Professional Recommended
Bichon Frisé
The Bichon Frisé is a cheerful, white powder-puff of a dog with a personality as soft as its curly double coat. Their coat is a distinctive texture — a dense, springy outer layer of curls sitting over a silky, soft undercoat — that gives the breed its characteristic rounded, cloud-like silhouette when properly groomed. The coat grows continuously and does not shed in the traditional sense, but the shed hairs get caught in the curls, making regular brushing essential to prevent the coat from felting solid.
Coat Type
Dense, Curly Double Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
3 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Show Trim
The classic Bichon look — the coat is left full length and scissored into the breed's signature rounded, powder-puff silhouette with a heavily rounded head and a smooth, even body line. Requires daily brushing and professional grooming every 3–4 weeks.
2
Puppy Cut
The coat is clipped to 1–2 inches over the entire body with a slightly rounded, fluffy finish. Practical for pet owners who prefer a lower-maintenance version of the Bichon's classic look without sacrificing the breed's characteristic soft, white appearance.
3
Teddy Bear Cut
A softer, rounder adaptation of the puppy cut with extra length left on the face to create a circular, teddy-bear-like head shape. Very popular with Bichon owners who want the cute, rounded look without the full show-coat maintenance commitment.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- Brush a Bichon Frisé three to four times per week minimum — the shed hairs tangle in the curly outer coat rather than falling free, and without regular brushing the entire coat felts into solid mats against the skin.
- Bichons are notoriously prone to tear staining — use a gentle eye-safe cleaner around the eyes daily, keep the hair trimmed away from the eye corners, and consult your vet if staining is severe as it can indicate a blocked tear duct.
- Use a good-quality whitening shampoo at every bath to maintain the coat's bright white color — Bichon coats yellow quickly from minerals in water and saliva, and correcting yellowing is far harder than preventing it.
- Have the ear canals cleaned and any excess canal hair removed at every professional groom — Bichons have curly hair in the ear canal that traps debris and leads to chronic ear infections if not maintained.
- Never skip a grooming appointment for a Bichon Frisé — their coat felts faster than almost any other breed; a dog that misses one 4-week cycle will often arrive at their next appointment requiring a shave-down that sets the coat back months.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Mars Coat King Undercoat Rake
BrushThe ultimate tool for double-coated breeds. Strips dead undercoat without damaging the guard hairs.
$40 - $60
*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.
Deep Dives
Bichon Frisé Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
Free Newsletter
Grooming tips in your inbox
Monthly breed spotlights, grooming hacks, and product picks. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Free monthly grooming tips — join anytime