The Bichon Frise (French: bichon à poil frisé meaning "curly haired dog" is an originally Spanish breed, used as a sailing dog and also sometimes as a herding dog. The French developed it into a gentle lap dog variety. The Bichon type arose from the water dog type and is descended from either the Barbet or one of the water spaniel breeds. Modern Bichons have developed into four categories: the Bichon Frise or Tenerife, the Maltese, the Bolognese, and the Havanese. Bichon Frises are generally very sociable and do well with an owner who takes them along on outings, and are affectionate and intelligent. Due to their ancestry as sailors' dogs, they have an affinity for water and enjoy retrieving.
