Bichon Frise
History
Like
the Poodle and many of the other curly-coated dogs that
originated in europe, the Bichon Frise is descended from
the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which
came the name "Barbichon", later shortened
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.
Because
of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were
often
used as items of barter by sailors as they
moved 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.
In the 1300s Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs
on their voyages and are credited with returning them to
the Continent, where they became great favorites of Italian
nobility. Often, as was the style of the day with dogs
in the courts, they were cut "lion style."
The "Teneriffe" or "Bichon" had
success in France during the Renaissance under Francis
I (1515-47)
but its popularity skyrocketed in the court of Henry III
(1574-89). The monarch, unhappy to be separated
from his beloved dogs for any length of time during the
day, fashioned a basket in which to hold them, and tied
it around his neck with ribbons. Carrying the little
white dogs thus, he would stroll about the imperial court
and conduct his royal affairs with his favored pets always
at his fingertips!
Due to the popularity of the Bichon, he was
painted by famous masters like Francisco de Goya. In the
painting, "The Dutchess of Alba", Goya included her Bichon
at her feet. A Bichon is also depicted in a painting by
Jean-Honore Fragonard called "The Love Letter". Other
Spanish as well as European painters have also included
this well
loved dog in their paintings. Toward the end of the 19th century, the little bichon
was associated with traveling circuses and served as catchpennies
for street beggars, somehow having fallen out of favor
at the royal court. But the docility and love for its owner
inherent in the Bichon was never lost, even when it began
to mate
with other types
of dogs. These prized traits enabled it to become a seeing-eye
dog in Britain. It also delighted many as a canine clown
in roadshows, performing delightful tricks and routines
for onlookers.
Following
World War I, a few fanciers recognized the potential
of the
dogs and began establishing' their lines
through controlled breeding programs. On March 5, 1933,
the official standard of the breed, as written by Madam
Abadie of Steren Vor Kennels, was adopted by the Societe
Central Canine de France. As the breed was known by two
names, Tenerife and Bichon, the President of the International
Canine Federation, Mme. Nizet de Lemma’s, proposed
a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented
and the name Bichon a polio Frise (Bichon with the curly
coat) was adopted. The anglicized version is Bichon Frise
(curly lap dog). On October 18, 1934, the Bichon was admitted
to the official registry of the French Kennel Club.
The
International Canine Federation recognizes the Bichon
Frise "as a French-Belgian breed having the right
to registration in the Book of Origins from all countries".
The breed is recognized in most of the world now, but then
was recognized in only three countries: Belgium, France
and Italy. It was the development of the Bichon Frise in
the United States that was to bring about the recognition
of the breed in other countries.
At the end of World War I, American soldiers brought
a few of these dogs back with them as pets. Some may remember
having seen them but no effort was made to breed or to
keep records. The first Bichon litter was whelped in the U. S. in 1956.
In 1959 and 1960 two breeders in different parts of the
U. S. acquired Bichons. This, then, provided the origins
for the breed's development in this country.
The Bischon Frise's original purpose was a domestic companion
and today he is classified as a Non-Sporting member of
the American Kennel Club.
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