The Best Trimming Equipment for Bichon Frise & Havanese

Complete Guide to Dog Trimmer & Equipment for Dog Clips & Care of Cotton Dog, Bichon Frise & Bichon Havanese

The guide is also suitable for dogs such as Poodle , Lhasa Apso, some Shih Tzu with fine undercoat, Maltese, Cavalier King Charles, Shetland Sheepdog, Chihuahua, Grave Dog, West Highland White Terrier (Westie) and others with fine hair and dense fur.

The coats of Coton de Tuléar, Bichon Frise, and Havanese are very similar, and they are all hypoallergenic companion dogs. Coton de Tuléar is also known as cotton dog because their fur resembles cotton, and the name "Coton" also means cotton. The hair is fine and the coat is tight, and you do not buy a dog trimmer, blades, or other care equipment blindly. However, these breeds have fur that, based on our many years of selling grooming equipment for these breeds, will be able to use the same. As a result, we have created a comprehensive guide for these dog breeds. 

There are numerous options, but the combination of products you'll find in this guide is the best-selling and the one we've found to work well with these breeds. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to select equipment if you are unfamiliar with the various brands and products.

You might require a little more sophisticated equipment to refine the fur if you participate in dog exhibitions and shows. This manual is designed for people who are just starting out and wish to properly groom and care for their cotton puppy, bichon frise, or havanese at home. 

Let's get started! 

1. Which dog clipper/trimming machine should I choose?

Dog trimmers come in a wide variety, however the Moser Max50 that we sell works nicely with their fur. It comes with a 1 mm cutting blade as standard, which cuts closely and works with the fur on these breeds. Additionally, the Moser MAX50 is incredibly quiet, making it a good choice for dogs who do not enjoy being around unfamiliar or loud noises. 

2. What blade number should I use?

Some people elect to simply utilize the 1 mm blade that is included with the Moser Max50 together with a guide comb to achieve their desired length. We have sets that can be purchased individually if you would want it to be longer. Some consumers opt to purchase a 4f blade. Without the use of a spacer, it removes the coat, leaving slightly about 10 mm of fur. Everything else is just as simple to cut directly with a blade, but the normal blade and a guidance comb on the exterior can be used for a smooth haircut. 

Some people use it every time the dog needs a trim, while others mix the two methods and use Oster blade 4F sporadically throughout the year, perhaps in the spring and summer when the weather is warmer, so that the dog has a relatively short coat free of knots and tangles. Then, they maintain a particular length roughly using the blade that comes with the Moser Max50 and a guidance comb.

There are specialized scissors that will be discussed a little later in this article that can be used to trim and cut around paws, faces, and other areas that can be challenging to reach with the wide blade. Alternatively, you can use a narrower blade on the Moser Max50, such as the 5/8, which has a 2 cm cutting width and is easier to work around the paws and face.

3. What spacer/ guide combs should I use?

When using the Oster blade 4F, which is included with the Moser Max50, you cannot use a guide comb; nevertheless, you can use combs of many various lengths outside the blade of 1 mm. This WAHL 8-piece set of stainless steel attachment guide combs, which is compatible with the Max50 and other trimmers, comes highly recommended. Eight guides with a 3 to 25 mm range are included in the set.

As a starting point, we do not recommend more than a maximum of 25 mm spacing when you trim these breeds with such fine dense fur. It may be possible to cut longer, but note that when trimming a fine coat, the higher you get up, the less pressure there is to and this means it takes a little longer. If you want to make teddy bear cuts with the 25, 32 and 50mm guides, it can help if you have a brush to lift the coat while driving over it with the trimmer. 

4. What other equipment is recommended for fur care of cotton dog, Bichon Frisé and Havanese?

Not all of this equipment is an absolute necessity to get started. Some may be necessary , depending on the situation, and others can make it a more comfortable experience for all parties when the dog needs a haircut.  

A. Oil - When you purchase the Max50 clipper, this item is included in the kit. Otherwise, we have bottles of blade oil. Always remember to lubricate your blades before, during, and after cutting. All that is required is a few drops. As a result, the blade is not overheated during clipping, remains well lubricated until the next time you have to cut the dog, and remains as sharp as possible. 

B. Blade after care - An easy way to clean your blades after use is to with Wahl 4 in 1 leaves Care, which easily loosens fat and other dirt that may have settled in the blade cutting the dog's fur. . 

C. Scissors - We advise using very high-quality scissors with rounded tips if you don't already have a good pair to cut around areas that can be challenging to reach with a clipper, such as the ears, some areas of the face, and under the paws. This will prevent stabbing the dog whose head or body moves slightly while you are cutting.

D. Trimming table - If you don't already have a convenient location for grooming your cotton dog, Bichon Frise, or Havanese, we suggest investing in a compact trim table with a non-slip surface that is simple to unfold and store when not in use. In order to have complete control over the dog while you cut, you may get a leash for the trim table that is the ideal length for the dog's size and straps to both the collar and the stomach. This will ensure that the dog is as secure as possible while you work. 

