My SIL has one, and he is awesome! Friendly, good with kids, travels well. He can be hyper like on that video, but the one I know does listen to his owner when she tells him to settle down.

We have two bichons (and had another one before them). They are wonderful awesome dogs but there are some downsides. The wonderful awesomeness is (as others have said) that they are usually happy, sociable, great with kids, funny, cute, hypoallergenic. Downsides are, mainly, (1) Many of them will pee in the house (and not just when they are puppies). Some won't. But if you would flip out at pee on your rugs, think twice about a bichon. (2) Like many over-bred dogs, I guess, they tend towards certain medical problems - things like allergies, bladder/kidney stones, and whatnot.

So my bottom line is: I love them even when they are a pain in the ass.

Based on that video, I'd never get one. Entirely too hyper. Give me a pug who'll lay down and chill.

Love our bichon and great great great with the kids. Happy and social dog with no aggressive tendencies. My DH was a big dog person too, but we have found that especially living in the city there are big advantages to a smaller dog. Walking is easy and in fact he does not really need much walking at all to be perfectly happy. No need for miles of dogwalking every week. He is small enough that he is easy to pick up and even the kids can pick him up, bathe him, etc. Small dogs are easier to board in the city. I say go for it if you are open to having a dog.

No, I do not.

They're the best. So good with kids.

Anonymous wrote:We have two- a male and female. Smart good natured and great with kids, very social. We keep ours cut short, so not much grooming for us. There is a difference b/w male and female. Smaller dogs are easier on the house.

I second this. My mom has two, one is a bit of a happy barker.

I'll take the dog if you don't want him!

Very sweet dogs. Had one growing up as a child

when they are happy they do this

It has hair, not fur. Ideal for those with allergies

We have two- a male and female. Smart good natured and great with kids, very social. We keep ours cut short, so not much grooming for us. There is a difference b/w male and female. Smaller dogs are easier on the house.

Don't have one now but used to (ex took it in the divorce) It was a good dog, a little hyper and loved to play. Required a good bit of grooming to keep the hair from getting matted.

If so, would you recommend the breed. My cousin has a Bichon puppy, but just learned that she has been transferred overseas. She wants to give us her puppy. I've only had big dogs, so am not sure about a smaller dog. We have 2 young kids. They have not yet met the puppy, as I'm afraid that if they do, she'll definitely be coming home with us. Before making the commitment, I would love to hear from other Bichon owners about their experiences.