Jasme
Bichon Frise
Jasme
Bichon Frise
                 
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Our StoryIn 1991 my children were preparing to move out on their own. I was going through the "empty nest syndrome". I have always had dogs. In the past we bred and showed Brittany Spaniels. However, I wanted a dog that I could cuddle and have on my lap. The dog had to be low-key, not yappy, and have a very loving temperament. I started my search with the library (no Internet in those days) and book stores. I narrowed my choices down to the Bichon Frise and another small breed. The more I learned about the Bichon, the more I was determined that it was the right breed for us. I had never seen a Bichon in person. I had seen lots of pictures of them in books so I kind of knew what they should look like. I studied the AKC Breed Standard, too. The next step was to locate a puppy. I spent days on the telephone talking to breeders (mostly backyard breeders). A lot of the time I knew more about the breed than they did because of all the research I had done. I finally found some litters of puppies in the newspaper (not a good source when you are looking for a well-bred dog). I went to visit the puppies and found dogs that didn't even resemble Bichons (they were very short legged and long body). It was winter time and the puppies were out in the cold garage with no heat. I continued to look at litters until I found one that looked like a Bichon. Jenny was our first Bichon. We love her dearly. The breeder stated that she was show quality. Steve decided since we now had a show dog that we should get involved with showing. He located the local Bichon Frise club and we attended their meetings and Specialty. We attended all breed dog shows, too. When Jenny was 6 months old we started showing her. We found out that Jenny wasn't really show quality. Jenny developed numerous medical problems by the time she was only one year old. This was associated with being backyard bred. I'm sure Jenny's parents either came from another backyard breeder or puppy mills that do not believe in doing genetic testing. We had to spay Jenny before she was one year old because of her medical problems. I would hate to pass on the misery/expense that we suffer with Jenny to anyone else by her having puppies. We proceeded to locate a real show dog. We were lucky enough to meet top breeders at the dog show. They had a litter of puppies. We added two female Bichons, Mandy and Alexis (Alex) to our family. They were the perfect example of the breed. Steve showed his Alex and I showed my Mandy. Both of the girls earned their AKC Conformation Championship. Both girls have their eyes (CERF) tested annually and their hips (OFA) were tested after they were two years old. Mandy and I did obedience. Steve, Jenny, Alex, Mandy and I were certified for pet therapy. Mandy and I went weekly to the local nursing home and visited with the residents. Mandy loved all the cookies that she was given for her tricks. She learned very quickly the more entertaining she is, the more cookies she gets. On May 23, 1996 Mandy gave birth to her first litter of puppies. She had 2 girls and 1 boy. One of the girls, my Amy, was a show dog. Amy enjoyed showing and was awarded her AKC Conformation Championship in 1997. Amy was my first home-bred champion. I was so proud of her the day we were awarded her final points. We bred Alex in 1997 and she produced Katy along with 3 other puppies. Katy was the first Bichon that Steve showed only in the Bred by Exhibitor class. Since all her points were awarded from that class, AKC awarded us a special Bred by Exhibitor medallion. In 1999 Mandy gave birth to two boys. Tyler was also shown only in the Bred by Exhibitor class and was awarded his AKC championship along with the special AKC Bred by Exhibitor medallion in 2001. Also, in 2001 Steve finished Frankie from the Bred by Exhibitor class and we were awarded Frankie's AKC championship along with the special AKC Bred by Exhibitor medallion. Frankie lives with his owners, Mary and Doyle Heaton. You are visitor |
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