Lately I've had several prospective buyers question whether there really is any advantage in buying a puppy from a "reputable breeder" rather than the sale-priced pup that is advertised in the newspaper or at the pet store. Seldom do most people really think about how much time, effort, and yes, expense, goes into that precious pup, and how important it is to choose your puppy carefully.

What might appear to be a great sale price at first may turn out to be a very costly pet in the long run. All puppies are cute when they are little, so don't let yourself be emotionally caught up by that sweet little fluffy white puppy with the soulful eyes that is being offered for sale out of the back of a truck in the parking lot of the mall. You may live to regret an impulsive decision.

In order to wisely choose a puppy you need to take some time and investigate both the breeder and her dogs. Check his/her reputation just as she should check yours. Bichons make wonderful pets but they are not the right breed for every family. Do your research BEFORE you buy to make sure you are a match for each other, and that you are prepared for your new pet.

Here are some of the factors that go into every litter that a reputable breeder produces. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should give you a fairly comprehensive understanding of what goes into that wonderful puppy you are looking to adopt.

Prior to using adult dogs in our breeding program, breeders must be sure that they have had their eyes, hips, knees and hearts checked and found free of genetic/hereditary problems. Both the male and the female dog must be of good temperament and healthy overall. Attention needs to be paid to possible medical concerns, like allergies, kidney problems and other important factors within their ancestral lines before the decision to breed is made.

Even with all the precautions that one can take beforehand we occasionally have disastrous results - and any breeder that denies having ever produced a puppy with a problem is not being truthful with you, or they haven't had many litters yet. These are living beings, and as such are prone to all the aberrations and unfortunate happenings that any living being may encounter.

The care of the pregnant female and then her pups is only a very small part of the whole process. If one is so lucky as to have an uncomplicated pregnancy and birthing process, and if all the puppies are normal and healthy, you are off to a good start. You will have to monitor their weights daily and check on the new mom's health carefully too for several weeks. Fortunately the new mommy usually does most of the care of her newborns for the first 3 weeks, and it is after this period that the bulk of your work as the breeder begins.

There is the daily care of the whelping area; washing floors, crates, blankets; disinfecting everything regularly. Providing warmth, food, and protection from the other animals or human visitors, and innumerable other stresses. Coupled with this is the introduction of timely and structured stimuli and socialization experiences, while still protecting vulnerable immune systems and tender temperaments.

Other tasks include removal of dew claws, vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping or tattooing each puppy and seeing to the adult dogs' health/immunizations as well. The clipping of toenails, removal of hair from the ear canal, brushing and regular bathing of squirming puppies who are unused to these regimes - now there's a challenge.

Of course all the while there is the ongoing grooming and care of all the adult dogs. They too have to have regular exercise and companionship and all their needs met.

Both "show" and "pet" puppies must have contracts drawn up that protect them from unethical or unprepared buyers, to give them their best chance at a happy, forever, family home placement. Litters must be registered with the national kennel club, (in my case, the Canadian Kennel Club) and then the individual registrations are applied for. All at the breeder's cost. New owners must be given their new pup's registration when terms of the contract applying to spay/neuter agreements are complied with.

Records of all these transactions must be meticulously kept. Puppy packets, which include copies of registrations, pedigrees, genetic screening results; articles regarding training and care of puppies; pictures and medical records, including vaccinations given--these must be prepared to accompany the pup to his or her new home.

And all the while the phone rings--seemingly constantly--with inquiries about obtaining a puppy, or with questions about the care of a bichon, or a problem with their own dog, or just regarding the breed in general. Answering e-mail is much the same. Time consuming but necessary.

Records of possible future adoptive families are kept, and each must at some point be interviewed at length to be seriously considered as prospective adoptive families. Some of the folks who assure you of the seriousness of their desire to have one of your puppies will vanish into thin air when the puppy actually becomes available. For those who do get a puppy further individual instruction regarding the care of their particular puppy will be done in person. Afterward, ongoing contact with families who
are chosen as adoptive parents is necessary in order to offer assistance and information when needed.

The purchase agreement between breeder and buyer states that if for some reason the purchaser cannot keep the pet the dog will be returned to the breeder. This is no idle commitment. It means that re-homing puppies who can no longer stay with original buyers must also occasionally be done. Assessment of problems and beginning the necessary behavioral modification/re-training takes time. The search for a new family where the pup's chance of succeeding in finding a "permanent" home will take considerable effort and a lot of instinct. We don't want to choose unwisely and make an error that may cost this dog his life.

Equally important is spaying/neutering those adult dogs whose contribution to the breed is considered complete, and sometimes heartwrenchingly letting them go to someone else's great home for their "retirement" years; finding and negotiating the import of new bloodlines that will mesh with your own bloodlines to improve your breeding; planning for litters of the future; studying genetics and pedigrees. These are also time-consuming but essential.

And I haven't even mentioned the factors that go into exhibiting dogs in the competitive show circuits. Filling out entry forms before deadlines, grooming and conditioning or getting dogs to handlers, traveling to shows, time spent away from home, paying the !*@#*~ bills! Every title earned has cost so much more than just the dollars spent! And we feel lucky when they win a ribbon!

Why do you bother with showing your dogs and getting a championship title on them, you ask? Because we want our dogs "proven" in the ring, judged to be an excellent representative of the breed by at least 3 different judges. This also helps us to be able to approach other breeders of good bichons for possible stud service. Okay, there's a little personal ego involved too.

Keeping a record of bills, bank statements, travel costs, advertising costs, veterinarian, food and other supply costs is an intimidating job, especially for those of us who are slightly 'mathematically challenged.'

Yes, I am proud of my dogs, and yes, I love it when they "show" well. It is part of the reward for breeding. There is nothing in the world like puppy breath and nothing more entertaining than to watch the interaction of little pups. And to know that I am breeding exceptional bichons and finding these wonderful dogs the very best families to live with gives me great pleasure. Let me tell you - IT SURE AIN'T THE MONEY!

So my sinks will probably continue to get plugged with dog hair, carpets peed upon, shoes chewed beyond recognition. I have no garden and no time to work in one anyway. I'm behind in housework and my back hurts. I need more room in my bed. I'm not getting enough sleep. Apart from these dogs (and my precious grandchildren) I have "little" to "no" life.

Am I complaining? No, not really! I wouldn't change my life for yours for a million dollars. Well... maybe a million :-)

"Properly trained, a man can be dog's best friend". Cary Ford

Let's get right to the point! Just because we love our dogs doesn't mean we are oblivious to the behavior problems we sometimes encounter with them. One of the nastiest behavioral problems of all, and the number one reason that pets are either given up or euthanized, is soiling in the house.

Bichon Frise puppies are said to be notoriously difficult to housetrain, therefore I offer the following article in its entirety. The Dumb Friends League of Detroit has covered this subject so well that it would be presumptuous of me to add even a word.

But don't just read it - do it! Be consistent and persevere. Your relationship with your fluffy friend is worth the effort.

Download The Article

News flash for all friends and fellow bichon-obsessives: I now have a BLOG!

Watch for blurbs covering all aspects of the care and training of our
favorite furry people. I will include articles written by experts on
subjects of health, nutrition, behavioral problems and other issues that we
all confront while being owned by this unique breed.

Upcoming litters, dog show information (especially when we are winning!) and other newsy stuff will regularly appear on this site - so keep tuned!