General Chat

.... my new puppy! I've wanted a dog for a while but have been waiting until the time is right - which is now! I'm having a Bichon Frise and because they are such excellent pets, they are very difficult to get hold of. I was really lucky and rang a breeder just before he put his new litter on the Kennel Club website, so I get first pick! Have to travel 70 miles to Hampshire, but who cares? He will be ready to leave his mummy next weekend when he is 8 weeks old! I'd love to hear tips or advice from anyone on here who has one of these lovely dogs. Mandy :)

I was always told never pick a puppy, the first one that comes to you is the one you should have. It`s always worked for me. My dog goes everywhere with me,well not quite everywhere, LOL and i love him to bits. R.B. x

My best mate has one of those doggies. He is a real cutie. Has to have his hair cut every 6 weeks His name is Simba and he is now 3 and she has had him since he was 9 weeks old. Fi

Well I havent got to choose one as there is only one - I think you know I lost my Lucy on her 16th birthday two weeks ago. On that very day a little boy was unexpectantly born to one of her grandaughters which the breeder has offered me free of charge. He stopped breeding in April and kept only two dogs for himself. BUT I always did the same thing, bend down and see which one comes running up to you. This one will be healthy, bright and friendly. Good luck. By the way, do get a Vari kennel dog crate to carry him in your car with a vet bed, Im def going to train this one from the start.

Good Luck honey!!! love becx

hi mandy, i remember 6 years ago when we moved into this house, we decided we had loads of room for a dog. so off we went to a rehoming centre at castleford, to look for a cute little puppy. we came back with a 2 year old female rottweiller !!! her owner was having kidney dialasis, and could no longer handle her. we now also have a 3 year old rottie, but we bought him from a breeder, i did not dare bring another adult rottie into the house- but ruby was fine with a puppy. sue. [ who NEVER sticks to a shopping list, lol]

My Granddaughter has one & he is a beautiful dog but be careful they can be real Houdinis they love to investigate things which means they tend to get out (of very small holes) I have minded him a couple of times & had to block every little hole, Have fun with your little one Love Cilla

Hi Mandy, I used to work with a chap whose wife bred Bichon Frises. She used to take the best ones to all the dog shows around the country, and while she was away he would bring the others into the office, so they were'nt left alone at home. When my son was little, he'd come with me to work in the school holidays, and he used to love it when the dogs were there. They were so friendly and playful, he spent hours with them, and we used to have some lovely photos of him with them all, jumping and climbing all over him as he lay on the floor. I'll see if I can find them and put them on the Photospage. In more recent years, whilst out walking our dog, I've met several Bichons out with their owners, and every one of them has been very friendly and got on well with other dogs. The only drawback anyone's ever mentioned is that they take a fair amount of grooming, but that's a small price to pay for the company of a wonderful companion. I think you've made an excellent choice. Look forward to hearing about the pup and seeing photos. CB >|< X

Hi Mandy Ohhh a puppy!! I want another one !! LOL!! This advice goes to all breed of dogs.. Always train them, preferably through a proper trainer.. I have always had BIG dogs, so training is important, I mean can you imagine a 10 stone bullmastiff jumping up to greet some one! LOL!! One of the most important tips I learned when Duke was a puppy, was to add a small amount of food to his bowl, whilst he was eating, that way, if anyone ever goes near his food bowl when he is eating, he will not mind as he will think of it as getting extra..!! It has always worked for mine, and I have no problems with Duke at meal times, or any other time in fact! Good training is essential! I am sure you will have many HAPPY years with your new Puppy, have you thought of any names yet? Maz x ;o)

Wow! Must be the week for it Mandy. A good friend of ours has two Brichon, and they go everywhere together. We on the other hand go for something slightly bigger, and on Monday evening took delivery of our second Golden. Tia, She's a beauty, cappuchino colored in contsrast to the pure white of Angelus Monsterus Stinkarumus, we thought we would have problems introducing her to the big fella, but he (at 17 months) has been the essence of patience. We've spent the whole day laughing at them today as they are playing with a 'stolen' sock and dragging each other round the house. She's the best gift I've ever had from students. Enjoy, and look forward to the photos Enjoy your puppy , Magi x

Mandy, if my little boy comes home in 6 weeks I expect you to tell me how to manage a baby. I havent had a pup for 16 years.

Hi Mandy, Are you home yet? was wondering how you got on with choosing a puppy. Good Luck. R.B. x

ALFIE IS ON THE PHOTOS PAGE lol! Thank you all for your kind messages and useful tips (TC, will write down the name of that travel cage, and Maz, good tip about feeding). They are absolutely gorgeous and everything you've all said is true. CB, you're right - the grooming is a small price to pay for such friendly little dogs, and they are great for anyone with allergies because they don't moult (hence the grooming). The breeder and his mother were lovely people, and we saw the pups' mum, dad and auntie! Mum and Dad are having one of the litter too, so Alfie and Goldie can play together, and if they find looking after a dog difficult as they get older, then Goldie will come to me and live with his brother! We pick them up next Sunday afternoon so I'm afraid there will be a very hyper Mandy on the boards that evening lol! Mandy :))

Just looked at the photos!...Aaaaaw - I want one! Don't think the cat would be any too pleased though. We expect 'family' photos at every opportunity! Magsxx

Hello Mandy i have a cross Bichon / Chinese Crested and she is just beautiful so cuddley, you will not regrete it. I bet it is just a ball of fluff. Good luck Val

lovely photos, Mandy. :-) Joy

I was going to call my new pup Alfie. But now we have decided on Ralph! When can you bring him home? The breeder told me that the Vari kennel deluxe is the Rolls Royce of dog carriers - for your size and mine, they even have a handle on the top. Get a vet mat with it but not the rubber mat as they chew it apparently. My chap said you can train them to sleep in them at home too. And how do you put pics on the photo page?

Hi TC We bring Alfie home next Sunday, when he's 8 weeks! I just googled the Vari Kennel and there's a company (oopsy, forgot which one) that sends them via free 48-hour delivery. For a Bichon, we needed size 2 which was £44.99. Going to get this one, as we travel fairly short distances regularly to our holiday home (where dogs are allowed, yippee!). Now, as for putting photos on lol! Go to http://groups.msn(.)com/gcphotospage (remove the brackets, and there's no www at the beginning). You need an MSN passport (this is their term for registering as a member). Can't remember that far back, but I'm sure there are instructions on how to do it if you click on 'Sign In' at the top right hand corner of the homepage. If you have any problems, come back and let us know and someone will help out. Looking forward to seeing pics of Ralph! Mandy :)

Mandy the one I looked up was Pets Play Pads and I think the medium (same size as you need) plus the vet mat plus postage came to about £53.

Ive tried to add a photo but keeping getting 'control failed to install' any ideas how to fix this anyone please?