Regular grooming is more than
helpful with a full coated Bichon Frise, it is a responsibility.
Soft and cottony, the coat can easily become matted especially when
exposed to moisture. Some pet owners not concerned about maintaining
a show quality coat and appearance will have the hair coat clipped
shorter for easier maintenance. No one wants to remove the coat of a
Bichon Frise but when it gets severely matted it is not fair on the
animal to undergo excessive de-matting. Groomers enjoy the breed as
it allows them to express their level of artistic ability in styling
the unique Bichon cut.
Like many other long coated breeds hair shed can and often does
remain in the under coat until it is removed by proper brushing and
combing. Hair shed not removed will, with time or immediately upon
getting damp or wet, begin to "tangle" and "matt" whereby the hair
shed both wraps and compresses around the existing hair coat. Matts
simply ruin the beauty of the Bichon Frise coat, and severe matting
causes any pet discomfort and even poor skin health.
We recommend hair shed and matts be removed before bathing the
Bichon Frise, and that it only be hand fluff-dried with a
professional force blow dryer. Your type of bathing and drying
equipment will affect the way in which you groom the Bichon Frise.
Experienced groomers may choose to leave some of the hair shed and
matt removal until after the bath, and apply special coat
conditioning products to ease matt removal.
Bichon Frise owners are strongly recommended to use the services of
a professional groomer for exceptional results. Again, we reiterate
that owners of this breed must keep in mind that the success of
having a beautifully coated Bichon Frise requires a significant
commitment on their part to regular brushing and combing between
grooming appointments.
Learning to do a correct "Teddy" face was so much easier having a
picture around to refer to during grooming. Learning how to do this
style took me longer than anything else in grooming to really
master.
Facing de-matting is common for this breed. Our recommendation for
all de-matting is a maximum of 30 minutes. Putting this sweet breed
through more time is simply too hard on the pet. Where the owner
refused to allow us to strip, and yet we held to our 30 minute
limit, we booked 2 appointments a couple days a part. We de-matted
30 minutes the first appointment and up to another 30 minutes the
next appointment along with the finish grooming.
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