Guide to raising Bichons
Bichons may be known as royal dogs, loved by aristocrats, but that is not why we welcomed them to our farm—though we won’t deny their natural noble charm.
We love them first for their happy, joyful personalities, often considered some of the best in the dog world. And despite their delicate look, these little dogs are strong and healthy, making them a perfect fit for our happy farm life.
So while they may have a royal reputation, to us they are down-to-earth, loving members of our growing family, bringing beauty, cuteness, and joy to our small hobby farm every day.
Housing
Every dog needs a place where they feel safe and secure. We recommend setting up a cozy bed or crate in a quiet corner of your home. This will be your puppy’s special place to rest, relax, and feel protected. We also recommend getting a playpen and placing the bed inside, along with a plastic potty tray, toys, food, and water. This will create a perfect safe space—especially when you need to leave your puppy home alone. They can sleep, potty, play, eat, and have water—all in one safe spot
Play pan and Potty tray
Helping your puppy feel safe while home alone
When you leave the house, give your puppy a personal item that belongs to you—something with your scent. Place this item on your dog’s bed. This item becomes your symbol—a quiet promise that you will return. No long goodbyes are needed.
Teach your puppy that being alone is safe by practicing short departures. Leave for just a few seconds, then come back and praise your dog for staying calm. Slowly increase the time you are away. Sometimes return earlier than expected. This builds trust: the owner is always near and always comes back.
If your puppy cries, wait for a moment of silence before entering. Calm behavior brings you back—noise does not. Over time, your puppy learns that quiet waiting is rewarded. With patience, consistency, and love, your puppy will learn to wait for you calmly and confidently.
What to Avoid
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Don’t confine your puppy to dark rooms or limit movement — puppies need space to grow strong and confident.
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Never tie up a puppy. This can harm both body and mind.
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Be gentle with the head and ears; excessive handling can affect ear development.
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Don’t pull toys or objects out of your puppy’s mouth — this can damage teeth and bite. Gently open the mouth instead.
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Let children play calmly, but don’t allow constant carrying. Puppies need time to move and rest.
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Always lift your puppy with support under the chest and bottom — never by the paws or skin.
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A puppy’s “place” is a safe zone. No punishment or disturbance there.
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Let sleeping puppies sleep — rest is essential for healthy growth.
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Set rules early. If something won’t be allowed later, don’t allow it now.
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Avoid letting young puppies jump on furniture — their joints are still developing.
Feeding
Feeding with natural Foods
Bichons thrive on clean, gentle, and balanced nutrition. If you choose natural feeding, meals should be simple, fresh, and easy to digest. Always introduce new foods gradually.
Basic Natural Meal (Option 1):
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Lightly cooked beef or turkey
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Steamed zucchini or pumpkin
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A small amount of boiled rice or buckwheat
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A few drops of salmon oil
Gentle Digestive Meal (Option 2):
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Cooked turkey
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Steamed carrots
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Low-fat kefir (1%) or a spoon of cottage cheese
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Added vitamin–mineral supplement (as recommended by your veterinarian)
Feeding with dry Foods
If you prefer dry food, choose high-quality formulas created for small breeds and sensitive digestion. We recommend Superior Care dry food, available at SuperiorCare.pet or Amazon. Superior Care is specially designed for white dogs, helping support coat brightness and reduce tear staining through carefully selected ingredients and balanced nutrition.
Always follow feeding guidelines and avoid overfeeding. Fresh, clean water should be available at all times.
Nature's Protection Puppy Food Small Breed - High Protein, Grain-Free, Tear Stain Formula Dry Dog Kibble for White & Light Fur Dogs
Nature's Protection High Protein Puppy Food Dry - Grain Free Dog Kibble for Small & Large Breed Dogs with Light Fur - Up to 4 Month Puppy
Nature's Protection Dry Dog Food for Small Breed - High Protein, Grain-Free, Anti-Tear Stain Diet for White & Light Fur Adult Dogs, Small Bites Kibble
Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
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Change food gradually, never suddenly
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Don’t overfeed — more food doesn’t mean more love
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Don’t leave food for a whole day, take it away if not finished and next time reduce portion
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Always provide fresh water, better change it twice a day
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Puppies, adults, and seniors have different nutritional needs. Feed according to age
Grooming tools & tips
Dental Care
Healthy teeth begin with daily home care. Brush your Bichon’s teeth regularly using dog-specific toothpaste to help prevent plaque and tartar buildup. Consistent preventive care reduces the need for stressful veterinary procedures later in life.
Natural chews, such as dried beef ears or beef tendons, support dental health and satisfy the natural need to chew. Always supervise chewing and remove small leftover pieces to prevent choking. Avoid industrial treats whenever possible.
