Origin: The port towns that rimmed the Mediterranean Sea during ancient times, many of which were along the coast of present-day France.
Story: Surprisingly, this fashionable breed was a sailors' pet first, trained to greet locals at ports around the Mediterranean between 600 and 300 B.C. These white, walking powder puffs with plumed tails were eventually adopted by Italian nobles, who groomed them to look like lions for appearances at royal courts. A few centuries ago, they came into vogue with the French, who called them bichon à poil frisé (curly lapdogs). Since Henry III's reign, French aristocrats and commoners alike have championed them.
The trip: France is a great place to bring a dog. The French fawn over dogs in boutiques, trains, hotels—even some restaurants. From Paris, head south to the sea. Stay in a village along the Côte d'Azur, such as sleepy Juan-les-Pins, a suburb of Antibes, and soak up the sun at the oceanfront cafés. Then travel to Antibes proper, home to the Musée Picasso (the château where the artist worked in 1946), Cannes, and Monte Carlo, with its belle epoque-era casinos.
Hot tip: To bring your pet into France, you'll need proof your dog has had a rabies vaccination in the past year and that it has an identifying tattoo or implanted microchip. Your vet must also issue an export health certificate, a document saying that your tail-wagging friend is fit to travel on the dates specified.
Credit: msnbc.com; Photo: gotpetsonline.com
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