Selecting a Dog For Your Family

When selecting a dog, there are a number of things to keep in mind. In addition to choosing the right dog breed for your family, you want a healthy puppy or dog, with a nice temperament.

Overall, your new puppy should appear to be healthy, be energetic but not hyperactive, loving and interested in you, but not clingy, and spirited but trainable.

That sounds like a pretty big order, but if you break it down into bite sized segments, you’ll be able to choose your new Bichon Frise puppy wisely.

You’ll need training treats for your puppy.
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If you adopt or purchase a puppy that is too timid, too aggressive, too active, or too sickly, you may end up taking your puppy to a shelter.

Keep in mind that nobody wins if you select the wrong puppy. Not you, not the puppy, and not the shelter…

Photo of young Bichon Frise puppies

Selecting a dog can be tough…

How to Pick a Puppy

Your choice of a Bichon Frise puppy may be totally different, depending on whether you intend to show your dog or she will just be a family pet.

However, you should look for some characteristics, no matter what your plan is…

Breeder - Even before you look at a single puppy, you’ll need to do some homework to check on the reputation of breeders that you are considering. Ask for the names of people who have purchased puppies from the breeder, and talk to them to see what their experience was like. Are they happy with their dog, and, if not, did the breeder make things right?
Health - Your inspection should determine some basics: eyes are clear and free from tearing or discharge. Your puppy’s eyes should be dark, with dark rims. Her gums should be pink and her teeth should be pure white. Your puppy’s ears should be pink inside, should not have a foul odor and you should not see a brownish discharge coming from them. Her coat should feel soft, clean and untangled. Your new puppy should not have a cough or diarrhea, as either of these conditions could be a sign of serious illness.
A good breeder should not object to your agreement being contingent upon a clean bill of health from your veterinarian.
Your Puppy’s Mother - Ask to see the puppy’s mother. The mother will have many of the characteristics that your puppy will have when grown. If there are any obvious defects, you should be able to see them, as well. Your breeder should willingly let you meet the mother.
Dog Personality - Bichon Frises are outgoing by nature. If you call a puppy who is playing with its brothers and sisters, you should end up with a lap full of puppies. Bichons naturally love people.
If one puppy cowers, afraid, in a corner, do not choose that one. Bichons should not be afraid of strangers, and this is abnormal behavior for a Bichon. You might want to avoid the most aggressive puppy, as well, as that pup could be difficult to train.
Pedigree and Registration - Your breeder should provide you with a copy of papers for each of these. File these papers in a secure place, just in case you decide to show your puppy later, when she is older and more mature.

Selecting a dog is not difficult if you have done your homework. Just make sure that you keep things in perspective. First, make sure that you have chosen a good breeder. Next, make sure your puppy is healthy and that you are compatible.

Then and only then, should you let yourself fall in love with your new puppy! That way, you’ll choose wisely, and you’ll have many years together, with your healthy and happy dog.

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