Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Bichon Frises Live. Bichon Frise Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Bichon Frise Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Bichon Frise, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Bichon Frises
- How Old is Your Bichon Frise in Human Years
- How Long Do Bichon Frises Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Bichon Frise Live Long
- Conclusion on Bichon Frise Life Expectancy
How Long Bichon Frises Live. Bichon Frise Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Bichon Frise is from 12 to 15 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Bichon Frise. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 34 pet Bichon Frises lived.
From the study, it was found that Bichon Frises have a average lifespan of 12.9 years. Furthermore, the study found that Bichon Frises can live for as long as 16.4 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Bichon Frises.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Bichon Frises are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Urogenital Disease: Problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, and/or reproductive organs
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Encompasses heart problems, blood pressure issues, and bleeding/clotting problems. CV issues may also be related to lung and/or breathing problems.
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Bichon Frise to make your Bichon Frise live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Bichon Frise have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Bichon Frise is in human years? Then, check out our Bichon Frise age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Bichon Frise Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Bichon Frise compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Canaan Dog Lifespan | 14.60 |
| Cairn Terrier Lifespan | 14.00 |
| Miniature Poodle Lifespan | 13.90 |
| Norwegian Elkhound Lifespan | 13.10 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Bichon Frise Lifespan | 12.90 |
| Whippet Lifespan | 12.70 |
| Dachshund Lifespan | 12.60 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Chihuahua Lifespan | 12.40 |
| Keeshond Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Sealyham Terrier Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Golden Retriever Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Irish Setter Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Tibetan Mastiff Lifespan | 11.90 |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Curly-Coated Retriever Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Giant Schnauzer Lifespan | 10.00 |
| Flat-Coated Retriever Lifespan | 9.83 |
| Leonberger Lifespan | 7.08 |
Common Causes of Death in Bichon Frise, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Bichon Frise, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Bichon Frise.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
-
Neoplastic Disease in Bichon Frises
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 21.3 percent of all deaths in Bichon Frises.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Bichon Frise
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Bichon Frises
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Bichon Frises (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Bichon Frises is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Bichon Frises is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Bichon Frises is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Bichon Frises with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Bichon Frise. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Bichon Frise`s gums look pale.
-
Neurologic Disease in Bichon Frises
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 13.6 percent of all deaths in Bichon Frises.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Bichon Frise
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Bichon Frises
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
-
Urogenital Disease in Bichon Frises
Urogenital problems most often involve infections and blockages, which various degrees of seriousness.
Urogenital Disease is responsible for 11.5 percent of all deaths in Bichon Frises.
Causes of Urogenital Disease in Bichon Frise
Probably, the most important urogenital issue seen in intact female Bichon Frises is the pyometra. A pyometra is an enlarged, pus-filled uterus caused by a severe bacterial infection. A pyometra is several times larger than a regular uterus and is a life-threatening condition. To treat a pyometra, the Bichon Frise`s uterus must be removed, which is a difficult and expensive surgery. Another urogenital infection seen in both female and male dogs is urinary tract infections, which are very similar to human UTIs. If left untreated, UTIs can ascend up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys, which can also be life-threatening. If you notice that your Bichon Frise is urinating much more or less frequently than usual, or if the color or smell of the urine seems different from normal, you should talk to your veterinarian. Another common urogenital issue in male Bichon Frises is urinary blockages, which (as the name suggests) is when there is something stuck in the urinary tract which prevents the Bichon Frise from urinating. If you see your Bichon Frise lifting its leg and trying to urinate but nothing is coming out, you should call your veterinarian. Cancer is also a major urogenital issue in Bichon Frises, just like it is in humans. Urinary incontinence can also be an issue in both male and female Bichon Frises, just like in humans.
How to Prevent Urogenital Disease in Bichon Frises
The only way to completely prevent a pyometra is by getting your female Bichon Frise spayed. Another major benefit to spaying your Bichon Frise is that it dramatically reduces her risk of breast cancer. A spay is a major surgery and does tend to be a bit more expensive than a neuter, but a pyometra surgery is probably 3-4 times more expensive and dangerous than a regular, routine spay. Neutering your male Bichon Frise will also dramatically reduce his risk of prostate cancer and urinary blockages, especially as he gets older. If the spay and neuter estimates from your regular veterinarian are a little out of your price range, low-cost high-volume (LCHV) spay and neuter clinics are also an excellent option. If you find that your Bichon Frise is prone to blockages even though they are sterilized, there are many diets and supplements like this that can help. There are also diets like this and supplements that can help with urinary incontinence, but if these don`t work, your veterinarian can also prescribe prescription medications.
