The 5 Fluffiest Bichon Frise Haircuts You Must Try
Is your Bichon due for a trip to the groomer and you’re looking for Bichon Frise haircuts? If you’re looking for tips and inspiration on how to achieve the perfect fluffy Bichon Frise hairstyle for your fur baby, or simply an enthusiast of canine grooming and cute doggy pictures, you’re in for a treat.
In this article, we delve into the world of Bichon Frise haircuts and present five styles that you absolutely must consider trying.
The Bichon Frise Coat
The Bichon Frise has a soft and dense undercoat, while the outercoat is a bit coarser and curlier. This double coat is what gives the Bichon its plush velvet look and feel. After a good bath and brushing, their fur puffs up, making them look like a delightful powder puff all around. This double coat is also what makes Bichon Frise haircuts and grooming so challenging.
Importance of Grooming and Haircuts
Your Bichon Frise requires regular and frequent grooming to keep their coat clean and matt free. Because the Bichon Frise is known to be a hypoallergenic dog breed, it is a common misconception that Bichons don’t shed. This is simply not the case.
Due to its double coat, when your Bichon sheds, the hair tends to become trapped within the undercoat. If this isn’t taken care of, it can result in knots, mats, and even potential skin issues. This highlights the significance of Bichon Frise grooming and daily brushing to ensure the coat stays in good shape.
Frequent and regular grooming is also essential to maintain the signature white coat of your Bichon Frise. Their light-colored fur tends to show dirt and stains (such as tear stains) more prominently, so regular grooming helps keep their coat looking clean and pristine.
How often do I need to give my Bichon Frise haircuts?
On average, your Bichon will need a haircut every 4-6 weeks. The amount of time between going to the groomer would depend on a few factors such as the haircut style you’re maintaining, the length of the coat, how dirty our Bichon gets, and generally your personal preferences.
Some Bichon owners are comfortable grooming their fur baby at home, while others (like me!) prefer to leave it to the professionals, with the occasional home bath and essential trim where needed.
Bichon Frise Haircuts and Styles
Whether you take your Bichon to the groomers for their haircut or have the skills and talent to do this yourself at home, there are times when you need some inspiration on what style of haircut your Bichon Frise should get. Here are 5 Bichon Frise haircuts you might like to try.
1. Bichon Show or Competition Haircut
This is the signature look for Bichons and a must if you are planning to show your Bichon in competitions. This is a specialized cut and takes hours to achieve even for a skilled groomer. The standard appearance as per the American Kennel Club is:
“The coat is trimmed only as needed to reveal the natural outline of the body. It may be rounded off, but never cut so short as to be sculpted and/or squared off. The hair on the head, beard, moustache, ears and tail are left longer. The head hair is trimmed to create an overall rounded, but not unnatural, appearance.”
2. Bichon Round Head Haircut
Image by u_91zgw5yq from Pixabay
With this haircut, the fur is trimmed in a circular shape around the head and ears. The coat around the ears will also be rounded and blended in so that the entire head is the same shape. The body is also left long and fluffy and no shorter than an inch or two. This haircut gives the appearance of the show cut without the intensive maintenance needed on the body for a show cut.
3.Bichon Teddy Bear Haircut
Image by Christina Chiz from Pixabay
Just as the name suggests, this Bichon Frise haircut will leave your Bichon looking exactly like a cute white teddy bear. The fur stays longer on the legs, head, and tail. The ears are left a bit longer and rounded and blended with the head, giving your Bichon a bear-like appearance.
4. Bichon Puppy Haircut
The puppy haircut is a very popular style across many breeds, not just for the Bichon Frise. This usually involves tidying around the face and head, keeping the ears and tail long, then trimming the fur all over the body to a uniform length of about 1-2 inches depending on how ‘fluffy’ you want your Bichon to look.
5. Bichon Summer or Utility Haircut
Ok, we admit this is not the fluffiest of styles however, it is a very practical cut, and as the name suggests perfect for the warmer months. Although this style is not the classic Bichon Frise look, cutting your Bichon’s hair close to the body will help keep your dog cool in summer. The short coat is also very practical as it’s easy to brush and less prone to tangles and matting.
Tips on Getting the Perfect Bichon Frise Haircut
I’m sure you’ve heard the horror stories or seen some disastrous post-grooming pictures. The ones leaving fur parents in tears because their Bichon looks nothing like what they expected. Here are 7 tips to ensure you get the perfect Bichon Frise Haircut every time.
- Find a reputable groomer who has experience with Bichon Frises – check if the groomer has ever provided haircuts for Bichons, ask for references, or ask other Bichon owners for recommendations.
- Take a few pictures with you to show the groomer what you’re after – as they say, a picture says a thousand words. What you call a puppy cut could mean something altogether different to your groomer and you might end up with a Bichon with a poodle show cut!
- Carefully describe what the Bichon Frise haircut style – make sure you cover the basics such as the overall length of the hair being left and how you like the legs, ears, face, and tail to be done.
- Ensure your Bichon puppy is fully vaccinated – many groomers will not accept a pup who has not had all their shots, and you would not want to risk your Bichon’s health by catching a preventable virus.
- Start taking your puppy to the groomers as soon as possible – once your Bichon is fully vaccinated, start taking them to the groomers so they can slowly get used to it. The first time should be a quick wash and trim, and then gradually build up the grooming sessions.
- Brush your Bichon regularly – once your Bichon’s hair is matted groomers may have no choice but to shave the hair off and won’t be able to give your doggy the hairstyle you’re after.
- Brush your dog before taking it to groomers – by brushing your Bichon right before taking them to the groomers, you will know if they have any matted hair that can’t be styled and avoid being surprised with a shaved dog in return.
Embrace the Fluff: Celebrating the Artistry of Bichon Frise Haircuts
Now that you’re armed with some useful information and tips, which of the Bichon Frise Haircuts will you try? The magnificent show cut, the cute teddy bear, or the practical summer cut? Whatever you decide is only limited by the skills and artistry of you or your groomer. I’m looking forward to hearing from you on your haircut experiences. Please send in your Bichon’s cute hairstyle pics and we can show them here!