There are several different
types of Bichon dogs, with the Bichon Frise being the most well-known of the bunch.
The Bichon dogs are a group of toy or small breed canines with coats that do not
really shed and curly tails. The Bichon Frise is partially descended from a poodle,
which explains the white coat covered in curls.
The Bichon dogs originated
somewhere in the Mediterranean, and were first made note of coming from the Canary
Islands in the fifteenth century. The Bichon Tenerife, the Bichon Matlais, and
the Bichon Bolognese were the three original breeds of the Bichon group. The present
day Bichon Frise came from the Tenerife, which has since become extinct. There
is a bit of a discussion as to which of the Bichon dogs are the oldest. It is
a toss up between the Tenerife and the Matlais, also known as Maltese. But since
the Tene is no longer around, the title and crown go to the silky, probably tangles
if they move Maltese.
Meet The Bichons
While the Bichon Frise is
the most popular of the Bichon dog group, the other members include the Maltese,
the Bolognese, the Havanese, and the Lowchen.
The Maltese is one of the
oldest of the group, and believed to come from the island of Malta. They are very
beautiful dogs, with a long white coat tat is soft and silky to the touch. They
are very energetic, intelligent dogs that are very easy to train, Maltese can
be very protective of their owner and home front; do not show fear. Yet, they
still have a very gentle manner about them.
The Bolognese looks like a cross
between the Bichon Frise and an Old English Sheepdog; they are small and hairy.
They are very smart and can be trained rather easily. The Bolognese loves to please
and bonds very quickly with its owner. They do well with children and other animals,
but do have a tendency to be skeptical of strangers.
The Havanese are small
but stout. Their coats can be long and silky, short and curly, or wavy. They do
not shed and, like the Bichon Frise are hypoallergenic. They have a thick coat
and need to be brushed on a daily basis. The Havanese is a fun, energetic, clear
little dog. They are at ease around children and other dogs; and the are comfortable
around strangers. They love to perform tricks and also love being the center of
attention.
The Lowchen is one of the rarest breeds in the world, next to
the Havanese. The cut and style of their long coat resembles that of a lion. It
is a very charming and energetic dog. The Lowchen is affectionate and comfortable
with children and other dogs.
Bichon Mix
Over the years there have been many hybrid dogs to originate from the Bichon.
But only a few have gained in popularity. Here are three of the more common:
