Carpatin vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Contrary to the myths and many of the tales of the history of the Bichon Frise, the breed was originally developed in Spain. Later specific trait development occurred in France to give us the lap dog Bichon Frise that we know today. The original Spanish dog – the Bichon – was a water – sailing dog. It was descended from the poodle breeds crossed with either the water spaniels or the Barbet. These early dogs were friendly and happy and because of this, sailors carried them with them on their ships and even bartered them for supplies. Prior to the 14th century the Spanish probably brought them to the Canary Islands. Later in the 14th century they we discovered again by Italian sailors who returned them to Europe where they lived in the courts of the nobility. During the Renaissance and after the French fell in love with the breed while the Spanish continue to enjoy their presence.

In the late 19th century in France the breed fell out of popularity and became street dogs and circus and fair dogs. They also worked with organ grinders and assisted the blind. In the early 20th century, the Societe Centrale Canine, the National Kennel Club of France, adopted the breed’s official standard – while they were still known as both the Bichon and the Tenerife. The popularity of the breed at this time is heavily attributed to “The Adventures of TinTIn” , by Herge, which featured a small, white, fluffy fox terrier. Then the president of the Federation Cynoloqique Internationale presented a new name for the breed based on its characteristics. The name Bichon Frise kept the Bichon heritage and added “curly” the meaning of Frise. Under this name the breed was admitted to the Societe Centrale Canine stud book in October of 1934.

The Bichon Frise came to the United States for the first time in 19554 and was admitted to the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1972. They entered the non-sporting group of the AKC in 1973. By 2001 the Bichon Frise, J.R., won the Westminster Dog Show. In 1976, the Bichon Frise came to Australia, imported by Harry and Margaret Begg who oversaw the growth of the breed there. Today there are 4 separate breeds believed to be descended from the original Bichon/Tenerife breeds – the Bichon Frise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Maltese and the Havanese.

The Carpatin, known also as the Carpathian Shepherd Dog or Romanian Shepherd, is a large breed dog known for his guarding- and watch-dog abilities. Information about these dogs dates back to the 1800s, and much later, in March 1998, fans of the dog founded the Carpathian Shepherd Dogs Club.

It is believed that the different Carpathian Shepherd Dog breeds are descendants from dogs that were developed thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia. Documentation of the origins of the dog are rare but it is thought that they are probable descendants of Lupomolossoids. However in 2005, it was finally recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale, and in 2006, it was recognized by the United Kennel Club. However, it is still a rare breed outside Romania.

The modern Bichon Frise is a white, small dog with a round skull and muzzle. The nose should be black and the eyes round and dark. Depending on the size of the dog, the legs and head are proportionate to the body, while the tail should be curly and long. Both the tail and the ears must not be docked. Their coat is as hypoallergenic as a dog gets. It is white, dense and for most Bichon Frise, it is curly. They should have black lips as well.

Looks:

The Carpatin is a large breed dog, standing at 65 to 73cm in height and weighing between 32- and 80kg. The skull of the dog is wide and domed, the ears medium set and floppy. The neck is strong and muscled, the legs strong and straight, the chest deep.

The tail of the Carpatin is long, bushy and high set and his coat is double layered, medium length and pale fawn in color with light grey to black shades being seen as well.

Temperament:

The Carpatin is patient, loving and protective. This is a strong-willed dog who is independent and fairly easy to train as he is intelligent.

It is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as this brings out the best in him. He is a patient and affectionate dog and he’ll get on well with children and tolerate other pets in the home.

They are wary of strangers and become vocal, barking and growling and taking their guard dog role seriously with strangers around.

The Bichon Frise, according to the American Kennel Club is a cheerful and merry dog. They are gentle, playful, sensitive and affectionate. These dogs love people, are very social and like other dogs as well. They love to play with children and they are intelligent and affectionate. They were developed in their latter stages by the French to be “lap dogs” or companion animals. They are not territorial by nature but can become so if confined and encouraged. Start obedience training early and be consistent throughout their lives. They take to training easily if positive techniques are used. They do however, have a reputation for not taking well to housetraining. Be persistent

The Carpatin is a big, independent dog who loves his human family. He will guard them too and has all the intelligence and skills to be instinctively alert to danger. Territorial, he makes an excellent watchdog.

