Do Bichon Frises Bark a Lot? An In-Depth Look From a Dog Lover‘s Perspective

As a veterinarian and lifelong dog lover, one of the questions I‘m frequently asked by prospective dog owners is: "Do Bichon Frises bark a lot?" It‘s a valid concern, especially for those living in apartments or condos where excessive barking can lead to noise complaints. And while there‘s no simple yes or no answer, understanding the Bichon Frise breed – their history, personality traits, and reasons for barking – can help owners set realistic expectations and learn to manage any excessive vocalization.

A Brief History of the Bichon Frise

To understand why Bichon Frises may be more prone to barking than some other breeds, it helps to look at their history. The Bichon Frise (which translates to "curly lap dog" in French) is descended from the ancient Bichon family of small, white dogs that originated in the Mediterranean.

Bichons served as sailing dogs and companion animals as far back as the 13th century, accompanying Spanish sailors on voyages and serving as barters for other goods in foreign ports. Their friendly, sociable demeanor made them a favorite among nobility in France, Spain and Italy by the 16th century.

According to the Bichon Frise Club of America, Bichons nearly became extinct after the French Revolution when their noble owners lost power and the little dogs were left to fend for themselves on the streets. They survived by using their charm and cuteness to beg for food and attention. Many became performers in the circus, a role that capitalized on their intelligence, trainability and love of human interaction.

So from the very beginning, Bichon Frises were bred to be companion dogs. They‘re hardwired to crave human attention and affection. This is wonderful in many ways – it makes them loving, loyal pets. But it can also lead to issues like separation anxiety and, you guessed it, excessive barking.

Bichon Frise Personality Traits and Barking Tendencies

Bichon Frises are known for being cheerful, playful, affectionate dogs that love being the center of attention. They‘re highly social and typically do well with children, other dogs, and even cats. Bichons are also very intelligent and trainable – they excel at obedience, agility and learning tricks.

However, these same traits that make Bichons such endearing companions can also contribute to a tendency to bark excessively. Here are some key Bichon personality traits and how they relate to vocalization:

1. High sociability: Bichons love being around their people and can become anxious or stressed when left alone, leading to barking, whining or howling.

2. High energy: Bichons are active, playful dogs that need daily exercise and mental stimulation. A bored Bichon is more likely to bark excessively to entertain themselves or get attention.

3. Sensitivity: Bichons are emotionally attuned to their owners and can pick up on stress, anger or other negative emotions, sometimes reacting with barking or other anxious behaviors.

4. Alertness: Like many small companion breeds, Bichons have a watchdog instinct to alert their "pack" (i.e. you) to any potential threats. They‘ll often bark at unfamiliar noises, people or animals.

So do Bichon Frises bark more than other dogs? While there‘s limited research comparing barking levels between breeds, a 2010 study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior found that smaller dogs (under 15 pounds) tended to have higher barking frequency than larger dogs. The study authors noted that this could be due to small dog syndrome, where tiny dogs overcompensate for their size with a big voice.

According to a survey by the Bichon Frise Club of America, excessive barking is the #1 behavior issue reported by Bichon owners, with 65% saying their dog exhibits problematic barking. In comparison, only 35% of owners reported issues with chewing/destructive behavior and 22% with house-training accidents.

While these statistics may sound discouraging, the good news is that most excessive barking in Bichons can be significantly reduced with training, socialization and proper care. Let‘s look at some practical tips.

7 Tips to Minimize Excessive Barking in Bichon Frises

1. Start socialization and training early. Bichon puppies should be exposed to a wide variety of people, animals, places and experiences in a positive way to build confidence and prevent fear-based barking. Aim to start obedience training by 12 weeks old.

2. Provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. A tired Bichon is a quiet Bichon. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of walks, playtime or other activity each day. Use food puzzles, nose work games and trick training to keep their mind engaged.

3. Never reward barking with attention. Ignore attention-seeking barking completely, then praise and treat them as soon as they stop. Consistency is key – if you give in sometimes, they‘ll learn that persistent barking pays off.

4. Teach the "quiet" command. When your Bichon barks, calmly say "quiet", wait for them to stop (even if just to take a breath), then immediately praise and treat. Practice this until they start to associate the word with being silent.

5. Desensitize them to barking triggers. If your Bichon barks at certain sounds or sights, gradually expose them to these triggers at a low level (e.g. recorded doorbell sound) and reward them for staying quiet. Slowly work up to "real life" situations.

6. Use positive reinforcement, not punishment. Yelling, hitting, shock collars or other punishments will only increase your Bichon‘s anxiety and likely make the barking worse. Focus on rewarding the behavior you want to see with treats, praise and playtime.

7. Consider professional training help. A certified positive reinforcement trainer can be invaluable in curbing excessive barking, as well as addressing any underlying issues like separation anxiety or reactivity. Don‘t hesitate to seek expert guidance.

Some other tips that can help with Bichon barking:

• Crate train your Bichon and have them spend time in their crate each day as a calm, quiet space
• Avoid carrying your Bichon everywhere or letting them sleep in bed with you, which can lead to overattachment
• Ensure your Bichon gets plenty of positive social exposure to new people/dogs/places throughout their life
• Consider leaving a TV, radio or white noise machine on when you leave to mask outside sounds
• Rule out any underlying medical issues that could be causing or worsening barking, like chronic pain
• For severe separation anxiety barking, discuss anti-anxiety medications or natural remedies with your vet

Conclusion

In summary, while Bichon Frises do have a reputation for being "talkative" little dogs, not all Bichons will bark excessively. Their tendency to vocalize stems from their history as companion dogs bred to crave human attention, as well as small dog syndrome and traits like high sociability, sensitivity and energy.

With patient, consistent training and plenty of exercise and socialization, most Bichon Frises can learn to control problematic barking. However, they‘ll still bark sometimes – after all, that‘s how dogs communicate! Potential owners who are very sensitive to barking or who are away from home frequently may want to consider a quieter breed.

For those who don‘t mind some "Bichon babble", these fluffy little charmers make wonderful companions for apartment/condo living, retirees, and families with older children. They‘ll delight you with their playfulness, high trainability, and utter devotion. If you‘re willing to put in the time and effort to give them the exercise, socialization, training and attention they need, a Bichon Frise will bark for joy as your loyal sidekick for years to come.