From royal courts to circus rings: the enduring history of the bichon dog

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The bichon is not a single breed but a distinct type of toy dog with a lineage stretching back to the 11th century. Once the pampered companions of European royalty and aristocracy, these resilient animals have survived revolutions, near-extinction, and shifting fashions to remain beloved pets across the globe today.

The term bichon is thought to be a contraction of barbichon, meaning little barbet, hinting at their ancestral roots. By the 14th century, these dogs were already common fixtures in French royal circles. Their popularity eventually spread across Europe, with various regional iterations emerging, such as the Bichon Frisé from Tenerife, the Bolognese from Italy, and the Löwchen from France. These dogs were frequently depicted in portraits of the upper classes, serving as status symbols for figures like Catherine the Great and Louis XIV.

The history of these breeds is marked by dramatic fluctuations in fortune. The Bichon Frisé, for instance, transitioned from a court favorite to a circus performer before nearly vanishing entirely by the late 19th century. It was only through the dedicated intervention of French and Belgian enthusiasts in the 1930s that the breed was saved. Similarly, the Havanese faced potential eradication following the Cuban Revolution in the 1950s, surviving only because expatriates smuggled them into the United States.

Beyond their social history, these dogs face specific biological challenges. Clinical research involving over 1,100 Bichon Frisé dogs indicates a predisposition to cataracts, which typically develop between the ages of 2 and 8. The progression from incipient to mature stages takes an average of 4 years, potentially leading to blindness. Despite these health concerns and their varied origins—from the Madagascan Coton de Tuléar to the Russian Bolonka—the bichon type remains a testament to the enduring bond between humans and their canine companions throughout history.

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