The Bichon Frise is a sturdy white powder puff dog whose temperament is evident by their plumed tail carried jauntily over their back. The coat is naturally curly, but when brushed and scissored in the proper style, it is like velvet or plush. Bichons are gentle mannered, sensitive, playful, and affectionate. A cheerful attitude is the hallmark of the breed. Bichons are great with kids and the elderly alike and they are often used as therapy dogs which is a testament to their temperament. They are totally non-shedding and thus generally fine for families with allergies and asthma.

One school of thought is that the Bichon came originally from the island of Malta and is the product of the Maltese, Miniature Spaniel, and the Miniature Poodle. Still others believe that the Bichon descended from the Barbet, otherwise know as the Water Spaniel. Even though the beginnings are a bit obscure, most accept that the ancestors of today's Bichon arrived on the European continent in the fourteenth century with sailors who brought them to use as barter. These dogs found their way (actually, it's way was found for them) to various islands and on the European mainland and eventually four variations developed: the Maltese, Havanese, Bolognese, and the Tenerife. A combination of these Bichon breeds formed the Bichon Frise, though no-one really knows in what proportions and the Bichon Frise's exact origins are truly difficult to determine.

The Bichon Tenerife became very popular among the ladies of the Italian royal courts and was often found in paintings by artist such as Goya. It soon made it's appearance in France under the reign of Francis I (1515-1547), who was the patron of the Renaissance. It's greatest success, however, came in the courts of King Henry III (1574-1589) of England where it is said that he was never without his Bichons and carried them around his neck in a basket. It was the Renaissance era where lace, bows, satin, curls, perfume, and ribbons were popular, and therefore the Bichons where decorated in ribbons and perfume as well.

After Napoleon III took interest in the Bichon, it's popularity had a brief renewal but during the time of the French Revolution, as nobility was losing their positions, so did the Bichon. This white curly coated dog, who had been so loved and cherished by nobility was exiled to the streets to fend for themselves. Because of their personalities and eager-to-please disposition they made wonderful circus dogs and where often found working at fairs, and accompanying organ grinders. As they begged for money and applause, their owners reaped the benefits.

The Bichons appeal did not go unnoticed, and soldiers who had fallen in love with these little street dogs, brought them home while returning from World War 1. Soon French and Belgian breeders set out to preserve the breed and continue to create interest in the Bichon. By 1933 they had a breed standard and by 1934, the Bichon got it's first official breed standard from the F.C.I. (Federation Cynologique Internationale). A challenge came when it was time to name the breed. Madame Nizet de Leemans, head of the Breed Standard Committee of the FCI asked. "What does this dog look like?". She was told it was a curly-haired, little white dog to which she replied, "Well then, it shall be called Bichon Frisé (curly little dog)."

In April 1973, Bichons were admitted to the American Kennel Club (AKC) as an officially recognized breed. Since then, the Bichons popularity has continued to rise each year.