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The Bichon Frisé a Brief History The Teneriffe or Canary Islands Lap-dog is believed to have been used as an item of barter by Spanish sailors in the 15th century. In the 16th century the Teneriffe Bichon became popular in the French Royal Court, and it is believed to be the small white curly coated dog depicted by court painters such as Goya and Reynolds in the 18th century. Following the French Revolution these small white lap-dogs fell out of favour, but were reputed to have been used as ‘circus dogs’ because of their willingness to perform tricks. The breed was rescued by a group of dedicated European breeders following World War I.A breed standard was produced by the Friends of the Belgium Breeds and the President of the Toy Club of France, and the Societe Central of France accepted this standard in 1933. At this time the name was changed from Bichon Teneriffe to Bichon Frisé and was admitted into the French Stud Book in 1934. It was listed at that time by the F.C.I. as being a French/Belgium breed. These two Bichons produced the first English bred litter on 3rd March 1974. Of the five puppies born Carlise Circe of Tresilva and Carlise Cicero of Tresilva became the first English born puppies to be exhibited in this country. The first Bichon ever to be exhibited in the U.K. was Cluneen Lejerdell Tarz Anna, owned and handled by Mrs Eilish Banks, and imported by her from America. She won best Non Classified at Leeds Championship Show in May 1974 under Mr F Curnow. This was also the first Bichon to be exhibited at Crufts. In 1975 Mrs Banks won Best Puppy in Show at the Toy Dog Society of Wales and Reserve Best in Show at the Wickford and Basildon Show with her import Cluneen Javelot de Wanarbry. On the 1st March 1975 the first litter was repeated this time producing 3 bitches and 2 dogs. All three bitches became foundation bitches, Carlise Canny Caprice for Mrs E Mirylees of the Beaupres affix, Carlise Calypso Orion for Mrs V Gould and Mr D Chiverton of the Leijazulip affix, and Carlise Columbine for Mrs Coley of the Glenfolly affix. Two other litters were produced that year. Following an accidental mating Carlise Cicero of Tresilva and Carlise Circe of Tresilva produced a litter of 2 bitches and 1 dog. One of these bitches, Bianca of Tresilva, became the first Bichon to win a first at Crufts, and also the first to win a Toy Group. Mrs Banks mated Cluneen Javelot de Wanarbry to Jonquille de Wanarbry to produce 5 dogs. Also in 1975 the following Bichons were imported: Zethus de Chaponay of Tresilva, Zena de Chaponay of Tresilva by Mrs Ransom, Jazz de la Buthiere of Leijazulip and Leilah de la Buthiere of Leijazulip by Mrs Gould and Mr Chiverton, Cluneen Jacinthe de Wanarbry, Cluneen Jessie de Wanarbry, Cluneen Juliette de Wanarbry by Mrs Banks, and Am.Ch. Beaumonde the Snowdrift of Leander by Mrs W Streatfield. Two litters were born in quarantine, both bred by Mrs P Block and each produced 3 puppies. One puppy, Twinley Josie Posie, became Mr Graham Newell’s foundation bitch of the Dokham affix, and one of the dogs, Twinley Claudius, became Tom Mather’s first show Bichon. CC’s were first on offer at Crufts 1980. The judge was Mr Lionel Hamilton Renwick. The first English Champion was Ann & Nigel Worth’s Ch. Glenfolly Silver Lady of Sarabande
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Although there have been many examples of a small white curly coated lap dog over the centuries, the Bichon Frisé is a relatively modern breed. It is descended from the Barbichon Group, which historically consists of the Maltese, the Bolognese, the Havenese and the Teneriffe.