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Bichon Frise: Wonderful Companion Dog

submitted: May 8th 2008 | by: MaryStevenson | Total views: 12 | Word Count: 570 | |

The Bichon Frise is descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, much like his cousin the Caniche and was originally known as a Barbichon, which was later shortened to Bichon. In addition, there are four different categories of the Bichon, which include the Bichon Bolognais, the Bichon Maltais and the Bichon Tenerife as well as the Bichon Havanais, and all of these categories came out of the Mediterranean region. The breed was always bred to be companion dogs and nothing more.

It was only in the sixteenth century that the Bichon Frise appeared in France where its popularity rose and fell depending on who was pulling the reigns of power in France, though notables such as Francis I, Henry III and Napoleon III were largely instrumental in making the Bichon Frise very popular. In fact, many portraits from this time featured the Bichon Frise along with royals, which lent to their fame and enhanced their stature.

The Bichon Frise was forgotten and only rediscovered in the fourteenth century by Italian seamen. It was they who brought this breed back to the Continent and the Italian nobility immediately developed a strong liking for the Bichon Frise. And it was only during this time that the Bichon Frise got its characteristic lion style cut. A century or so later the Bichon Frise came to France during the reign of Francis I who was the major figure of the Renaissance.

However, it was only during the reign of Henry III when the Bichon Frise got to be pampered, and also perfumed and even beribboned. Then it even became popular once more in Spain and was greatly loved by the Infantas and was often the subject of painters, as witnessed in the works of Goya. Sad to say, the Bichon Frise was soon to become a commoner in France, and soon descended from being a favorite of the nobility to roaming in the streets in France.

Also, the famous Spanish painter named Francisco de Goya painted the minute Bichon Frise in the portrait he made of the Duchess of Alba that led to the continuing popularity and fame of the breed. In fact, the Bichon Frise was the subject of other paintings as well, and one such painting was even to become a postage stamp in Yemen. And, in the nineteenth century, under Napoleon III's reign, the Bichon Frise came to enter the French royal court as well.

The current development of the Bichon Frise starts towards the end of the nineteenth century when this tiny toy breed began to be associated with circuses that traveled about from one place to another, and though it had lost some of its royal stature and became the catch-penny dog of street beggars, it continued to thrive despite royals such as Queen Victoria preferring the Pekinese and Queen Elizabeth II being partial to Cardigan Welsh Corgis.

Even though the fortunes of the Bichon Frise have undergone a fair share of ups and downs, the breed survived because of its immensely likeable nature and also because of his ability to perform tricks, and after he came to the U.S. he has won over the heart of the working class who find him to be an excellent companion as also a show dog.

Thus, the one-time favorite of notable personalities such as Francis I and Henry III has now become darling of the average owner and thus continues to survive even in the modern age.

Tags: bichon frise, pedigree dogs, breeding dogs, dogs, dog, pets, pet, animals, animal, home

About the Author

About the author: Mary Stevenson is a passionate lover of the Bichon Frise and has a popular website that can show you how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Bichon Frise. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Bichon Frise Training plus a whole lot more.

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