HOW TO GROOM A BICHON FRISE
HOW TO GROOM A BICHON FRISE
When you hear about Bichon Frise, the only question that comes to mind is how the owners groom this breed. As a veterinarian, we find it very technical and challenging to groom this breed because of its body coat and different trimming preferences.
One research suggests that there are about 18500 pet grooming centers in the USA and only 10% of them offer Bichon Frise grooming services. Today we will be discussing the grooming of Bichon Frise. Let's understand the breed.
BICHON FRISE
Bichon Frise is a small breed of dog that has a double hair coat; outer curly and thick hair and a Smooth and dense inner layer that helps in the thermoregulatory system. It is a very loyal dog and is famous for its sweet temperament. They have been known for their unique hair and body as they look like a cloud moving around on the floor because of their full white hair coat.
RIGHT TIME FOR GROOMING OF BICHON FRISE
Mostly people don't know when to start grooming their Bichon Frise.
FOR PUPPIES: Bishon Frise puppies usually require first grooming 6 to 8 months after birth.
FOR ADULTS: Bichon Frise adults require grooming every 6 to 8 weeks to avoid matting and dermatitis.
MAKING GROOMING A HABIT OF BICHON FRISE
Every dog has a fear of grooming which causes a lot of problems for the groomer and the owners. To avoid such things happening, you need to make your dog accustomed to grooming from a very young age. Keep Brushing your Bichon Frise by Slickers brush every once in a while to make your dog get used to it
CAN WE GROOM BICHON FRISE AT HOME?
Grooming of Bichon Frise requires a lot of training and skills because of the dog's double hair coat and haircuts are very important to keep the Bichon Frise look attractive. Therefore it is always recommended to go to a groomer or visit a veterinarian first.
GROOMING STEPS OF BICHON FRISE
Start grooming your Bichon Frise with these 3 simple steps
- Brushing
- Bathing
- Drying
- Trimming
1. Brushing of Bichon Frise
Brushing is often recommended to owners for Bichon Frise daily. But Brushing before bathing is essential to prevent mats from hardening which will make grooming very difficult for you Bichon Frise.
2. Bathing of Bichon Frise
Use warm water for bathing and start bathing your Bichon Frise from the head in the direction of the tail. Use Whitening shampoo for hair and allow the shampoo to stay on your dog's hair because of its thick double coat. Don't give a bath to your Bichon Frise too often because essential oils of furs also get washed away causing skin and fur problems in your dog.
3. Drying of Bichon Frise
After bathing, dry your dog with a towel starting from the head. You can also use a dryer to dry the dog. Make sure to brush your dog's hair to prevent mats. Also make sure, hairs are completely dried otherwise allergies cause dermatitis and skin allergies.
4. Trimming of Bichon Frise
Trimming always comes at the end of drying and is most technical. Trimming is done with the help of clippers and scissors.
HEAD TRIMMING: The head of the Bichon Frise is usually bigger than the size of its body. Before trimming make sure to do brushing to avoid mats. Always trim with the help of scissors and trim backward. To judge trimming the ears and bottom of the shin should be on the same level.
EYES TRIMMING: This is very important because long hairs on the eyes will cause an inability to see properly and the chances of various infections can increase. Use the middle of your scissors for trimming hairs above the eyes.
EAR TRIMMING: Long hairs usually cover their ears leading to bad hearing and ear canal infections and to avoid this proper trimming is necessary.
BODY TRIMMING: Trimming of body hairs is done with the help of clippers and trimmers. Clippers of various sizes are available According to your liking of how your pet should look. Mostly #4 and #5 clips are used on trimmers and then it is used on the whole body. There are various hairstyles of Bichon Frise like panda cut, utility cut, teddy bear cut, and classical show cut.
GROOMING OF BICHON FRISE FACE
Bichon Frise's face is white with red staining which is due to excessive tearing. To avoid this and keep your face clean, you can do either of the following steps.
- Clean it with hydrogen peroxide but make sure it does not touch the eye.
- One of the ways is to clean it by mixing baking soda and water. The paste made will effectively end red staining.
- Washing with vinegar by dumping it in cotton. Make sure these chemicals don't contact the eye of the dog.
GROOMING OF BICHON FRISE TEETH
Bichon Frise is susceptible to dental issues and requires brushing of teeth every day or every other day. Their teeth are prone to plaque and tartar buildup which leads to a lot of dental and gum-related diseases. Brush Bichon Frise teeth with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste every day, if not possible then 3 to 4 times every week at least.
FAQs
Q: Can I shave my Bichon Frise completely?
No, it is not recommended to shave your Bichon frise completely but with a hair coat, your dog also loses essential oils that are effective to keep diseases away. Double coat works as a thermoregulatory system and if there is no hair coat it will cause your dog to be prone to a lot of diseases.
Q: Can I groom my Bichon Frise at home?
Grooming of Bichon Frise requires a lot of training and skills because of their special body coat and special haircuts. It is always recommended to see a groomer or a veterinarian for the grooming of your Bichon Frise.
Q: How much does the grooming of Bichon Frise cost?
On average, grooming of Bishon Frise costs around 400 $. It always varies on the basis of location and many other factors. Usually one-time grooming charges around 40 $ to 50 $
Q: How often should I groom my Bichon frise?
Grooming of Bichon Frise should be done every 3 to 4 weeks and brush your dog on a daily basis. Make sure to brush hairs, ears, and nails.
