My vet calls them bitchin' frizzies, I guess that isn't a good alternative title though. :) --Eean 18:44, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)

But fun to say. :-) Elf | Talk 16:07, 29 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Country of origin

Looking at the breed standards, some of which have history, there certainly some disagreement about whether they first came to Italy or to France (the New Zealand site says France, but in the paragraph of history it says Italy). Regardless, they came from the Canary Islands, which I guess would put their country of origin as Spain? Though maybe 'country of origin' is some sort of dog breed jargon. --Eean 19:00, 28 Oct 2004 (UTC)

The origin of older breeds is often in question because there's usually no really good definitive documentation. If there are reliable sources for multiple origins, it's good to try to described that in an encyclopedic manner in the article (even simply as "some sources cite the breed's origin as Fooland, while others suggest that it was Barland..." with maybe references noted on the talk page or, if there's some clearly defined set of groups who disagree, that could be noted in the article, such as "breeders of pink Bichons tend to cite the breed's origin as Fooland, while Bichons used as sled dogs (sic) are generally accepted as originating in Barland..." ). In any event, if you have good info, feel free to edit and we won't slap you down and stomp you into the mud. Much. Elf | Talk 16:07, 29 Oct 2004 (UTC)

I guess the problem I'm having is the same sources that put a country like France as the origin of the breed will say they were found on the Canary Islands. Does your country need a breeders club to be able to be listed as an origin of a breed? Next time I'm in the library I'll look up some books on the ole bichons. --Eean 07:08, 31 Oct 2004 (UTC)

That's why I try to look in multiple sources if I can find or get them and try to summarize or identify what appears to be the most-likely secenario from the info available. A breed club has nothing to do with the dog's origin in most cases (although for very recent breeds, if one person or group is developing a breed, they might be the first breeder's club). After your email, I did go back to the books that I have to confirm the "mediterranean" origin info. Elf | Talk 17:03, 31 Oct 2004 (UTC)

The articles state that bichons don't suffer from various white dog diseases...however they can contract anemia

Bichons are the cutest, most lovable dogs on the planet. They love to nest and chew on soft toys.