Bichon Frise Price – How Much Do Bichon Frise Puppies Cost?

Bichon Frise price varies a lot depending on where you live, the puppy’s pedigree and how they were raised. Anywhere between $1,000 – $4,000 falls into a normal range. Healthy, vet checked Bichon Frise puppies are expensive, but you know the mother was well cared for and the puppy is likely to live a happy, long life. However, the puppy sale price isn’t the whole story. Today we look at the cost of buying a Bichon Frise puppy, as well as raising and caring for them. From insurance to vaccinations, food and grooming, it all adds up! We’ll help you to spot a bargain Bichon Frise puppy price, and when to avoid a particular litter or breeder.

Contents

• How breeders work out Bichon Frise price
• Stud fees and the cost of pregnancy
• Do well cared for Bichon Frise puppies cost more?
• Expensive vs cheap Bichon Frise price tags
• What is the average Bichon Frise price from reputable breeders?
• The cost of raising a Bichon Frise

Healthy, well-raised Bichon puppies aren’t cheap. This is because the proper health testing of their parents, and veterinary care for mom dog and her litter are expensive. The total cost of a Bichon Frise in their first year, accounting for vaccinations, food, and accessories, can easily run to several thousand dollars.

Buying A Bichon Frise Puppy

Playful, pint-sized and as fluffy as can be, the Bichon Frise makes a wonderful companion. This cuddly breed is increasingly popular, and was even a favorite of King Henry III.

Are you interested in welcoming one of these fuzzy friends into your family? Before you start exploring your options, know that they often come at a hefty price! Read on to learn all about how much Bichon Frise puppies cost, the reasons why Bichon Frise price might range widely and any additional costs.

How Breeders Calculate Bichon Frise Price

Purchasing from a reliable and responsible breeder is your best chance at getting a healthy and happy Bichon Frise puppy.

Breeding a puppy in a way that is responsible comes with a lot of expenses. Not only do puppies need a lot of expensive supplies and medical attention, but so do their parents.

Responsible and reputable breeders ensure that the two dogs they are using to breed are in good health. This greatly reduces the risk of their offspring inheriting genetic disorders. It is especially important in purebred dogs. The closed gene pool of their pedigree means two dogs of the same breed are more likely to carry the same genes, and the same genetic diseases.

Bichon Frise Parents’ Health Tests

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals Canine Health Information Center recommends that breeders test their Bichon sires and dams for:

• hip dysplasia
• patella luxation
• and eye disorders.

Further optional tests depending on each dog’s family history include:

• a cardiac evaluation
• screening for the Legg-Calves-Perthes (a degenerative disease of the thigh bone, where it meets the hip)
• urine analysis for diabetes and bladder stones
• blood tests for liver shunts (where the blood vessels bypass the liver rather than leading to and from it correctly)
• and a general panel of blood tests for miscellaneous other conditions (suites of such tests are available from vets).

Health screenings can cost between $200-300+ per dog.

Bichon Frise Stud Fees

If a breeder only owns the dam (female) they hope to breed from, they will need to find her a mate to produce a litter of puppies.

Breeders use stud services to find suitable male dogs. Stud services can cost between $100-200+ to use, depending on the stud.

Good Care For The Mom Increases Bichon Frise Price

It is key that the pregnant mother receives a nutritionally balanced diet. This will give her body the extra energy that it requires to have a healthy pregnancy. Food designed for pregnant or weaning mothers commands a premium price compared to regular diets.

On top of all this, birthing supplies and the cost of complications, such as the need for a C-section, can cost as much as $7,000+!

Good Litter Care Increases Bichon Frise Price

When a Bichon Frise puppy is born, it will need vaccinations, deworming treatments, vet check-ups and microchipping. These services will cost your breeder upwards of approximately $180 per puppy. Additionally, puppy food, toys and whelping supplies all can cost $50+.

If your breeder is registering their litter with the American Kennel Club, it will cost them $25 to register the litter plus $2 per puppy. They may also pay for advertisements or run their own website, which can cost upwards of $25.

As you can tell, breeding a Bichon Frise puppy is no walk in the park and comes at a big price! A good breeder will be willing to invest a lot of time and money into their litter. This often results in a more expensive puppy.

