Poochon: All About Poodle and Bichon Frise Mix

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Updated on: 06/08/2023

The Poochon dog breed is a cross between the Miniature or Toy Poodle and the Bichon Frise. With two of the most famous small and glamourous dog breeds in the world for parents, the Poochon is a very desirable cross-breed dog. They are also commonly referred to as Bichon Poodles, Bichon Poo, and Bichpoo. They are known for their playful and loving personality and love activities and attention. For anyone looking to welcome a Poochon into their home, or anyone who recently has, it is important to research information about the breed to ensure you are fully capable of taking care of your new best friend. Fortunately for you, we have created an all-you-need-to-know article on the Bichon Poodle below.

Photo by @zierik from Freepik

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Poochon:

Height	9-15 inches
Weight	6-17 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Size	Small, designer, toy dog
Coat	Woolly coat
Colors	Black, Tan, Grey, Cream
Shedding	Not much shedding
Temperament	Fun-loving and charming
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Loves being sociable with all people
Barking	Moderate
Children	Suitable for older children
Energy levels	Active

Breed History

It is possible that Poochon dogs did occur naturally before this date, but the first known breeding started in Australia in the 1990s. Once the idea of breeding Bichon Frise and Poodle dogs proved popular, the United States and the United Kingdom were not far behind.

It was the hope of the first breeders that they could combine the best traits from each of the two parents, thus creating a dog that had all the grace, pride, and intelligence of a poodle and the playful side of a Bichon Frise. As with any cross-breeding, there was also an aim to reduce the health problems associated with each purebred dog.

The Poochon was initially seen as a designer breed, due to the stature of the parents it came from; however, many have still ended up in shelters over the years.

Interesting Facts

The Poochon first started in Australia.
They are equally at home in a huge house or a small apartment.
The Poochon is bred from Bichon Frise and Toy Poodle parents.
People will regularly stop you and ask to pet your best friend.

Temperament and Personality

The Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise are two dog breeds we adore, and the mixed breed dogs that come from them are equally as amazing. If you are looking for intelligent dogs or a playful pup, look no further than the Bichon Frise Poodle mix.

Poochon dogs are always playful and fun-loving, which is why they often thrive in a bustling family home. However, they are also happy to adapt to their owner’s lifestyle. For example, the Poochon is equally at home going on walks and enjoying playtime or napping next to you on the couch. If you live alone, the Poochon is still an option for you, but only if you are willing to give it lots of love and attention.

Thanks to their Poodle parents, the Poochon is a very clever dog. They like to be challenged intellectually with lots of engaging playtime and puzzle toys.

This crossbreed is popular among dog lovers, so be prepared for many stop-start walks with people asking to come and pet your little bundle of joy. Fortunately, they deal well with this attention, as they are very sociable dogs and enjoy being around people, even strangers.

However, even though they can happily play along with strangers and other animals, the Poochon will likely reserve their affection for you, their owners, and family members.

The Poochon is known to be a relatively consistent barker; however, you can train them to behave if you start from an early age. You will also find that they bark less if you give them lots of things to do, whether that be walks, playtime, puzzles, games, or toys.

Category	Rating (out of 5)
Adaptability	4
Adapts to apartment living	5
Energy levels	4
Adapts to being alone	1
Tolerates cold weather	3
Tolerates hot weather	4
All-around friendliness	5
Affectionate with family	5
Kid-friendly	5
Dog friendly	4
Cat friendly	4
Friendly with strangers	4
Health and grooming	2
Shedding	1
Drooling	1
Easy to groom	1
Easy to train	5
Exercise needs	4
Intelligence	4

Activity and Exercise Requirements

Compared to the average dog, Poochons do not need a huge amount of exercise. The Bichon Frise parent does not need much exercise each day, and while a standard poodle is high energy, that is not so much the case with the toy poodle. Despite this, we recommend around 30 minutes of exercise per day. However, it’s all about adapting to what your Poochon needs and likes. If they still have a lot of excess energy, add some length to their walk or mentally stimulate them with some games.

As we explained above, the Poochon can adapt to all kinds of lifestyles, including small apartments, large houses, and pretty much everything in between. As long as you love them and give them attention, they really don’t care too much about their surroundings.

Due to their small size and delicate frame, the Poochon is best suited to older children. Younger kids may get overexcited and hurt the small dog, even without meaning to. Once a child is old enough to understand the size of the dog and how to handle them, it is safe for a Poochon to live with them. In terms of other animals, Poochons are more than happy to share their home.