He isn’t too social around strangers, but with training and socialization he becomes more relaxed and amicable. He responds well to training, especially when he has a firm, strong handler and owner.

Used to being a herding- and working dog, he is happiest when kept busy and isn’t a dog to use essentially for guarding only as he can become aloof and aggressive. Treat him well and have him trained and socialized and you’ll have a wonderful guardian and companion.

The coat of the Bichon Frise can easily become matted if not brushed or combed every day. Severe matting can lead to a hematoma in their ears. They are also very prone to ear infections so paying a lot of attention to their ears is imperative. They are will chew and scratch themselves if not groomed well and this can cause skin infections and conditions. They might have allergies to fleas, pollen, chemicals, and dust. The patella (knee cap) can be loose, diabetes, cataracts and heart disease also affect the Bichon Frise. In the United Kingdom the number one cause of death for the breed is old age -13 plus years, with 21% dying of cancer. In North America cancer is the number one killer as it is for most dogs. The Bichon might also be afflicted with hematologic disorders such as AIHA (Autoimmune hemolytic anemia) and ITP (Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia) which while less common than cancer will kill the dog much earlier in life than cancer. The other condition that the Bichon Frise is prone to are liver shunts. If found early they can be surgically corrected but most are not, and liver failure is eventually the cause of death.

The beautiful Carpatin dog can live to be a healthy 12-14 years if you feed him nutritious foods, provide him with clean water every day, exercise him, give him a dry, warm bed and give him loads of love, attention and care.

However every dog can become ill and with the Carpathian Shepherd Dog you certainly want to be aware of ear and eye infections, hip dysplasia and skin disorders.

Feeding

Being a small dog, the Bichon Frise is susceptible to obesity and that condition will be terminal in the end for this breed. So make sure you do not overfeed your Bichon Frise. The same is true with the use of treats. The Bichon loves treats and loves the association with treats of having pleased you. They should be fed small meals – about ¼ cup of good high quality dry food twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the Bichon Frise is susceptible to:

Hematomas and infections of the ear if not groomed well and consistently.

Cancer is number one killer.

Hematological Issues are deadlier than cancer.

Liver shunts are a very serious concern.

Exercise and games

Though the Bichon Frise is not an overly active dog, they do love to play. They are characterized by short bursts of activity followed by long periods of rest. They can be worn out just by running around the house. You must play with them everyday as well as take them on a walk each day. Bichons are fast and agile and do well in agility trials. They also like to compete in rally and obedience trials. Most of all they love to and need to play with their people every day.

Grooming:

Despite his longish coat, the Carpatin is a low to moderate maintenance dog. To avoid tangles and matting, you’ll need to brush his hair at least twice a week. He won’t however require professional grooming.

Dogs with floppy ears will need to have the ears checked to ensure they remain fee of moisture and wax buid-up. The ears can be easily infected when left uncleaned. The nails and teeth should also be checked. Canine toothpaste and brush can help to prevent plaque build-up which can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Not only that, dental disease can lead to other health issues in other parts of the body.

Exercise:

The Carpatin is a medium- to high energy level breed dog and he will therefore need a good amount of exercise to keep him healthy and content. Rope him in to your activities whether you go jogging or cycling. Put him on a leash and take him with – he’ll love it. Dogs who are allowed to be active and part of the family are simply better dogs.

Diet:

Your Carpatin’s weight, age and activity levels will guide you as to what food is best for him. He needs nutritious food and if you’re unsure how to choose, your veterinarian can advise you on what to look for.

Apart from proteins, your dog needs fats, fiber, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. As your dog ages, he or she will go through different life stages, and you want to be sure of ensuring your dog is getting everything he needs to ward of disease and stay happy and healthy.

Make sure your 4-legged canine friend always has a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.