thin, dry, and close-fitting. Jaws are strong with a scissor bite. The overall expression is affectionate, friendly, and slightly playful, reflecting the breed’s gentle character.
Facial Region
The facial region is clean, soft in outline, and expressive. The muzzle is short, moderately narrow but not pointed, well-filled under the eyes, and tapers smoothly toward the nose. The nasal bridge is straight; the nose is small, dark, and well opened. Lips are thin, tight, and without looseness. The chin is moderately defined but not coarse. The jaws are straight and strong with a correct scissor bite. The area under the eyes is clean, forming a soft, friendly, open expression typical of small decorative breeds.
Eyes
The eyes are large, dark, and expressive, set moderately wide apart, giving a soft, friendly, and slightly playful look. The shape is round-oval, without protrusion or deep set. Eyelids are tight and well pigmented, with a clean, dark rim that enhances expression. Sclerae are minimally visible. The gaze is lively, warm, and attentive, reflecting the breed’s sociability and gentle nature. Faults include overly light, round, or protruding eyes, as well as weak eyelid pigmentation, which disrupt breed type and harmony.
Ears
The ears are medium-sized, set slightly high and wide, soft in texture, and well furnished with hair, emphasizing the decorative appearance. They hang along the cheeks, lying close to the head but retaining mobility in response to sound and emotion. The shape is elongated with gently rounded tips; the hair is fine and wavy, creating an elegant frame for the head. When alert, the ears lift slightly at the base while maintaining their soft outline. Faults include ears that are excessively large, coarse, erect, too short, or insufficiently coated.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, elegant, and gently arched, flowing smoothly into the withers and highlighting the lightness of outline. Musculature is moderate and never coarse, preserving the breed’s refined appearance. The neck must be long enough to allow free, natural head movement without appearing overly long or short. The skin is tight, without folds or dewlap. Correct neck placement enhances balance, grace, and refinement.
Body
The body is compact, neat, and harmoniously balanced, with flowing lines and a distinctly decorative appearance. The topline is straight and stable, the withers softly defined, merging into a short, firm back. The loin is slightly arched, flexible, and accentuates agility. The chest is moderately deep and rounded, reaching the elbows, with well-sprung ribs providing adequate volume. The croup is short, slightly sloping, muscular but never heavy. The underline is gently tucked up, highlighting a clean, supple silhouette. The body must convey lightness, proportion, and elegance while retaining functional movement.
Tail
The tail is set moderately high and carried with ease in a natural curve that enhances the breed’s grace and decorative type. At rest it hangs down; in motion it rises in a semi-circle or gentle arc without touching the back or forming a tight curl. It is of natural length, well furnished with soft, wavy hair that creates an airy appearance. The base is strong but not coarse. Faults include natural shortness, sharp kinks, excessively high carriage, or insufficient coat.
Forequarters
The forequarters are straight, refined, and proportional to the body, with moderate bone that suits the decorative type. Shoulder blades are long, slightly sloping, and close-fitting, providing free movement. The upper arm matches the shoulder blade in length, forming the correct angle for light, elastic strides. Elbows point backward, neither tight nor turned out. Forearms are straight and clean. Pasterns are short, elastic, and slightly sloping but stable. Feet are small, compact, round, with firm pads and neat toes. The forequarters must convey lightness and harmony while maintaining proper support and smooth movement.
Hindquarters
The hindquarters are well developed yet refined, harmonizing with the body. Thighs are of moderate length with well-defined but not heavy musculature, providing a light, springy push. Stifles are well angled without straightness or overbending. Lower thighs are proportional, straight, and parallel from behind. Hocks are strong, set moderately low, and correctly aligned. Metatarsi are short, vertical, and stable. Feet are compact and neat. The hindquarters must work smoothly and synchronously with the forequarters, emphasizing lightness, elegance, and decorative character.
Gait / Movement
Movement is light, smooth, and elastic, with good coordination and natural grace. The dog moves freely and straight, without sway or stiffness. The forequarters provide a soft, sufficient reach, while the hindquarters create a springy but not forceful push, maintaining elegance. The back remains level and stable at all speeds. Movement must emphasize the breed’s decorative nature—airy, effortless, and harmonious. Faults include short strides, high or stiff action, poor coordination, or pronounced cow-hocks.
Coat
The coat is soft, dense, and abundant, consisting of fine outer hair and a plush undercoat that creates a voluminous, airy silhouette. The hair is curly or wavy, evenly covering the body and forming light, resilient curls without matting. Coat length is medium but appears fuller due to texture. Furnishings on ears, tail, and legs are particularly pronounced. The coat must not be coarse, sparse, straight, or excessively rough. The particolor pattern requires clear, distinct markings on a white background. Proper grooming maintains the coat’s softness, fullness, and elegance.
Permissible Colors
Permissible colors are based on a contrasting particolor pattern—always on a clean white background with well-defined patches of rich shades: black, brown, fawn, red, or gray. Patches may vary in size and shape but must have clear edges without blurring. Solid colors without white, dirty or faded tones, and overly large uniform patches that obscure the particolor nature are unacceptable.
Size
The Chien Particolor à Poil Frisé is a small, compact decorative breed with harmonious proportions and a light outline. Height at the withers is typically 24–30 cm; weight ranges from 4 to 7 kg depending on sex and build. The silhouette approaches a square format, with balance between elegance and sufficient sturdiness. Dogs must not appear overly fine, coarse, or disproportionate. Excessively small or large size and poor structural balance are faults.
Faults
Faults include any deviations from breed type that disrupt harmony, expressiveness, or decorative appearance: light or protruding eyes, weak pigmentation, oversized, short, or insufficiently coated ears, shallow chest, weak topline, heaviness, or lack of balance. Straight, sparse, harsh, or tangled coat is undesirable, as are unclear markings or muddy pigmentation. Behavioral faults such as shyness, nervousness, or aggression do not correspond to the breed’s gentle temperament.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include severe deviations that fundamentally break breed type: marked aggression or fearfulness; complete loss of nose pigmentation, pink or brown nose; undershot or overshot bite; pronounced jaw deformities; multiple missing teeth; light, blue, or odd-colored eyes; fully solid coat without white; washed-out pigmentation; incorrect particolor pattern; structural defects impairing movement. Such dogs must be excluded from breeding.
Important Notes
Judging must emphasize overall impression: a harmonious, gentle, decorative dog with a soft temperament and expressive appearance. Minor deviations may be overlooked if they do not affect health, movement, or breed type. Particular attention must be given to coat quality—soft, abundant, wavy or curly—and to the clarity of the particolor pattern. The temperament must be friendly, stable, and open. Harmony of form, proportion, and breed type is essential.
Conclusion
The Chien Particolor à Poil Frisé is an elegant decorative breed combining a soft temperament, expressive appearance, and a characteristic plush, wavy coat. The dog should convey harmony, friendliness, and balance, maintaining a light, refined silhouette. Breed type is defined by gentle structure, distinct particolor markings, and a voluminous, soft coat. Evaluation must consider overall balance, coat quality, proportions, and movement stability. This breed remains a charming, affectionate companion with natural sociability and cheerful disposition.
