- Townsends Bichons
- About Us
Our Message
With allergies in our home, we didn’t think we would be a dog family. We were lucky enough to receive our first Bichon as a gift from a close family friend in British Columbia. She had bred Bichons for over 30 years! The following year we decided to get an unaltered female, so that we could have our young children experience having a litter of puppies. Little did we know, that would prove to be quite difficult. Despite having a beautiful registered purebred Bichon, and both of us registered with the CKC, we had a hard time finding someone willing to let us use their male to breed our female. After several years we were fortunate to find an excellent breeder in Ontario, with vast knowledge and over 30 years experience! We had our first litter in 2015, and we still have a female from that lineage. We bought another female from that same breeder, and we worked with them after getting our first male until they retired. We have worked with another breeder in Ontario, having shown, groomed, and bred Bichons since the 70’s! This is where our second male came from. This has been a dedication of love for this breed, and 2025 will be our 10 year anniversary. We take great pride in our dogs and puppies. They are not just excellent examples of the breed, they have the best temperaments and they are happy and in top health. We adhere to the breeding rules and guidelines set forth by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Grant & Colleen
Of Townsend's Bichons

History of the breed

The Bichon Frise is a small, cheerful breed with Mediterranean origins, descending from the Barbichon family of dogs. Sailors introduced the Tenerife Bichon, an ancestor, to Europe in the 14th century. These dogs gained popularity among European nobility during the Renaissance, particularly in France, Spain, and Italy, prized for their charm and beauty. After losing their royal status, they became street performers’ companions due to their intelligence and agility.
The breed faced near extinction during World War I but was revived in France. Officially recognized as the Bichon Frise in 1933, it gained global recognition for its playful nature and hypoallergenic coat. Today, the Bichon Frise is a beloved family pet, excelling in companionship, therapy, and even competitive dog sports.