Bichon Frise
A Bichon is a small white dog under a big round coat. The hair keeps growing and it does not fall out. Everything the dog sheds stays in the coat. Most Bichons need a groom every six weeks.
- Coat type
- Curly
- Groom every
- 6 weeks
- Brushing at home
- Line brush every 2 to 3 days
- Shedding
- Almost none on the floor. Dogs NSW says the coat does not shed.
- Watch for
- Knots close to the skin, and tear stains
- Time in the salon
- About 95 minutes for a Full Groom
A coat that keeps growing
Dogs NSW calls the Bichon coat a single coat, and hair rather than fur. It grows the way your own hair does, so it has to be cut. It also does not drop, so the loose hair stays where it is. That soft, springy look takes work to hold. The round shape you see on a show Bichon is all scissor work, done by hand.
Why six weeks
A Bichon coat is soft, and soft coats pack down fast. Loose hair stays in it and presses flat against the skin. From the top the coat still looks full. Underneath it can be solid. Six weeks keeps it short enough for you to brush right through at home. Leave it longer and we have to clip below the knots, which comes out shorter than the round shape needs.
A Bichon in a solid coat gets clipped short. The round shape needs length to cut into, and we cannot scissor shape into a packed coat.
Home care between grooms
- Line brush every two to three days. Hold the coat up with one hand and brush a thin line at a time, starting down at the skin.
- Wipe under the eyes each day with a damp cloth. White hair stains quickly.
- Check the ears each week, and dry the coat right through after a bath.
Line brushing, shown by iGroomHub, our partner. This is how our groomers brush, and it is the way to do it at home.
What you need at home
- Steel comb
Run it down to the skin. If it stops, you have found a knot.
- Slicker brush
This is the brush you line brush with. Follow it with the comb.
- Shampoo and conditioner
The conditioner is the one that counts on this coat. Our range is made with chemists: 100% natural, vegan and palm oil free.
What we do for Bichons at WOOOF
Most Bichons book a Full Groom: bath, full dry, ears, nails and a scissor finish. It takes about 95 minutes, and most of that is the scissoring. Dogs NSW notes the Australian look is rounded off, never cut square. Tell us how short you want it. Start a puppy in the Happy Puppy Club.
What a Bichon Frise groom costs
Set to a small dog with a curly coat, which is where a Bichon sits.
Showing the lowest prices, for a small dog with a curly / long coat. Pick your dog’s weight and coat to see their price.
Add to any service
- Teeth Brush$30
- Nail Trim$25
- Nail filing$15
- DemattingFrom $34quoted on arrival
- DesheddingFrom $34quoted on arrival
Specialist grooming and programmes
Grooming that is priced after a conversation, a consultation, a coat assessment or a programme rather than a standard slot.
Happy Puppy Club
Short, positive sessions that teach a puppy the salon is a good place, so their whole grooming life is easier. Start any time from their first vaccinations.
See how the club works →
Spa treatments
Hydrospa and therapeutic treatments for coat, skin and muscular health, for itchy skin, dull coats, and older dogs who feel their walks the next day.
Browse treatments →
Hand stripping
Terriers and Spaniels whose coats are better hand stripped, or stripped and clipped. Duration and price depend on the coat.
Talk to our team →
Asian freestyle groom
Soft, sculpted, toy-like styling by an award-winning stylist: rounded faces, fuller legs, even braids. For smaller dense or curly coats groomed every 4 weeks.
Talk to our team →Cancellations and late arrivals
Please give us 24 hours if plans change. Arriving more than 15 minutes late may mean we cannot finish the groom booked.
Safe handling fee
A $30 safe handling fee applies where a dog needs two groomers or extra time to stay safe and comfortable. We always call you first.
Ready when you are
You’re 2 minutes away from happiness. Our booking portal helps you select the right services for your dog and shows you live calendar availability.
Book nowService prices are a starting point. The exact price is confirmed at drop-off, based on grooming time, coat condition, size and any extra handling. Add-on prices are exact.
Common questions
How often does a Bichon Frise need grooming?
Every six weeks. The coat keeps growing and holds every hair the dog sheds, so it packs down at the skin if you leave it.
Do Bichons shed?
Dogs NSW says the coat does not shed. Hair still comes loose. It just stays in the coat instead of on your floor, which is why brushing down to the skin matters so much.
Where this comes from
Dogs NSW, Bichon Frise. A single coat, "essentially HAIR not fur", that "does not shed". Weekly grooming, and a haircut from time to time.
RSPCA South Australia, The complete guide to grooming your dog. Poodles, poodle crosses and wiry haired terriers need regular combing. Trapped hair can cause ear and eye infections.
RSPCA Australia, Why and how should I groom my dog? Brush knots out before they turn into mats.
PetSure, Pet Health Monitor 2026. Ear infections in adult dogs cost $473 on average to treat.
WOOOF groomers are not vets. We tell you what we see on the table and send you to your vet. Nothing here is vet advice.