Congratulations! You’ve decided to look up Bichon Frise breeders to find the perfect Bichon to call your own. However, choosing the dog breed you are interested in is only the first step.

Although you have likely done your Bichon Frise homework, and know the care and commitment that is involved, have you stopped to think about whether a puppy from Bichon Frise breeders or a full grown dog from a shelter or rescue would be the better choice for your lifestyle?

Most potential owners, especially first time dog buyers, instantly think only of the fun of owning a Bichon puppy. Very few take into account that owning and training a puppy is a lot of work and requires plenty of patience. You must seriously consider all aspects of raising a puppy before brining one into your home.

For instance, will you have the time to properly train the dog? Some Bichon Frise breeders won’t give up one of their dogs unless they know the owner will be providing the puppy with the proper training he requires. Furthermore, if you don’t have the time to train the dog, does this mean you won’t have the time to socialize or give him the attention he needs to properly bond with you?

If you talk with reputable Bichon Frise breeders, what you will discover is that puppies are a lot of work, and aren’t for everyone. This is why many of these breeders will go out of there way to ask you personal questions about your lifestyle and your reasons for wanting a dog.

Should you decide that a Bichon puppy truly is for you, make sure you carefully inspect and interview all Bichon Frise breeders you are interested in before making your selection. After you have narrowed down your choice, you then need to carefully choose a puppy from the litter.

What you will discover is that the dominant pup of the litter will likely be the first to check you out. The dominant puppy is often the most difficult to discipline and train. Therefore, should this be your first time as a dog owner, you may want to turn your attention to another puppy. In addition, you should also avoid puppy’s that are overly shy, as these pups usually have the most potential health problems, and are difficult to socialize.

On the other hand, after looking into Bichon Frise breeders you think raising a puppy may be more than you can handle, it’s time for you to visit your local animal shelter or dog rescue. These places usually have a variety of adult Bichon Frise dogs that are in need of a loving home.

Contrary to popular belief, simply because a dog winds up at a shelter or rescue doesn’t mean it has behavioral problems. In many cases, the previous owner abandoned or surrendered the dog because they didn’t want it anymore, or they simply could no longer provide the dog with the care it needed.

Therefore, many of the dogs at these shelters and rescues are excellent canines who are looking for a family to share their love with. In fact, most of these adult dogs have already been socialized and in some cases have received some basic training. However, despite whether or not they have been trained, the fact remains that adult dogs require a lot less initial care than the puppies you will find from Bichon Frise Breeders.

Regardless if you decide to welcome a puppy or an adult Bichon in your home, make sure you spend plenty of time getting to know Bichon Frise breeders. A knowledgeable breeder can tell you plenty about their own experiences with the breed, and give you a good indication of whether or not a puppy is conducive to your lifestyle.