Bichon Frise Size Guide How Big Does a Bichon Frise Get

How big is a full-grown Bichon Frise? Is Bichon Frise a small or medium dog? When does a Bichon Frise stop growing? In this Bichon Frise size guide, we’re going to answer all of your questions about the Bichon Frise size and growth patterns from birth to adulthood. Additionally, we’ve also created an interactive Bichon Frise size chart and growth calculator, which is a handy tool for anyone who’s been blessed with this adorable little puppy. Let’s get started!

Bichon Frise
Photo by John Holden on Unsplash

Our handy interactive puppy growth chart and calculator takes all the hard work out of predicting your puppy’s potential adult size. This helps you to know exactly what you are in for.

Psst! Check Out These Awesome Puppy Things!

Bichon Frise Size Predictions: How Big Do Bichons Get?

The Bichon Frise has got to be one of the cutest, fluffiest dog breeds. You’ll recognize them by their signature white, Poodle-like coats and the most precious little personality. They’re quick to learn, love lots of playtime, and they get along well with other pets. And thanks to their small size, they’re perfect dogs for people who live in apartments. If you’re looking for a true lap dog who’s also goofy and loves to run around, you might just find the Bichon Frise the right fit for you. 

So, how big is a full-grown Bichon Frise? Bichon Frise is a small-sized breed with an average weight of 12 to 18 pounds. They usually stand around 9.5 to 11.5 inches tall at the shoulder. Although these are the average breed standards by the AKC, it’s not uncommon for some puppies to be slightly larger or smaller than that. As long as your pup is healthy and happy, there should be no reason to worry.

Photo by Elisei Abiculesei on Unsplash

Additionally, this is why it’s particularly important that your Bichon Frise puppy gets the correct nourishment he needs to grow that adorable little body into a healthy adult one. Check out these guides on best dog food for puppies here.

However, if you think that your puppy is weighing too little or too much, we recommend you consult with your veterinarian about the issue. For instance, an unbalanced and unhealthy diet can lead to malnourishment or obesity. For this reason, you should always keep an eye on your dog’s food intake. Additionally, for small pups like the Bichon Frise, we recommend you look for dog foods that are specially formulated for small breeds. 

Are There Different Sizes Of Bichon Frise?

Although there can be some variation between Bichons, they do come in just one size weighing between 12 and 18 pounds. However, if you’re after either a smaller or larger Bichon Frise, a good place to look at is the size of its parents. Typically, smaller Bichons also breed smaller puppies and larger parents give birth to larger puppies. Nevertheless, even puppies from the same litter can have a different size, as it all boils down to their own unique genetic makeup and even to their placement in the mother’s womb. 

Bichon Frise
Photo by Andrew Te on Unsplash

In addition to that, the Bichon Frise is often confused with Miniature and Toy Poodles, as they are similar in size and both flaunt a fluffy, curly coat. Nonetheless, the Bichon Frise is a completely separate, established breed on its own. In fact, Miniature Poodles are considerably taller than Bichons, whereas Toy Poodles are much smaller both in height and weight. 

Bichon Frise Size Charts & Growth Patterns – Month Wise

Like other dogs, the Bichon Frise grows fastest in the first 50% of its adult weight. This typically correlates to the first 6 months from birth. For smaller dogs, it can be as early as 3.5 months and for larger pups around 5-6 months of age. After that, their growth will start to gradually slow down, until it finally plateaus at their full-grown size around their first birthday. 

Let’s take a look at the average Bichon Frise size chart by age:

Age3 months6 months9 months1 year 
Weight4-7 pounds7-11 pounds10-16 pounds12-18 pounds
Height5-7 inches7-9 inches9-11 inches9.5-11.5 inches

* A dog’s height is measured from the withers, which is the highest part of their shoulder blades.

Looking at the Bichon Frise size chart above, we learn that these small pups grow up fast! At 3 months old, they’ve already reached around half of their adult height or even more, and about ⅓ of their adult weight. By 6 months old, they’ve reached most of their adult height and more than half of their adult weight. They’re now nearing their adult height and by 9 months old we can expect a Bichon Frise puppy to be almost at their full adult height and weight. 

Like other dogs, Bichons tend to reach their full height sooner than their full weight, which typically happens around 10 months of age. They will then continue to gain some more weight over the next few months. At 12 months old, a Bichon Frise is considered fully grown both in terms of height and weight. Smaller pups might even finish growing around 11 months old. 

Tip for Bichon Frise puppy parents: If you’d like to predict your Bichon Frise’s full-grown weight and track their growth into adulthood, make sure you check out our interactive Bichon Frise size chart and growth calculator. Simply enter your puppy’s current weight in pounds and current age in weeks, and our calculator will reveal the results. 

Bichon Frize Size: Frequently Asked Questions

How Big Is A Full-Grown Bichon Frise? Is Bichon A Small Or Medium Dog?

The Bichon Frise is a small-sized breed. A full-grown Bichon Frise is usually between 9.5 and 11.5 inches tall and weighs around 12 to 18 pounds. A Bichon Frise puppy reaches its full maturity around or before its first birthday. 

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You can calculate their potential adult weight at 23 weeks by taking what they weigh at that age and multiplying it by two.

A different formula you could use is:

  1. Growth = current weight / current age in weeks
  2. Adult weight = Growth x 52 (number of weeks in one year)

So, for example, if your 12-week old pup weighs 18 pounds. You simply divide the current weight by their age in weeks and multiply the result with 52:

18/ 12 = 1.5
1.5 x 52= 78 pounds

78 pounds would be the expected weight of your adult-sized Bichon Frise.


To conclude, the small sized Bichon Frise has a great personality in such a small package. They’re loving, playful, and sometimes even a bit mischievous. Their confidence is unmatched and they thrive in busy households with children and other pets. Bichons are typically very easy to train and they’re eager to please their human parents. Literally, the perfect dog for anyone looking for a goofy, snuggly companion. We hope you learned some useful information from our Bichon Frise size guide so you can be fully prepared for the first year with this wonderful little companion. 

Parents of Bichon Frise: How big is your pup? Let us know in the comments below!

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