Bichon Family
Before you read the history of the Bichon Havanese should know that this breed belongs to the family of dogs called Bichon known throughout Europe for many centuries.
The French word Bichon means "fleecy dog" and is thought to be a contraction of the word Barbichon, or "bearded." It is probably related to the French word Barbet, which was an ancient breed of water spaniel similar to the Poodle, from which descend all the Bichon in the world. With time and use, the term has become synonymous with a dog completely covered with hair and with a deliciously personality oriented towards the human race. In Cinologici circles, the term Bichon is applied to a group of breeds whose ancestors were the same. The Bichon type dogs, which have long ancestry. References indicate that they were known in ancient Greece and Rome. A few centuries later they appeared there in the Mediterranean Basin and became very fashionable in Europe during the Renaissance. In the fifteenth and sixteenth century. introdottiil were other parts of the world through the expansion of the Spanish who ruled half of Europe of that time. The Spaniards used their naval power to conquer and colonize much of the New World, as well as some parts of Asia and Africa. In fact it was said of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, to rule over such a vast empire on which the sun never set.
And 'thanks to this dispersion Bichon in many parts of the world during the sixteenth century. that we now have a fully developed and defined number of races. In some of these territories Bichon joined with similar breeds of dogs and the result was the obtaining of new races with all their images. Cultures and produced different tastes like dog breeds below.
Maltese
Its long white cloak hanging from each side of the body, which does not measure more than 25 cm. tall at the shoulder. This breed was described in 200 BC with the Latin name Canis Melitaensis, which refers to the old Sicilian town of Melita and was concentrated mostly in Italy.
The Maltese is the smallest of the Bichon and weighs between 3 and 4 kg
The Maltese is the smallest of the Bichon and weighs between 3 and 4 kg
Bichon a poil frisé
Exclusively white and sometimes bigger than the Maltese, his coat is frisé or curly, and shaped to the body. It is traced back to the Bichon Tenerife in the Canary Islands but grew in Belgium and France. As the Maltese, Bichon Frise has many admirers around the world and not only in his native land. The breed is medium size - small, Toy considered in Britain but less so in America. The breed can measure 25 to 30 cm. of height.
Bolognese
Somewhat more square in the structure than the other Bichon, the Bolognese has the mantle in strands and is so named for the area where he first made his mark, Bologna precisely. As the Maltese and Bichon Frise, Bolognese is a white dog with no markings of any kind. The breed measuring 25 to 30 cm. of height.
Lowchen
The Lowchen is a small dog with inscribed in the square structure with smooth coat groomed so as to give the appearance of a lion, giving the breed the nickname Lowchen. He was known in Germany, France and Spain in the sixteenth century. and it is now considered a rare breed, although it has drawn attention on both sides of the Atlantic. As the Havanese, the Lowchen can exist in many colors, not just in traditional white. Size of the Lowchen goes from 26 to 32 cm. and the weight is around 6 kg.
Coton de Tulear
The little-known Bichon Madagascar is derived from the same strain of Bichon who arrived in the island of Tenerife where did the Bichon Frise. The French coton means "cotton" and describes the races with the mantle of this aspect. The Coton de Tulear was recognized by the FCI in 1970, although it has been a favorite of the French aristocracy in the seventeenth century. The color of the breed is mainly white, although it may have the champagne on the head and body. Some examples are white and blacks.
The height varies from 23 to 28 cm. while the weight is between 3.5 and 6 kg.
The height varies from 23 to 28 cm. while the weight is between 3.5 and 6 kg.
(From “Bichon Havanese” by Zoila Portuondo Guerra)
