Poochon

Poochon are a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle.

These members of the Doodle family have proven to be popular pets given their affectionate and loving nature.

Poochon will usually be relatively small in size given the Bichon Frise is likely to be mixed with a Miniature or Toy Poodle.

This Bichon Frise Poodle mix has proven popular due to their low-shedding coats and hypoallergenic qualities.

It’s important to remember that Poochons can inherit different characteristics from each parent. So don’t forget that every Poochon can have slightly different physical and temperament traits.

Dog lovers interested in a Poochon should be wary of claims made by breeder, especially if they guarantee a hypoallergenic Poochon pup that won’t shed at all.

In our bid to get an indepth insight into the Poochon cross breed, we spoke to a couple of owners of this wonderful designer dog to find out firsthand what life is like living with a Poochon.

What is a Poochon?

A Poochon is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. While they’re usually referred to as a Poochon, they can go by a variety of other names. These include: Bich-poo, Bichdoodle, Bichoodle, Bichonpooo, Bichpoo and Bichondoodle.

They’re usually a relatively small designer breed that inherit qualities from both their Bichon Frise and Poodle parent. They can make much-loved family pets.

While the Bichon Frise and the Poodle are recognised by the American Kennel Club, the respected organization haven’t granted the Poochon status.

However, the Poochon get recognition from American Canine Hybrid Club, Designer Breed Registry, Designer Dogs Kennel Club, Dog Registry of America and International Designer Canine Registry.

What size is a Poochon?

The Poochon is usually a small dog. The Bichon Frise is a toy breed and breeders will commonly use a Toy Poodle to create this Poochon mix.

Poochons tend to grow to between 9 and 15 inches tall and 9 to 18 pounds in weight. As you can see, the Bichon Frise Poodle mix is a relatively small companion dog that have moderate needs.

Poochon appearance

As we mentioned at the start of this Poochon breed feature, these little dogs can have traits that are inherited from both their Bichon Frise and Poodle parent.

The Bichon Frise have a thick coat with curly hair, while the Poodle has tight curls. Bichon Frise have a white coat but Poodles can come in a variety of different colors. As a result, the Poochon will usually have a black, apricot or white coat.

Most of the time you’ll find that the Poochon has a tail that flops over on their back, while their coat will usually be trimmed by pet parents or a professional groomer.

They’ll have dark oval-shaped eyes that are amber or brown in color.

George’s mom (@poochongeorge) gave us an insight into his Poochon’s appearance.

Proving that all Poochon can be a little different, Bear (@bear.thepoochon) has a darker coat than George.

Poochon temperament

Poochon will display characteristics that are often associated with the Bichon Frise and the Poodle. However, there’s no guarantee that a Bich-poo will inherit certain desired traits, such as the Bichon Frise’s affectionate nature or the Poodle’s high IQ.

You’ll often find that a Poochon are social little dogs that like to give and receive love to their pet parents. They can be affectionate in nature. The Bich-poo cross will be relatively smart dogs given the Poodle is considered the smartest dog in the world.

The Bichon Frise and the Poodle have varying energy levels, so each Poochon could require walks of varying lenghts. Having said that, any dog, including the Poochon, will benefit from some physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis.

Do Poochons suffer from separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a chronic canine disorder than can affect any dog irrespective of breed or mix. The Poochon is no different. The Bichon Frise, in particular, are companion pets that are accustomed to being around their pet owners. Separation anxiety usually occurs when a dog is left at home alone. The symptoms of separation anxiety can include barking, howling or whining, destructive chewing or digging, or in some extreme cases, defecating or urinating. If you suspect your Bichon Frise has separation anxiety, you may find reading our interview with a dog separation anxiety expert useful.

Do Poochons make great family pets?

Poochons can make much-loved family pets given they tend to be affectionate, intelligent, outgoing, playful and social little dogs. They’re relatively robust little dogs. The Bichon Frise breed is friendly and patient with a sweet nature. The Poodle tends to be a little more energetic and boisterous. If you’re planning to get a Poochon, you will need to educate children on how to handle this designer dog with care. You should never leave your Poochon – or any dog – unsupervised with children alone.

Bear (@bear.thepoochon) does great around children.

Are Poochons smart?

Poochon are likely to be quite smart dogs. As we mentioned above, the Poodle is considered the second smartest dog in the world behind the Border Collie. They’re usually quick to learn new tricks and to follow the commands of their pet owners. Bichon Frise are ranked further down the list at no78. Irrespective, you’ll probably have a mix that is relatively intelligent.

Are Poochon easy to train?

The Bich-poo will likely be relatively easy to train. They’re relatively quick to pick up on some of the basic training. Having said that, it’s still a good idea to take your Poochon pup to puppy training classes from a young age to reinforce the basic training. From that point on, consistent and persistent training is recommended to continually reinforce what your dog has learned.

Bear’s mom (@bear.thepoochon) has had a positive experience training her Poochon.

How much exercise do Poochons need?

Poochon can have varying exercise requirements. The Bichon Frise is a relatively low maintenance dog that won’t need lots of exercise every day. The Poodle, on the other hand, is more energetic but the Toy Poodle doesn’t have as such high energy levels as a Standard Poodle. Dog walking website Wag Walking offer a suggestion for Poochon owners where exercise is concerned.

