Bichon Frise Poodle Mix – Poochon Breed Information

Parent Breeds:

Poodle & Bichon Frise

Breed Nickname:

Poochon

Size:

Small

Height:

9 to 15 inches

Weight:

6 to 17 pounds

Life Span:

12 to 15 years

Coat Colors:

Cream, apricot, tan, gray, and black

Friendliness

Intelligence

Good for First-Time Owners

Good with Children

Easy to Train

Exercise Requirements

Ease of Grooming

Amount of Shedding

Amount of Drooling

Tendency to Bark

What Is A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix Called?

The result of mixing a Bichon Frise with a Poodle is referred to as the Poochon, but can also sometimes go by Bichon Poo, Bichpoo, and Bichon Poodle.

These small but magnificent dogs are both smart and happy, and they offer some of the best traits from both parent breeds combined.

The Poochon is an excellent family dog for many, but are they right for you? Our guide will help you answer that burning question.

The Poochon was first intentionally bred in Australia during the late 1990s. Once seeing the adorable results, the UK and USA quickly jumped on the bandwagon and began breeding Poochons, too.

This breed was first concocted to make a designer breed that would offer the best of both worlds from the parent breeds. Toy Poodles are intelligent, regal, and proud, while the Bichon Frise is playful and funny.

Mixing these two popular breeds together also minimizes the risk of health issues, which is music to any owner’s ears.

A quick glance at an image of one of these adorable dogs will make it clear to see why the demand for them continued growing over the years, making them one of the most popular small mixed breeds in the world!

Poochons tend to be traditional lap dogs, preferring a cuddle on the couch to going outside for exercise. However, they do enjoy having fun, so it’s important that you play games with this dog throughout the day to keep them happy.

They’re intelligent and charming to anyone they meet, so don’t be surprised if people keep stopping you on your walk to ask you about your dog. The Poochon loves attention, too, and they’re good with strangers, children, and other pets.

Poochons tend to bark a lot, although you can minimize this with plenty of stimulation. Keep them busy and they’ll be less likely to vocalize everything going on in their lives.

This dog is probably one of the most sociable dogs we’ve ever come across. They love being around other people, and would even do well in a multi-pet household.

However, they do like lots of attention and will be unhappy when not getting enough. You shouldn’t leave them for too long on their own as they can suffer from separation anxiety.

The Poochon might be predisposed to a few health conditions that can be inherited from their parent breeds. Despite this, they’re generally considered to be healthy dogs, so many owners find them to be healthy throughout their entire lives.

However, it always pays to be prepared, so here are a few health issues that your Poochon could suffer from:

• Allergies
• Patellar Luxation
• Cushing’s Disease
• Addison’s Disease
• Retinal Atrophy
• Bladder Issues

Proper care and routine checkups from your veterinarian will prevent these ailments from becoming too sinister, should they present themselves. You can also prevent some of them through your dog’s diet.

The Poochon is a small dog, and these tend to have issues with their teeth overcrowding as their jaws are so small.

Poochons are intelligent thanks to their Poodle parentage, but their small size tends to make them stubborn. They’re an excellent candidate for developing small dog syndrome, which can make them much more difficult to train.

However, don’t lose your cool around them – negative reinforcement rarely works when it comes to dog training. Keep plenty of treats on hand and reward all positive behaviors.

The most important thing to remember about training a Poochon is that practice makes progress. Have patience and it will begin to get easier!

While the Poochon is an active dog, they are still small and therefore don’t need as much exercise as larger dogs. Offer them around 30 minutes of exercise a day. This could be in the form of playing fetch, walking, or playing in the yard.

However, Poochons can also live in apartments. If you’re keeping them somewhere without a yard, they might need more exercise time outside.

Poochons can become destructive if they’re bored, so making sure they have enough mental and physical stimulation is vital. These behaviors include digging, chewing, and barking excessively.

Feed a Poochon a diet formulated for small breeds with moderate energy levels. Smaller dogs are prone to gaining weight quicker than larger dogs, so be mindful of this as you measure out their food. Don’t leave food out during the day.

Small dogs can suffer from periodontal diseases, and low-quality kibble can be too hard for their teeth. This can lead to painful gums and even broken teeth, which will then leave you with a large vet bill.

To avoid this, choose premium kibble. Only the best for your Poochon!

You may also be interested in:

• Best Dog Food for Poodles
• Best Puppy Food for Poodles

Poochons can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000. Yep, you read that right! These dogs are designer and are the offspring of two very popular small breeds.

Smaller dogs tend to be more in demand as they’re easier to adapt to apartments, which also increases the price.

While you might want to get the best deal you can on these dogs, always choose a reputable breeder who can give you plenty of information on the parents and health checks done.

This will save you a lot of vet bills in the future!