A bichon is a distinct type of toy dog; it is typically kept as a companion dog. Believed to be descended from the Barbet, it is believed the bichon-type dates to at least the 11th century; it was relatively common in 14th-century France, where they were kept as pets of the royalty and aristocracy. From France, these dogs spread throughout the courts of Europe, with dogs of very similar form being seen in a number of portraits of the upper classes of Germany, Portugal and Spain; from Europe, the type also spread to colonies in Africa and South America. The name "bichon" is believed to be a contraction of "barbichon", which means "little barbet". Breeds Bichon Frisé The Bichon Frise, formally known as the Bichon Tenerife, Tenerife dog or Canary Island lap dog, was bred on the island of Tenerife; it was believed to be descended from bichon-type dogs introduced from Spain in the 16th century. From the Canary Islands, the breed was imported back to the Continent where it became the sometimes favourite of the European courts, its fortunes depending upon the fashions of the time; during an ebb in the breed's popularity it found its way into a number of circuses, performing throughout Europe with organ grinders. The breed again fell out of favour from the end of the 19th century and it was due to the efforts of Belgian and French enthusiasts in the 1930s that rescued it from extinction, which is why it is today recognised as a Franco-Belgian dog breed. Bolognese The Bolognese, also known as the Bichon Bolognese, Bolognese toy dog, Bologneser, Gutschen Hundle or Schoshundle, it takes its name from the northern Italian city of Bologne, it is usually claimed the breed descends from the Maltese. It is believed examples of the breed were kept by the Medici family, who gave these dogs as gifts to garner favour, it is said Louis XIV of France, Philip II of Spain and Catherine the Great of Russia, among other European rulers, all kept some. Bolonka The Bolonka, also known as the Bolonka Zwetna, is a recently developed breed from Russia, it is a coloured variation of the all-white Bolognese that was established as a breed in 1988. Coton de Tulear The Coton de Tulear takes its name from the Madagascan port town of Tuléar, where it originated. The ancestors of these dogs were likely brought