Eye, Ear & Nail Care
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Gently clean eye corners daily with a soft cotton pad
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Keep hair around the eyes trimmed and clean
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Clean and dry ears thoroughly after bathing
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Trim nails regularly to support healthy posture and movement
Bathing & Coat Care
Bathe your Bichon every 10–14 days using high-quality dog shampoo and conditioner. Dry the coat completely with a warm (not hot) hair dryer while gently brushing. Daily brushing for 5–10 minutes helps prevent tangles and teaches
your puppy to enjoy grooming. Never leave the coat damp, as moisture may cause skin irritation
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Slicker brush is one of the basic tools used in everyday care bison. We recommend “Doggy men”. These brushes are available in two sizes, and you might want to get both small and large
This comb is one of the key tools you will use on a daily basis. It is especially important because it is precise tool that helps keep your dog free of knots
To keep your pet's paws neat and tidy, we recommend using the Safari small nail trimmer. It is made of stainless still and features double blades, which provide a clean, precise cut
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This is a special forceps used for pulling the hair out of the ears of your pet. It is extremely important that your pet hairs are always impeccably removed from the ears, to avoid creating the basis for the development of various parasites in the ear canals. Not all Bichons are equally strong and thick hairs in the ears, and in some bichons are very easy to remove, even with quite ordinary tweezers.
If you decide to learn grooming it is best to invest in professional scissors specifically designed for dogs. Even if you decided to take your Bichon to a professional groomer, it is still a good idea to have at least one set of high-quality scissors for touch-ups between grooming appointments
A grooming table makes brushing and grooming much easier for both you and your dog. It helps your puppy get used to standing calmly and feeling comfortable during regular grooming. Instead of using a household table, we strongly recommend purchasing a small, affordable grooming table. Regular sessions on a proper table will help your puppy form positive grooming habits for life
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Removes unsightly reddish or brown tear stains, keeping the eye area clean, bright, and healthy.
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Natural formula with chamomile, rosemary, and thyme extracts that soothe and purify the skin.
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Gentle and safe for sensitive eyes and mucous areas; ideal for daily or frequent use.
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Helps maintain balanced skin conditions, preventing new stains and eye area discoloration.
Herbal Detox Shampoo
Cleansing, Hydrating, Moisturizing, Strengthening, pH Balanced
Step 2
Magic Plex Shampoo
Cleansing, Moisturizing, Purifying, Shine Enhancing, Strengthening
Magic Plex Conditioner Conditioning, Moisturizing, Shine Enhancing, Softening, Strengthening
Deworming
Nemex 2 is the best dewormer for pups and grown dogs, eliminating roundworms and hookworms. It can be given directly or mixed with food. Puppies should be wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks of age, then monthly until 12 months of age.
Current research says you should only deworm when they need it. How do you know when they need it? You should do "poop patrol" regularly and check for signs of parasites. You may also pull down your doggy's lower eyelid and see what color it is. Dark pink means that your dog is not anemic and most likely does not have any blood-sucking worms. If you notice your dog is very skinny, the coat is pale and dull, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, low energy, a change in appetite, itching, and signs of skin irritations, it might be time for deworming. You may also bring stool sample to your wet for the lab test.
However, we should be aware of Dewormer Resistance. You have probably heard of antibiotic-resistans, which resulted from the overuse of antibiotics. A similar phenomenon has occurred with chemical dewormers and internal parasites. Please continue to read an article from an excerpt by Deborah Niemann: Dewormer Resistance
Vaccinations
I give my pups 3 shots: 5-way Solo-Jec 5, starting at 7 weeks of age, and repeat with a 3-week interval.
Rabies should be done when the puppy reaches 4 months old. For regular shots and Rabies I recommend mobile vet clinics
They are very convenient for the preventive care. Services include: Vaccinations (including Rabies), Microchipping, Fecal Test and Nail Trim. Clinics are held at Tractor Supply stores, usually ones a week, no appointment is necessary. Prices are great too!
Spay / Neuter
Early spaying/neutering of your dog (before 1 year old) can result in health problems such as Hip Dysplasia, Cruciate Ligament Tears, Osteosarcoma (Bone Cancer), and behavioral disorders. "When a dog's reproductive organs are surgically removed, the sex hormones they produce also disappear. The sex hormones are responsible for more than just sexual behaviors, and one of their responsibilities is regulating growth. Breeders can readily spot the difference between an intact dog and a neutered dog: neutered dogs have longer limbs, narrower heads and bodies, and they are lighter in bone. When the sex hormones are removed, the growth hormones are missing important regulatory input, and the bones continue to grow longer than they ought to. Studies have proven this to be true (Salmeri et al, JAVMA 1991). Please continue to read articles from Dogs Naturally Magazine:
Name Tag & Microchipping
One of the first things you should do is order a name tag with your telephone number on it. The best color for your pup is a nice leather color with a name tag on it! I would also recommend microchipping. Better do it before you register your pup in AKC. This way, you will have a microchip number on his pedigree. Register your dog in AKC Reunite website
Just a friendly disclaimer: the information I shared here is based on my own experience, supported by reputable articles and research I have conducted over the years, and should not be taken as professional advice, but rather my personal insights and suggestions.
Green Days' happy customers. Thank you for choosing us!
Sincerely, Olga Kaminker