How to Groom a Bichon Frise's Face & Ears

The bichon frise is a close relative of the Maltese and toy poodle. This beautiful and affectionate dog does not shed, but requires regular grooming to keep its coat tangle-free and to prevent matting. You must groom your bichon̵7;s body daily, including its face and ears. This will prevent stains from marring its appearance and maintain its trademark white, powder-puff countenance.

Things You'll Need

  • Small fine-tooth comb
  • Cotton wool ball
  • Dog ear cleaner
  • Moist cloth
  • Blunt-edged scissors
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a small fine-tooth comb to groom the area around your bichon̵7;s face. Gently brush the hair from the head toward the face. Lift the hair with your fingers, part it in small sections and comb from the skin up toward the ends. Take care not to hurt your dog̵7;s eyes with the comb while brushing.

    • 2

      Comb the hair around the ears, which is long and prone to knots and tangles. Work the comb through the underside of the ears first and toward the outer ends of the ears. Pay special attention to combing the hair at the ends of the ears.

    • 3

      Examine the ears daily for wax, mites or signs of bacterial infection. Take your bichon to the veterinarian if the color of the insides of its ears is different from the rest of its skin or if they give off an unpleasant odor.

    • 4

      Clean the ears at least once a month. Pour a few drops of a dog ear cleaner on a cotton wool ball. Gently rub the cotton wool ball on the visible inside areas of the ears to remove wax and other dirt.

    • 5

      Wipe away discharge from your bichon̵7;s eyes with a moist cloth. Do this regularly to prevent stains forming around its eyes. Use blunt-edged scissors to trim excessively long eyebrows or eyelashes that may interfere with your dog̵7;s visibility. Consult your vet if your dog has a constant eye discharge.