How to Pronounce Bichon Frise (And What the Name Means)

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Written By Thomas Smith

The Bichon Frise is a small dog breed whose name comes from the French word ‘curly,’ describing its signature coat. 

The breed is known for being playful and friendly, making them popular companion dogs. 

If you’re thinking of adding a Bichon Frise to your family, you might wonder how to pronounce the breed’s name. Here’s a quick guide to help you with that.

How to Pronounce Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise is the most mangled and mispronounced name among other dog breeds. People often mispronounce them as “bishin frizzy,” which sounds awful. Therefore, we have given you a guide on pronouncing the name correctly.

The correct way of pronouncing Bichon Frise is “bee-shawn free-zay,” with each syllable receiving even emphasis. Pronunciation is the key to understanding the name. Sometimes, people abbreviate Bichon Frise as “bee-shon.”

The Bichon Frise is a small, cute dog type that originated in the Mediterranean but was ultimately named in France. It’s often mistakenly called a “French poodle” but has no relation to its larger cousin, the French poodle.

What the Bichon Frise’s Name Means

A bichon frise is a small, white dog with long, floppy ears, a long body, and a curly coat. Bichons are known for their intelligence, friendly personalities, and cuteness.

Although Bichons were originally Spanish, the French gave the Bichon Frise its name. “Bichon” refers to a group of small, white dogs–again, these dogs have Mediterranean and Spanish origins. The “frise” part means “with frizzy hair.”

Therefore, if you put the two words together, “Bichon Frise” means “Small, white dog with frizzy hair.” We think you’ll agree that that’s a pretty good description of a Bichon Frise!

Amusingly, the French use the word “Frise” for lots of other frizzy things other than the Bichon. For example, in French cuisine, a “salade frise au lardon” is a salad made with frizzy lettuce and bacon. You could call it the official salad of the Bichon Frise!

The Bichon Frise as a Family Pet

The Bichon Frise started as lap dogs but now make good pets for families who enjoy their companionship throughout the day. Bichons are incredibly loyal and protect their owners from any harm that comes their way.

Conclusion

This article covers the history of Bichon Frise and the clarification of its pronunciation.

Again, Bichon Frise is pronounced as ‘bee-shawn free-zay’ in any language or accent. The name means “Small white dog with frizzy hair.”

Now that you’re a master of dog breed names and know how to pronounce Bichon Frise, it’s time to get out there and find your adorable little fur ball.

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