Maria Allen
#7 The Tenerife Bichon was especially popular with the Spanish royal court in the 16th century, and the artists of the Spanish school often depicted these dogs in their paintings.
Several bichons are even depicted on the canvases of the famous Goya, who became the royal court artist at the end of the 18th century.
#8 In the 16th century, during the reign of Francis I (1515 – 1547), the Bichon of Tenerife also appeared in France.
Over the course of several decades, it has become very popular. The French kings and their ladies of the court loved these little white dogs so much that they carried them everywhere in baskets hanging from their necks.
#9 Under Napoleon III, who declared himself emperor in 1852, there was some revival of interest in Bichons, but by the end of the 19th century, Bichons were out of fashion.
However, Bichons could still be seen in circuses and fairs, since they were easy to train and had an attractive appearance for the audience. The life of the Bichons at this time turned out to be far from that which they led in previous centuries at the royal courts.