A Bichon Frise is a petite dog breed of the Bichon variety. They are popular pets, comparable in look to, but bigger than, the Maltese. They are a non-shedding dog breed that needs daily grooming.
The Bichon Frise is a little but robust dog that weighs approx. 7-17 lbs and stands 23-30 cm/9-15in at the withers, but somewhat larger dogs are not unusual. It has a black nose and dark round eyes, and its white coat consists of a wavy outercoat and a silken undercoat. A little degree of fawn, cream, or apricot shade can be seen surrounding its ears, nose, paws or body, but normally these colors do not go beyond 10% of its body. The head and legs are proportionate in size to the body, and ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped). Frequently the coat is trimmed to make the hair seem of even length. Bichon Frise's could be medium-high intelligence.
The AKC refers to the Bichon Frise as "merry" and "cheerful", and the breed standard calls for a dog that is "gentle mannered, sensitive, playful and affectionate". Bred to be companion dogs, the Bichon Frise tends to get along suitably with both children and other animals. Bichon Frises are incredibly obedient if training is started early on and continued constantly.
Bichon Frises are suitable for people with allergies, as they are bred to be hypoallergenic. Nevertheless, it is important to note that, human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies significantly. While hair, dander, and saliva could be minimized, they are still there and could stick to "clothes and the carpets and furniture in your home"; inhaling the allergens, or being licked by the dog, could prompt a reaction in a sensitive person.
The Bichon Frise descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name "Barbichon", afterward shortened to "Bichon". The Bichons were divided into four categories: the Bichon Malteise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Bichon Havanese and the Bichon Tenerife. Every one originated in the Mediterranean region.
Because of their merry disposition, they traveled much and were often} used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The dogs found first success in Spain and it is typically believed that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Tenerife. In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the petite dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where they became fantastic favorites of Italian aristocracy. Frequently, as was the style of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut "lion style," like a modern-day Portuguese Water Dog.
While not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, due to its heritage as a sailor's dog, has an empathy for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's task was that of a companion dog.
The "Tenerife", 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 breed too enjoyed huge success in Spain as a pet of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school frequently} incorporated them in their works. For example, the celebrated artist, Francisco de Goya, integrated a Bichon in a few of his works.
Fascination in the breed was improved during the rule of Napoleon III, but then waned until the late 1800s when it became the "common dog", running the streets, accompanying the organ grinders of Barbary, leading the unsighted and doing tricks in circuses and fairs.
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