Bichon Frise

[ bee-shon freez, fri-zey; French bee-shawn free-zey ]

noun

1. one of a French-Belgian breed of small dog having a silky, loosely curled, thick white coat, a topknot, dropped ears with long flowing hair, and a tail curved over its back, originally developed in the Mediterranean area.

bichon frise

/ ˈbiːʃɒn ˈfriːzeɪ /

noun

1. a small white poodle-like dog of European origin, with a silky, loosely curling coat

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bichon Frise¹

First recorded in 1965–70; from French: literally, “curly bichon ” a breed of lapdog, shortening of barbichon, diminutive of barbet a kind of spaniel, ultimately derivative of barbe “beard”; barb ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Bichon Frise¹

C20: French, literally: curly toy dog

Example Sentences

The nurse recalled Bauley saying that she bred the Yorkiechon, a four-pound, toy-sized Yorkshire terrier and bichon frise mix.

From Los Angeles Times

“I had no idea it was all over the world like this,” she told me as her current dog, Missy, a bichon frisé, sat by her side.

From Slate

With his tiny head and rumpled feathers, Tuffy appeared like an ungroomed, pointy-headed bichon frisé next to Lola, who seemed more Rottweiler.

From Los Angeles Times

When she judged Best in Show in 2018, she selected the bichon frisé Flynn, a veritable canine cloud, as her winner.

From New York Times

“I hear you’re the proud owner of a bichon frise mix,” Conner said.

From Literature