Bichon Frise Dog Breed History

Bichon Frise History - Offers facts about the history of the Bichon Frise dog - an adorable and fluffy lap dog with a long and regal history.

The Bichon Frise are generally very happy and cheerful individuals, and they seem to have a great love of traveling. Quite often, sailors would barter with these little white dogs, using them as trade items as they traveled across the seas and from continent to continent. It is believed that it was the trading practices of the Spanish sailors that first introduced the Bichon Frise to the Canary Islands, but as far back as the early 1300’s, Italian sailors claimed to have discovered this unique little island-bred dog and they eagerly reintroduced it back to the Continent. In no time, they became a favorite of the Italian nobility and, amongst those that frequented the courts, the Bichon Frise was often clipped in a fashionable style, resembling a lion.

In addition to their popularity in Italy, the Bichon also remained a favorite of the Spanish Infantas, and the painters of the Spanish school frequently painted the Bichon Frise in many of their works. During the Renaissance, this adorable little white dog also captivated the French, though it wasn’t until the court of Henry III, that the Bichon truly gained a place amongst the French nobility. Of course, as court fashion came and went, it wasn’t long before the powder puff Bichon was set aside for something else that was new and exciting.

The Bichon Frise would enjoy a brief popularity peak while Napoleon III ruled, but he would soon become known as the "common dog" and was then left to the peasants, where he ran loose in the streets or performed in local fairs and circuses. Popular amongst the organ grinders from Barbary, this happy-go-lucky white dog enjoyed his place in the spotlight and eagerly learned new tricks that endeared him in the hearts of many. Common dog or not, he was determined to make his mark in the dog world.

In 1933, the Societe Centrale Canine of France adopted an official standard for this fluffy white dog. At this time, they were known as either the "Bichon" or the "Teneriffe," so the president of the International Canine Federation proposed that a single name would be decided, that would identify the traits of this unique little dog and, with that, so he was named the Bichon Frise ("Frise" making reference to the breed’s soft and curly hair).