Best brush for a Bichon Frise
A Bichon Frise has a soft, curly, dense double coat that tangles and mats quickly if it is only brushed occasionally, so the right tool used often matters far more than an expensive one used rarely. A slicker brush for the everyday work, plus a metal comb to check right down to the skin, covers most of what the breed actually needs.
Why the Bichon Frise coat is so mat-prone
The Bichon's coat is made up of a soft undercoat and a coarser curly outer coat, and the curl itself is what causes the problem — loose hair from the undercoat gets caught in the curl of the outer coat instead of falling out, so it has to be brushed out rather than shedding away on its own.
Left too long between brushes, that trapped hair works itself into mats close to the skin, particularly behind the ears, under the legs and around the collar area, where friction is highest. A mat pulls on the skin as the dog moves, and a badly matted coat sometimes has to be shaved off entirely rather than brushed out, which is the outcome regular brushing is meant to avoid.
What to look for in a brush
A slicker brush with fine, slightly bent pins is the main tool for a Bichon's coat, since it is designed to work through a curly, dense coat without simply skating over the top of it. Look for one with a reasonably firm base so the pins do not flex uselessly against a mat that has already started forming.
A metal comb with both wide and narrow teeth is worth having alongside the slicker brush, used after brushing to check that the coat is genuinely clear down to the skin rather than just smooth on the surface, which a slicker brush alone can make it look even when a mat is still there underneath.
A brushing routine that actually keeps mats away
Brushing every day, or at the very least every other day, is what the breed genuinely needs — this is not a coat that tolerates a once-a-week routine the way a shorter-coated breed might. Work in sections, brushing from the skin outward rather than just over the top of the coat, and pay particular attention to the ears, armpits, and behind the collar.
A light misting with a grooming spray or a little water before brushing makes the coat easier to work through and reduces static and breakage compared with brushing a completely dry coat. If you find a small mat starting, work it out gently with your fingers and the comb before it has a chance to tighten and grow.
When to bring in a professional groomer
Most Bichon owners have their dog professionally clipped every four to six weeks to keep the coat at a length that is realistic to maintain between visits, since letting it grow long between clips makes daily brushing take considerably longer and increases the chance of matting.
If matting has already set in close to the skin, a groomer can judge whether it is safe to brush out or whether it needs to be clipped away, rather than pulling at a tight mat yourself, which is uncomfortable for the dog and can damage the skin underneath.
What we stock for this breed
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Electric Pet Grooming Clipper
A quiet, rechargeable electric clipper for trimming dogs, cats, rabbits and other pets at home. Low-noise and low-vibration with an adjustable blade for tidy, stress-free grooming around the body and paws.
From£11.99
Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles
A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.
£18.99
Round-Tipped Deshedding Rake Comb
A double-sided undercoat rake with rounded stainless-steel blades that gently cut through mats and remove loose hair. The non-slip ergonomic handle makes deshedding dogs and cats quick and comfortable.
From£8.99
Pet Deshedding Grooming Mitt
A soft mesh grooming mitt you wear on one hand to lift loose fur while stroking your pet, turning shedding control into a soothing massage. Suits dogs and cats with any coat length.
From£7.99
Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
A skin-friendly slicker brush that gently lifts loose fur and undercoat from dogs, cats and rabbits. The angled pins glide through the coat while a one-click button releases the collected hair for easy cleaning. Soft non-slip handle.
£9.99
Double-Sided Deshedding & Flea Comb
A two-sided steel comb with coarse deshedding teeth on one side and fine flea-comb teeth on the other. Lifts loose fur and catches fleas to keep your cat or dog's coat clean and healthy.
£13.99
Steam Spray Detangling Grooming Brush
A rechargeable steam grooming brush with a fine mist that lifts loose fur and eases tangles while you brush. Gentle on the skin and cuts down flyaway hair, no bath needed. Chick design.
£12.99
Wahl Competition Series Clipper Blades
High-precision, chrome-plated clipper blades with a rust-resistant finish, available in 17 sizes for every coat type and clipping style.
From£37.99
Double-Sided Undercoat Rake
A twin-bladed rake that removes mats and tangles on one side and reduces shedding on the other. The non-slip ergonomic handle suits cats and dogs with thick or long coats.
£23.99
Silicone Pet Bath & Massage Brush
Soft silicone bristles work shampoo into a rich lather while gently massaging your pet and lifting loose hair at bath time. A handy strap keeps the brush secure across the back of your hand.
£7.99
Self-Cleaning Deshedding Slicker Brush
A deshedding grooming tool for dogs and cats that lifts loose undercoat and eases out tangles, with a self-cleaning button that releases the trapped fur in one press.
£25.99
Wooden Pet Deshedding Grooming Brush
An ergonomic wooden grooming brush with a fine-toothed edge that loosens and lifts away dead and shedding fur. The smooth contoured handle sits comfortably in the hand for quick, gentle daily de-shedding.
£14.99
Common questions
- How often should a Bichon Frise be brushed?
- Ideally every day, or at the very least every other day, since the breed's curly coat traps loose hair rather than shedding it out naturally. Skipping more than a couple of days at a time is usually when mats start to take hold, particularly behind the ears and under the legs.
- What type of brush is best for a Bichon Frise's coat?
- A slicker brush with fine, slightly bent pins is the main tool, since it is designed to work through a dense, curly coat rather than skate over the surface. A metal comb used afterwards checks that the coat is properly clear right down to the skin.
- Why does my Bichon Frise keep getting mats even though I brush regularly?
- Mats often form in specific spots — behind the ears, under the legs, around the collar — where friction is highest, so a general brush over the body can miss them. Work in sections and check these areas specifically each time, and consider a shorter professional clip if mats keep recurring.
- Should I bathe my Bichon Frise before brushing?
- A light misting with water or a grooming spray before brushing makes the coat easier to work through and reduces breakage, but a full bath followed by thorough brushing while damp, rather than left to dry naturally, gives the best result and helps prevent matting.
- How short should a Bichon Frise be clipped?
- This comes down to how much daily brushing you can realistically keep up with — a shorter clip needs less maintenance between grooming appointments. A professional groomer can suggest a length that suits both your dog's coat and your own routine.
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Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.