Bichon Frise

The curly, double coat of the Bichon Frise is their crowning glory. Fortunately for you, shedding is not the problem. However, that beautiful coat can create matting problems if left unchecked. Here are some grooming tips for your Bichon Frise:

• Brushing: It’s important to establish a daily brushing routine to prevent matting and maintain an Insta-ready coat. Even a Bichon Frise puppy benefits from daily brushing, especially to acclimate to the routine. This can become a daily bonding time, which you both will love. Your grooming ritual will involve a slicker brush followed by a dog comb, like this Li’l Pals comb. You’ll know you’re done when the comb can glide through their coat.
• Bathing: Your pup will need a bath every week or two, depending on how dirty they get. It’s important to brush them out before bath time; any mats will just get tighter and more difficult to remove once they’re wet. Use cold air to dry your dog to protect their skin.
• Dental care: Plan on brushing your Bichon’s teeth daily to keep them healthy and help prevent dental disease. Start brushing their teeth when your dog is a puppy to get them used to the feeling. Once a year, your vet should give them a professional cleaning.
• Nail trimming: You’ll also need to trim your pup’s nails every month or so. You’ll know it’s time for a mani/pedi when you hear their nails clicking across hard surfaces. It can be a good idea to set aside an hour or so on the weekends to set up a Bichon spa to keep everything in shape, tip to tail.
• Coat trim: A Bichon’s coat will need a trim about once a month, which, if you’re up to it, you can probably do yourself. If you’re not excited about trimming your pup’s coat, find a great groomer. There are three main types of a Bichon Frise haircut:
  • The teddy bear cut: The teddy bear cut is when the fur is trimmed to the same length all over and is often rounded a bit on the head, giving the pup the trademark “teddy bear” look.
  • The utility cut: A utility cut is ideal for a low-maintenance pup; the hair is cut close to the skin but usually left longer on the ears.
  • The lamb cut: The lamb cut (aka the puppy cut) is when the fur is trimmed to a few inches from the skin and is left a little longer on the head and tail.

While they’re having their spa day, the groomer (or you, if you’re into DIY) can also perform regular maintenance such as anal gland expression, which can be a necessary routine in smaller breeds.

Bichons are born performers. They are naturals at training and love learning new tricks. But their independent streak can make it a challenge for them to pick up on the basics, like house training, walking nicely on a leash and commands like sit, stay and come. Patience, consistency and rewards for good behavior will help ensure success (as will a good certified dog trainer, if you need assistance.)

Potty training may be particularly challenging because Bichons have a small stature (and a tiny bladder). Again, positive reinforcement (where you reward your dog for good behavior) and consistency (sticking to a set schedule of frequent bathroom breaks) will go a long way to ensuring they go when and where they’re supposed to.

Bichons do not like to be alone and small changes in your routine—such as spending a few too many hours out of the house—may result in unwanted behaviors like bathroom accidents, barking and chewing your shoes. Starting crate training early, where you teach your puppy to be comfortable and happy in their crate while alone, can help. To crate train:

1. First, you’ll need to get them used to the crate in general (get the how-to here).
2. Then, you can work on leaving them alone while they are in the crate. Begin with short intervals, like 5 minutes. Put your pup in the crate with a high-value treat or toy and leave the room.
3. When you come back, calmly praise your pup for a job well done. If they cry or whine, start with a shorter time.
4. Do this daily, gradually increasing the time you’re away.

Some Bichons may never be OK with you being gone for long. In that case, consider hiring a dog walker or sending them to doggy daycare on the days you’re out of the house for more than a few hours.

While your Bichon may be your BFF, beware of a side effect: a Bichon may take those “we’re equal” vibes as an opportunity to get their way, which can look like nudges, extra licks and extra barks. The trick is to subtly teach your dog that you’re in charge. One thing that can help is to make sure that your praise (like saying, “Good pup!”) is meaningful. Smartypants Bichons easily connect words to actions, and if you’re constantly using pet names—even when all they’re doing is lounging on the couch—can minimize the importance of the words you use when they do matter. Make sure you use positive reinforcement whenever they do something good and redirect any unwanted behavior to something positive, rather than caving to every inopportune knee nuzzle with a cuddle.

Nurture your Bichon’s intelligence and love of learning by teaching them new tricks throughout their lives. A Bichon enjoys mastering a new skill, so regularly set aside time for training. (They learn a new skill, and they get to spend more time with you—it’s a win-win!)

Because a Bichon is so small, every calorie counts; and it’s important they get optimum nutrition with every meal. Your vet is in the best position to help you choose the most appropriate food and feeding plan for your pet, based on their age and activity level.

Some Bichon families want to meet their pup’s nutritional needs by DIY-ing their meals with a mixture of meat, dairy products, fruits, veggies and potatoes, but check with your vet to make sure your meals have the proper nutrition breakdown. There are plenty of commercial options that are convenient for you and good for your Bichon, too. Look on the packaging for a statement that says the food meets the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for a complete and balanced diet.

A Bichon’s diet is often reflected in the way their skin and coat look and feel. Itchy, dry skin or a lank, dull coat may be early signs that your pup’s diet isn’t ideal. Keep an eye out for these signs during your regular grooming sessions. If you suspect a problem, talk to your veterinarian.

Another thing to watch out for how is many treats you’re feeding. It’s tempting to reward a Bichon frequently, even for just being cute, but the breed can be prone to obesity and treats quickly add up calorie-wise. Small morsels of healthy treats—think frozen blueberries or small pieces of cut-up fruits and veggies—can be good options. Dehydrated meat-based treats are also healthy in moderation, but make sure to keep treats in check.

A Bichon Frise may never compete in a marathon (unless we’re talking a Netflix bingefest with you), but that doesn’t mean the breed is a couch potato. The Bichon Frise is a naturally fast runner (you’ll be surprised by their speed!), so beware if you let an untrained Bichon off-leash.

You can fulfill their exercise needs with small “movement breaks” throughout the day (about 30 minutes a day). This may include regular walks around the neighborhood once or twice a day, a few low-key fetch sessions and some time to sniff around the backyard or a nearby park. You can pull double-duty with the training and engage their brains and their bodies by participating in agility courses or obedience trials.

Good news, city dwellers! The Bichon Frise easily adapts to apartment living. They are friendly with your neighbors, don’t bark a lot and don’t need a lot of exercise. They do love to sniff and explore the outdoors, so make time for regular outdoor walks (or time to run around the backyard or dog park) to keep your Bichon happy and in shape. The most important factor for Bichons is time with the humans who matter to them the most. They thrive in homes where someone will be with them throughout the day.