The Bichon, like his cousin the Caniche, descended from the Barbet or Water-Spaniel from which came the name "Barbichon" later contracted to "Bichon." The Bichons were divided into four categories and all originated in the Mediterranian area.

Appreicated for their dispositions, the dogs travelled much through antiquity. Frequenty offered as items of barter, they were transported by sailors from continent to continent, finding early success in Spain and it is generally felt that Spanish seamen introduced the breed to the Canaary Island of Teneriffe.

In the 1300s, Italian sailors rediscovered the little dogs on their voyages and are credited with returning them to the Continent where they became great favourites with Italian nobility and, as with other dogs of that era, were often trimmed in the "lion style."

The "Teneriffe" or "Bichon" made its appearance in France under Francis I, the patron of the Renaissance (1515-1547). However, its greatest success was in the court of Henry III (1574-1589) where it was pampered, perfumed and beribboned. The breed also enjoyed considerable success in Spain as a favourite of the Infantas, and painters of the Spanish school often included them in their works. One finds such a dog in several of the paintings of Goya.

Sad to say, the fate of this aristocratic dog took a new turn in the late 1800s, becoming the 'common dog', running the streets, accompanying organ grinders of Barbary, leading the blind and doing tricks in the circus and fairs.

At the end of the first World War, four breeders in France began establishing their lines through controlled breeding programmes. On March 5, 1933, the official Standard of the Breed (as written by the then President of the Toy Club of France, in conjuction with the Friends of the Belgian Breeds) was adopted by the Societe Centrale Canine of France. On October 18, 1934, the Bichon was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club.

The breed was known by two names, "Teneriffe" and "Bichon," however, the President of the International Canine Federation, proposed a name based on the characteristics that the dogs presented and the name "Bichon Frise" (plural: Bichons Frises) was adopted. On October 18, 1934, the Bichon was admitted to the stud book of the French Kennel Club.

The Bichon Frisse was admitted to registration in the American Kennel Club Stud Book in October, 1972 and to regular show classifiation in the Non-Sporting Group April 4, 1973. In 1975 The Bichon Frise Club of Canada was formed.