Wee-Chon

The Wee-Chon originated in the United States, by crossing a West Highland White Terrier with a Bichon Frise. The West Highland White Terrier, also known as the Westie, comes from Scotland. Their history is shared with other Terriers like the Skye, Scottish, Dandie Dinmont, and Cairn. Westie dogs were used for fox hunting and for getting rid of rats and other vermin. It is believed the Westie is related to a breed of small earth dogs that were given to the King of France during the 17^th century. Common belief is that the West Highland White Terrier is all white due to an accident that happened in the 19^th century. One day, when Colonel Malcolm of Poltalloch was hunting, he confused one of his Cairns for a fox and shot him dead. The Colonel was devastated by his loss and started to breed only white dogs, this way he wouldn’t confuse them with foxes. The Westie was also known as the Poltalloch Terrier and the Roseneath Terrier. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1908. The Bichon Frise is believed to have descended from the Barbet, and he is related to the Maltese, the Havanese, the Bolognese, and the Coton de Tulear. The Bichon Frise was brought to France by sailors in the 14^th century, from Tenerife, Canary Islands, although the breed is thought to have originated in Italy. The breed became highly popular amongst royal circles during the reigns of King Francis I from France, and King Henry III from England, in the 16^th century. Bichons also became the favorites in the Spanish royalty, and were depicted by great painters, like Goya. The breed lost popularity during the late 1800s, as they became too common. French breeders regained their interest in the Bichon Frise after World War I, and a breed standard was written in France in 1933. The breed was known as Bichon and as Tenerife, but later that year the breed was named Bichon Frise. The Bichon arrived in America in 1956 and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1975.