Grooming Products for Bichon Frise Dogs

The Bichon Frise is considered a high maintenance breed because it needs a lot of grooming to keep it in top condition. The breed has a double coat, which sheds very little but requires regular attention. Whether you choose to take your Bichon to a professional groomer or to do it yourself, you need to have on hand a few grooming products to maintain its particular look. Always style and brush your dog when its coat is dry, as the hairs may break if brushed when wet.

  1. Bathing and Conditioning Products

    • The Bichon with its long, white hair coat needs frequent shampooing. As long as you use quality products, you can bathe the dog more than once a week. Brush the coat lightly before bathing to remove loose hairs, and apply mineral oil or ophthalmic ointment to protect the dog's eyes. Use a specially formulated dog shampoo, and test it on a small area of skin the first time you use it to check for an allergic reaction.

      The Bichon's coat may benefit from the use of color-enhancing shampoos available for white dogs. These shampoos contain evening primrose oil and optical enhancers. If your dog has allergies or skin conditions, use a medicated dog shampoo that contains oatmeal, aloe or tea tree oil, which will help to soothe its skin. For dogs that have difficulty with fleas and ticks, use of a treatment shampoo will prevent it from picking up parasites. Follow the shampoo with a suitable conditioner to help avoid tangles in the coat.

    Cutting and Styling Products

    • To trim your Bichon's coat, you need a pair of suitable dog grooming scissors. Purchase a pair of 6.5 inch scissors, which enable you to sculpt the fur into the standard rounded and compact shape. You also need to trim the fur around the face using a pair of bull-nosed scissors to prevent fur from growing into the eyes and causing infection. Clean any discharge from around the eyes and use wax tear stain sticks to cover tear marks.

    Brushes and Combs

    • Your Bichon should be brushed daily to keep its coat free of mats and tangles. Start by brushing the dog thoroughly using a pin brush to remove mats and tangles, loose hair and dander. This is a brush that has fine metal pins with plastic beads at the tips, set in a rubber cushion. Follow this by brushing with a soft bristle brush to condition the hair, and finally comb it through using a double-sided comb to lift and style it.

    Ear, Nail and Tooth Products

    • Clean the dog's ears with cotton tips. Clip its nails regularly using a dog nail clipper, or purchase a dog nail grinder, which shortens the nails while filing them smooth. Clean the dog's teeth daily with dog toothpaste available from veterinarians and pet stores.