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| Bichon breed profile stye on a pet |
This cheerful small breed was developed as a companion
animal. Its sunny and willing
disposition has made it a favorite pet for centuries. Known as a “non-shedding” breed, this dog is sometimes
selected by those who are allergic to pet dander and dog hair. Not shedding, however, does not equate
to “easy grooming”.
Coat Type: The
name “Frise” refers to the soft, curly coat. The coat consists of a combination of soft, dense undercoat
and coarse, curly primary hairs. This gives the coat has a unique spongy
character that will spring back when patted, and allows the hair to be nicely
scissor-trimmed and sculpted. The combination of hair type and the curly nature
of the coat also lead to easy tangling and matting.
Styling: In the
show ring, the breed is presented with a rather full, sculpted trim and a
signature large, round head with arched neck, and plumed tail. The look has become stylized and artistic and is difficult to
achieve for both amateur and professional groomers. It is a challenging style to master and it is unreasonable
to expect the average pet groomer to be able to scissor trim the average Bichon
to look like the breed profile.
Mastery of Bichon grooming takes commitment, extra work and coaching.
Pet Bichons are often clipped short or trimmed with short bodies and fuller
legs. The signature round head
with the ears trimmed into the headpiece is often replaced with an “ears out”
teddy bear head. Some pet owners
are attached to the longer ears.
Grooming Methods: The
ideal plush look is accomplished by fluff drying, which entails stretching and
straightening the coat while drying.
This can be accomplished by high velocity, forced-air drying that
flattens the hair, or by brushing the coat dry stretching and separating with
warm air with dryer on a stand or hand-held. Bathing and drying the Bichon can easily consume an hour or
two, depending upon the coat, the equipment, and the expertise of the
groomer. The coat is then
trimmed. The breed profile calls
for slightly shorter hair on the body, with sculpted or shaped legs, the front
being cylindrical, the rear sporting a cute rump and definite angulation. Pets are often trimmed the same length
all over using a snap-on guard comb that fits over a clipper blade. A “0” comb produces a nice, fluffy
look, a “1” sized comb is shorter but still fluffy. The 4F blade leaves the hair 3/8”, a somewhat fluffy look,
but practical for the active dog.
Grooming Challenges: The
Bichon Frise ranks near the top of the list of high maintenance grooming
breeds. The combination nature of
the coat, plus the curliness makes for easy tangling and matting. The breed requires a thorough brushing
and combing weekly at least. The
hair is porous which means that dirt and asphalt cling to it, as do twigs and
bits of debris. The white coat
shows dirt and gets dingy easily. Combing
is especially critical, as simply brushing might remove debris but not separate
out tangles. Some matting is
inevitable, so dematting tools and products are necessary. Areas that commonly mat are behind the
ears, insides of legs, flanks and the base of the tail. Bichons love to rub their faces on the
furniture or floor, which can cause serious mats. Indeed, this breed can seem to mat overnight!
Professional Services: Although the Bichon can be home-groomed, obtaining a nice result can require considerable practice and patience. For other than gifted amateurs, the results can be far from the mark. Professional grooming is recommended for owners without talent or patience, preferably every four weeks.
Grooming Toolbox: Tools
are a personal preference; this is what we recommend.
Firm pin brush -Pin brushes are hair
friendly and do not cause hair damage that contributes to matting.
Small slicker brush - Choose a good
quality slicker for removing tiny bits of stuff from the coat and stretching
the coat for a perfect fluff finish when drying.
Coarse to Medium comb – A fine comb may
be difficult to get through the dense coat and might be harsh on the pet. We prefer a comb that is widely spaced on one end and medium on the other.
Mat Splitter – To help break up mats and
allow for combing, we recommend the type of mat splitter that looks like a
single toothed letter opener with a razor blade inserted in the space between
the tooth and the body of the tool.
Toothbrush – Yes! A toothbrush can be
very helpful in removing gunk that collects at the inside corners of the
eyes. Unfortunately, this is a
breed with a genetic tendency toward tear staining. This problem can be very troublesome and might require extra
treatment. It is nearly impossible
to safely remove tear stains once they have set. Daily cleaning around the eyes may be necessary.
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| "Ears Out" Bichon Head |
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| Short Pet Trim |
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