How Much Does a Bichon Frise Cost? (2024 Updated)

If you are considering getting a Bichon Frise as a pet, it’s essential to understand the costs associated with owning them. While these dogs are tiny, the expenses might put a dent in your pockets.

In this guide, we will discuss exactly how much a Bichon Frise costs, as well as the upfront cost and the annual expenses of owning this breed.

Here, you’ll also get to familiarize yourself with some reputable Bichon Frise sources. Additionally, this guide also has some money-saving tips to help you trim down your Bichon-related expenses. Let’s get started!

How Much Does a Bichon Frise Puppy Cost?

In general, Bichon Frise puppies cost anywhere between $1,000 and $4,000 from reputable breeders. The lower end of this price range is reserved for pet-quality Bichon Frise puppies, while the higher end is usually for show-quality Bichon Frise dogs from champion lines.

Keep in mind, however, that these prices are reserved for Bichon Frise dogs produced by reputable breeders. 

There are many Bichons out there that cost significantly less, but most of them come from questionable sources such as backyard breeders or puppy mills.

There are a handful of factors affecting the cost of a Bichon Frise puppy. Some of the most notable ones are health status, gender, physical appearance, coat colors, and age. 

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Bichon Frise From a Shelter?

Adopting a Bichon Frise from a shelter will run you anywhere between $150 and $500. This adoption fee varies based on the dog’s age and health status, among other factors. 

Adoption fees are also inclusive of the rescue organization’s expenses for the dog. Services such as spaying or neutering costs, microchipping, and vaccinations are all accounted for in the adoption cost of a dog.

Adopting a Bichon Frise is a wise choice if you want to save some cash while ensuring that you are getting a healthy dog. 

Keep in mind, however, that Bichon Frise puppies are rarely found in shelters. Therefore, should you decide to adopt one of these white pooches, you are more likely to get an adult or senior dog. 

On some occasions, though, you may chance upon a Bichon Frise puppy in your local shelter or rescue.

First-Time Expenses of Bichon Frise Ownership

Before you rush out of the door to get a Bichon Frise puppy, make sure to learn more about the other expenses that go along with owning one. 

To be specific, you must know what accessories and goodies to buy for your pooch before bringing it home.

The following is a list of initial expenses associated with owning a Bichon Frise:

• Dog Food and Treats: Before bringing home your new Bichon Frise puppy, make sure you are prepared with some dog food and treats. Ensure that you are getting the appropriate formula for your dog. This expense will run you between $30 and $80, depending on your choice of brand.
• Bowls: Along with dog food and treats, feeding bowls are also a must. When purchasing bowls, it is recommended to get high-quality, stainless, or ceramic ones instead of plastic bowls. Feeding bowls will set you back $10 to $30.
• Toys: Toys will help keep your dog mentally stimulated and entertained. Likewise, some toys will also help your pooch develop healthy gums and teeth. Prepare to spend $20 to $30 on some high-quality Bichon Frise toys.
• Beds: Investing in a good bed will go a long way in keeping your dog comfortable and safe. Likewise, a good quality bed will also help preserve your Bichon Frise’s bone health. Expect to spend anywhere between $30 and $200 for a high-quality dog bed.
• Collars and Leashes: Leash training is an important part of owning a Bichon Frise. This will help you raise a well-mannered pooch. For this, you should invest in a set of collars and leashes for your dog. This will run you around $15 to $50, depending on the materials and features of your chosen set. 
• Crates and Carriers: Crates and carriers are other important things to purchase when owning a dog. A good-quality crate and carrier will help you transport your dog with you when you’re traveling. Moreover, these will serve as your dog’s safe space at home. Prepare around $30 to $200 for this expense.
• Grooming Essentials: The Bichon Frise breed is prized for its adorable appearance and eye-catching long coat. To keep your dog in tip-top condition, you must invest in some grooming essentials. Grooming tools such as brushes, shampoos, and nail clippers will run you $50 to $150.
• Initial Vet Visits: After getting a Bichon Frise, you will need to take it to the vet for health checks and other medical procedures. Initial vet visits will run you anywhere between $100 and $500, depending on the rates in your area.
• Initial Vaccine Shots: Most Bichon Frise puppies already have their initial round of vaccine shots before being rehomed. However, new owners would need to shoulder the cost of the succeeding vaccines. For this expense, prepare around $50 to $300. 
• Deworming, Flea, and Tick Medications: Bichons bought from reputable breeders are usually already dewormed and given preventive medications against fleas and ticks. If your pooch has not yet taken these medications, prepare to spend $40 to $300 for this expense.
• Neutering or Spaying: If you’re not planning to breed your pooch and want to minimize the risk of reproductive health issues, it is recommended to have it spayed or neutered. These medical procedures will set you back $50 to $500, depending on rates in your area.
• Microchipping: Microchipping pets is a common practice to help owners locate their furry pals should they ever go missing. Expect to pay anywhere between $40 and $60 to have your Bichon Frise microchipped.
• Dog License: For only $10 to $20, you can register your Bichon Frise puppy at a local dog registry near you. A dog license is important in many places in the United States, as this identifies you as the legal owner of your pooch. 
• Other Essentials: Other expenses that may add up to your initial expenses include poop bags, dog wipes, pee pads, and more. For these expenses, expect to pay around $20 to $50. 