Feeding and Diet

You should look to choose a diet that suits a small, toy dog with moderate energy levels. Keep an eye on their weight as they can gain a few pounds if you give them too much food. It is best to pick a strict feeding regime, with two meals per day, then stick to it.

As with any dog, your Pichon’s diet will change as it grows from a puppy into an adult and then into old age. It is always a good idea to ask a vet about your specific Poochon during your next check-up, and ask them for recommendations as there is some variation from dog to dog when it comes to Poochons.

Photo by Christina Victoria Craft on Unsplash

RELATED: Best Food for Poodles

Grooming and Shedding

Poochon dogs often get a nice blend of the coats seen on their parents, medium in length and rather woolly to the touch. They also don’t shed too much hair, making them perfect for anyone who usually suffers from allergies. So, if you have pet allergies and want to avoid loose dog hair, the Poochon is a great choice.

However, both the Toy Poodle and the Bichon Frise need a fair bit of grooming to remain in their fabulous condition. As such, your Poochon will need regular maintenance. You should look to give your Poochon a brush every day, then give them a bath every three weeks or so. There is no way around it with the Poochon, they need regular grooming, so factor that into your decision-making.

You should also keep a delicate cloth on hand for your Poochon’s eyes as they can develop tear stains and dabbing them reduces the staining.

Known Health Problems

Unfortunately, there are a few known and common health problems regarding the Poochon dog breed. While breeding the Bichon Frise with a Toy Poodle did cut out some of the health problems associated with each parent, there are some to watch out for. Having said that, the Poochon is a generally healthy dog.

One of these is called Patella Luxation,^[1] which involves the dislocation of the kneecap, resulting in a whole lot of pain for the Poochon. You should also look out for allergies, bladder issues, retinal atrophy, Cushing’s disease, and Addison’s disease.

As with any dog, we recommend taking them on regular visits to the vet for check-ups.

Training

Poochon dogs are very intelligent, meaning they are able to learn and train. We recommend you start training your Poochon dog from day one to give you the best chance at raising a well-rounded pet. The sooner you start training, the easier it becomes for you and the dog. See local puppy training classes to see if you can get some professional help.

We also recommend that you socialize your Poochon with other dogs and animals as early as possible. The more they grow up with other animals around, the more receptive they will be to them. Of course, you want your Poochon to be friendly with other dogs, even if it’s just while you are out and about on walks. Having your Poochons around other pets makes for friendly dogs.

Adoption and Breeders

The most direct route to sourcing a Poochon is via a breeder. This is especially true if you have your heart set on a puppy. Poochon dogs are bred using Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise parents and there are a number of experienced breeders out there who provide regular litters. However, we urge you to check your local adoptions and rescue centers first to see if you can give a home to a lovely Poochon. Of course, that is your choice.

You can try Bichon Frise and/or Poodle rescues to see whether they have any Poochons who need a new home:

Photo by @pumba_nyc from Instagram

To find the best breeder for Poochon puppies, we recommend that you research online for your local options. There should be reviews for each breeder to see who has a good reputation and who should be avoided.

Conclusion

And there we have it, our complete guide to the Poochon dog. This should give you all the starter information you need to confidently make a decision on whether you want to adopt or purchase a Poochon. Feel free to refer back as you welcome the new dog into your home for tips on training, health, exercise and more. We wish you all the best with your new best friend!

FAQ

Do Poochon dogs shed?

Poochon dogs do not shed much fur, making them perfect for any allergy sufferers. Having said that, their coats do require regular grooming, including daily brushing and baths every three weeks or so.

Do Poochon dogs bark?

The Poochon is a regular barker, especially when they are young and it has not been trained. However, as long as you start the training from day one and remain consistent with it, you should be able to reduce the barking problems. Giving them something to do that requires energy is also an excellent way to cut down on barking.

How big is a full-grown Poochon?

Adult male Poochons are usually between 9 and 15 inches in height and 6 and 17 pounds in weight. Adult female Poochons are usually very similar in size.

How much is a Poochon?

The average cost of a Poochon is around $1000.

Article Sources:

LaFond, Elizabeth, et al. “Breed Susceptibility for Developmental Orthopedic Diseases in Dogs.” Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 1 Sept. 2002, doi.org/10.5326/0380467.