George (@poochongeorge) doesn’t require an excessive amount of exercise every day.

Do Poochons like to cuddle?

We put this question to George’s mom.

Do Poochons get along with other dogs?

Socialization classes are always a good idea when you get a puppy. It’s advisable to expose your Bich-poo to different types of dogs, people and situations in a responsible matter. Having said that, the Poochon is a breed that usually does well with other canines. The Bichon Frise, in particular, are easy-going dogs with a social temperament.

For example, George (@poochongeorge) is a social dog having benefited from the appropriate training and socialization.

Are Poochons hypoallergenic?

It’s important to note that no dog is completely hypoallergenic irrespective of what you may read online or hear from breeders. The American Kennel Club reiterate this point on their website.

The AKC recommend the Poodle as one of the breeds that have hypoallergenic qualities. They’ve got a low-shedding coat, produce little dander and their tight curls catch any dander secreted.

According to the respect organization, the Bichon Frise is another example of a dog breed with hypoallergenic qualities. So their white hypoallergenic coat won’t shed much if at all.

So, as you can deduce, the Poochon is a hypoallergenic designer breed given both of the parents are listed as hypoallergenic breeds by the American Kennel Club.

Do Poochons shed?

The Poochon is likely to be a low-shedding cross breed given both the Bichon Frise and the Poodle don’t shed a lot. So if you own a Bich-poo, you won’t find lots of dog hair all over your clothes or in corners of your home.

Bear (@bear.thepoochon), for example, doesn’t shed much at all.

Do Poochons need regular grooming?

While the Poochon don’t shed a lot, they do require lots of grooming. Poochon owners will need to dedicate themselves to brushing their dog’s coat at least four or five times a week. In doing so, you can prevent their coat from becoming matted or tangled. By regularly brushing their coat, you can remove an dirt, debris or allergens such as pollen caught in their hair. Some Poochon owners may prefer to pay for a professional groomer to brush or cut their hair.

We asked Bear’s mom (@bear.thepoochon) about her grooming routine for her Poochon.

Do Poochons have any health problems?

While cross breeds are usually considered to be healthier dogs, they can still suffer with some health issues. If you’re thinking about getting a Poochon, you should be aware of the following potential health problems:

• Addison’s Disease
• Cushing’s Disease
• Corneal Dystrophy Minor Concerns
• Cataracts
• Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease
• Immune Mediated
• Haemolytic Anaemia (IMHA)

George’s mom (@poochongeorge) listed some things to be aware of given the health issues associated with the Bichon Frise and the Poodle.

Poochon Price

Poochon are usually dubbed a designer breed. So, as you might expect, Poochon puppies can be quite expensive. Based upon our research, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $3,000 for a Poochon from a Poochon breeder. If you’re interested in a Poochon, you may prefer to contact your local rescue shelter to see if they have a Bichon Frise Poodle cross breed.

Bear’s mom (@bear.thepoochon) gave us an idea about the average cost of a Poochon.

Are Poochons expensive?

While you may have saved for the initial cost of your Poochon, there are other things to think about if you’ve decided to adopt one of these designer dogs. The costs associated with owning a Poochon can range from pet food, pet insurance, grooming, trips to the vet and much more. As you’ll now know, Poochons require regular grooming, which can be quite expensive if you go to a professional groomer. You can check out the best pet insurance options in the USA and the UK.

Would you recommend Poochons to first-time owners?

If you’re thinking about getting a Poochon and you’re a first-time owner, you may be wondering whether the cross breed is a good fit for you.

Here’s what George’s mom (@poochongeorge) said when we put this question to her.

Poochons to follow on Instagram

We often find that Instagram can be an excellent place to learn more about a dog breed. Usually pet parents are more than forthcoming with information about their dogs.

Here are two Poochon accounts to check out on Instagram.

• George (@poochongeorge)

• Bear (@bear.thepoochon).

What are the pros and cons of Poochon?

Here are some of the pros and cons, as listed by our Poochon owners.

Poochon Pros

George pros: Don’t shed hair; Easy to train; Keep their puppy looks into adulthood; No major hereditary health problems; Don’t need lots of exercise but happy to go on walks and adventures; Lovable and affectionate; Great with children when socialised and training appropriately; Fun and sociable dogs.

Bear pros: They are hypoallergenic, funny and sweet personality, intelligent dogs and lovely size if you are looking for a small to medium sized dog.

Poochon Cons

George cons: Need a lot of brushing and grooming which can be expensive; Do not like being alone (from our experience).

Bear cons: None other than I find Bear very mischievous but I would see this as part of her funny personality.

Poochon Pictures

In conclusion

We’ve reached the end of our feature on Poochons.

They’re a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. They can also be called Bich-poo, Bichdoodle, Bichoodle, Bichonpooo, Bichpoo and Bichondoodle.

The Poochon are small dogs that can make family pets or companion dogs given they’re affectionate and loving, hypoallergenic and low shedding, as well as being pretty smart and easy to train.

Just remember, like all cross breeds, the Poochon’s characteristics can vary depending on whether they take after their Bichon Frise or Poodle parent.