Here’s a table summarizing all the initial expenses associated with owning a Bichon Frise:

As you can see, the cost of initial expenses varies quite a lot. This is because many factors are at play when it comes to budgeting for a dog. That said, however, you can expect your actual spending to fall within this range.

With my experience breeding Bichon Frise, I have always provided them with the most durable materials, given their playful and active nature. Although this might seem more expensive at the onset, this allowed me to save more in the long run.

Instead of having to keep repurchasing cheap items as they get worn out, giving them durable materials will also help prevent additional costs of transportation or shipping.

Annual Cost of Owning a Bichon Frise

Now that you know how much to save up to acquire a Bichon Frise as well as its initial needs, it’s time to talk about the recurring costs. These are the things you will need to repurchase regularly throughout your dog’s life. 

Here is a summary of the annual costs to expect when you own a Bichon Frise:

As you can see, the recurring cost of owning a Bichon Frise is not too hefty. In fact, it is very much comparable to the costs associated with owning other small and fluffy dog breeds like the Toy Poodle or Pomeranian. 

If we break it down on a monthly basis, your recurring expenses will only vary from $122 to $295, which is a reasonable amount of money. 

Interestingly, you can further trim down these expenses by utilizing some money-saving tips we have prepared in a later section of this guide.

Other Potential Expenses to Consider

On top of the upfront and recurring costs of owning a Bichon Frise, there are miscellaneous expenses to consider. 

While most of these expenses are optional, they may come in handy at some point in your dog ownership journey. Hence, it is worthwhile to learn about them.

Here’s a list of other potential expenses associated with owning a Bichon Frise:

• Puppy School or Training Classes: For busy owners, a puppy school may be the ideal solution when it comes to training their Bichon Frise dog. In puppy schools, dogs are taught by professional trainers to follow commands and be well-behaved. These classes usually cost $200 to $600.
• Dog Walking Services: Bichon Frise dogs need regular walks and physical activities. If you don’t have time to walk your dog personally, you may avail of dog walking services. These services will set you back around $10 to $15 per hour.
• Dog Boarding Services: In the event that you need to leave your dog for an extended period, you can avail of dog boarding services. Otherwise known as pet hotels, these services serve as your dog’s temporary home while you’re away. Expect to pay $25 to $50 per night for these services.
• Prescription Food: Some Bichon Frise dogs may need specialized diets, depending on their health status. If your pet is diagnosed to have some kind of disease or nutrient deficiency, you will need to purchase prescription food. These often range in cost from $200 to $500.
• Emergency Medical Expenses: Bichon Frise dogs are prone to many kinds of health conditions. Likewise, their small stature also makes them prone to accidents. To be financially prepared for emergencies, you must save around $1,000 to $5,000. 
• Grooming Services: Many owners decide to have their Bichon Frise dogs professionally groomed. If you don’t have time to groom your dog at home, you may take it to the groomer every once in a while. Prepare a budget of $100 to $120 per grooming session. 

Meanwhile, if you want to learn how to groom your Bichon Frise on your own, watch this video:

The expenses listed above are just a few of the other expenses you may encounter throughout your dog ownership. While some of these items are optional, others are non-negotiables, such as emergency expenses. 

Best Places to Find Bichon Frise Puppies for Sale and Adoption

The Bichon Frise is a widely popular dog, which means there is no scarcity of where to find one. However, among the many sources available out there, only a handful are truly trustworthy. 

