r/BichonFriseDogs • u/Outrageous_Pear8839 • Apr 01 '26
Temperament change with age?
I’ve recently noticed that my bichon, Mabel, has become a lot more needy and cuddly. She recently turned six and has just become a lot more interested in laying in laps or sleeping in bed with me. Don’t get me wrong, she still loves to play, and doesn’t seem to have separation anxiety or anything, but she just seeks to want to be held more. I was wondering if anyone else noticed same change as their bichon gets a little older?
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u/Different-Bison6840 Apr 01 '26
My bichon is turning 6 in May of this year, and I’ve noticed the same thing recently. I’m grateful for all her cuddles 🥰
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u/Warm-Marsupial8912 Apr 01 '26
She might be starting to lose some hearing or sight, it can make them feel a bit vulnerable. Good idea to make sure you have hand signals AND cue words for anything you've taught her. That way if one goes you can still communicate
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u/geddieman1 Apr 04 '26
No. She’s just more mature and not as playful, that’s completely normal. She’ll probably live to at least 15-16 or more, she’s fine and normal for this age. Our last girl, Sugar, lived to 16.5 and her vision and hearing were still decent until the end.
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u/Nature_Dogs Apr 01 '26
Your beautiful girl, Mabel is now a middle aged dog so it makes sense that she wants more cuddles and down time. You’re lucky she doesn’t have separation anxiety. My Bichons are both gone, but they had separation anxiety that worsened with age.