History

History ... the beginning ...

It is thought that the early ancestors of our modern day Bichon Frise were a small, playful, frequently white breed of dog living throughout the Mediterranean area as early as 600 to 300 BC. It is also thought that, in time, these little lap warmers were crossed with a spaniel type water dog known as the Barbet. This crossing resulted in dogs who retained their friendly disposition and diminutive size, but gained in substance and sturdiness of bone.

Several small breeds descended from these dogs, including the Caniche, or Poodle, the Maltese and the Barbichon. They all have certain similarities because of their common ancestry, nevertheless, long ago each became it's own separate breed.

Affectionate and lively ...

... the Barbichon group of dogs traveled across much of the known world, probably as the companions of Spanish sailors who may have used them as barter or gifts. In time this distribution resulted in the development of several recognizably distinct breeds, among them the Bichon Bolognese in Spain, the Bichon Havanese in Cuba, and the Bichon Tenerife on the island of Tenerife, a part of a group we know now as The Canary Islands.

By the 1300's, ...

... Italy, a bustling center of trade and commerce, entered a period of exploration. Most likely we have Italian sailors to thank for returning the Bichon Tenerife to the European continent, where they quickly captured the fancy of Italian nobility and the thriving merchant class.

From Italy to France ...

... France invaded Italy and the cultures mixed, the French becoming enamored by all things Italian. Italian artists and scholars moved north to reside in the French courts and, no doubt, brought their beloved white companions with them.

The popularity of the Bichon in France grew. During the reigns of Francis I (1515-1547) and Henry III (1574-1589) and during the 350 years that followed, these charming little white companions continued to exist as a court "staple". It is interesting to note that during this time the French verb "bichonner" was created, meaning "to make beautiful, to pamper".

A pleasure to behold ...

We find evidence of this in the works of many artists of the time who frequently included a small curly-coated lap dog or a Bichon-like figure in their portraits. Some of these include the famed Italian artist, Titian (1490-1576), the first President of the Royal Academy of England, Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-1792), and the Spanish artist, Francisco Goya (1746-1828).

Life on the streets ...

... after the reign of Napoleon III (1808-1873), the Bichon, pet of royalty, appears to have lost favor in France. Our lively, affectionate, once pampered and celebrated Bichon found himself relegated to a life on the streets where his merry temperament and sturdy constitution served him well as he danced on street corners for peddlers and demonstrated a charming ability to learn and perform entertaining tricks for the circus.

More than a hundred years later ...

... following World War I, that a few fanciers again recognized the potential of these small white dogs and began establishing their lines through controlled breeding programs. On March 5, 1933 the Societe Central Canine de France adopted an official standard for the breed, as written by Madam Abadie of Steren Vor Kennels.

At that time a confusing situation came to light. The breed was known by, not one, but two names; the Tenerife and the Bichon. The President of the International Canine Federation, Mme. Nizt de Lemma's, proposed a name that would describe the physical characteristics of the dog. The name Bichon Frise, which can be translated to "curly lap dog" was born and the breed was admitted to the official registry of the French Kennel Club approximately nineteen months later on October 18, 1934.

For more information on the history of the Bichon Frise as well as it's introduction to the United States and the formation of the Bichon Frise Club of America go to:

BICHON FRISE CLUB OF AMERICA

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB

RICK BEAUCHAMP'S VALENTINE'S DAY ARTICLE

THE BICHON FRISE IN ART

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