E. Stripping stone - Grooming stones are generally safe to use on these dog breeds as long as they are used gently and without excessive pressure. Their soft coats are prone to tangles and matting, and a grooming stone can help remove loose fur and tangles. However, it is critical to avoid applying too much pressure or rubbing the stone too hard against the dog's skin, as this can cause irritation. 

F. Shampoo & conditioner - Coton de Tuléar, Bichon Frisé, and Havanese coats are typically all white or mostly white fur. As a result, we recommend using Biogance's White Snow special shampoo, which is designed to keep white coats as white as possible. If you use this shampoo in conjunction with Biogance Gliss, your dog's fur will be white, soft, and radiant. However, keep in mind that you should not clip your dog's coat until it is completely dry, so wait a day or two after the bath. This is because there may still be moisture in the coat, making it too soft to get the best results from your work.

Dry the coat with good towels, a hair dryer, special dog towels with high absorption, or a bathrobe that absorbs water from the dog's fur. A bath every two weeks, followed by brushing, is usually enough to keep these breeds' coats neat and tangle-free. Brush the fur while using a blow dryer to give the coat a good filling. Bathing the dog when there are tangles in the coat will only make them worse. Be patient and use a spray to detangle them while the coat is drying!  

G. Nail cutter - When grooming the dog, it is always a good idea to check the paws and nails. If the dog gets a lot of exercise on rough surfaces, the nails will naturally wear down over time. If the nails are too long, we recommend a good nail grinder, which allows you to trim them a little at a time without causing bleeding or pain. If you prefer to use a regular nail clipper, cut the tips with a good nail cutter, being careful not to cut too far in. 

H. Wax & cream for care of paw pads and wounds - When grooming, especially in cold weather, pay attention to the dog's pads. With specific waxes and lotions, you can prevent or treat them if they are really hard or have little cracks. These items maintain the pads' flexibility and softness. Small wounds on the dog can be treated and quickly healed with Biogance Repairing Hot Spot Cream. 

I. Problems with tear stains and/or discolorations in the beard etc - Reddish-brown tear stains, streaks, and beard and eye discoloration are common issues in dog breeds like Coton De Tuléar, Bichon Frisé, and Havanese. There are natural remedies that can properly treat this issue without causing any negative side effects, resulting in the dog's new fur growing out to be white like the rest of the dog. 

J. I'd rather have a cordless cordless dog trimmer! - Ok, you got it. We have good solutions here. It will always cost a little more to get cordless dog trimmers with rechargeable batteries than a corded Moser Max50. Cordless clippers, on the other hand, are a little more adaptable and cozy. The Oster Pro3000i is a product we advise. Its motor is of comparable strength, and you can adjust the blades as necessary. It comes with no blade, so we advise getting an Oster blade 10, like the one in the Moser Max50, which is best for Coton De Tulear, Bichon Frise, and Havanese coats. 

The Oster Pro600i is a potential less expensive cordless substitute. The blade on this trimmer can be adjusted from 0.25 to 2.4 mm. You can use this trimmer quite fine if you keep the fur untangled and unproblematic. The Oster Pro600i has fewer alternatives than the other 2 dog trimmers, which may in some situations be a problem. Its motor is less powerful than those of the Oster Pro3000i and the Moser Max50, and you cannot purchase various types of blades for it.

K. Problems with matted fur and/or knots - The knots in the fur can be so hard and large in rare cases. To have them removed, the dog may need to be sedated at the vet. Most of the time, however, it isn't that bad. If there is any fur left under the knots, you can either cut it off with scissors before beginning to trim the dog, or use the dog trimmer to cut it off before going over the rest of the fur. You can usually trim the knots with a standard 1 mm blade for the Moser Max50 or an Oster blade 10 if you have a cordless trimmer.

If there is only a small amount of fur under the knots, an Oster blade 40 can be used, which is a fine blade that cuts to a height of 0.25 mm. If the knotted fur hasn't hardened, you can untangle it by softening it with Biogance Xtra Liss Spray. Then, using a detangler, loosen it up and comb it out thoroughly with a good brush. 

L. Dental hygiene - Petosan is a market leader in dog dental care products. We recommend the Petosan kit, which includes a toothbrush and paste. If your dog has plaque and tartar issues, they must be addressed by a veterinarian first. Plaque Off, an effective natural product that fights plaque, tartar, and bad breath, will not remove existing tartar. 

M. Brushes and combs - We have a large selection of brushes and combs, and it can be difficult to single one out. Choose a comb or brush with dense teeth that can work effectively between the many thin hairs found on Coton De Tulear, Bichon Frise and Havanese.

We have made an effort to cover the topic of Coton De Tuléar, Bichon Frisé, and Bichon Havanais care. The guide is also applicable to dogs with fine hair and dense fur, such as Maltese, Cavalier King Charles, and other breeds. You are invited to get in touch with customer support if you have inquiries about products or care, or if there are any details you believe we have left out of this guide.