Time to slam the trolls!

[DanaC]

lol, I have no idea. But it's definately a type of dog :P Originally bred for the French nobility.


[eta] actually, that last bit was wrong. They became popular with the French nobility in the 16th and 17th century but have been around much longer. Originally a mediterranean breed, popular with Spanish sailors. Very popular in Spanish court also, the favourite breed of the Infantas.

This bit from wiki, I really love:

The Bichon went to sea as a working Spanish boat dog. They were perfect for a boat because they do not shed, don't need a lot of exercise, and are fine companions, as well as obedient and easily trained. Though not considered a retriever or water dog, the Bichon, due to its ancestry, has an affinity for and enjoys water and retrieving. On the boats however, the dog's job was to meet and greet people with great enthusiasm. Their purpose was to make weary people smile and feel at ease, but most of all to cause these people to like the Spanish. It is one of the few dogs that has eyes like a human, that it shows the whites of its eye as well as expressions of happiness in them. The Bichons were the little happy ambassadors for the Spanish at every new port of call.