Last Updated on April 27, 2023
The name Bichon Frise means “curly toy dog.” A Bichon, with its fluffy hair brushed out thoroughly, looks like a white cotton ball. They possess a double coat of hair: a silky, thick undercoat and a curly outer coat.
It requires a lot of attention and maintenance to keep the fluffy white coat of this breed clean and neat, but you can have a lot of fun playing around with cute hairstyles for your dog.
So what are the most popular hairstyles for the Bichon Frise? Keep reading to find out and get tips and tricks for keeping your dog’s coat looking and feeling great.
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What is a Bichon Frise?
A Bichon Frise is among the most popular, cutest, and most lovable small dog breeds.
They are adorable with their pitch-black eyes and curly, bright white coats. On top of it all, they are charming and have lovely, playful personalities.
These small but sturdy dogs are descendants of the Barbet or Water Spaniel and originated in the Canary Islands. They were extremely popular in Spain and were even used as a valuable barter item.
They are also featured in a few paintings by the legendary artist Goya. The Italians also rediscovered the breed in the 14th century when they were a favorite amongst royalty.
What are the Most Popular Bichon Frise Haircuts?
There are five popular but different hairstyles for the Bichon Frise to suit every owner’s liking and requirements.
These include the Lamb Cut (Lamb Trim or Puppy Cut), Utility Cut, Show Cut, Teddy Bear Cut or Pet Cut, and Panda Cut.
1. Show Cut or Show Clip
The Bichon Frise Show Cut or Show Clip is the most luxurious and extravagant of all haircuts for this breed. Groomed into this cut, your dog will catch the eye, as it will look like a white puffed-up cotton ball.
As this is a specialized style, not just anyone will be able to groom your pup, as it takes a skilled groomer and then very frequent brushing to prevent mats and tangles.
In this case, the thick undercoat is left thick and puffed-out, while the outer coat is done in a coarse and curly look using only scissors, no buzzers.
Meet Flynn; the Bichon Frise named Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show’s Best in Show with an adorable Show Cut:
2. Puppy or Lamb Cut
If the owner decides to do his pet’s haircut, the Bichon Frise Puppy Cut or Lamb Cut will be the best choice. The dog’s coat is kept relatively short and close to the skin.
It can easily be done with a set of good dog clippers. The fur on the head and tail are still kept long.
Of course, your dog still would need a good regular brushing to remove dead skin and debris. The lamb cut will also do when it’s sweltering to keep your doggy cool.
3. Teddy Bear or Pet Cut
Groomed into a Bichon Frise Teddy Bear Cut or Pet Cut, your doggy will look exactly like a sweet white teddy bear. To do this cut, you will need clippers to clip the side and back shorter and leave the rest of the body with longer hair.
This cut requires more maintenance to keep the hair fluffy and your doggy to look more like a traditional teddy with the round head and the two ears on the side. This cut aims to give your doggy a cute puppy appeal.
4. Panda Puppy Cut
The Panda Cut can be a time-saving process in making your Bichon look a little furrier but still very cute. The hair behind the legs, head, chest, and tail is kept longer.
This cut is a little longer version of the puppy cut but would still require the owner to brush their dog regularly to keep out mats and tangles.
5. Utility Cut
Although the Bichon Frise Utility Cut is not regarded as a trendy cut, it is a straightforward cut that will keep your dog looking neat.
With this haircut, your pet will have a lot more freedom to play without you having a heart attack when they roll in the mud.
Simply give the dog a close shave and enjoy your dog without a lot of maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Bichon Frises need haircuts?
The Bichon Frise is a high-maintenance dog because they have this very thick coat that never stops growing and doesn’t shed a lot.
Without haircuts, your dog will quickly look very shabby and neglected. Their hair will be full of mats and tangles, and they could easily develop skin allergies.
How short should you cut your pup’s hair?
It is not advisable to cut your Bichon’s hair too short. Your dog can develop ingrown hair that is very painful. Because they are double coated, if you clip them too close to the skin, their hair might not grow back the same.
Is it okay to shave a Bichon Frise?
Dog specialists are not very keen on having double-coated breeds like Bichon Frise shaved too often.
Double-coated dogs have unique mechanisms for shedding their undercoat during the warmer months and regrowing them when winter comes. Shaving your pet can interfere with this natural process.
In any case, shaving has its advantages when the dog is severely matted, when it’s hot or when they have infections caused by the fly larva.
