New to this forum and desperate for helpful ideas.

We've taken on a pair of Bichons from the RSPCA.  Whilst we are fully aware of the high level of grooming needs for the breed and are quite capable of that, this pair have a huge number of matts from nose to tail which is daunting.  Of course we want to keep any distress to an absolute minimum and they are extremely co-operative which makes things a lot easier for us.  At the moment (we've had them less than a week) we have just been spending 10 minutes a day on them both doing the best we can with gentle brushing, combing and teasing out matts - the bigger matts we've just cut out.  That's going along fine but makes them look alarmingly patchy and their tails are like a piece of old knarled rope!

Is there any way we can make this easier all round for us all?  They are such little loves and so very patient with us - as we are with them.

Many thanks for any ideas.

Rosemary and Yvonne
Gloucestershire

It they really are that bad then they might be better to be clipped off and start again.  Bichons and Poodles are 2 breeds whose coat can take being clipped back to regrow.  Clippers (in the right trained hands) are much safer than scissors especially around the more delicate areas.  If they aren't restained at home and move at just the wrong time, then it'll be a trip to the Vet. :(

There is no point in spending all this time if they are going to be left with moth eaten coats.  If they are clipped off then in 8 weeks their coat will be an inch long and they can be scissored into some sort of Bichon shape and in that time you can all enjoy your grooming so that they can be kept matt free in the future.  And in another 8 weeks, their coat will be the correct 2 inches long and they'll look like Bichons again. :):)

I'm shocked, or maybe I shouldn't be :(, that the RSPCA homed them in such a bad state.  They used to say that it was an offence to neglect a dog's coat.

There is no point in spending all this time if they are going to be left with moth eaten coats.  If they are clipped off then in 8 weeks their coat will be an inch long and they can be scissored into some sort of Bichon shape and in that time you can all enjoy your grooming so that they can be kept matt free in the future.  And in another 8 weeks, their coat will be the correct 2 inches long and they'll look like Bichons again

I agree with the above post, I would recommend getting a good groomer to clip them ,then start again, it will be mucher easier for yourselves to groom, and leave the dogs more comfortable.

Clip it all off; not too close if you can help it.  Run the brush and the comb through the coat and snip off all straggly bits, so it's even to start.

You'll be really surprised how quickly it will grow again.  Maybe a nice bath; not too much shampoo, a little
will go a long way on a short coat. 

Good luck with your two new pups!

i agree... clip it straight off, will give almost immediate relief to them and start a fresh. you will be able to see any sores that may be underneathand treat them accordingly

I agree with everyone else, clipping them off and starting again is the kindest thing to do. Bichon coats can be difficult to maintain and dematting is really tough on you and the dog

Even my boys get knots (they are show dogs and I'm a dog groomer!! :-) )

Good luck and well done for taking them on, they really are a fantastic breed!

xxxxx

> I'm shocked, or maybe I shouldn't be , that the RSPCA homed them in such a bad state.  They used to say that it was an offence to neglect a dog's coat.

Ditto, Westcoast. We've had a lot of re-homed rescue dogs come in this year in with coats in the most awful state - even though we've offered our grooming centres services for free to the rescue kennels :-(

hebeboots, can you send OP a link to picture showing what they're aiming at?? :)  I'd do a Bichon pet trim scissored about 2" on body and legs but I don't have any photos.

No problem :-)

I'm also wondering why didn't the RSPCA do something with their coats beforehand?  Could they be done for negligence if the coats are that bad?

Could they be done for negligence if the coats are that bad?
I don't know.  These large rescue organisations seem to have a law of their own. :(

Many years ago I had a call from a man who was going to take on an OES from another large rescue organisation and said that it's coat was bad.  He was collecting it on my day off so I said that he could bring it in on his way home.  It was felted all over with its coat hanging in dreadlocks like a Komondor, and it stunk, understandably.  To clip it off was the only option to make the dog comfortable, and as I did so, I exposed a flyblown anal abscess and t*sticles the size of tennis balls and bright red.
I sorted out the coat and the Vet sorted out the other problem.  But they had homed this huge, boisterous 12 month old adolescent with a young couple who both worked full time!  Needless to say the dog was destructive and rehomed again very soon. :(

This experience and others is why I said maybe I shouldn't be surprised. :(

Thank you very much to everyone for all the suggestions, comments and photos - all a great help.

It was all just what we wanted to hear, we thought that clipping them back was a bit extreme but now we are glad to realise that in fact that would be the very best way to go for their comfort.  Am now considering getting the knitting needles out for a couple of jumpers to keep out the winter chills!!!

We shall take some before and after photos of Angel and Louie for the record.

We too were surprised at the RSPCA's level of coat care - they even had 'dags' hanging off their bottoms and their coats were very stained when we collected them even though the staff had assured us they had been bathed that morning!  Still, they are with us now - and loving every minute.

Thanks again - we will keep you up to date with our progress.

Rosemary & Yvonne
(plus Angel, Louie and our Cavalier Smudge)