Popular for their ultra-puffy coats and elaborate-looking styles, the Bichon Frise can be fun to groom – but not easy. Although they possess an easy-going temperament, Bichons’ grooming routines are quite the opposite.
With regular grooming and styling, the Bichon Frise’s powder puff coat can go from dull to show-stopping. Find out the best tips for perfectly grooming your Bichon, as well as the different styles to choose from.
Bichon Frises are high-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. You’ve probably seen these adorable little fluff balls strutting their stuff and have always wondered how they’re so well-groomed. Know that those puffy coats and bright white appearance don’t come easy.
Every pet parent should be prepared for daily grooming and regular haircuts.
How often you need to give your Bichon a haircut depends on the dog’s lifestyle, as well as the type of style you’re going for. Some styles require the Bichon’s coat to be longer to get the perfect coif or bushy tail.
It’s best to take your Bichon to a professional groomer roughly once every four weeks to maintain the perfect coat.
When it comes to styling your Bichon’s coat, a professional groomer is highly recommended. But with the right tools and knowledge, you can still give your Bichon an at-home grooming experience.
The most obvious option for those whose pup is a show dog is the classic bichon cut. To achieve the puffed-out fur effect, the dog’s undercoat remains untouched while its outer coat is groomed to perfection.
The lamb cut is one of the more practical and popular haircuts amongst Bichon Frise owners. It is a simple hairstyle that’s great for keeping your Bichon well-groomed without as much maintenance as other cuts.
The utility cut is the best cut for low maintenance and keeping tangles and mats at bay. Although not as luxurious as the other cuts, this cut is perfect for Bichons who spend most of their time outdoors and can also help minimise grooming time.
Arguably one of the cutest, the teddy bear cut, also known as the panda cut, is a style that blends the look of the show cut with the functionality of the lamb cut. This style requires professional grooming to maintain.
Bichon Frise grooming can appear somewhat complicated, but that doesn’t mean it has to be – grooming your Bichon at home is achievable. However, it’s important to familiarise yourself with certain grooming techniques to ensure you groom your Bichon correctly.
What makes the Bichon Frise a high-maintenance dog? Without regular brushing, the Bichon’s undercoat can get tangled in their outer guard hairs while shedding.
According to the Bichon Frise Club, you should be introducing daily brushing with a pin brush to your Bichon puppy to establish a routine. Once your pup grows its adult coat, a slicker brush becomes your best friend.
You should use a pin brush or greyhound comb to help detangle stubborn knots.
Bichon Frises have famously high-maintenance coats, so before bathing your Bichon, you must use the right products. Keeping the coat clean, tangle-free, and well-groomed is essential for these white dogs.
A good whitening shampoo is an excellent way to keep your Bichon looking effortlessly clean. A product that achieves this best is the Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo. A dog-friendly shampoo formulated to perfectly neutralise unwanted stains with no harsh chemicals.
To achieve a fluffy-looking coat, you’ll need a high-velocity blow dryer. Professional groomers use these, but you can purchase your own at a local pet store. A regular blow dryer is not recommended as it’s not powerful enough and can burn your Bichon’s skin.
Once their fur is relatively dry, go in with some detangling spray and a pin brush to finish off the drying process.
Bichon Frise grooming can take a good chunk of time to do. A Bichon’s grooming requirements don’t only encompass regular bathing and grooming. It should also have its ears and teeth cleaned and nails trimmed.
Nail trimming can be a stressful process for you and your Bichon Frise. But with a gentle hand and patience, it can be done. Always remove the hair between their paw pads when trimming their nails, and use high-quality nail clippers.
On average, dogs should have their nails trimmed every 3 – 4 weeks.
One aspect that is often overlooked by the average dog owner is the need to take care of their dog’s teeth. But just like humans, your Bishon needs to have their teeth cleaned, too. Daily is the ultimate goal, but brushing their teeth a minimum of once a week will suffice.
Poor oral hygiene and ‘doggy’ breath can make your Bichon undoubtedly less kissable. But that’s not the only reason you should be keeping your Bichon’s teeth clean.
Use a dog toothbrush and toothpaste, lift their lips, and start brushing.
Although daily brushing is ideal, once or twice a week still promotes dental hygiene. Alternatively, you could introduce your dog to dental-specific treats that are great for maintaining oral hygiene.
Tear staining is a common occurrence with white dogs. Baking soda can work wonders for removing tear stains. Simply add a bit of water to make a paste and apply it to the stains, letting it sit for an hour. Wipe it away with a damp cloth, carefully avoiding their eyes.
Bichon Frises are prone to ear infections, so caring for your dog’s ears is one of the most important steps in the grooming process. To avoid fur and wax buildup in the ear canal, use a vet-approved cleaning solution and gently rub the inside of their ears.
This can be done with every routine grooming session.
A Bichon Frise puppy doesn’t require as extensive a care routine as its coat is thinner. Once their adult coat comes in (usually around 6 – 8 months), you must begin the more in-depth and time-consuming grooming.
Moreover, puppies should only receive professional grooming after being fully vaccinated.
The frequency of bathing your Bichon depends on the dog’s lifestyle, but it’s recommended that you bathe your Bichon once every 1 -2 weeks. In doing so, you’ll promote a soft coat and healthy skin.
No one does it better than the professionals, but that doesn’t mean it’s a requirement. At-home grooming is achievable, but if the routine seems too time-consuming for you, professional grooming can offer excellent services and benefits for your pup.
A dog’s coat is designed to keep them warm in winter and cool in summer, so shaving is unnecessary. Instead, opt for a shorter hairstyle to keep your dog cool during the summertime.
As high-maintenance dogs that were once beloved by royals, it’s no wonder the Bichon Frise grooming routine sounds like royal treatment. If not looked after, their coats can quickly turn into a nightmare. So, regular and daily upkeep is essential for this pup. But with its sweet face and gentle-mannered temperament, every Bichon Frise owner will tell you how worth it all is.
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