The Bichon Frise or more properly Frisé for its curly coat, has a long, rich history of more than 2500 years, and owes its ancestry to the Water Spaniel, Poodle, and an unspecified ladies lap dog. They originated in the Mediterranean region, where they acquired the name Barbichon, later shortened to Bichon. Their merry nature and ability to do well without a great deal of exercise led to their popularity on sailing ships in the early centuries of the industry, but it was in the courts of Spain and France that they truly shone. A standard was not developed until 1933, and they would not be exported to the U.S. until 1955. (continued below)