This (above) is "Duke" - Am/Can Ch Almaza Just Right Duke. Although he was still a puppy in this picture you could already see his potential. A coat that was very dense and time consuming to groom, but a pleasure at the same time. This is the beginning of a "show" grooming.


Let me tell you right off the bat that I am not a professional groomer. I am just a bichon owner of both pet and show bichons, and someone who knows what I like and don't like in bichon grooming styles. I have groomed my own bichons for a good many years so I do have a certain amount of experience with the intricacies of grooming this breed - but I am certainly no expert.

Unfortunately, taking your dog to the Pet Salon for the 'Professional (and often expensive) Grooming Experience' will not always guarantee a satisfactory result. If you have a particular preference in styling you might want to take the groomer a picture of a bichon done the way you like. Remember that the bichon trim is a fairly complicated piece of scissored sculpture, and not as easy to achieve as one might think.

When you pick up your dog and you are critiquing the finished product, take the time to point out what you like and what you don't like about the job that has been done. Be tactful, but be clear. This is more fair and much kinder than just leaving the shop dissatisfied, never to return again.

The bichon pictured at the right came to me for grooming 6 weeks after being groomed elsewhere. The dog had been shaved down, including the legs, and the head had been cut like a poodle! For most Bichon Frise owners, having their dog look like a poodle is an insult. If you ask me, by the look of the dog's droopy tail he too is insulted and even embarrassed.
I was able to partially transform the poodle-look into a sort-of bichon-look. This is a "pet" cut, which is shorter than what would be acceptable to many people, including me, but for ease-of-care is often requested.

For anyone wanting to learn to do the grooming on their own dogs, be prepared to make many mistakes along the way. There are important things to know, however, that will get you started right and I would suggest that you go to BBird's Grooming Blog site for tips. She will also give you information on equipment that you need.