Bichon Frise Health Problems: What Every Owner Should Know

Bichon Frise health problems deserve attention from the first weeks at home because this cheerful white companion combines a long lifespan with several well-documented inherited risks affecting the eyes, urinary tract, and heart. ACVO registry data places hereditary cataracts among the most significant ocular concerns, with roughly nine percent of examined Bichon Frises affected and peak onset near three years of age. Calcium oxalate bladder stones carry more than twenty times the risk seen in mixed-breed dogs, while UK primary-care research documents significantly elevated odds of mitral valve murmurs in the breed. Tracheal collapse and patellar luxation appear less frequently but remain part of the small-breed risk landscape owners should recognise. Bichon Frise common diseases referenced in the bibliography below, and planning across Bichon Frise lifespan, inform this DVM-reviewed BreedRisk overview.

Most Common Health Conditions in Bichon Frises

Hereditary Cataracts

Hereditary cataracts cause progressive clouding of the lens inside the eye, leading to blurred vision and, in severe cases, blindness. ACVO Blue Book registry data from more than eleven thousand examinations reports a 9.4% prevalence in Bichon Frises, with peak onset around three years of age. Early signs include small opaque spots in the lens, often first noticed in one eye. Regular eye checks with your vet support early detection and surgical planning when appropriate.

Calcium Oxalate Bladder Stones

Calcium oxalate uroliths are hard mineral deposits that form in the bladder and can cause pain, difficulty urinating, and blood in the urine. Lekcharoensuk and colleagues (2000) documented greater than twenty times the risk of calcium oxalate stones in Bichon Frises compared with mixed-breed dogs; the breed accounted for eight percent of all canine calcium oxalate submissions to the Minnesota Urolith Center over twenty-six years. Stones typically appear between five and twelve years of age, and recurrence after surgery is common — around thirty-seven percent within one year.

Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Degenerative mitral valve disease occurs when the mitral valve between heart chambers degenerates, allowing blood to leak backwards and forcing the heart to work harder. Mattin and colleagues (2015) found Bichon Frises had an odds ratio of 12.9 for heart murmurs consistent with this condition compared with crossbred dogs in UK primary-care practice. Murmurs are often detected during routine annual checks before coughing, exercise intolerance, or breathing changes appear at home.

Tracheal Collapse

Tracheal collapse describes weakening of the cartilage rings supporting the windpipe, causing airway narrowing and a chronic dry cough often described as a goose honk. Kim and colleagues (2024) reported Bichon Frises among affected small breeds in a retrospective series of 110 cases, accounting for 4.5% of diagnoses with onset typically in middle to senior years. Harness walking and prompt evaluation when honking cough or breathing noise escalates remain central management themes.

Patellar Luxation

Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slips out of its groove, producing intermittent skipping steps or hind-limb lameness. OFA patellar screening of 5,164 Bichon Frises reports a 3% abnormal rate — lower than many toy breeds but still worth monitoring during wellness visits between one and four years of age when clinical signs most often surface.

Health Risks by Age for Bichon Frises

Based on ACVO registry data, OFA screening, and peer-reviewed studies cited on this page.

Symptoms to Watch For

Contact your veterinarian promptly if you notice any of the following signs in your Bichon Frise.

• Cloudy or bluish tint to one or both eyes, bumping into objects in low light, or visible white or grey opacity in the pupil that may indicate hereditary cataracts.
• Straining to urinate, blood in the urine, frequent attempts with little output, or licking at the urinary opening that may indicate calcium oxalate bladder stones.
• Persistent cough especially at night, reduced exercise tolerance, faster breathing at rest, or fainting that may indicate degenerative mitral valve disease.
• Chronic dry cough with a goose-honking sound, coughing triggered by excitement, or breathing difficulty in heat that may indicate tracheal collapse.
• Intermittent skipping or hopping on a hind leg, sudden lameness that resolves, or reluctance to jump that may indicate patellar luxation.

Bichon Frise Breed Profile

• Breed group: Non-Sporting
• Life span: 12 – 15 years
• Weight: 3 – 5 kg (7 – 12 lbs)
• Height: 23 – 30 cm (9 – 12 in)
• Temperament: Cheerful, Playful, Affectionate, Gentle, Intelligent
• Bred for: Companion
• Origin: France, Belgium

Frequently Asked Questions