THE HISTORY OF THE BICHON
The Bichon, like his cousin the Caniche, descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name
"Barbichon," later contracted to "Bichon." The Bichons were divided into four categories: The Bichon Maltais, the
Bichon Bolognais, the Bichon Havanais, and the Bichon Teneriffe. All originated in the Mediterranean area.
Appreciated for their dispositions, the dogs traveled much through antiquity. Frequently offered as items of barter, they
were transported by sailors from continent to continent. The dogs found early success in Spain and it is generally felt
that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Teneriffe. Most sources agree that in this period the
name "Teneriffe" was retained mainly because of its slightly exotic nature and the enhanced commercial value the
name gave the common Bichon.
In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning to the
Continent, where they became great favorites with Italian nobility, and as with other dogs of that era, were often cut
"lion style."
The "Teneriffe" or "Bichon" made its appearance in France under Francis I, the patron of the Renaissance (1515-1547).
However, its greatest success was in the court of Henry III (1574-1589), where it was pampered, perfumed, and
beribboned. The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the
Spanish school often included them in their works. One finds such a dog in several paintings of Goya.
After a brief renewal of interest under Napoleon III, the fate of this aristocratic dog took a new turn. In the late 1800s,
it became the "common dog," running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and
doing tricks in circuses and fairs.
At the end of World War I, a few fanciers recognized the potential of the dogs and in France four breeders began
establishing their lines through controlled breeding programs. On March 5, 1933, the official standard of the breed (as
written by the then President of the Toy Club of France, in conjunction with the Friends of the Belgian Breeds) was
adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. As the breed was known by two names, "Teneriffe" and "Bichon",
the president of the International Canine Federation, Madame Nizet de Leemans, proposed a name based on the
characteristics that the dogs presented and the name "Bichon Frise" was adopted. "Frise" refers to the dog's soft, curly
hair. On October 18, 1934, the Bichon was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club. The Bichon was
admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club stud book in October 1972, and to regular show classification in
the Non-Sporting Group at AKC shows on April 4, 1973.
The Bichon, like his cousin the Caniche, descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name
"Barbichon," later contracted to "Bichon." The Bichons were divided into four categories: The Bichon Maltais, the
Bichon Bolognais, the Bichon Havanais, and the Bichon Teneriffe. All originated in the Mediterranean area.
Appreciated for their dispositions, the dogs traveled much through antiquity. Frequently offered as items of barter, they
were transported by sailors from continent to continent. The dogs found early success in Spain and it is generally felt
that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Teneriffe. Most sources agree that in this period the
name "Teneriffe" was retained mainly because of its slightly exotic nature and the enhanced commercial value the
name gave the common Bichon.
In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning to the
Continent, where they became great favorites with Italian nobility, and as with other dogs of that era, were often cut
"lion style."
The "Teneriffe" or "Bichon" made its appearance in France under Francis I, the patron of the Renaissance (1515-1547).
However, its greatest success was in the court of Henry III (1574-1589), where it was pampered, perfumed, and
beribboned. The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the
Spanish school often included them in their works. One finds such a dog in several paintings of Goya.
After a brief renewal of interest under Napoleon III, the fate of this aristocratic dog took a new turn. In the late 1800s,
it became the "common dog," running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and
doing tricks in circuses and fairs.
At the end of World War I, a few fanciers recognized the potential of the dogs and in France four breeders began
establishing their lines through controlled breeding programs. On March 5, 1933, the official standard of the breed (as
written by the then President of the Toy Club of France, in conjunction with the Friends of the Belgian Breeds) was
adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. As the breed was known by two names, "Teneriffe" and "Bichon",
the president of the International Canine Federation, Madame Nizet de Leemans, proposed a name based on the
characteristics that the dogs presented and the name "Bichon Frise" was adopted. "Frise" refers to the dog's soft, curly
hair. On October 18, 1934, the Bichon was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club. The Bichon was
admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club stud book in October 1972, and to regular show classification in
the Non-Sporting Group at AKC shows on April 4, 1973.
