Bichon in 18th Century dress. The Bichons are descended from the ancient ancestors of the French Line of Kings Bailey Biscuit is such notable member. The Bichons are a Mediterranean breed, generally named for the region from where they originated. The original breeds were the Bichon Tenerife, from the Canary Islands; the Bichon Maltais, or Maltese; and the Bichon Bolognese, or simply Bolognese. They were Court dogs in the middle Age, particularly in Spain, France and Italy.