Evolution of the Bichon Head

Let's talk for a minute about who sets a "proper breed profile" style, or a show style. This applies to Bichons and all the breeds, really. No one person says, "it is this" Styles shift and evolve. The show style is a manifestation or reflection of how the breeder or show handler is interpreting the breed standard. Key individuals, usually outstanding handler/groomers or breeder/handlers often set trends. 

One person instrumental in the development of the Bichon Frise grooming style was Frank Sabella a renowned handler, who gave a grooming seminar to the Bichon Frise Club of America in 1969, which set the stage for the sculpted style of today. Mr. Sabella went on to judge the breed internationally at some of the most significant dog show events. Another breeder/handler who has been recognized as a leading stylist of the breed is Paul Flores, co-owner of Paray Kennels and one of the most winning handlers in the breed ring over the last 15 years. 

The rounded head style that we see today has not always been the case. In the 70's, the ears were still distinct and the beard was left long.

The 1980's featured the very full bell-shaped head. 

The pictures above are from the website of Fountainbleau Bichons.  Sometimes the bell head featured a more exaggerated beard.  From The World of the Bichon Frise, by Anna Katherine Nicholas, I found this photo of Ch.Craigdale's  Olé Rhondi, the top-winning Bichon of 1983.

In this picture, we also see the cut out eyes and the Bichon "ledge" (my term) over the eyes.  Today, the ledge looks like this:

This is "Lucy", in 2008, handled by Lisa Bettis.

The round head of today started appearing in the 1990's, first with the shortening of the beard, and then rounding the ears into the headpiece.  Nowadays, it is not uncommon to see show heads that are actually a bit higher on the top of the head than long underneath. Bichon heads in the show ring can differ from week to week on the same dog, depending on the choices of the particular handler presenting the dog.

In pet grooming, the round head requires a lot to be taken off the ears. The owner has to be willing to give up the flowing ears. Way more than the bottom of the ears are trimmed; creating the "circle" necessitates cutting through the sides of the ears as well. Most importantly, there is no definition in front of the ears. The sides of the head are combed out to the ears, and only that hair that sticks out beyond the sides of the ears is trimmed. To avoid a heavy look to the face, it can be dished out a bit, and trimmed from outside corner of the eyes to the outside line of the circle. Cutting out under the ears does help to create a smaller, tighter circle, but can backfire if you cut too much.

Here is an even smaller Bichon pet head.  Round, cut out around the eyes. Not a show dog, but still a Bichon Frise!  

Comments

[rachel]

awesome blog!!

[kat vogel]

hi! Nice article! I would also like to add others from the past that were influencial in establishing the Bichon's grooming pattern. Bernice Richardson (West Coast) and Mary Vogel (East Coast). Mary bred and showed miniature schnauzersin the 60's. She was envolved in Bichons way before they were recognized by AKC and while attracted to the breed she felt they needed scissoring-one only needs to compare the body trims of the Bichon to that of the Schnauzer to see the simularities! Column front legs, and back legs showing angulation flowing to the hock,etc...just thought you folks might get a kick out of this!

[Bichon Brothers]

I really enjoyed learning some of the history and seeing these great pictures!

[Miss Rose's Grooming Salon]

As a groomer for over 45 years, I have enjoyed the entire evolution of this lovely breed. I recall doing all of these styles over the years. I still have a client that asks for the bell look on his two Bichons.

It is only right and proper that we mention that the person who has been most influential in instructing and guiding me and many otheret groomers in the proper grooming of the pet Bichon, BBird!

[BBird]

Thanks, Kat, for adding this valuable information.

[gail monk]

so nice, last 2 are so much cuter.

[Colleen Zuber]

The scary thing is that I remember some of these clips. It is interesting to see the transformation of the bichon head though. Until you see it in photos it doesn't seem real but real it is. Thanks for taking the time to share with us Barbara.

[Bouvier DesFanders]

Thank you for posting the past and present bichon heads, Barbara ! these pics show how long some of us have been grooming and remember the styles and what decade they were popular in

[ccsbichons]

I remember trying to brush out that huge beard on my first bichon, before I became a groomer. I don't miss it AT ALL and have so much fun scissoring in these cute round faces.