The Bichon Frise Today [Hardcover]

Jackie Ransom (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 20, 1999

The Bichon Frise is relatively new to the American dog scene, but became a solid favorite very quickly. In this all-new book the reasons for the Bichon's rapid rise to fame around the world are given along with a host of chapters on essential care for puppies and adults, effective training, breed standards, grooming, health care, the show ring, breeding, the Bichon around the world and everything else owners and admirers of these attractive dogs want to know. The text is beautifully illustrated throughout.
A Howell Book of Distinction

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

This delightful Toy dog, sometimes known as the Tenerife Dog, has origins that go back to the fourteenth century. It is said that French sailors discovered the Bichon on the island of Tenerife and were so enamoured of its charms that they took dogs back home with them. It has taken the breed some time to spread outside its native home, but now the Bichon Frisé enjoys worldwide popularity as a glamorous show dog, and a happy, extrovert companion. In this highly comprehensive book of the breed, the author traces the ancient origins of the Bichon Firsé, and its development into the breed that we know today. Detailed advice is given on choosing a puppy, caring for a puppy, and adult maintenance. The Bichon's fine, silky coat, with its cork-screw curls, needs special attention, and there is a section devoted to grooming and show presentation. The Breed Standard is analyzed, and there is guidance on training the Bichon for the show ring. For the specialist, there is coverage of breeding and whelping a litter. Illustrated with over 150 color and black and white photographs, this is essential reading for all Bichon enthusiasts.

About the Author

Jackie Ransom's Tresilva kennel is known worldwide for its Bichon Frise, and, in the past, for its Silver Toy and Miniature Poodles. Jackie has bred/owned eight British Bichon Champions, with many more overseas. She is one of the top judges, and has travelled extensively throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Australia and the Caribbean on judging appointments. She is qualified to judge both the Toy and Utility Groups, and Best in Show at Championship level. Jackie is a prolific writer in the canine press, and has written books on the Bichon Frise, the Poodle and the Yorkshire Terrier. She has been a member of the Kennel Club since 1980, and a past committee member and former chairman of the KC Breed Standards and Stud Book Sub-committee. She was the founder, first president and secretary of the Bichon Frise Club of Great Britain, the current vice president and also an honorary life member.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Howell Book House; 1 edition (December 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582451265
• ISBN-13: 978-1582451268
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,032,629 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Ferelith Somerfield wrote in the DOG WORLD, March 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bichon Frise Today (Hardcover)

Jackie Ransom is always a pleasure to read. She writes in a straightforward way, easy to follow and without any of those flowery phrases so beloved by some writers but which so often are meaningless. And this is certainly true of her latest book THE BICHON FRISE TODAY. Her chapter on the history of the breed will interest all lovers of the Barbichon group of breeds-the Maltese, Bolognese, Havenese, Coton du Tulear and Lowchen, as well as the Bichon. Another highlight of the book for me was the comparison of the British, American and FCI Standards, which is well laid out and helped by some very good drawings. In this chapter is also given the breed's first standard in French, which was published in 1935 as part of an article in a magazine called L`Eleveur and headed "Bichons, Maltais, Havanais et Cie". I found this fascinating. Explicit pictures also add greatly to the chapter on grooming and show presentation. Today the badly presented Bichon does not stand much success in the show ring so this should be invaluable to the beginner and also help those who are just missing that little expertise to get to the top. There is in addition a very full explanation of the various show systems and I particularly note that show training, obedience, agility and juniors are not forgotten. In this section I love the pictures of Am. Ch./OT Ch. Sea Star's Sandpiper UDX. NA in action. Apparently in his spare time he was also a licensed and working therapy dog, one of a very few allowed to work with paralysed and comatose patients. S there are a lot of roles for our Bichon to play, apart from the devoted pet and fun dog. Mrs Ransom covers all aspects of owning Bichons, including the thoughts that must go into breeding. She takes us carefully through the whelping and rearing of puppies, while there is also an important chapter on health care and hereditary diseases by vet Trevor Turner. Barbara Stubbs has contributed an interesting chapter on the Bichon in the US and then Mrs Ransom covers the show scene in Britain and other countries. There is also a valuable glossary of terms and list of abbreviations and a bibliography. The book is profusely illustrated with pictures of top winning and producing Bichons world-wide and in all is a publication which no Bichon lover anywhere will want to miss. Mrs Ransom, who introduced the breed to the British show ring and was the founder, first president and secretary of the Bichon Frisé Club of Great Britain, has done a great deal for her breed, and this book will I am sure be a prime focal point of her work.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Jackie Ransoms 'The Bichon Frisé Today.', February 1, 2000

By 

Mr. R.C.Warren (u.k) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Bichon Frise Today (Hardcover)

Mrs Jackie Ransom's latest book `The Bichon Frisé Today' maintains her excellent standard of presentation which is to be found in all her previous titles. The current book is undoubtedly an essential for those who are new to the breed. It not only gives a short history of the origins of the breed it also gives advice on the choosing, rearing and training the first puppy and then talks the new owner through the facets of bathing, grooming, and eventually, showing their new acquisition. This is a must for all new comers; it also has a lot to interest those already in the breed. A well produced volume with a profusion of lovely photographs of past and present champions, which should be on all Bichon owners' bookshelves.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mrs Fereilith Somerfield wrote in the DOG WORLD, March 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bichon Frise Today (Hardcover)

Jackie Ransom is always a pleasure to read. She writes in a straightforward way, easy to follow and without any of those flowery phrases so beloved by some writers but which so often are meaningless. And this is certainly true of her latest book THE BICHON FRISE TODAY. Her chapter on the history of the breed will interest all lovers of the Barbichon group of breeds-the Maltese, Bolognese, Havenese, Coton du Tulear and Lowchen, as well as the Bichon. Another highlight of the book for me was the comparison of the British, American and FCI Standards, which is well laid out and helped by some very good drawings. In this chapter is also given the breed's first standard in French, which was published in 1935 as part of an article in a magazine called L`Eleveur and headed "Bichons, Maltais, Havanais et Cie". I found this fascinating. Explicit pictures also add greatly to the chapter on grooming and show presentation. Today the badly presented Bichon does not stand much success in the show ring so this should be invaluable to the beginner and also help those who are just missing that little expertise to get to the top. There is in addition a very full explanation of the various show systems and I particularly note that show training, obedience, agility and juniors are not forgotten. In this section I love the pictures of Am. Ch./OT Ch. Sea Star's Sandpiper UDX. NA in action. Apparently in his spare time he was also a licensed and working therapy dog, one of a very few allowed to work with paralysed and comatose patients. S there are a lot of roles for our Bichon to play, apart from the devoted pet and fun dog. Mrs Ransom covers all aspects of owning Bichons, including the thoughts that must go into breeding. She takes us carefully through the whelping and rearing of puppies, while there is also an important chapter on health care and hereditary diseases by vet Trevor Turner. Barbara Stubbs has contributed an interesting chapter on the Bichon in the US and then Mrs Ransom covers the show scene in Britain and other countries. There is also a valuable glossary of terms and list of abbreviations and a bibliography. The book is profusely illustrated with pictures of top winning and producing Bichons world-wide and in all is a publication which no Bichon lover anywhere will want to miss. Mrs Ransom, who introduced the breed to the British show ring and was the founder, first president and secretary of the Bichon Frisé Club of Great Britain, has done a great deal for her breed, and this book will I am sure be a prime focal point of her work.