Even though Bichon puppies don’t tangle much, it’s important to start brushing them early so they get used to the process. Brush your puppy every day with a pin brush, then comb the ends of its fur with a medium-tooth comb (like a greyhound comb). A greyhound comb has metal teeth and is designed to comb through medium or coarse hair. You can buy one from a pet supply store or order it online. Pin brushes are available in any pet supply store. Have your dog lie down on its side while you brush it. This will make the process easier for you and more comfortable for your dog. [2] X Research source
If you’re having trouble working through the tangles, try a dog-friendly detangling spray. Be very careful not to get any of the spray in your Bichon’s eyes. You can buy a detangling spray for your dog online, from your groomer, or from a pet supply store.
Take care not to poke the dog’s eyes with the brush pins.
On very young Bichons that are just starting to get their double coat, give special attention to the area around the lower back, where the guard hairs first start to grow in.
Tangles are usually most common on a Bichon’s legs, especially if your dog likes to chew or lick itself a lot. Get rid of any knots first so that you don’t pull your dog’s hair while you’re brushing its legs.
Once you’re done with the undersides of the ears, go over the outer surface with the pin brush. Take the opportunity to examine your Bichon’s ears for any signs of inflammation, discharge, or redness. If you notice any problems, call your vet.
If you encounter any particularly tough tangles, use a greyhound comb and some detangling spray to help you work through them.
Keep an eye out for fleas, which will look like small black or dark brown insects wiggling or crawling through your dog’s fur. You might also notice flea dirt, which looks like tiny black or reddish specks. Bichons are very prone to allergies, which can cause their skin to become itchy, red, or rashy. These allergies can also affect the ears and lead to infections, so check for signs of irritation or discharge in your Bichon’s ears. You may also notice your bichon is chewing or licking its paws, which may take on a brown or reddish appearance. [10] X Research source
Comb out the fur after you wet it to keep it from tangling. You can also wipe the area with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution on a paper towel, but be very careful not to get this in your dog’s eyes. If your Bichon has a lot of problems with tear stains, see your vet to make sure there’s not a serious underlying cause, such as an eye infection, excessive tear production, or blocked tear ducts. Never use eye drops or ointments in your dog’s eyes without your vet’s recommendation.
You can get dog toothbrushes and toothpaste from your vet’s office or from a pet supply store. Don’t use human toothpaste on your dog. While you’re brushing your dog’s teeth, look for signs of problems, such as red or swollen gums, brown or yellow crust on the teeth, or loose or broken teeth. Take your dog to the vet for an evaluation and dental cleaning if you notice any issues.
Long fur, dirt, and tangles around your Bichon’s toes can cause foot pain and make it harder for your dog to get good traction while walking.
If you’re not sure how to trim your Bichon’s nails, have your vet or a professional groomer show you how to do it properly. Keep styptic powder or gel on hand in case you accidentally cut the quick. Apply it to the nail to quickly stop any bleeding. [15] X Research source
If you notice that your dog’s ears smell foul or yeasty, look red or inflamed, have a lot of brown or reddish discharge, or seem to be causing your dog pain, call your vet. These are signs of an infection, and you need to get a proper diagnosis so you can treat it properly. Never use water to clean your dog’s ears and avoid getting water in the ears during bath time. Dampness in the ears creates an ideal environment for bacteria or yeast to grow.
Even if you’ve already brushed your dog’s fur that day, go over it again right before bath time to get rid of any new tangles or tangles that you may have missed.
While you can bathe your dog yourself, many Bichon owners feel more comfortable having a professional groomer do it. Your Bichon should have a bath whenever it goes in for a haircut and styling.
A few shampoos for white dogs include Bio-Groom Super White Pet Shampoo, Perfect Coat White Pearl Shampoo, and Chris Christensen White on White Shampoo for Pets. Don’t use human shampoo on your dog. Human shampoos are formulated differently from dog shampoos, and they can damage your Bichon’s skin and hair. [20] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Take care not to get any water in your Bichon’s ears, since this can cause an ear infection. Try putting a bit of cotton in each ear to help keep water from entering the ear canal. [22] X Research source
Be especially careful while washing your dog’s head and face, since you don’t want to irritate its eyes and ears with shampoo. If you like, use a little dog-friendly conditioner after you rinse out the shampoo to keep your Bichon’s fur soft and healthy.
If you use conditioner, rinse that out thoroughly as well.
Be gentle as you dry your dog, so that you don’t irritate its skin.
If you use a detangling spray, take care not to get it in your Bichon’s eyes.
Look for a hair dryer made for dogs online or in a pet supply store. [28] X Trustworthy Source American Kennel Club The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show. Go to source
Don’t use a slicker brush to remove tangles, since this will pull out too much of your Bichon’s undercoat.
Find a groomer who has experience with Bichons. Ask your vet or another Bichon owner for recommendations or use a directory like the one on the National Dog Groomers Association of America website to search for groomers near you who specialize in Bichons.
The “panda cut. ” For this look, the groomer uses an electric trimmer to shorten the fur on the Bichon’s body. They leave the hair longer on the head, tail, and legs. The “utility cut. ” This cut is also sometimes called the “pet cut. ” For this cut, your groomer will use electric clippers to trim down most of your dog’s fur close to the skin, just leaving some longer fur on the ears. The “teddy bear cut. ” For the teddy bear cut, the groomer will cut the fur on the Bichon’s body relatively short, while giving the head, legs, and ears a rounded and puffy teddy bear look.
The “utility cut” is a short style that’s especially easy to maintain. You can also ask for a sport trim if your dog is very active or participates in canine sports. The “panda cut” is a nice compromise between shorter utility cuts and a full-blown show cut.
To see examples of the classic show cut, visit the Bichon Frise Club of America’s Head Studies gallery on the BFCA website.
