The Bichon Poodle, otherwise known as the Bichpoo or Poochon, is the result of crossing a Bichon Frise with a Poodle. This teddy-bear dog is a small pup and is classed as a toy breed. They are intelligent, friendly and affectionate, making a wonderful addition to any household and making the perfect family pet.
If you’re interested in learning more about this wonderful little dog breed, read on below to find out everything you need to.
History Of The Bichon Poodle
By combining the traits of the Bichon Frise with the traits of the Poodle, breeders were able to create a wonderful, loving, playful and friendly dog that still had the intelligence of the Poodle parent. The aim when breeding was to keep the desirable characteristics but to get rid of any health concerns that the parent breeds may face.
Unfortunately, because this is not a purebred dog, we cannot always predict the exact traits and characteristics of the Bichon Frise.
Breed Origin
To understand where the Bichon Poodle Mix came from, we can take a look at the origins of the parent breeds.
The Poodle originated from the French and German border in the 15th and 16th century and was associated with the upper class. Because they are excellent water dogs, they were used to hunt water-fowl.
Later on, because of their adorable look, these pups became a very popular dog. The Miniature Poodle and the Toy Poodle were bred from the Standard Poodle by choosing the smallest pup from each litter and breeding with them. They were first seen in America in the 20th century.
The earliest records of the Bichon Frise come from the 14th century. French sailors brought the dogs home from Tenerife. Once in Europe, their popularity began to grow with royalty a big fan of these dogs, such as King Henry III. However, their popularity began to decline again in the 1800s.
After World War 2, French breeders became interested in the breed and started to mate the Bichon Frise again. They were first bought to the US in 1956.
The Bichon Poodle was first seen in Australia in the nineties. Over the past decade, these dogs have grown in popularity in both the United States and worldwide.
Characteristics Of The Bichon Poodle
As we have mentioned above, the Bichon Poodle can be hard to predict characteristic-wise due to the fact they are a crossbreed from purebred parents. However, we can guess based on past litters.
These dogs usually have small litter sizes due to their small size. The average number of Bichon Poodle puppies in a litter is four to five. These dogs can cost around $1000. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
The Bichon Frise Poodle Mix has a teddy-bear like appearance with a curly coat and an adorable face! They have long floppy ears, too. Because this breed is a toy breed, they do not grow to very big. They normally stand between 9 and 15 inches tall and can weigh anywhere between 6 and 18 lbs. Males are normally bigger than females.
Coat
The Bichon Poodle has a short to medium curly coat. This coat barely sheds and is therefore hypoallergenic. This makes the Bichon Poodle an excellent choice of dog for those allergies, or those who don’t want dog hair all around their house!
Color
Again, due to the fact that they are a crossbreed of dog, the Bichon Poodle can come in a wide range of colors. They most common are apricot, brown, white and red, but their coat color really can be anything!
Temperament
The Bichon Poodle Mix is one of the most affectionate and friendly breeds out there. They are extremely affectionate and will love to cuddle up with you at all hours of the day! They do not have high exercise needs or high food needs, so this is a great dog for first time owners. Their intelligence also makes them very easy to train.
The Bichon Poodle makes an excellent family dog. They are friendly and playful, making a great playmate for children (and adults!). Due to their affection and love they have to give, they are excellent around the elderly, too. They are also very loyal, which is always a bonus.
Lifespan
The Bichon Poodle has a relatively long life expectancy. They can live for between 12 to 15 years old.
Known Health Issues
The Bichon Poodle was bred to eliminate a lot of the health problems that it’s parent breeds face. However, unfortunately, these dogs are still susceptible to some health concerns. We have laid out the most common problems below:
- Patellar Luxation — this is a common condition in smaller dogs and is caused when the patella is not properly aligned. This can cause lameness in the leg or an abnormal gait, sort of like a skip or a hop.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) — this is an eye disorder that eventually causes blindness from the loss of photoreceptors at the back of the eye.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you can catch any of these issues before they become untreatable.
Remember — buy from a reputable breeder and the chances your dog will suffer any health conditions will be greatly reduced. Trusted breeders will do health checks on both parent breeds and will not crossbreed if there is a chance of passing on any severe issues to offspring.