-
Gastrointestinal Disease in Bichon Frises
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 10.8 percent of all deaths in Bichon Frises.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Bichon Frise
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Bichon Frise eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Bichon Frise stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Bichon Frise is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Bichon Frise has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Bichon Frises
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Bichon Frise`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
-
Cardiovascular Disease in Bichon Frises
Cardiac problems may include valvular and vascular disorders, which ultimately lead to the heart`s inability to pump oxygen-rich blood to tissues. Cardiac issues can be acute or chronic, and can lead to progressive heart failure or sudden death.
Cardiovascular Disease is responsible for 10.1 percent of all deaths in Bichon Frises.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease in Bichon Frise
Heart disease in Bichon Frises may be caused by genetic (inherited) factors, lack of exercise, and poor diet. Heart disease can also be caused by infections such as bacteria (endocarditis, myocarditis, and more) as well as viruses, fungi, and parasites (heartworm).
How to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease in Bichon Frises
You can prevent heart problems in your Bichon Frise by exercising your Bichon Frise regularly and feeding your Bichon Frise a good diet. Heartworm, which causes heart problems, is also very easily avoided by using preventatives. Giving your dog the following supplements can help prevent heart diseases. Here is a good supplement that can prevent heart problems in your Bichon Frise. The supplement is not only good for your Bichon Frise`s heart, but it is also good for your Bichon Frise`s overall health.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Bichon Frises
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Bichon Frise is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Bichon Frise`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Bichon Frise`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Bichon Frise offsprings by only breeding Bichon Frise that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Bichon Frise puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Bichon Frise breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Bichon Frise has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Bichon Frise for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Bichon Frise a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Bichon Frises for:
How Old is Your Bichon Frise in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Bichon Frise. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Bichon Frise is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Bichon Frise is 12.9 years.
Bichon Frises are small-sized dogs. Bichon Frises weigh 7 to 12 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Bichon Frise in converting Bichon Frise age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Bichon Frise`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Bichon Frise`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Bichon Frise`s human age. If you do not know your Bichon Frise`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Bichon Frise is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Bichon Frise`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Bichon Frise`s up-to-date human age.
Bichon Frise Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Bichon Frise age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Bichon Frise`s human age based on your Bichon Frise`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Bichon Frise`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Bichon Frise Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 12 |
| 2 | 19 |
| 3 | 25 |
| 4 | 30 |
| 5 | 35 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 48 |
| 9 | 52 |
| 10 | 56 |
| 11 | 59 |
| 12 | 63 |
| 13 | 67 |
| 14 | 71 |
| 15 | 75 |
| 16 | 79 |
How Long Do Bichon Frises Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Bichon Frise is 12.9 years. In human years, the Bichon Frise lives for 66 years.
How Old is 2-year-old Bichon Frise in Human Years?
A 2-year old Bichon Frise is 19 years old in human years.
How Old is 3-year-old Bichon Frise in Human Years?
A 3-year old Bichon Frise is 25 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Bichon Frise in Human Years?
A 7-year old Bichon Frise is 44 years old in human years.
How Old is 8-year-old Bichon Frise in Human Years?
A 8-year old Bichon Frise is 48 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Bichon Frise Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Bichon Frise live a long life:
-
Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Bichon Frise fit and make it live longer.
-
Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Bichon Frise does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Bichon Frise will have a shorter lifespan than a Bichon Frise that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Bichon Frise high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Bichon Frise. Check out our Bichon Frise feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Bichon Frise from being overweight here.
-
Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Bichon Frise existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Bichon Frise has access to clean water whenever your Bichon Frise needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Bichon Frise. See our Bichon Frise water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Bichon Frise.
-
Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Bichon Frise might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Bichon Frise.
-
Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
-
Vaccinations: Always make sure your Bichon Frise is up to date on its vaccination.
-
Dental Hygiene: Your Bichon Frise’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Bichon Frise teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Bichon Frise Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Bichon Frise`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.