So you’re thinking about bringing a Bichon Frise into your family? If so, then congratulations! To help you move the process along, we’ve sought out some of the best dog food brands for this breed on the market today. Feeding your dog nutritional food is important—so let’s get down to business!

Our Picks for the Best Dog Food for Bichon Frise

**Below, you'll find our expert's recommendations, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Chewy.

Snapshot of the Breed: A little bit of info on the Bichon Frise

The very earliest records of this loving and affectionate dog breed date back to the 14^th century. With their fluffy hair and small bodies, they’ve become a favorite among dog owners in all walks of life. Because of their looks, they’re often mistaken for poodles—which is definitely not the case.

Bichons are actually related to the Maltese, the Havanese, and the Coton de Tulear. They seem to have originated along the Mediterranean, and were actually very popular in royal courts during the reign of King Henry the third. In fact, it’s said that the King himself loved his Bichons so much that he carried them with him in a basket wherever he went!

Bichon Frise Calorie Requirements

**Please note: these estimates are based on an average weight for this breed. Every dog is different. Please talk to your vet before making changes to your dog's diet. 

Full-grown Bichons will live to be anywhere from 12 to 15 years of age, will grow to be 9 to 11 inches tall (at the shoulder), and will end up weighing in at anywhere from 7 to 12 pounds. This breed loves to play, and you’ll find that they tend to be full of energy—which means that feeding them enough to keep them going is very important!

A less active dog of this breed will need about 330 calories per day to keep his or her energy up. Likewise, a moderately-active Bichon will need about 415 calories. If your dog tends to be very active, then you might need to increase the daily caloric intake to somewhere between 450 and 850 calories—though exactly how much you feed should be adjusted to meet the specific needs of your pet.

Of course, some dogs simply eat more than others—so try to feed enough calories without overfeeding.

A Bit More Great Info from an Expert

This video, created by Animal Planet, discusses some excellent and essential information about the breed. If you’re wondering whether or not a Bichon Frise is the right canine choice for you, or are interested in learning more about the care and maintenance of this lovable breed, then I would definitely recommend that you give it a watch.

Common Health Problems

Bichons tend to be pretty healthy and sturdy animals. In fact, some of them even live into their late teenage years! But despite their hardiness, they can be prone to some unfortunate illnesses and conditions. Here are some of the more common ailments that can arise within the breed.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a genetic deformity of the hip that can cause pain and lameness in one or both of the rear legs. It can also lead to arthritis for the dog later on in life. You should always make sure that both of the dog’s parents have tested negative for the condition before adopting a Bichon, as this can rule out the possibility that your dog will end up dealing with it.

A quality diet that’s rich in protein, fat, and carbohydrates can serve as a good starting point in helping to either prevent or reduce the likelihood of the disease. To find out more about Hip Dysplasia in canines, you should check out this article by whole-dog-journal.com.

Luxating patellas

This is a condition in which the kneecap suddenly gets ‘knocked out of place’. It often seems to happen out of nowhere, and generally affects the rear legs. Sometimes, the dog will limp and act as if it’s in pain when it occurs—and then go right back to normal in almost no-time, when the knee cap slides back in.

This condition can definitely cause your pet some serious pain, and it should not be overlooked. One of the best things that you can do for your dog to help prevent this from happening is to help him/her maintain a proper, healthy body weight. For more information on the condition, take a look at this article.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

This condition causes the head of the thigh bone to shrink. The first symptom will usually be limping, but pain and possible problems with arthritis in the future are both unfortunately common with the disease—which tends to affect smaller dogs the worst. A natural, raw-food diet can help play a supporting role in the treatment of the disease.

Other Conditions That Could Affect Your Bichon

Here are a few other health problems that could possibly manifest themselves in your pet over the course of his or her lifetime.