The Frisé and Maltese Bichons, better known than their counterparts the Bolognese and Havanese, have existed for a long time in the Mediterranean basin. Their sophisticated appearance, which has changed little over the centuries, judging from some of the works of art that have come to light in recent years and on which they are represented, can not fail to make us forget, however, that it is because of the dynamism with which they have always shown that these small animals, and more particularly the Maltese, have been appreciated by past civilizations.
The Maltese Bichon is the oldest of the Bichon family. The statuettes that were discovered in the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses II show in addition that his ancestors were already very popular in Egypt in the fourteenth century BC. A few centuries later, exactly in the fourth century BC, traces of these animals are found in Aristotle's Greece and Roman Italy.
In the 1st century BC, accompanying the merchants along the Silk Road, the Maltese Bichons were then introduced to Asia. The many cynologists who deduce that the race would have received a blood supply of Tibetan dogs are not necessarily wrong. If this thesis can not be scientifically proven, it must be admitted that these two types of dogs met at one time or another. The Greek geographer Strabo (circa 58 BC - between 21 and 25 AD) was interested in the Maltese Bichon.
But his description of this little dog, which he called Canis meletensis, in no way clarifies the current doubt as to the origins of the race. It is probable that, for the eminent geographer, meletensis could correspond to nothing but the Sicilian city of Melenta; as Melenta is also the ancient name of the island of Malta, confusion is inevitable for many lovers of the breed.
Whether or not the cradle of the Maltese Bichons has been this Mediterranean island matters, in fact, little. On the other hand, what is interesting to know is that at the time of Strabo Malta had become the privileged stop for sailors and merchants leaving for Asia and that, consequently, it had been able to shelter a good number of Maltese Bichons, and perhaps even promote their breeding.
Closer to home, the Maltese Bichon appears in 15th century Europe. Like his ancestors on Greek and Egyptian pottery, he appears on tapestries and paintings from the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance. He is present in Italy, his adopted country, in France; on the tapestry of The Lady with the unicorn preserved in the museum of Cluny in Paris; and it is found under the brush of Flemish, German, Dutch and Spanish painters such as Memling, Dürer, Bruegel, Van de Venne and Goya.
Pampered by Queen Mary Stuart, who had imported a few subjects from Lyon, the Bichons Maltese had trod the British soil from 1520, where they were soon to become notorious somewhat unusual. For the English, indeed, the dress of the Maltese Bichon cured rheumatism. And this legend seems to have continued today, since it is not uncommon to find gloves and shawls in Maltese Bichon fur across the Channel. For almost a century, breeders have been striving to promote the breed. And even if it is not very prolific, today there are farms all over the world.
The Bichon Frize (or curly hair), also called Teneriffe, and also very popular, causes much controversy. According to some cynologists, we find in writings of the second century before the Christian era allusions to the ancestors of the Bichons with furry hair showing that these dogs were already widespread in the Mediterranean countries, and more particularly in Italy. For others, the Bichon with curly hair only dates from the fifteenth century and would come from the cross between a Maltese Bichon and a Poodle. It seems, moreover, that this last hypothesis is scientifically more well founded.
Introduced in France during the reign of François 1st, this dog was soon to be appreciated by the European courts. The Spanish rulers possessed Bichons with curly hair, who had become accustomed to parading in the royal salons, in the company of other luxury dogs, such as the Maltese or the Dwarf Spaniels. We know the passion of the King of France Henry III for these dogs.
While still in fashion under Napoleon III and the Belle Epoque, the Bichon furry suffered terribly from the First World War: his breeding almost disappear. It was not until the end of the last war that the cynologists once again took an interest in him. But in the meantime, having become highly democratized, he had become the pet of the acrobats, organ players of Barbary, and even guided the blind.
The name of Teneriffe, contrary to what one could logically think, does not mean that the "curly hair" originates from the archipelago of the Canary Islands. If it is widespread enough on the Spanish island, it is first, as for the Maltese besides, because sailors and merchants of all kinds often stopped there. Cynologists have put forward another, more mercantile hypothesis, according to which the first breeders of the breed would have chosen the name of "Teneriffe" for purely commercial purposes, a very specific clientele being attracted by exotic-sounding names.
In any case, when it was recognized, the race officially received French-Belgian nationality. And it is a Belgian breeder who opted for the name of "Bichon Frize". Less sophisticated than its cousin Maltais, the Bichon Frize is now more easily welcomed by families. Because it has the same endearing character, it is also the joy of young and old alike.
Owners of Maltese Bichons or Bichon Frize deliberately chose a pleasure dog. They must therefore accept the continued presence of these small sensitive animals, which have nothing of the dogs that can be left a whole week without company, with only shelter from the weather a niche in a garden. Similarly, giving a Bichon to an acquaintance, whatever it is, during the holidays, is not an easy thing. Very attached to his masters, this dog is unhappy when he feels abandoned, even for a short time.
Brilliant and elegant, the Maltese Bichon is very pleasant in nature. He is also frequently the privileged companion of the elderly, because he devotes to his master or his mistress an affection almost limitless, quickly becoming irreplaceable. Its small size also makes it easy to transport. The Maltese Bichon also adapts very well, and with undisguised pleasure, to more hectic situations. It shares without restraint children's games or family walks. A former owner of the Breed Club even said that his Maltese could walk miles in his company, always with the same enthusiasm. These dogs are not only flat dogs: they love to work outdoors as long as they are given a full and diversified life.
In the house, the Maltese Bichon feels good only in the presence of family members. It is therefore recommended not to leave it alone in a room. Lying in a basket, comfortably seated on an armchair, he will doze quietly if he knows that his little world lives and evolves by his side. It is sometimes said that Maltese knows how to be a good guardian too. Let's not exaggerate: he announces in a high-pitched voice the arrival of a stranger, even that of a friend of his master, but his role stops there. Its modest size prevents it from taking on other functions. Some say that the Maltese Bichon has no sympathy for cats. Again, this is a misconception. The Maltese, excessively pampered, as is too often the case, become rather exclusive and accept badly any change, as the arrival of another animal in the home; but all those who have been brought up with other dogs; or with cats; are sociable in nature.
Despite its small size, the Bichon Frize is full of vitality. When he welcomes a guest whom he appreciates, he is able to make amazing leaps as a token of his joy. Equipped with extraordinary relaxation, he can jump into the arms of his master to be cajoled, then, after being caressed tenderly, it will calm down. Very intelligent, forgetting almost nothing, the Bichon fur was once used in circuses. His comedic appearance, like that of all Bichons, his enthusiasm, his ability to adapt made it one of the favorites of the showmen "learned dogs. "
If some Bichons, such as Maltese, are exceptionally calm, it is otherwise the Bichon furry. This little dog will please those who are looking for a companion always moving, exuberant besides any relative. Obviously, a dog of this size does not have the same need to spend as the shepherd breeds, and it is not likely to cause disasters in the apartment. In a nutshell, the Maltese Bichon, like the Bichon Frize, will suit dynamic dog lovers, even playful, but sweet and full of affection for their master. Their maintenance requires a lot of care, but it only takes a few minutes a day if it is not done for exhibitions. Especially because of competition from other breeds, like Yorkshire or the various small Tibetan dogs, the image of the Bichons has aged a bit, and it's a shame, because these dogs are nonetheless pets perfectly adapted to the constraints of modern life. This does not mean that you have to continually give in to their charm numbers. It would inevitably make them capricious. |
Slightly overshot or undershot mouth.
English (United Kingdom) 
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