Bichon grooming: cut of lamb

Bichon grooming is much more of an art than a science. A groomer has an artistic eye for styling the dog’s coat and can take the dog’s body structure into account when making decisions. They then use this knowledge to create a cut that beautifully highlights the dog’s build. This is important to know when learning how to groom your bichon. In this article, we’ll take a look at a basic bichon cut style, the mutton cut, and talk about specific tips and strategies to keep your dog looking great.

Before getting into grooming styles and tips, it should be noted that the Bichon should be thoroughly washed and detangled before grooming. Bichons are notorious for having tangled and matted hair, so be sure to clean and brush the dog before attempting to cut it.

Cut of Lamb

In general, there are three basic types of bichon cuts. They are the lamb cut, the modified puppy cut, and the full cut. Here we will see the cutting of lamb, or “shaving”. This style is exactly what it sounds like: the body, legs, and head are all cut with electric clippers, resulting in short hair all over. This style cut is preferred by those who have no plans to show their Bichon in competitions or during the summer. It is a convenient style because it requires very little maintenance and is quite easy to achieve. The benefits include much less matting and tangles, and a cooler dog in the warm months.

Lamb Cutting Tips

The first decision you need to make is what size clipper to use, and this depends on how long the dog’s hair currently is. If it is quite long, it is not recommended to cut it to the final length in one go. Instead, use a longer clipper first, then cut again with a shorter blade. The final length is up to you, but we recommend reducing the length with smaller and smaller blades until the desired length is reached.

Some people like to trim their dog’s bottom/belly a little closer than the rest of the body. Again, if this is the look you would like, it is recommended that you taper down to your desired length.

Another approach to take is to shave in the same direction that the hair grows, which is usually from the head to the tail. This is important for both safety and appearance. If you shave against hair growth, you run the risk of catching skin in the blades and cutting your dog. Also, shaving in the direction of the hair will result in a much smoother cut.

The head is the most difficult part to shave. This is especially true for the area around the eyes. To achieve the desired look, cut as close to the eyes as possible with electric clippers and use scissors to finish. Remember that Bichons are prone to watery eyes and eye infections if the hair around them grows too long, so pay special attention.

Finally, after you have finished shaving, you should go back to washing your bichon. This will help remove loose hairs to prevent itchiness, and is a great way to not only clean your hair but also your skin.

Unless you plan to enter your Bichon into competitions or really love the look of a well-groomed dog, this is the most recommended cut style. It’s an easy way to keep your dog looking great and should take less than two hours once a month.