A Bichon Frise is a small dog breed of the Bichon type. They are well-liked pets, comparable in appearance to, but larger than, the Maltese. They are a non-shedding dog breed that requires 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 rare. It has a black nose and dark disk-shaped eyes, and its white hair consists of a curly outercoat and a sleek undercoat. A little amount of buff, cream, or apricot tint may be seen about its ears, snout, paws or body, but more often than not these colors do not exceed 10% of its body. The head and legs are in proportion in size to the body, and ears and tail are natural (not docked or cropped). Frequently the coat is trimmed to make the hair give the impression of even length. Bichon Frise's could be middle-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 fine with both kids and other animals. Bichon Frises are very obedient if training is started early and continued consistently.
Bichon Frises are appropriate for people with allergies, as they are bred to be hypoallergenic. Yet, it is important to note that, human sensitivity to dog fur, dander, and saliva varies to a great extent. Despite the fact that hair, dander, and saliva can be minimized, they are still there and could attach to "clothes and the carpets and furnishings in your home"; inhaling the allergens, or being licked by the dog, may activate a response in a susceptible individual.
The Bichon Frise descended from the Barbet or Water Spaniel, from which came the name "Barbichon", afterward condensed to "Bichon". The Bichons were divided into four categories: the Bichon Malteise, the Bichon Bolognaise, the Bichon Havanese and the Bichon Tenerife. All originated in the Mediterranean area.
Because of their merry disposition, they traveled a great deal and were frequently} used as barter by sailors as they moved from continent to continent. The dogs found initial success in Spain and it is ordinarily supposed that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canary Island of Tenerife. In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the small dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the continent, where they became great favorites of Italian upper class. Frequently, as was the fashion of the day with dogs in the courts, they were cut "lion style," like a modern-day Portuguese Water Dog.
Despite the fact that not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, owing to its heritage as a sailor's dog, has an affinity for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's duty was that of a companion dog.
The "Tenerife", or "Bichon", had success in France through the Renaissance under Francis I (1515-47), but its status skyrocketed in the court of Henry III (1574-89). The breed too enjoyed huge success in Spain as a favorite of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school frequently} included them in their works. For example, the famous artist, Francisco de Goya, included a Bichon in some of his works.
Appeal 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 blind and doing tricks in circuses and fairs.
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