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Groomer Trims Bichons Like Poodles

Contact a local breeder or breed club to find a dog groomer who will groom your Bichon Frise as would like.

By Kathy Salzberg, NCMG

Q. How can I get my dog groomer to stop trimming my Bichons like Poodles?  I have gone to several different groomers with specific instructions such as "do not shave his/her face," but I pick them up and they look like Poodles.

A. Perhaps your little Bichons need to wear T-shirts that say, “I am not a Poodle.” This is a common problem even though in the United States, these adorable dogs now rank 32nd out of the AKC’s 157 official breeds. Although both the Poodle and Bichon Frise are considered low-shedding breeds and have similar curly coats, they are quite different in body structure. The Bichon has a more compact body and a somewhat sturdier appearance overall. Its legs are shorter, feet rounded like columns to match the width of its legs, not clean-shaven like the Poodle. Rather than the pom-pom Poodle tail, the longer Bichon tail is left like a natural plume, curling up over its back. Along with its broader skull and shorter muzzle, the Bichon’s short ears are rounded to the match length of its full fuzzy face. In fact, everything about this dog is rounded, giving the well-groomed Bichon the look of a living powder-puff.

The hardest thing for the novice groomer to master is the head and neck. Unlike the Poodle, the Bichon sports a full mane that gives its neck a powerful arched look, extending all the way back to the withers (shoulders). Those unfamiliar with the correct pattern will usually trim the round head to the back of the skull like a Poodle topknot. Both dogs are groomed with scissors and clippers, and snap-on guard combs for pet trims.

The best advice I can give you is to get in touch with the breed club or a Bichon breeder in your area and ask for a recommendation. You might also look for a Certified Master Groomer. In order earn that title, he or she must be familiar with correct trims on all breeds. Some groomers have portfolios of their work or photos on a website to show samples of their work. Unless a groomer can visualize this beautiful dog the way it is supposed to look, I’m afraid it might still leave the salon looking like a Poodle.

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Reader Comments
We have a 5 year old Bichon and need to locate an excellent groomer. We had a groomer that we liked and she moved out of the area a couple of years ago. We haven’t been pleased with others that we have tried and would like to locate one close to us in SLC. Everyone we have tried, trims her like a poodle. If you are aware of a good groomer, please let me know.

Thank you,
Charlie Huggard
Charlie, Salt Lake City, UT
Posted: 9/13/2009 5:36:56 PM
I groom my Bichons to breed standard I'm in austin Texas though. Sorry not much help. However I too hate Bichons like Poodles
Sarah, Austin, TX
Posted: 9/10/2009 10:42:34 PM
Read the comment about taking the Bichons to NC groomer. I live in eastern NC and have never found a groomer that knows how to do the legs and face correctly. I've carried mine to groomers as far as 80 miles away and have never been completely satisfied. Would love to know where in NC the owner from Alabama takes theirs when visiting the brother.
Mary, Kinston, NC
Posted: 8/29/2009 6:48:37 AM
Hi Tutti
I am a owner of two Bichons and I have gone to every almost ever groomer in Montgoery and Prattville AL area with the actual printed grooming instructions with pictures and still get the poodle cut. I have never gotten a Bichon cut in the past 10 yrs. Take dogs to groomer in NC where my brother lives with his Bichon and there is one groomer in town that can cut to specs. You are not alone.
kdtall, Montgomery, AL
Posted: 5/4/2009 8:40:27 AM
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