Bichon frise clothes size: measure the dog, not the powder puff
Updated October 5, 2026
A bichon frise weighs 12 to 18 lb (5.4 to 8.2 kg), according to the AKC, which puts it in the small-to-medium sizes of most charts. Its curly coat stands off the body, so press the tape through it to measure the chest, and measure again after every grooming, because the cut changes the number.
How big is a bichon frise?
The AKC standard prefers a height of 9.5 to 11.5 inches (24 to 29 cm) at the withers and gives no weight. The 12 to 18 lb range comes from the AKC breed page. The standard also sets the shape: the body is a quarter longer than the height at the withers, the chest reaches at least to the elbows, and the neck is long, about a third of the body's length.
For clothes, that means a back a little longer than on a square dog of the same height, a deep chest and a high neckline. Check the back length on the chart, not just the chest, and measure the neck at its base, where a collar sits, not halfway up.
How to measure through a bichon coat
The coat has a soft, dense undercoat under a coarser, curlier outer coat, and after bathing and brushing it stands off the body in the breed's powder-puff look, as the AKC standard describes it. Press the tape through it until it rests on the body at the chest and neck. Measure the back under the plumed tail, which rests on the back, down to the tail's base.
Grooming changes the size
Most pet owners take their bichon to a groomer every four to six weeks, according to the AKC breed page. A fresh cut and a coat at the end of that cycle give different chest numbers, so write the date of the last groom next to each measurement. Size for the coat length the item will be worn over, and favor stretch knits and adjustable straps, which cover both ends of the cycle.
Sizes for a 12 to 18 lb bichon
The rows run across the AKC weight range, from 12 to 18 lb (5.4 to 8.2 kg). Treat your bichon's row as a first guess, and decide with the chest you measured at the coat length it usually wears.
| Weight | Tops52 products | Onesies15 products | Raincoats29 products | Harnesses22 products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 kg (12 lb) | S · 79% | S · 100% | S · 100% | S · 100% |
| 7 kg (15 lb) | S · 79% | S · 100% | S · 100% | S · 100% |
| 8 kg (18 lb) | M · 100% | M · 100% | M · 100% | M · 68% |
Keep the curls from matting
A bichon sheds very little because loose hair stays caught in the undercoat, and the AKC notes that this hair has to be brushed out to prevent mats. Clothes and harness straps rub it into knots at the armpits, the collar line and the chest. Brush those spots after each outing in clothes, and choose smooth linings over fuzzy fleece against the coat.
On wet walks, a full-body rain suit keeps white legs and belly clean. Rain gear has its own raincoat guide. Dry the coat fully afterward, because damp curls under fabric tangle quickly.
The poodle guide covers another curly coat. For measuring each item, the dog clothes size guide has a table by item type.
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Frequently asked questions
What size clothes does a bichon frise wear?
Most bichons wear a small or a medium. Which one depends on the chest under the coat and on how long ago the last groom was, so measure at the trim you usually keep.
Should I measure my bichon before or after grooming?
It depends on when the clothes will be worn. For clothes worn right after a trim, measure then. For a grown-out winter coat, measure at the end of the grooming cycle.
Why does my bichon get mats under its harness?
Straps press loose undercoat hair into the curls as your dog moves. Brush under the straps after each walk, and keep two fingers of room under them, no tighter.
Is a full-body rain suit a good idea for a bichon?
On wet walks it keeps the legs and belly clean, which white curls show quickly. Check the back length and the leg openings, and dry the coat afterward so damp curls do not tangle.