Bichon Bash -- Best Of The White Puffballs Are Coming To Specialty Here

Make no mistake about it, the bichon frise's mission in life seems to be simply pleasing man.

This ancient little Mediterranean descendant of the water spaniel, unlike its distant relative, has never been inclined to hunt or retrieve. Resembling a windup toy, the white puffball, as its name implies - bichon frise means curly lap dog - is your consummate companion animal, says Chuck Watts of Puyallup's Sheramor Kennels.

Most of the country's best will be at Hilton Airport Hotel Thursday and Friday for the Bichon Frise Club of America's 17th national speciality, hosted by the Bichon Frise Club of Puget Sound. The competition has attracted 112 dogs. Action begins at 9:30 a.m. Thursday with obedience, followed by puppy sweepstakes at 10:30. Open conformation starts at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

The local favorite will be Champion Moloney's Louie Louie, a charismatic showman owned by Michael and Marcia Moloney of Milton and handled by Eddie Boyes of Grass Valley, Calif. It won the big Seattle Kennel Club all-breed show last February, under the guidance of Watts' wife, Sherry.

Boyes, a professional handler, took Louie, the Moloneys' house pet, on a three-month contract after the Seattle show and has campaigned him extensively. While he has managed several group placements, that second best-in-show continues to elude him.

Other favorites will be Champion Chaminade Larkshire Lafitte, owned by Lois Morrow of Westlake Village, Calif., and handled by Bill McFadden of Acampo, Calif., which has four bests-in-show and 19 group firsts; and Champion Sea Star's Beau Brummel, owned by Jill Cohen, Malibu, Calif.; Jeff Bennett, Los Angeles, and Barbara Thomas, Dallas, and handled by Joe Waterman of Perris, Calif. Beau finished 1991 as America's top non-sporting Quaker Oats award winner with 16 bests-in-show. The dog has added 14 group titles this year.

To the dismay of longtime breeders like the Wattses, the bichon is creeping up the AKC popularity list. Last year it reached 29th with 12,245 new registrations, up one notch from 1990. A decade ago it ranked 48th with 3,632.

The Wattses have been impressed by the bichon's affectionate and lively temperament. "It begs to be involved in family activities," says Chuck Watts. "Consequently, it's not the right pet for a professional couple who are at work all day and have little time to devote to it. It would be frustrated and heartbroken in that environment."

As puppies, some sport beige to apricot markings about the head or body, but this usually fades as they mature. The adult dog, which is all white, weighs between 10 and 18 pounds. The coat, naturally curly and non-shedding, is like velvet plush and is virtually hypoallergenic. But the Wattses caution that before committing yourself to one spend several hours on the breeder's premises to test your allergic response.

While the fluffy coat is the breed's trademark, it requires considerable maintenance. If not, a matted, ropy mess will result quickly.

You must brush it frequently to remove dead hair and avoid matting, since it sports a dense double coat - coarse outer guard hairs and soft undercoat. The natural coat is long and curly and the bichon look is created by brushing the curl out while drying the coat. The dog is then scissored bodywide except for the ears, moustache, beard and tail.

Breeders recommend bathing it no more than weekly and no less than monthly.

To meet its basic dietary requirements, the national club suggests feeding the bichon top-quality dry or kibbled dog food, supplementing it with lean meat, cottage cheese or cooked eggs, for protein.

While the sturdy breed was recognized about 1400 in Europe, it's still new in the United States. Returning soldiers from World War II brought some home as pets, but there were no concerted efforts to breed them or maintain records necessary for eventual recognition of the breed in this country.

A French couple who emigrated to the United States in 1956 with six bichons and two American breeders were credited with founding the national club in 1964. Through their efforts, the breed was accepted for registry by the AKC in 1972.

In "The Complete Bichon Frise," by Barbara Stubbs (Howell Book House, 1990), Dr. Harry Spira, noted international show judge and Australian veterinarian, says, "The bichon frise is an American breed." He acknowledges the origins were European but he maintains that it is the American breeder who has achieved the degree of quality, charm and presentation that has brought it to the level of distinction and respect it enjoys today.

The International Canine Federation, however, recognizes the playful, yet sensitive, bichon frise as a "French-Belgian breed having the right to registration in the Book of Origins from all countries."

Prices from quality breeders, says Chuck Watts, vary from $400-$500 for pet stock and $800-$1,000 for show-quality animals. Mail information regarding dog events to Classified Division, attn. Marilyn Fairbanks, Dog Events, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111. Be sure to include a public phone-contact number.