TIP #1  EYES

Tears stains around the eyes are inevitable for some, if not most Bichons.  Regular cleaning is essential!!  Augustine recommends using a dampened cotton ball to clean around the eyes daily.

TIP #2  EARS

Did you know that equal parts of Hydrogen Peroxide + Rubbing Alcohol + Distilled Vinegar (brand is Heinz; can be found in Cold Storage) mixed together could be as good an ear-cleaning-solution as any bought in a pet store?  The Hydrogen Peroxide content helps to kill whatever mites or foreign bacteria that's in your Furbabies' ears.

Augustine warns: Never keep the solution overnight.  Mix enough for a 1-time use, and throw away the rest. 

TIP #3  TEETH

Toothpaste even if it's made especially for doggies is not suitable for the plain reason that doggies cannot gargle (we agree totally Augustine).  Instead use 1-part Hydrogen Peroxide mixed with 10-parts Water (plus a pinch of baking soda) to clean your FurBabies' teeth.  Wrap your forefinger with a piece of cotton (use ladies' facial cotton J), dip it in the solution and gently clean your FurBabies' teeth.  Do this once a week and soon your FurBabies will have pearly whites J

P/S:  Baking soda (often found in common toothpaste also) helps 'dissolve' tartar.  It also 'neutralizes' the awful taste of hydrogen peroxide.

TIP #4  Drinking water... what's suitable?

Augustine advises not to give tap water (as drinking water) to your FurBabies.  Reason being chlorine will cause discoloration and therefore will 'stain' your FurBabies' beard.  He recommends distilled water, to which Jamie -- our BFLC founder -- responds by saying: I'm going to the supermarket to buy a carton now!

TIP #5  Measurements... what's right?

Height Like what we read in the many books about Bichons Frises, Augustine says the height requirement (of an adult Bichon) is 9½ to 11½ inches.  Place the measuring tape (Ikea's flexible paper tape is highly recommended J) on the ground to your FurBabies' wither (which is the shoulder point, right after the neck) to measure his/her height.

Length According to Augustine, your FurBabies' length should be a maximum ½inch more than the measured height.  Many books however state otherwise.  They give a ratio of 4:5 (height:length),which means if your FurBabies' height is 10 inches, his/her length should be 12½ inches (10 ¸ 4 parts ´ 5 parts = 12½).

The muzzle (ie. from tip of the nose to the stop) should measure three-fifths as compared to the skull (ie. from the stop to the occiput).  This means if your FurBabies' muzzle measures 3 inches, his/her skull should measure 5 inches.  Once again, Ikea's flexible paper tape should come in handy J

Note: A well-defined facial structure is one where the eyes & nose form an equilateral triangle!

These measurements pertain to an adult Bichon (by adult we mean over a year old).  As Augustine puts it, even a 9-month-old puppy will still grow.  So if you plan on making appearances in the show ring, be advised you can never buy a show quality 3-month-old puppy.  At 1-year or so, you'd then be able to tell if your FurBaby is destined for the show ring.