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