Daily Life
Now we know the characteristics of the Bichon Frise Poodle Mix and how they can vary from litter to litter, it is time to take a look at the daily life of this breed. Fortunately, this is more straight forward than trying to guess their traits!
Food And Diet
The Bichon Poodle mix requires 560 calories per day. You should split this into three meals a day. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight. Try not to give your Bichon Poodle too many snacks, either.
The food you feed your Bichon Poodle should be high-quality and nutritious. We suggest you purchase a high-quality dry kibble that is specially formulated for smaller breeds. Take a look below at the food we recommend for this breed.
Best Dog Food For The Bichon Poodle
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We recommend this dry dog food from Nutro for your Bichon Poodle. This food is specially formulated for small and Toy breeds and the kibble pieces are small so your dog can easily chew and swallow them.
There are a range of proteins in this food too, including chicken, lamb and salmon, that ensure your dog keeps strong and lean muscles way into their adult years. Added fruits and vegetables also gives your pup a shiny and healthy coat and aid digestion. Even better, this food doesn’t contain any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
Exercise Requirements
The Bichon Poodle is a small dog and therefore shouldn’t be overexercised. They only need around 30 minutes of exercise every day once they have reached their adult height and weight. Not overexercising is especially important when your Bichon Poodle is still growing, because too much exercise at this age can cause health issues.
The Bichon Poodle is an intelligent dog and therefore will love to play games. This will help to keep them mentally stimulated and entertained. You do not want your Bichon Poodle to get bored and start exhibiting destructive behaviors!
Family Compatibility
The Bichon Poodle is certainly a family dog. Loving and affectionate, these pups just want to be around their humans and will want to spend time with you! Because they are not particularly active, they will especially love to curl up on the couch next to you for cuddles. Their loyalty also makes them an excellent pet for the elderly or those who live alone.
Bichon Poodles are very intelligent and this makes them playful. This is why they are so suited to houses with children. These pups will love to run and play with your children and engage in games such as “fetch”. They also like other animals and won’t have a problem if you have other pets at home, both canines and felines. Their intelligence also means that they are quick learners, making training a breeze.
Due to their small size, the Bichon Poodle is a good pet for those who live in smaller houses or apartments. Because they don’t have a lot of exercise needs either, they also don’t need a large yard to run around in. Just make sure you take them out for a walk every day!
Training
As we mentioned above, the Bichon Poodle is very trainable. They are quick learners and are eager to please. You should always remember to use positive reinforcement techniques with these pups. This includes reward based training such as verbal praise and treats.
You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
Bichon Poodles are very friendly, sociable dogs who love affection. They love humans, both adults and children, so socialization should not be an issue. They also love other animals, cats included. Nonetheless, you should still begin socializing these pups from a young age and introduce them to sights, sounds, smells, places, people and animals so they learn there is nothing to be afraid of.
Grooming
Although their coat is hypoallergenic, the Bichon Poodle does require quite a lot of grooming. You should groom them at least every day to prevent matting and tangling of their curly hair. You can also get their coat clipped every couple of months at the groomers.
The groomers will also help you keep their toenails clipped. You should try to brush their teeth every day to prevent dental decay and disease. If this is difficult, you can use dental sticks instead.
Bichon Poodle FAQ’s
How much does a Bichon Poodle cost?
A Bichon Poodle puppy can set you back around $1000. This is due to the fact they are a designer dog. You should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder who can give you health clearances for both parents.
If this is too far out of your price range, you can always check your local shelter. There might be a Bichon Poodle there who is looking for their forever home!
How big is a Bichon Poodle?
A Bichon Poodle is a Toy breed due to the size of the Bichon Frise parent. The males can stand between 11 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 10 to 18 lbs, while the females are usually smaller and can stand 9 to 11 inches tall and weigh 6 to 12 lbs.
Summary
A Bichon Poodle Mix is a loving and affectionate Toy breed that looks like a teddy bear! This pup loves people and will want to spend their days by your side. Very loyal, they are suited to both family homes and homes of individuals, and their light exercise needs and trainability make them a great first pet. This playful dog will keep you on your toes and keep your children entertained by giving them a playmate, too. If you’re looking for a dog that’ll love you more than anything, then a Bichon Poodle might be for you.