I've got a new Bichon puppy client coming, and they probably want a shorter style than traditional for the moment. Usually I do that with my 5/8 blade, which gives a short but fluffy style, but I just wanted to check that if they want it longer (ie scissored properly) later on, it's not a case of 'clip once and you always have to clip', like with spaniels? :-)

I've no idea.  I'd be interested in the answer too as I've only ever scissored Bichons.
PS Roan Cockers can usually be corrected. :)  Whole coloureds that have been neutered are usually a lost cause once clipped. :(

How long does it take you to scissor one Val?

An hour including bath, dry, teeth & nails.

Hi Val, how was Priddy? (She said, crashing the OP's post!)

M.

Wonderful thanks. :)  But have come back to moving chaos and so my peaceful weekend has disappeared already! :(

When I got my first Bichon I took her to a groomer who bred poodles and she clipped her.  She looked absolutely horrible and I hated it and never took her back but her coat grew back fine and has been scissored ever since.

Can't imagine why anyone would want a Bichon unless it was cut into the correct breed shape

Andrea

If needing to use the clippers try only use on body and scissor the head and legs and of course never cut the tail.. The main job, especially for a pup will be getting it free from mats as the soft fluffy fur knots very easy.
Deb

Scissor only, there's no need to use clippers at all.  Used to take me about half an hour to do a dog that had been kept up-to-date with it's trim as you just follow the shape.  Please don't start with clipping it, they look so much better with a scissored finish.

My mother had two of her bichons clipped, one grew back fine and was scissored from then on, the others coat grew back rather wirey and was never quite the same again! I agree just scissor, I do my boys regularly Geordi in a shorter trim and Oscar in his show trim. (Oscar takes hours and hours because its never perfect in my eyes :rolleyes: :D :D )

You NEVER finish a show trim!   But with practice, you can do a good pet trim in an hour. :D

I'll probably just scissor then, it does take me a lot longer than clipping but I'll do my best! Just to reiterate I'm talking about the 5/8 blade, not something really short, it does leave enough hair to be fluffy. She's never been done before so I have no shape to follow, and at 4 months I've been warned she is very wriggly and has a lot of attitude, so it sounds like an interesting job. I know the correct shape of course, but my scissoring still needs improvement - it will take me a LOT longer than Val's hour! Hope the cottony puppy coat isn't too knotted, I had one like that a while back. But I agree, I find it hard to understand why some people get a heavily coated breed and can't make the effort even to keep it a little fluffy (like all the Shih Tzus I have to clip on a 7F!). :-(

The more you do, the quicker you'll get!  ;) :D  If you automatically clip them all, then your scissoring will not get quicker. :)

Exactly Val!

Lucy, unles you start scissoring you do the quicker you will get, practise takes perfect and you have to practise somehow.

Yes, I know you're right! I'm not going to be quick or get a good finish on a super wriggly 3 month puppy mind you, but I'll do my best! :-)

I'm not going to be quick or get a good finish on a super wriggly 3 month puppy mind you

Oh yes you will! ;) :D  And next time you'll be quicker and better still! :D

That's good news Val, as I've just had another Bichon puppy booked in next week!

See by the 2nd one you will be an expert at scissoring things that move! :D

If only - so far my wriggly Bichon attempts haven't come back for a second try. It didn't look THAT bad to me, just not the perfect crisp finish!

Make their next appointment for 6 weeks before they leave! ;)

Tell me about it, I'm always being ribbed at shows to just LEAVE him alone!!! I'd quite happily take my scissors in the ring with me and snip away as I went round LOL :D :D :D