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.
The coat features 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 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 Herbal Whitening Shampoo with Ginseng diluted at 1:5 (1 part shampoo to 5 parts water) for maximum effect and up to 1:10 for mild tone. This shampoo is primarily derived from organic sources with Ginseng extracts, protein, and violet tone combined in a rich formula. It works brilliantly to whiten whites WITHOUT lightening or bleaching. It instead tones with optical brighteners reducing yellowing or warm tones in white coats.
For extra lift, if that is the main objective, use Plush Puppy Body Building Shampoo at the same dilution. This shampoo does have enormous lift and a bodifying effect to the coat without an artificial feel plus it is wonderful for the coat as it is primarily naturally derived and infused with beneficial plant extracts.
You can mix the two shampoos for both effects. This combination is just Bichon coat magic!
If your dog has a soft coat and needs that added texture, try Plush Puppy Texture + Shampoo. It is ideal for boosting body and coarseness in coats of all colours and coat types. It is full of beneficial and powerful extracts from the Gentian Root, Juniper Fruit, St John’s Wart Leaf, Hay Flower, Lemon Balm Leaf and Arnica Flower that combine to nourish and vitalise the skin. Use diluted up to 1:10 or apply undiluted directly to areas requiring intensive cleansing. Rinse thoroughly.
A Bichon ‘must have’ is Plush Puppy Wonder Blok. It helps to maintain a white stain free coat. It is not a bleach and contains no harmful chemicals but high amounts of naturally sourced vegetable surfactants and glycerin. This product is designed to remove gently unwanted warm or red tones to the coat. Best used on a damp or wet coat. Gently rub into the areas required allowing 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.
The face of the Bichon is one that requires attention and care the perfect product is Plush Puppy Let’s Face It. This is a hypoallergenic sulfate free low foaming shampoo designed just for faces. It’s no tear formula features the highest quality Blue Cypress Extracts, Panthenol with Pro Vitamin B and SugaNate. These special ingredients clean, soothe, add moisture, aid healing and have anti-inflammatory benefits. A small golf ball sized amounts directly to the face and eye area allows you to thoroughly clean without causing irritation. It can also be used in and around the ears with the same benefits. Its low foaming design allows ease of rinsing, yet complete cleaning.
Conditioner is not desirable in this coat as it softens and flattens – the very opposite of what you require in this case. However, some moisturising and hydration is needed even if you are regularly trimming the coat. The solution to this problem is Plush Puppy Reviva Coat which is a moisturising 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. To make a spray simply mix a golf ball amount into 1 cup water in a spray bottle. 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. 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 their 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. This is perfect to spray a light mist on a comb when combing at the show or while scissoring.
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 Ultimate Slicker Brush lifting and moving the coat forward against the growth for maximum lift. Once the coat is fully dry, comb through with a Plush Puppy Professional Grooming Comb combing section by section and lifting.
Plush Puppy’s Professional Grooming Combs are built for absolute ergonomic comfort in various sizes. The lightweight oval shaped spine combining fine and coarse pins made of hardened stainless steel with anodic oxide finish that reduces drag and static to the coat. Perfect for use for this breed of dog.
For coats that may require a “fuller look” use Plush Puppy Volumising Spray. This is a ‘Ready to Use’ spray for quick and easy 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. 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. Perfect to add volume to areas needing more.
Brushes are extremely important the best is the Plush Puppy Ultimate Slicker Brush. This brush is both extremely soft and perfectly separates the coat, yet gentle to the coat and skin. It promises durability and flawless brushed results every time. This dog brush is of ergonomic design to lessen strain on the groomer’s hands while at the same time offering maximum brush contact. A soft, flexible rubber air-cushion houses the strong pins. These pins penetrate through the dogs coat without excessive pulling on the hair or scratching the skin.
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 too dry for a few seconds before reapplying and building in layers until the desired outcome is achieved. Finish with a light application of loose chalk to finish the drying process in damp weather. This can be brushed prior to ring time.
To add to the playful tone of this little dog, use a light sprinkle of Plush Puppy Pixie Dust applied lightly through the top line to give hints of glamour and light. Just the tiniest bit will add some glints of light and shimmer.
As this is a pristine little breed, for ringside emergencies use Plush Puppy Wonder Wash. This is a no rinse wet instant shampoo for “those show day” last-minute emergencies as this will clean up anything, pronto. Just spray foam with the fingers and towel off. Wonder Wash is a brilliant quick self-rinsing bathing alternative solution for quick and easy cleaning without the need for a complete bath. It contains optical brighteners, has a fresh apple fragrance, and violet tone. Perfect on whites!
For all over freshening use Plush Puppy Powder Puff Regular a unique cleansing powder that also deodorises with a light a lemon and 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. This is an intensive moisturising product that adds structure back into damaged hair. Apply by diluting 1 heaped tablespoon to 250ml of water. Mix well and work 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.
All senses come into play when judging and a good smelling dog is nice to touch. Plush Puppy Odour Muncher is sensational in that it kills the odour and leaves a pleasant scent behind without being overpowering.
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?
Plush Puppy Australia