Shaving also has some other disadvantages for your dog. For instance, they can get cold or burned in the sun and injured on the skin when playing.
When should a puppy get its first haircut?
The first haircut might be scary for the puppy, so this can’t be done too soon. Nevertheless, between 3 and 4 months old, the Bichon Frise puppy should have his first haircut.
By this time, they should already have had all their puppy vaccines.
Between 4 and 6 months of age, the puppies might start shedding their puppy hair, so brush your puppy regularly to ensure that their hair doesn’t stick to their coat.
How often does this breed need haircuts?
A Bichon Frise’s fur is its greatest asset. Therefore, grooming them properly and regularly is of the utmost importance.
They need a haircut and a bath at least once a month to keep them healthy and neat, avoid mats, and make them look like their cute little selves all the time.
This also makes for an excellent opportunity to check for fleas, ear infections, and skin problems.
How much does it cost to groom your dog?
If you have all the utensils for grooming and you can do the grooming yourself for your Bichon Frise dog, it will still be time-consuming but much cheaper to come by.
Taking your dog to a professional groomer can cost $50 or more a month for grooming. Even if you groom your dog yourself, you should take your dog to a professional groomer every once in a while.
What happens if you don’t groom a Bichon Frise?
Significant problems may occur if you don’t groom your Bichon Frise regularly. To begin with, your dog will look and feel neglected and abandoned.
Besides looking shabby and dirty, their skin may develop dandruff, allergies, or other diseases.
They will also be prone to getting parasites like ticks, fleas, or mites. Their fluffy white hair will get matted and tangled, which is a big problem for you and your furry little friend.
Because a Bichon’s hair keeps on growing without shedding, it is most necessary to trim them.
Taking Care of Your Bichon Frise’s Gorgeous Coat
Taking care of your Bichon Frise’s coat is very time-consuming if you do it yourself. It is also imperative that it is done correctly and regularly.
Brushing should be done weekly, while nail clipping should be done at least once in two months. Bathing needs to be done when dirty otherwise, monthly while your dog’s eyes should be cleaned daily.
You will also need to clean your dog’s teeth at least twice a week, and his ears should be cleaned every second day.
The Right Dog Grooming Tools and Kits for the Best Dog Hairstyles
You’ll need the right tools if you want to try grooming your Bichon Frise at home.
The tools you will need to groom your Bichon Frise include whitening shampoo and conditioner for bathing your dog, as well as a slicker brush, grooming clippers, and a pin brush.
You’ll also want a good-quality hair dryer for your dog, some finishing spray, scissors, and a comb.
How can you find the best groomer in your area?
To find the best Bichon Frise groomer in your area might look like a massive task, but first, just ask around. Do some research. Don’t rush into the trap of using the first one you hear about. Be patient and trust your intuition.
You can also call different groomers and ask them some relevant questions. Ensure they are licensed, certified, educated, and skilled for the task and that health and safety at the salon are maintained.
Ensure they handle demanding clients and that your pet will be at ease with the groomer.
Which Haircut is the Best Match for Your Bichon Frise Lifestyle?
Different people have different lifestyles and intentions for keeping a Bichon Frise dog. If you want to take your pup to shows, you might need a Show Cut to give him a perfect, luxurious, and extravagant appearance.
If you do not have much time or don’t care about showing off with your dog, the Utility Cut might be the thing for you, especially if you have a very playful doggy that loves being outdoors.
The Puppy Cut or Lamb Cut will probably suit you better if you have a Bichon Frise as a family pet. This is the most common cut for Bichons, and it is very manageable with the kids playing with it all the time.
The Panda Cut is a longer version of the Puppy Cut and only needs to be maintained to keep him cute and cuddly.
Then there is also the Teddy Bear Cut, much like the Show Cut, which requires skill, knowledge, and a lot of maintenance.
If you still prefer something else, there are a few more haircuts and grooming styles to suit your taste and lifestyle.
Do you have a Bichon Frise at home? What hairstyle have you chosen for him? Let us know in the comments below.
Janine is an experienced content writer and travel journalist based in Cape, Town, South Africa.
Raised by a bundle of botanists, researchers, and biologists, she is passionate about things related to the animal kingdom, including, our furry friends. However, as a terrible allergy sufferer, she is limited in her pet selection and so has grown up surrounded by curly-haired Poodles.