The Bichon has taken a long time to become known in this country, despite its historic origins. The Bichon Frise Club of American was only founded in the mid 1960's and it was not recognized by the American Kennel Club until seven years later.

Even though there are just a few breeders that specialize in this breed, They are becoming increasingly popular very quickly and this will continue, due to their well known remarkable character. The Bichon Frise are descended from the Water Spaniel, and the word Spaniel came from Spain and means small shaggy canines. They are also known by the name Barbet and were called Barbichon.

These dogs originated in the Mediterranean countries during the 1300's. There are four types of Bichon Frise:

It is still unknown how the Havanese were so named. One theory is that their name came from the port of Havana in Cuba, which was founded by the Spaniards in the year 1515. Another theory is that this name came from Havalange, Belgium, as they have always had an interest in this dog breed.

Today we are concentrating on the Tenerife because the Bichon Frise we are familiar with today came from this type. This dog is white and has gray or a slight buff color on their ears. They also may either be totally white, or have a faint color on their body. Black, gray, buff, or parti-colored are the colors of the other three types of Bichon Frise.

The Bichon Frise were called Tenerife when it showed up in France during the 1500's. This may have been due to the captivation and appeal that this name gave the breed. , whose reign lasted from 1574 to 1589, was responsible for This breed's popularity was brought about by Henry III, who reigned from the year 1574 until the year 1589, as he carried these little dogs around with him. They were washed, perfumed, exquisitely groomed, and carried in a tray like basket that hung around his neck by ribbons. They were well loved, adored and extremely popular with King Henry's ladies of the court.

Most fanciers believe the word Bichonner, a French term of endearment, related to the Tenerife during King Henry's reign and ultimately became Bichon a Poil Frise, Frise meaning curly.

Historians of this breed allege that they were in an Italian artist's painting in the 1400's. This Italian painter was Bernadio Pintoricchio. They were depicted clipped in the fashion of the day, by the German painter, Albrecht Durer in the year 1494. A Flemish still-life painter, Frans Snyders also depicted one of these canines in one of his paintings too. There were dogs very similar to this breed in Jose de Goya's paintings also.

Researchers on the Bichon It is agreed by all researchers that this breed encountered a number of extremely unfortunate periods, as their popularity altered with the times. One of the bad times was in the early 1900s when the lovely little creatures became an attraction with the organ grinders, a blind man's companion, and was used as a trick and circus dog in Europe.

After World War I, breeders in France became interested in the Bichon Frise and again they came into favor. A sound breeding program was begun. On March 5, 1933, the Societe Centrale Canine of France pioneered an official standard, and October 18, 1934, Le Bichon Frise was registered in the book Origines Francais. So the little Spanish dog became French and soon was recognized in Italy and Belgium.

According to the records, the first Bichons, Eddy White de Steren Vor and Etoile de Steren Vor, were brought to the United States in 1956. In 1957 the first litter was born to Etoile. The names Etoile and Eddy appear on many a pedigree of the breed in the United States today.

Although the Bichon Frise is often mistaken for his cousins, the Toy Poodle and the Maltese, he is a distinctive breed all his own. He wears a double curly or wavy coat, which usually is soft and dense, somewhat resembling the coat of the Poodle and the softhaired Maltese.

Perhaps these three breeds all were descended from the shaggy spaniels of Spain and through the centuries evolved into the beautiful breeds they are today.

Among other breeders, those raising Poodles and Maltese have been attracted to the Bichon Frise, probably because of the similarity and also for the differences. What one finds in the Bichon Frise is a highly intelligent dog with a mild temperament, one that is easily trained in obedience, yet is a doll when it comes to showing. However, he doesn't have the "Yapping" characteristic of the Toy Poodles, and his quiet, good nature endears him to all who know him. The Bichon also adapts incredibly well to apartment life.

Only one size is listed in the AKC standards, and these have a height of 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder, and weigh 8 to 11 pounds. There is only one clip, natural, with the hair trimmed from around the eyes, and the coat is kept trimmed to a minimum of 2 inches and brushed into a powder-puff appearance. Brushing three times a week keeps the coat in good condition, but a daily brushing his best. It is very unusual to see a Bichon with weepy eyes.

These dogs are odorless and do not shed. The ears need attention periodically to clean out the hair and be kept clean. For grooming standards, the Bichon Frise is scissored to show the eyes and give a full rounded appearance to the head and body. The feet of this breed should have the hair trimmed to give a rounded appearance as well. Puppies may be shown in short coat, but the minimum show coat for an adult is 2 inches.

Every breed has faults, as listed in their official standards. The Bichon Frise has the following faults: Cowhocks, snipy muzzle, poor pigmentation, protruding eyes, yellow eyes, undershot or overshot bite. Serious faults include the corkscrew tail and black hair in the coat.

Dedicated breeders and enthusiasts have formed clubs in different sections of the United States to promote the Bichon Frise, and many persons long associated in canine activities have given their time, opinions and advice.

Coverage has been good in newspapers, some dog magazines, and small articles have appeared in many periodicals. The first annual match was held in San Diego, California in 1964 and at this time there are at least half a dozen books that have been written about or are currently being prepared on the Bichon Frise.