If you’re an allergy sufferer but are just dying to have a dog, you should consider owning a Bichon Frise. A charming, sporty little dog, their sole function is to be your friend — and boy, they do their job well.

The American Kennel Club lumps the Bichon into the Non-Sporting Group. They weigh in between seven and thirteen pounds and stand a mere nine to eleven inches. These fluffy, petite dogs have very thick white coats and bright, cheerful eyes. The Bichon carries his tail proudly over his back.

Bichons are perfect family dogs. Just make sure that your kids are mature enough to know how to interact with the dog without hurting it. Your easy-going Bichon might accept rough treatment, causing injury. They’ll happily interact well with older kids, and other pets.

Since the Bichon Frise’s main love is spending time with people, they’ll be happy in any apartment or town home. Naturally, they’ll also enjoy a nice fenced in back-yard. If you’re fence-less, be ready to walk your dog around the block each day to keep him healthy and strong.

Granted, the Bichon Frise is a small breed generally lacking any stubborn tendencies. But to err on the safe side, you should still teach your puppy some basic commands. If your pup bolts out the door towards the street, you’ll want be able to call him back! Yes, he’s able to learn one-on-one with you, but classes can make training easier. Also, the classes are will teach your puppy social skills, making him a more relaxed and sociable dog. Take care, though — Bichons are such good learners, you may find yourself wanting to take his training past the basics. The intelligence of an average Bichon Frise is astounding, despite their decidedly lightweight appearance. For this reason, Bichons are a breed of choice for dogs who perform complex show routines.

Inexpensive to feed, adding this particular dog will not cramp your family’s grocery budget. It might be wise to follow a dry-food diet to avoid dental problems. If you do feed your puppy soft food, be sure to brush his teeth frequently.

The single drawback to the lovely Bichon Frise is the extensive grooming he requires. You’ll have to brush your Bichon’s coat frequently or he won’t be beautiful and elegant. Instead, he’ll just look ratty - like a used mop head. Your Bichon will also need a monthly hair trimming/shaping. If you can’t groom him yourself, this can become costly (though not as costly as the poodle).

On the other hand, a big Bichon selling point is their immaculate bill of health: this breed has no common health problems to speak of.

Bring home a sweet, loving pet and take a pass on the hives! A Bichon Frise could be the perfect dog for you and yours.