Hi Folks

I'm new to this board so this is my first post.

I have bought a bichon puppy and absolutely adore him - I've always wanted one!!  I will not be showing him he is purely a pet.  He is coming up to 6 weeks old and I have had him since he was 8 weeks old.

I have been brushing his coat every day since I got him to get him used to it.

My husband has asked me when we should be taking him to the 'grooming parlour' to get trimmed.  I said to him that I assume it's once his adult coat comes through properly (which i understand could be any time between now and 18 months) - is this correct? 

My other question is what type of cuts are there for a bichon? I've tried looking for some piccies on the net but to no avail.  My friend has two bichons and she says she doesn't bother brushing them often - just cuts their hair dead short all the time (all over) but I'm not sure what i want to do with Oscar yet - it's so difficult because he's so little and fluffy at the moment!!

Thanks in advance.

This seems to be quite helpful.

Excellent link JG and brilliant pictures to show what a Bichon should look like. 

Hi, SuzanneWW.  Bichon's don't have a number of trims like Poodles.  The Bichon trim is the Bichon trim!!  If you use a slicker brush every day, and then a medium comb to groom down to the skin (this is important because a matted coat can hide all sorts of skin problems!) you'll keep your dog in good condition. With practice, you'll get it down to 5 minutes a day - not bad to have a good looking, happy, healthy dog!

A Bichon should be scissored not clipped.  It can be trimmed a little shorted than a show trim but the Bichon look is part of its beauty.  Clipped they look like sausages with 4 matchsticks for legs - not very flattering!:)  And they lose their lovely cute, soft expression if the head is taken too short.

They do have a high maintenance coat which matts even quicker than a poodle, but I'm sure that your breeder explained that when you went to see the pups.  A good groomer will want your puppy as soon as he is protected by his vaccinations to train him for a lifetime's grooming and to begin to put him into shape, so at 6 months he is overdue!! :)  Do ring around and find a groomer who will handle his coat correctly, scissoring him and not just run clippers over his body - the easy thing for an untrained groomer to do but not in the best interest of you or your dog.  Print one of the pictures that is on the link and ask for him to be trimmed 'a little bit shorter' and NOT clipped!

Enjoy your little fella.  They're a fun breed! ;)

thanks so much for the comments and the link.
i did/do realise that they are fairly high maitenance dogs - but that adds to their charm!!
he's a wonderful little dog and i'm really pleased with him.  just that i've had no guidance on what to do with his coat really.  i am brushing/cleaning him properly though at the moment coz i read instructions for that off the net.

thanks again

just realised my original post says he's coming up to 6 weeks old - he's actually 16 weeks old (not 6!)

Ah, he's not so long overdue!!  I thought that you might have typed weeks instead of months! ;)
16 weeks is about the right time to have his first puppy trim/training session!  If he's scissored into shape, you'll notice SUCH a difference... oooo I'm getting so excited I'm almost suggesting bringing him to Somerset for me to trim!! :)

Suzanne,

If the breeder or someone would help you, now is the time to start learning to scissor him yourself ;)  there's so much enjoyment to be had from grooming your dog yourself, and you will feel so proud that you have done it yourself :)  Its not so difficult really once you know how, and can be very relaxing (for both of you)

Now there's a good idea Suzanne!! :)