Bichon Frise
This merry and inquisitive little powder puff of a dog has been around
in much the same form for hundreds of years traded by the early Spanish
sailors around the Mediterranean and taken eventually by Italian sailors
to the continent where it found favour amongst the Spanish Infantas and
Nobility. Originally known as either the Bichon or Teneriffe, he was
finally established in France with the Frise being added to his title in
reference to his soft, curly coat. Texture is of utmost importance for
this little fellow.
Requiring a soft and dense undercoat and a
coarser outer coat with curly texture that combines to give a soft
springy feel. His whole outline should reflect a rounded appearance from
every direction with longer hair on the head, beard, moustache and
tail. For show presentation this exquisite little dog should be
perfectly presented yet retain his natural outline with a slight tuck
up. This is a trimmed breed and a good eye will assist the overall
balance of shape and structure.
To enhance the shimmery whiteness in the coat use Plush Puppy Whitening Shampoo
which is a toning shampoo giving a brilliant white overtone and
neutralizing unwanted warm tones. Use diluted at 5:1 for maximum effect
and up to 10:1 for mild tone. A Bichon ‘must have’ is
Plush Puppy Wonder Blok.
This product is one of our proudest achievements in helping to maintain
a white stain free coat. It’s not a bleach and contains no harmful
chemicals. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm/red
tones to the coat. Best used on a damp/wet coat. Gently rub into the
areas requiring allow time (5-10 minutes) and rinse. For maximum effects
repeat or allow a longer time for this amazing product to work. As with
all products take care around eyes.
For extra lift if that is the main objective, use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo at the same dilution. You can mix the two for both effects. This combination is just bichon coat magic!
The face of the Bichon is one that requires attention and care the perfect product is Plush Puppy Let’s Face It;
it is what the dog showing world has needed for way too long. Another
one of the famous Plush Puppy products that with the latest of
technology and the highest amounts of naturally sourced ingredients has
developed a product that is a must! This is a hypoallergenic sulfate
free low foaming shampoo designed for faces. It’s no tear formula with
the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B
and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, sooth, adds moisture,
aids healing and anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized
amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean
without causing irritation. Can be used in and around ears also with
the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows easy of rinsing yet
complete cleaning.
Conditioner is not desirable in this coat as
it softens and flattens - the very antithesis of what you require in
this case. However some moisturizing and hydration is needed even if you
are regularly trimming the coat. The solution to this vexing problem is
Plush Puppy Reviva Coat which is a moisturizing
disentangling mousse and applied to the hands and worked through the
coat. Use also for wrapping the moustache and beard. Reviva Coat is
never greasy or too heavy and can be repeatedly applied - rather unique!
Good also to use prior to any brushing - mix in a spray bottle, a golf
ball amount to 1 cup water. Truly the solution to this coat where
elasticity and moisture is needed but softening and flattening is not
wanted.
Another brilliant product for this breed for regular grooming or show refreshing of the coat is Plush Puppy OMG
is a revolutionary grooming spray that lives up to its name. OMG is the
perfect product for this coat type. A light spray of OMG and brushing
in allows this product to refresh the coat leaving it feeling wonderful
it separates the coat and leaves the most amazing finish to the dog
allowing you to scissor and having the entire coat at its fullest. Using
at an approximate mixture of 1 part OMG to 30-40 parts water using this
break down from the OMG concentrate. The stronger the mix the stronger
there effects. Using OMG can be a one off at shows or during the drying
process after bathing. An amazing product for regular brushing also as
it hydrates the coat and reduces stress and coat loss. OMG never builds
up, never go’s stringy. Used at the end of the day helps to breakdown
the hairspray and reduces that coat stress. A product that took years to
develop using the latest of technology for maximum effects. A true
necessity for the tool kit.
For optimum lift to the head and neck, use Plush Puppy Puffy Dog
a good strong hold mousse that is totally water soluble and dries
without stickiness. Work well through the coat and blow dry using a
Plush Puppy Soft Slicker Brush
lifting and moving the coat forward against the growth for maximum
lift. Once the coat is fully dry, work through with a metal Poodle comb
combing section by section and lifting.
For coats that may require a “more and fuller look” is Plush Puppy Volumising Spray
is a ‘Ready To Use’ for quicker, easier and fuller coat results.
Perfect either before blow drying or used to ‘fluff’ up the coat at the
show. A light even spray, brush in until dry or use a dryer. Produced
for easy use and scientifically balanced for all coat types. This is a
hair thickener to add volume - not a hair stiffener and not easily
detectable as it leaves the coat with a natural fuller look and feel.
Follow through with more scissoring to sculpture the final shape. For any staining around the eyes, use Plush Puppy Cover Up Cream.
Apply using a barely damp sponge lightly, allowing to dry for a few
seconds before reapplying and building in layers rather than heavy
handed blobs. Finish with a light application of loose chalk to finish
the drying process in damp weather. Can be brushed prior to ring time.
As this is a pristine little breed, for ringside emergencies use
Plush Puppy Wonder Wash, a no rinse shampoo that really does foam when sprayed and worked into a lather before toweling off.
For all over freshening at those 3 day events, use Plush Puppy Powder Puff for Regular Coats,
a unique new cleansing powder that also deodorizes leaving a fresh
lemon/ginger fragrance. Sprinkle well over the coat and work through
with the hands and preferably blow dry to remove or brush well if drying
facilities unavailable. Although this coat is trimmed constantly, a
good treatment should it be required, is
Plush Puppy Coat Rescue,
an intensive moisturizing product that adds structure back into damaged
hair. Apply by diluting to a thin slurry and work well through the
damaged areas of the coat. Leave on as long as possible for maximum
benefit but good results can be achieved after 10 minutes. Rinse well
and work Reviva Coat through for easy comb through texture. Adding to
the playful tone of this little dog, a light sprinkle of
Plush Puppy Pixie Dust
applied judiciously by sifting through the fingers or tapped on to the
edge of a brush and lightly flicked through the top line and pants, adds
hints of glamour and light.
Your Bichon Frise is a cheerful and
affectionate little guy. I can just picture him with the pirates and
sailors of the Barbary Coast imitating their cheeky and irreverent sense
of the merry life at sea - if Johnny Depp’s Jack Sparrow was a dog,
he’d be a Bichon! His dark appealing eyes and his jaunty tail lend a
devil may care sense to his cockiness and affectionate nature. He is a
cheeky little fellow and trimmed well to accentuate the rounded aspects
of his outline, the expert will reap the rewards for the efforts with
this coat. Moving well and true and handled to perfection, he is a hard
competitor. Who can resist that appealing expression and the happy
chappy of the show line-up?
Simon Briggs
Director of Grooming