Eurobichons

It can be a difficult process to do a Bichon Frise hair cut, but if a novicelike me can do the shorter styles, so can you! While overwhelming at first, grooming can become easy after you follow the steps a few times and begin to do it more often. I was really slow at first, so I'd do the cut in a couple of sittings; better for the dog and me! Certainly take your cues from the dog and give him a break and a treat when needed. You may find your pet more cooperative and easier to trim in the evening when he's more tired rather than first thing in the morning when he's rambunctious. It's a bonding time for you and your pet; you want to make it a positive experience. Remember to give lots and lots of praise!

First you need to choose a Bichon Frise hair cut style. There are three choices when it comes to simple styles. The shaved down or lamb cut is first which is the closest cut you can do and is good for dogs with a lot of mats. I personally do not care for the lamb cut; but, there are times when this is the only option (not uncommon in rescue or when it has been several weeks between cuts.) The modified puppy cut is second and resembles a panda. It's probably the most popular cut. When you choose this option you only clip the body and the chest from the Adam's apple to the breastbone; all other areas of the body are hand trimmed with scissors. It's definitely an easier cut to maintain than the fuller cut or puppy cut. The fuller cut or puppy cutis the last option. It is the most difficult cut for those without grooming experience since the entire body is hand trimmed with scissors. I wouldn't recommend this cut for a novice. You absolutely have to groom daily and often novices think they've done a good job keeping their pet mat free when they have not gotten through that undercoat.

When you first start your Bichon Frise hair cut you should start with the genitals while the blade is cool; being careful not to clip any tail hair. Next raise the dog up by their front legs so that they are standing on their rear legs and clip their belly up to the first or second set of nipples. It helps to have another set of hands until you're more adept at grooming. I clip the hair between the pads of the feet next; again while the blades are cool. Make sure you always know where you are clipping. If you can't see clearly where you are then move hair out of the way before clipping; you don't want to clip a nipple.Clipwith the lay of the coat and never against the coat. Whenever your blade doesn't seem to be cutting properly you should check and make sure its not clogged with hair. Blades can be clogged quickly when trimming Bichon hair. Take great care not to overheat your clippers and burn your pet!

The next step is to scissor trim and shape the Bichon head. There really isn't much that needs to be done on the head, just a little clipping to keep it in proportion to the length of the body coat. It does take some practice to get that desired shapeon thehead; refer to a picture during this step.

Trim away any hair that hangs into the eye withblunt scissorsso that the eye is exposed, but still keep a little visor to the fur in order to maintain the round appearance. Do not cut any hair that is beyond the outer corner of the eye. Comb the head hair up before scissoring; keeping the length similar to that of the chin in order to keep that round facial appearance. Don't look for perfection for a while; if you make a mistake don't worry, it's hair and it will grow back! I keep a journal that includes the following article, along with helpful notes for each dog. Don't get discouraged; it takes time to figure out what works best for you and your pet! Happy grooming!

I found these links to be of great assistance to me when I started:

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge...oming.html *5/2010 geocities.com is no longer available so try this site: http://www.thedogportal.com/subpage.asp?...ise%7C9006


Bichon Grooming: The Pet Cut by Marilyn Clark


http://www.members.tripod.com/~DPenland/petcut.html

http://bichon.ca/forum/index.php?topic=5445.0;wap2

http://eurobichons.com/showthread.php?tid=6058


This is an old pic of Whitecloud. Since she was trimmed so short when I got her, I only had to trim around her eyes, genitals, and feet. She's beautiful now and needs a "reshaping"; will post later.

Thanks for the info Nikki. The next time Amber needs clipping i am going to give it a go myself so these tips will come in handy.I am very nervous about doing it but i will give it a try. I have told hubby he will have to help me the first few times!!!

