Bichon Frise * Description *

The most balanced and sound *Powderpuff, in dogdom, the Bichon Frise is a small, solid white with a gaily carried plume of a tail that befits his merry temperment.
Contrasting with his snow white coat are his dark eyes, whose expression is soft but alert. This white angel has "halos" around its eyes,which are the black Skin surrounding the eyes, enhancing expression. The ears are droopy and of medium length, coverd with long, flowing hair. The Skull is slightly rounded. There is a slight chiseling under the eyes, but not so much as to give an impression of a weak or snipy foreface. The nose is prominent and always Black. The neck is long and arched; topline is level except for a slight arch over the loin; chest is sufficiently wide to allow free movement of forequarters; the forechest is very well pronounced, protruding slightly; underline has moderate truck up. The tail is set on level with topline, well plumed, and gracefully curved over the back.The tail cannot be docked, coakscrew, droopy, low set or carried even to the back. The texure of the outer coat is coarser and curlier than the soft and dense undercoat; to the touch the Bichon coat feels silky and fine. The coat is trimmed to show natural contours of the body; overtrimming is discouraged; The Bichon color is white, but the markings of cream, buff or apricot are aceptable. The height ranges from 9 to 11 inches.

Owner Suitability

Adaptable and very much family loving, The Bichon makes a delightful children's pet. He is easygoing and gives from his heart without conditions.

The Bichon Frise 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 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. For example, the famous artist, Goya, included a Bichon in several of his works.

Interest in the breed was renewed 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 blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs.

On March 5, 1933 the official standard of the breed was adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. As the breed was known by two names at that time, "Teneriffe" and "Bichon", the president of the International Canine Federation proposed a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented - the Bichon Frise. ("Frise" refers to the dog's soft, curly hair.) On October 18, 1934 the Bichon Frise was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club.

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 Bichon Frise became eligible to enter the Miscellaneous Class on September 1, 1971. In October, 1972 the breed was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book. On April 4, 1973 the breed became eligible to show in the Non-Sporting Group at AKC dog shows.