Cheap vs Expensive Bichon Frise Price

So, as we’ve established, a Bichon Frise puppy from a reputable breeder can be pretty pricey. But is it worth it?

Treat Cheap Bichon Frise Price Tags with Caution

To answer this question, you have to look at the alternatives. These include dogs bred by backyard breeders, in puppy mills or from pet stores.

Dogs from these sources are often bred irresponsibly, making them more likely to inherit poor genes or genetic disorders. Not only will this worsen your puppy’s quality of life, but it may also be more expensive for you in the long run with vet bills and medication costs.

As well as being bred irresponsibly, dogs from these places are often kept in unethical conditions with a poor standard of welfare. To avoid supporting such harmful businesses, the best thing you can do is not buy their puppies. The supply will stop when the demand stops.

Expensive Bichon Frise Puppies

To maximise your chances of getting a happy and healthy pup, your best bet is always to go to a responsible and ethical breeder, even if the Bichon Frise price is more expensive.

To find a reputable Bichon Frise breeder, have a look at The American Kennel Club’s list of assured breeders. These breeders must adhere to a certain set of standards to ensure their puppies are healthy and bred responsibly.

Make sure you ask breeders detailed questions about how they have reared their puppies. A responsible breeder will always be happy to provide you with health screening results and be proud to show you the environment they raised their litter in.

If someone is evasive or secretive about their facilities or the genetic history of their dogs, be strong and walk away.

Bichon Frise Puppy Price

Breeders that have been approved by the American Kennel Club sell Bichon Frise puppies from as cheap as $1,000 to as expensive as over $4,000. Prices will vary from breeder to breeder so make sure you check the ones in your local area.

If a price is too good to be true, it probably is! Avoid breeders selling Bichon Frise puppies for suspiciously low prices. If you can’t afford to spend a high Bichon Frise price tag on a more healthy dog, maybe now isn’t the time to get a Bichon Frise.

Before you buy a Bichon Frise puppy, make sure you factor in the other costs you will have to spend.

Ongoing Bichon Frise Costs

Although the initial purchase of your Bichon Frise puppy will most likely be the biggest single expense you’ll have to pay, the spending doesn’t end there.

Additional supplies, such as, toys, leashes and a crate will cost around $100. Vet bills and check ups can be very expensive. A puppy’s initial course of vaccines usually costs in the region of $100, and some clinics may charge consulting fees on top.

Pet insurance prices can be as cheap as $10, to as expensive as $100, but mostly ranges between $30-50 per month. If you wish to get training sessions for your new family member, these can cost upwards of $50.

   

You can’t forget about the Bichon Frise’s beautiful curly coat. Grooming supplies can cost around $15+, but you will also need to take your pup for a trim around once a month. Bichon Frise price will depend on the groomer but will usually be at least $20.

When your Bichon Frise is a puppy, it will probably need around 3-4 small meals a day to go easy on its small stomach. As it gets older, its meals will need to become less frequent and bigger in portion size. Small dog puppy food can cost anything from thirty cents, to two dollars a day, but bear in mind you get what you pay for with food.

How Much Is A Bichon Frise?

Still interested in getting a Bichon Frise puppy? As you can see, the toll on your bank account will vary depending on the breeder you go to and the supplies that you purchase.

Going to a reputable breeder, and buying top-tier supplies, means a Bichon Frise price can range from as little as around $1,500, to as much as over $4,500. And that’s only in the first few months!

Make sure you factor in all of the monthly costs you will have to pay throughout the entirety of your Bichon Frise’s life.

You may find a cheaper dog at a puppy mill or pet store, but the best way to get a happy and healthy pup is by going to a reputable breeder.

Most importantly, remember that a dog is a friend for life. Only get one if you are willing to invest any amount of time and money into giving it the best quality of life possible.

Good luck in your search for a Bichon Frise. Be sure to let us know in the comments how you get on!

References and Resources

• Gelatt K. et al. “Cataracts in the Bichon Frise”. Journal of Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2003.
• Braus B. et al. “Cataracts are not associated with retinal detachment in the Bichon Frise in the UK – a retrospective study of preoperative findings and outcomes in 40 eyes”. Journal of Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2011.
• Nilsson K. et al. “Heritability of patellar luxation in the Chihuahua and Bichon Frise breeds of dogs and effectiveness of a Swedish screening programme”. The Veterinary Journal. 2018.