Some brilliant tips here Nikki Thanks. Just hope no-one is foolish enough to do what I did with Chloe. We had quite a few really hot days here about a month ago and I could see Chloe was struggling a bit so decided it was time for her to have yet another haircut. Just as I'd got her coat looking so nice I decided to go for the short cropped look. OMG what a mistake!! She ended up looking like a meercat! If only I had just left her head alone it probably wouldn't have looked so drastic. The poor little mite. I am just hoping and praying it grows really really quickly. Hence the reason why I have not posted any pics just lately and I have now hidden my clippers for at least the next few months. And there was me thinking "great I got this grooming thing sussed!" That will teach me won't it? I am off to Tatton Park on Sunday to meet up with everyone and have even considered taking her in a complete coverall with just her little face showing! lol Just hope she forgives me! X

Oh, Liz, it's so easy to do. The too short part not necessarily the trim. It's supposed to be summer and you want her shorter. It grows and quickly! Give her a month and she'll need a "reshaping". I've got 5 to practice on so I have an unfair advantage. After the first time I cut mine, hubby said he thought I should go in to business...lol...NO WAY! I feel like I'm in business with the 6 I have! Do not need any more. I especially liked this article b/c she explains the blade and comb attachment sizes for several brand of clippers, and the size to use on a particular body part. It helps to write it down (journal) for quick reference when doing the cut; and, after a while, you won't even have to look anymore. My dogs definitely look better when they come from the groomer b/c of her high velocity dryer; but, b/c of all the rain and so many playing together, they may only keep that look for a couple of hours. I'm still working on that pic when they are all "beautiful", newly bathed and groomed. I haven't been able to do everyone at once b/c of my shoulder surgery. I was doing 2 a day, 3 days in a row. Also, I find that the longer I wait between trims, the shorter they seem to get clipped. It's much easier to keep that desired shape if you do a little trim every 4 weeks.

Have a great day at the park everyone!

My friend had her Lhasa Apso clipped short for the summer and the poor dog was so ashamed (maybe insecure since she couldn't hide behind her hair) that she hid for over a month. No kidding!

Poor dog it must have been so embarrassed. My dogs love being groomed and they are so vain they look in the mirrors at themselves. Love to see a group pic of all your dogs Nikki. Sarah xx

Thanks Liz, this was very informative.I will keep it for reference when I do start cutting my two girls. Rofl laughing at Liz, poor Chloe never mind it will soon grow.

Well Sue if there's a category for the "Bichon that looks nothing like a Bichon" on Sunday she will win it hands down!! Good job I can laugh about it!! lol

This is how we look like after being groomed...

Oh wow!!! What a beauty! Credit to you, I know how much work that is to maintain. I absolutely love the look. I have to cut mine short because of having so many. I said that Kasey, my first, days of looking prestine were over after acquiring 4 more. I just couldn't keep up. Do you show your bichon?

I have some plans for her, yes... She is only 9 months old, so we are at the beginning.

Oh I love her cut. This is how I like bichons to be. I love it. It does take a lot of maintenance mind you. Can't wait to see more picturs of Dolina Bisona. Sarah xx

Than You Sarah L.

This one girl is "Kiki"- Never Again From Gummi Bears, and "Dolina Bisona" is nickname of my friends kennel, here in Belgrade.
We were there at his place, visiting him, and he took the pictures. So he marked them
Unfortunately he doesn't speak English language, and that language barrier stops him to be a member here... :-(

lovely

Beautiful photos. a credit to you.

This is Angela, my friend owns her. She is a fresh mom. Her puppies are 4 weeks old. She lost a lot of her coat, so I had to do rescue grooming & scissoring... in this situation this was the best option.




but very gentle... she is so sensitive now.

aww beautiful.

They are all sooo gorgeous, Mum groomed our 3 for the first time a couple of weeks ago using clippers and scissors, it took a few retakes but they look fine now and we are £75 per 6 weeks better off. now we have two more it will be a saving of £125 every 6 weeks. I will try and get some pics of them all downloaded, I always seem to have trouble downloading.

Great! I can't wait.