To ease your search and keep you away from Bichon puppy scams, here are the best places to find Bichon Frise puppies for sale:

• AKC Marketplace – The AKC Marketplace is a platform owned and managed by experts from the American Kennel Club. On this platform, AKC-registered breeders advertise their dogs for sale. You’ll find a ton of listings for Bichon Frise puppies on this marketplace.
• Hollyhock Bichons – Hollyhock Bichons, led by Linda Rowe and Deb Gibb, is a breeding program that specializes in producing Bichon Frises according to breed standards. This breeder ensures the health of their dogs via the AKC’s Bred with H.E.A.R.T program. They also socialize their puppies extensively before home placement.
• Destiny Bichons – Destiny Bichons is a Bichon Frise breeder founded by Debbie Hollan in 1988. Inspired by a romantic novel, Hollan got her first Bichon, Deja, and has been showcasing and nurturing the breed since then. Check out Debbie’s listings of available Bichon puppies by visiting their website or reaching out to her via their contact us page.

If, for any reason, you cannot get your hands on a Bichon Frise puppy from the sources above, you can resort to adopting a dog instead. 

Dog adoption will not only save you a few hundred dollars, but it will also support a rescue organization. You will also be giving a rescued dog another chance at life in the process.

Here are some reputable rescue organizations where you may find Bichon Frise puppies for adoption: 

• Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust (BFCACT) – BFCACT is a volunteer-run organization focused on rehabilitating and rehoming Bichons and Bichon mixes. They handle every step of the process, from fostering surrendered Bichons, having them health-checked, and finding suitable forever homes for them. 
• Bichon FurKids (BFK) – Bichon Furkids is a rescue organization focusing on Bichon Frise dogs. They aim to find suitable families for all of their rescued puppies. BFK emphasizes the importance of dog-to-dog companionship and training. In fact, many of their dogs go on to become service animals.
• Bichon Rescue of Orange County (BROC) – BROC is a non-profit, volunteer-run organization focused on rescuing and rehabilitating Bichons and other small breeds. Dogs from BROC are placed in foster homes rather than cages. Moreover, all their dogs are matched with suitable adopters. If you wish to adopt a dog from them, you will go through a careful adoption process.

Aside from the listed breeders and rescues above, you can also visit the official website of the Bichon Frise Club of America Inc. On this website, you’ll get access to their curated list of breeders.

Alternatively, you can also try looking for reputable Bichon Frise breeders and shelters in your area. You can do this by reaching out to vets, breeders, or other Bichon enthusiasts. Joining public dog groups is also a good idea. 

Just be sure to do your own due diligence. Know the ins and outs of spotting a puppy scam and steer away from backyard breeders and puppy mills at all costs.

Money-Saving Tips for Bichon Frise Owners

Owning a Bichon Frise isn’t a cheap venture by any means. Regardless if you acquired your dog from a shelter or a reputable breeder, your spending might go overboard if you don’t know some money-saving tips.

Fortunately, there are ways to cut down on your Bichon Frise expenses; some are as follows:

• Invest in pet insurance. Given that the Bichon Frise breed is prone to developing certain health conditions like hip and elbow dysplasia, joint issues, and other problems, having pet insurance is critical. While this may appear counterintuitive when it comes to saving money, it will pay off should emergencies arise.
• Learn to groom your Bichon Frise at home. Bichon Frises require regular grooming to maintain their adorable looks. That said, it’s advantageous if you can learn the skill of grooming your dog at home. This can save you hundreds of dollars from expensive grooming fees.
• Train your Bichon Frise puppy yourself. Instead of paying for private pet trainers and specialized dog schools, consider training your Bichon Frise yourself. Teach yourself some basic puppy training techniques so that you can train your dog at home.
• Schedule regular health checks for your Bichon Frise. Staying on top of your dog’s health will save you money in the long run. Instead of bringing your dog to the vet when complications arise, take your Bichon Frise for regular health checks. 
• Make treats and toys at home. One way to cut down a few dollars from your dog-related expenses is by making DIY toys and treats. Not only will this help you save money, but it will also ensure that your dog is entertained with new toys and fed with healthy dog treats.

These tips are just a few ways to make caring for your Bichon Frise more affordable. By employing these techniques, you can ensure that your dog is living its best life while you’re staying away from unnecessary financial strain.

Final Thoughts

Owning a Bichon Frise comes with a price tag that might be hefty to many pet enthusiasts. While this breed is not the most expensive dog to own, ample financial preparation is critical before adding this dog to your family.

Moreover, there are many add-on expenses associated with owning a Bichon Frise. From the initial cost of essentials to the recurring costs of food and grooming — these can all stack up quickly.

Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that you are getting your money’s worth. You can start off by acquiring your dog from a reputable breeder or shelter. This way, you are certain that you are getting a healthy pooch. 

Furthermore, you can also employ some money-saving techniques to further dial down the costs. 

Having explored the costs and expenses involved in owning a Bichon Frise, we’re eager to hear your thoughts. Let us know in the comments below your thoughts about the topic of Bichon Frise price!