The Bichon Frise Dog Is a Social Animal But Is It Right For You?
The
Bichon Frise (pronounced Bee-Shone Freeze)
is a curly all-white dog with
a puffball appearance
and a very puffy head. It
has been around since
the 1300s,
and throughout their history
they have been popular among Italian sailors,
the Italian
and French royal
courts, and eventually with French
street performers. Their name
Bichon Frise is
in reference
to their curly white coat.
Their diverse history of human
companionship is proof of the
Bichon Frises
easy going temperament. These Non-Sporting dogs are independent, gallant, and
full of energy. The
Bichon loves people and is
happiest when he is in his owners company. However, the
Bichon Frise is
also friendly to strangers, adores playing with children and doesnt mind other family pets.
The Bichon is intelligent and is easy to
train. By nature, he is a natural worker, which is why he got
along well with street performers and made a
wonderful circus dog once upon a time. This also means that the Bichon can be quite the little
clown and
enjoys learning tricks.
As was previously mentioned, the Bichon Frise is covered from head to tail in a curly white coat.
His coat does not shed, making him a great companion for those who suffer from allergies. Nonetheless, the coat of the Bichon needs daily brushing to keep it free from
mats. He
will also need a monthly bath, and will require a full coat clipping every few months.
Since the Bichons coat gives him such a fluffy appearance, you
may be surprised to learn that he isnt
as large as he may
appear. For instance, the height of the Bichon Frise only reaches 12 inches and they weigh between
7 12 pounds.
It is important to keep a Bichon in trim shape to avoid the possibility of him becoming overweight. This is best achieved by feeding him a sufficient diet and providing him with
significant exercise. Because of his size, and the
fact that they can happily live in an apartment, one may think that the Bichon does not need too much exercise. This couldnt be further from the truth. The Bichon Frise enjoys being active and likes talking long walks and the freedom to
run around in the open.
Those interested in the Bichon Frise will discover that he is a long lived companion with an average life expectancy of 15 years or more. Bichons have a few hereditary problems such as cataracts, ear
ailments, knee dislocation and
epilepsy. Nonetheless, the Bichon is still one of the more healthy
breeds available today.
The Bichon Frise will become
miserable if left along frequently. He loves to be included in the activities of his family and owner as much as possible. Human companionship is what makes the Bichon a happy go
lucky canine and the best friend you could ask for.
Richard Cussons
cares about dogs of all breeds and the Bichon Frise in particular. You can find out more about Bichon Frise at
http://www.bichonfrisesavvy.com/.
Sports Legendaries - Holland Soccer Stars
Throughout time,
the Holland national
soccer team gave out some truly outstanding players,
most of them surpassing
the status of Holland soccer stars
and becoming
famous on an international level. Here is an overview of Holland's all-time soccer stars
that includes players
such as Dennis Bergkamp, Johan Cruyff, Ruud
Gullit, Frank Rijkaard or Marco Van
Basten, players
that have changed the way the game is
played and marked
their name
in the international hall of fame. But enough
blabber, let's get
down to business:
Holland Soccer
Stars Johan Cruyff
Cruyff is considered
THE most important Dutch soccer player of all times and
he gained legendary status wherever he played, be it
for Ajax Amsterdam, FC Barcelona or even Feyenoord. Cruyff is also considered third in a list of the best all times soccer players, following
Pele and Maradona closely (some even say he was over Maradona, as Maradona
had feats of brilliance combined
with poor games, whereas Cruyff kept a high standard for
himself all
throughout his career). He redefined modern soccer as we know it with his game style and vision on the pitch and many football specialists
agree that Johan Cruyff was one of the smartest and most
calculated players ever to feel the grass of a soccer stadium.
Holland Soccer Stars
Ruud Gullit
Gullit was one of the most important Holland soccer stars during the 80s and 90s and he was amongst the first to define the "complete midfielder". That meant that he could play
almost any position in
midfield his coach would place him
in, from a defensive role to a supporting playmaker or an attacking midfielder. Together with Marco Van
Basten and Frank Rijkaard, he succeeded in bringing Holland their first international cup ever, winning the 1988 European Championship.
Holland Soccer Stars Frank Rijkaard
Together with
Gullit and van Basten, Rijkaard formed an internationally renowned
midfield triangle for both his club, AC Milan and his national side. Based on this triangle, AC Milan had a tremendously successful period, winning the European Cup (today's Champions League) twice and the Serie A championship on two editions.
The same success soon came on at national level as well, as Holland won the 1988 European
Championship with a team based on the three magnificent players. Although Frank Rijkaard
didn't stand out as much as Ruud Gullit or van Basten, since he had a more defensive role in the squad, but playing alongside his two "side-kicks" he would form an unstoppable midfield for any team.
Holland Soccer Stars Marco Van Basten
Although
no one can reach Johan Cruyff's throne as the most important Holland soccer star of all time, van Basten came close enough and definitely closer than anyone else could. His tremendous career at Ajax and AC Milan as well as his goals for the Holland national soccer team made a lot of people see Cruyff's successor in van Basten. Unfortunately, after several successful seasons with AC Milan and winning the European Championship with his home country in 1988, van Basten suffered a career-ending injury at one of his ankles, when he was just age 30.
Holland Soccer Stars Dennis Bergkamp
Dennis Bergkamp was part of a particular group of strikers: those guys that seem harmless 85 minutes of the match, only to blast the
other team into oblivion for the remaining 5. Bergkamp will probably remain known in the
history book of soccer by three things: his fear of flight that didn't allow him to join overseas matches, his incredible goals (fewer than many other strikers, but definitely more artful) and his loyalty for English side Arsenal London, for whom Bergkamp played for
11 seasons.
Niv Orlian is the author and the owner of
http://www.soccer-fans-info.com a website that provides information on various topics related to soccer such as the history of soccer, rules, famous soccer players, real time news, statistics, and training guides.
