The Bichon Frise breed of dog is a cheerful, happy one, small, white and sturdy with a dark-eyed inquisitive expression and a plumed tail. Its curled double coat consists of a textured outer coat and a silky undercoat. The coat must be white, but may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body. The Bichon Frise is compact and medium-boned. Its expression is soft, inquisitive, alert. Eyes are round, black or dark brown and are set in the skull to look directly forward. An overly large or bulging eye is a fault as is an almond shaped, obliquely set eye. Halos (black or very dark brown skin surrounding the eyes) accentuate the eye and enhance expression. The eye rims themselves must be black. The drop ears of the Bichon Frise breed of dog are covered with long flowing hair. When extended toward the nose, the leathers reach approximately halfway the length of the muzzle. They are set on slightly higher than eye level and rather forward on the skull, so that when the dog is alert they serve to frame the face. The skull is slightly rounded, allowing for a round and forward looking eye. The stop is slightly accentuated. A properly balanced head is three parts muzzle to five parts skull, measured from the nose to the stop and from the stop to the occiput. A line drawn between the outside corners of the eyes and to the nose will create a near equilateral triangle. There is a slight degree of chiseling under the eyes, but not so much as to result in a weak or snipey foreface. The lower jaw is strong. The nose is prominent and always black. Lips are black, fine, never drooping. Bite is scissors. The Bichon Frise's arched neck is long and carried proudly behind an erect head. It blends smoothly into the shoulders. The length of neck from occiput to withers is approximately 1/3 the distance from forechest to buttocks. The topline is level except for a slight, muscular arch over the loin. The chest is well developed and wide enough to allow free and unrestricted movement of the front legs. The lowest point of the chest extends at least to the elbow. The rib cage is moderately sprung and extends back to a short and muscular loin. The forechest is well pronounced and protrudes slightly forward of the point of shoulder. The underline has a moderate tuck-up. The tail of the Bichon Frise breed of dog is plumed, set on level with the topline and curved gracefully over the back so that the hair of the tail rests on the back. When the tail is extended toward the head it reaches at least halfway to the withers. The shoulders of the Bichon Frise breed of dog are laid back to almost a 45 degree angle. The upper arm extends well back so the elbow is placed directly below the withers when viewed from the side. Legs are of medium bone; straight, with no bow or curve in the forearm or wrist. The elbows are held close to the body. The pasterns slope slightly from the vertical. The feet are tight and round, resembling those of a cat and point directly forward, turning neither in nor out. Pads are black. Nails are kept short. The hindquarters are likewise of medium bone, well angulated with muscular thighs and spaced moderately wide. The upper and lower thighs are nearly equal in length meeting at a well bent stifle joint. The leg from hock joint to foot pad is perpendicular to the ground. Dewclaws may be removed from both front and hind legs. The texture of the coat is very important in the Bichon Frise breed of dog. The undercoat is soft and dense, the outercoat of a coarser and curlier texture. The combination of the two gives a soft but substantial feel, similar to plush or velvet. When patted, it springs back; when bathed and brushed, it stands off the body, creating a powder puff appearance. The Bichon Frise breed of dog is white in color, but may have shadings of buff, cream or apricot around the ears or on the body (but not over more than 10% of the entire coat). A Bichon Frise's movement is free, precise and effortless. In profile, the forelegs and hind legs extend equally with an easy reach and drive that maintain a steady topline. When moving, the head and neck remain somewhat erect. Moving away, the hindquarters travel with moderate width between them and the foot pads can be seen.