Smiling Bichon Frise Dogs

The merry Bichon Frise proves that dogs really do smile! Their winning smile, and their role as performers, has played an important part in the history of this dog breed.

You don't think of the smiling Bichon Frise as a working breed; they were once the lapdogs of royalty and are now fur babies of the middle class. But for a period of time in their history they fell from popularity, and had to earn their keep with their winsome ways. In the 1800s they worked as performers in the circus and on the streets with organ grinders (often gentlemen of ill repute!)

The Bichon Frise is very clever, and has the agility to stand on its hind legs with relative ease. These traits enabled the smiling cuties to survive an era of depression when their "currency" was low. The little performers learned tricks easily, and could prance around in a tutu like no other dog! The resilient, upbeat Bichon Frise eventually regained popularity and finally became a recognized pure dog breed when it was admitted to the French Kennel Club Stud Book in 1934.

Let's applaud the talented, good-natured Bichon Frise with the infectious smile. Allow them to inspire you. Remember the Bichon motto: Smile, and the whole world smiles with you!