Bichon frises, the cotton balls of dogs, are happy little guys. If you're seeking one, you might get lucky through an animal rescue or you can purchase a puppy from a breeder. Avoid pet store bichons, as they are puppy mill dogs that may be unhealthy, the Humane Society of the United States says.
Step 1
Get a breeder referral from other bichon owners, if you know any. If not, go to the American Kennel Club’s website and click the “Find a Puppy” search. For breed, select bichon frise. Put in your zip code. Click search and you'll see a page that includes contact info for breeders in your area. Or call the breeder referral coordinator at the Bichon Frise Club of America at 860-405-5215 to find trusted breeder near you. If you don’t live near any breeders, that may be okay: Some will ship puppies or find a way to transport them to you.
Step 2
Call the bichon breeders and ask if they have any puppies available. If they don’t have any, ask when they expect new litters and whether you can leave your information or put down a deposit on a puppy from a future litter.
Step 3
Go to animal adoption websites such as Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet and do a search by breed, bichon frise. Enter your zip code. A list of available and adoptable bichons will appear. You might be surprised by how many purebred dogs you’ll find. Puppies might be harder to find in an animal rescue or shelter, but it’s worth checking. You’ll be giving a dog a fur-ever home, and he’ll cost a lot less than from a breeder.
Step 4
Call the Bichon Frise Club of America’s Bichon Frise Rescue Effort at 866-473-0722 or email bfcaresq@comcast.net to ask where to find bichons that need homes. Again, you might not find a puppy, but you won’t find out if you don’t ask. You can also go to the organization's website to find a list of rescues affiliated with the BFCA.
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Writer Bio
Francine Richards is a licensed multi-state insurance agent with years of human resources and insurance industry experience. Her work has appeared on Blue Cross Blue Shield websites and newsletters, the Houston Chronicle and The Nest. Richards holds a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the University of Maryland.