By the 19th century, the breed had lost its former status. Bichons turned into street dogs and were used in circus troupes. But after the First World War, their popularity returned. Bichons were first brought to the United States in 1956 by the French Pico family. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1973 and classified as an unsportsmanlike class. Recently, Bichons have become more common among dog lovers thanks to information about the attractive qualities of this breed.