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A researcher tracks Tenerife dog

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A family Canary posing with copies of this breed of dog that was originally called Tenerife
A family Canary posing with copies of this breed of dog that was originally called Tenerife

Some French were exemplary of the island in the years 20 and they called the race, unique in the world, bichon frise

The American researcher Matthew Sell follow the trail in Tenerife of an endemic breed of dog from the island who was so famous that it became almost everyone and was coveted by Kings and nobles. Although during the last century, it bore the name of Tenerife, the French, its largest exporter during the period, they changed it and put bichon frise. The history of this pet is little known in the Canary Islands, unless someone related to the canine world. Showing its origin is virtually impossible, but the expert knows that after the two world wars – between the decade of the years 20 and 50– several specimens were taken to France to recover the species in the Gallic country.

The group that helps Matthew Sell, among which is the Professor of the Universidad de La Laguna (ULL) Ulysses Martin, want to know who these people were. The objective is to “trace the recent history of the bichon frise, It then disappeared from the island”. Veterinarians, as explained by the Canarian expert, they only register this type of breeds in the Peninsula, While there are no breeders in Tenerife. Somehow, This dog was recognized in Europe and “We do not know what adventures had in the Canary Islands”. “What we know is that around 1924 and 1950 they were exported to France”, indicates Martin.
The main lines and the best standards of this breed today descend from the bichons that were sent from Tenerife.. “We would like to find those people who were able to raise or care for this dog on the Island, because today nobody knows the bichon and those that exist have come from the Peninsula”, ensures the ULL expert.

It is not known with certainty in what century began the race or if extended thanks to Italian and Spanish sailors. The bichon as such began in the island and it is not known if it was the result of mixing with dogs of the guanches, that they had small dogs like this.
Matthew Sell underlines that it is not known how this race was marketed, but it did come to Europe. “Some think that the sailors used it as currency”, points. Through the paintings –as in The Dukes of Osuna, of Goya – it is known that it was specially transferred to Italy, France and England. At that time it was called Tenerife, but little else appears about its origins, Adds the researcher. What is certain is that in the years 20 Some French exporters arrived on the Island to take two specimens and take them to their country.

In 1933, However, France registered the bichon as the official breed of the country and removed the name of Tenerife. In the news, where is most recognized this animal is in Australia, England and North America.

Due to lack of information, expert tries to find someone who has knowledge of the race between the decades of age 20 and 50. To contact the, Matthew Sell offers email bichontenerife@gmail.com and phone 922644642. “We have found a photo of El Hierro with this dog”, but clarifies that when it gets an image we must analyze it because, as the animal has a long and falling hair, They combed it and cut it in very different ways. “That complicates everything, since they can seem like two different races and actually be the same”, points.

The bichon has always been characterized by being small in size and company, with a white, fluffy fur and a cheerful and active character.

Via: laopinion.es
Image: Matthew Sell

5 thoughts on "A researcher tracks Tenerife dog”

  1. I won in 1955 a puppy my father bought at Al. France in SP . In the ad in Estadão he appeared as Tenerife Maltese ( crosses ) . he was beautiful!
    White hairy looked like a Lulu but had shorter legs and was stockier.

    Reply
  2. in 1953 we gave my parents in Mauléon basque country, a Tenerife that came from a fisherman from Saint Jean de Luz
    I have the picture

    Reply
  3. Hello. Hola
    Me podrían por favor decir la fuente específica de la imagen? No la puedo conseguir en internet Gracias!
    Would you please tell me the specific source of the image? I cannot find it on the internet. Thanks!

    Reply

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