Why is regular care of Bichon Frise so important? What is needed? The frequency of bathing depends on whether you have a show dog or just a pet with short or long hair. We bathe at least once every fortnight. We can bathe a puppy after it has completed its quarantine (a protective period when the dog is undergoing vaccinations). Some newcomers to the breed are surprised that we repeat this procedure so often. REMEMBER dirty hair simply does not grow.
What do we need?
- shampoo
- conditioner
- towel
- cotton wools
- table for combing and drying
- hair dryer
- comb, brush
- mat in the bath on which the dog will not slip.
Bathing
Before we start bathing, the necessary accessories should be prepared. In doing so, we are careful that the water does not get into the ears and eyes. For this purpose, the hair around the eyes and on the muzzle can be wet with cotton wool. It is a good idea to simply put the dog in a bath and soak it, especially when the hair is frizzy. Dilute the shampoo in the water the doggie is standing in and pour it all over. Massage into the hair all the way through, thoroughly washing out all dirt and debris. Massage into the hair all the way through, thoroughly washing out all dirt and cosmetic residues.
Rinse. How to do it?
Rinse with water. It is important to rinse the shampoo thoroughly, as any residue left behind can make your dog scratch. Then massage the conditioner in, not forgetting the hair on the head, moustache and tail. Wait a while and rinse. Do not rub the conditioner in too vigorously or scrub your dog, as this damages the hair and makes knots appear. Gently squeeze out excess water and move the dog onto a warm towel. Cover the dog with it and gently squeeze out the excess water; do not rub so as not to break the hair.
Drying and brushing
It’s not over yet… drying.
We proceed to dry the dog. The air stream must be neither cool nor hot, it should be warm. We dry each part of the body by directing the stream from above (which prevents hair breakage). Start combing when the hair is slightly damp. We can apply a special detangling conditioner beforehand or use a spray for this purpose. You can read about the basics of combing here.
Tip
Dilute blue shampoos with bleaching properties according to the manufacturer’s instructions and remember that these shampoos dry out the hair. We prefer natural shampoos and moisturising conditioners. Puppies should be bathed in special shampoos for puppies.
And now combing and brushing. Basic rules.
Why is this so important?
Careful combing and brushing are essential to keep the hair in good condition. First of all, it should be mentioned that the bichon has hair (not fur) with a structure reminiscent of that of a sheep or Mongolian goat. It is not subject to replacement (periodic shedding), so it should be cared for from the very beginning. It is important to brush out the dead hair regularly, as it is the most common cause of tangles. Besides, proper brushing allows the skin to air out, stimulates circulation and stimulates growth.
What we need.
Accessories needed:
- a metal brush with long needles slightly angled at the end or special brushes so-called „poodle brushes „
- metal combs with different needle spacing
- spray conditioner for combing between baths
How to comb?
Do not brush your dog dry! Dry hair quickly becomes brittle (especially at the ends) and electrified. Spray the hair with a spray conditioner or apply a special combing balm. We comb the hair thoroughly on each part of the body and each layer. We can pin it up with clips and start from the belly. We gently comb the individual strands, not forgetting the paws, groin, ears and areas behind the ears, chin, etc. It is important not to curl the wrist at the ends, as this breaks the ends. The hand movement should be straight along the length of the hair… After the treatment, reward the dog with a treat for patience.
Ah, those tangles!
No panic. The tangles can be dealt with without causing your dog any pain. First of all, we separate as much hair as possible with our fingers and only comb out the knot. We spray it with a combing conditioner or we can grease it. We do not try to pull the entire knot, as this will cause pain to the dog and discourage this procedure. We hold the quilt and gently comb it out piece by piece. These are most likely to form on the paws, behind the ears, in the groin and in the inner part of the thighs.
Claws
Claws: they usually wear down on the concrete by themselves, but they need to be checked and trimmed regularly. This can be done: at the doctor’s, in a beauty salon or by yourself. If you do it yourself, you will need to have the appropriate nail clippers. Only cut off the calloused part, but leave a little of it, and if cut too short they will bleed and hurt. It is necessary to have a lot of feeling!!!
Eye and teeth care
Eyes
Eyes:wash with a cotton swab soaked in a suitable liquid or just wipe dry. Do this every day. You can also use a special preparation such as clay
Teeth
Teeth: care for them regularly. Nowadays there are so many products that help a lot >I use a paste that I put with my finger on the teeth of my dogs and I have no problem with tartar. You can buy them from your vet or good doggie shops.
Trimming. Short info.
Bichon should be clipped according to the standard, but they do not have to be clipped like for the show, you can cut it shorter but always keep the standard.
