Bichon Frise Poodle Mix – Everything You Need To Know

The Poochon, aka Bich-Poo, is a cross between the Poodle and the Bichon Frise. This mix breed can inherit the sociable nature of the Bichon and the intelligence of the Poodle, making it a great companion for families.

As with a lot of “designer dog breeds”, it’s likely that you won’t know a lot about the Poochon unless you have owned one yourself.

That’s why in this article, I have assembled everything you need to know about this mix breed including what they look like, grooming and exercise requirements as well as potential health problems to look out for.

Poochon History

The history of the Poochon, as with most of these mix breeds is widely unknown.

From the research that I carried out, it is most likely that the Poochon that we know today originated in the 1990s in Australia.

It is around this time that designer dog breeders started cross-breeding the Poodle and the Bichon to produce a dog with a low shed coat, an affectionate nature, and a robust constitution.

A Poochon’s Parents

Now that we have talked a little bit about the history of the Poochon, it’s time to take a look at its parents, the Poodle and the Bichon Frise.

As the Poochon isn’t a certified purebred dog, there are no defined breed standards.

This is important to note as it means we need to look to the parents to better understand what might be inherited by the Poochon.

It’s important to look to the parents of a mix breed to better understand appearance traits, temperament traits or health concerns as these could be inherited by the resulting puppies.

Bichon Frise

The Bichon is a sociable and affectionate fluff ball that was originally a sailing dog and therefore traveled great distances onboard ships.

They later developed into lapdogs used by the nobility of the time and were also trained to be street performers.

You can learn everything else you need to know about the Bichon Frise in this detailed article I wrote: Bichon Frise – Everything You Need To Know

Poodle

The Poodle is a highly intelligent breed of dog that was initially used for duck hunting and sniffing out truffles.

They were later kept by gypsies who trained them as circus dogs.

The Poodle can be seen in 3 variations: Toy, Miniature and Standard. These 3 variations developed to serve individual and different purposes.

Miniature Poodle:

Poochon Appearance

As we’ve mentioned, because the Poochon isn’t a pure-bred dog, there is no definitive way to determine their appearance.

It simply depends on how much of each trait is inherited from each parent.

With that being said, let’s take a closer look at what the Poochon can look like in more detail.

What Does A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix Look Like?

It’s difficult to say for certain what a Bichon Frise Poodle Mix will look like, but we can look to the parents to make an educated guess.

The Bichon Frise is small in size with a white, short and curly coat. They have round brown or black eyes and dropped ears that frame their face. Their tail is fluffy and curled so it rests on their back.

The Poodle is a medium-sized dog with a dense and curly coat that can come in a variety of colors. They have long, dropped ears and their tail is usually set high. Their eyes are oval in shape and are usually dark brown to black in color.

With all of this taken into consideration, it is possible that the resulting Poochon will inherit some of each of these traits from each parent.

What Height Is A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix?

The average height of a Bichon Frise Poodle mix is between 9 and 15 inches.

This, of course, will depend on the dog and how much is inherited from each parent.

How Much Does A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix Weigh?

The average weight of the Poochon is between 9 and 18 Lbs.

This will depend on how much is inherited from each parent so it can vary widely between dogs.

Poochon Temperament

As both of the Poochon’s parents are considered to be highly intelligent, it is more than likely the Poochon will inherit this trait also.

This means they will be easy enough to train providing you are consistent and patient.

On the other hand, without a lot of mental stimulation, they can become bored and destructive so plenty of exercise is required.

They will also likely have a very sociable and loyal nature so they should socialize well with other people and other dogs. It is important this socialization is done from a young age.

Due to this sociable nature, separation anxiety is something that could develop in the Poochon if they are left alone for long periods of time.

Do Poochons Bark?

It is possible that Poochons can inherit the watchdog or alert barking trait from the Bichon Frise.

This means that they are more likely to bark when the doorbell rings or if they hear a strange noise.

With this in mind, it’s a good idea to examine the Bichon Frise in more detail to understand this trait and how to mitigate the worst of the barking.

To learn more about this, I would recommend reading this article: How Often Does A Bichon Frise Bark? With Simple Training Tips

Can Poochons Suffer From Separation Anxiety?

It is possible that Poochons can suffer from separation anxiety if this trait is inherited from its parents.

Separation anxiety is an unfortunate side effect of the Poochon’s sociable and affectionate nature.

If they are left alone for periods of time they can become upset, worried and destructive.

With consistent training and by ensuring they aren’t left alone for long periods of time, it is possible to mitigate the symptoms associated with separation anxiety.

Bichon Frise Poodle Mix Health Problems

In order to better understand what the potential health problems of the Poochon are, it’s important to look to the parents.

Below you will find some of the more common health problems associated with both the Bichon Frise and the Poodle:

How Long Does A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix Live?

The average age span of a Bichon Frise Poodle mix is about 12 – 15 years, though this can vary depending on the dog.

Does A Poochon Shed?

The Poochon will likely inherit the low shed coat of both the Bichon Frise and the Poodle.

This makes them slightly lower maintenance in terms of regular brushing requirements though it is still important to brush their coat about once a week.

It’s important to note that all dogs do shed, albeit minimally, for a number of reasons.

To understand more about why dog’s shed, I highly recommend you read this article I wrote: Does A Bichon Frise Shed? The Definitive Answer You Should Know.

Is A Poochon Hypoallergenic?

The Poochon is related to the Bichon Frise and the Poodle who are both considered to be hypoallergenic.

This would logically mean that the resulting mix breed, the Poochon, would also be hypoallergenic.

The term hypoallergenic is used often to denote if people with allergies can be around these dogs without having an allergic reaction.

Unfortunately, the term hypoallergenic has no medical basis and this means that some people may still have an allergic reaction around these dogs.

To understand the term hypoallergenic more clearly, why not take a look at this article: Is A Bichon Frise Hypoallergenic? The Definitive Answer

Grooming Your Poochon

The grooming requirements of the Poochon are very similar to that of both the Bichon and the Poodle. Let’s look at this in more detail.

How Often Should You Groom Your Bichon Frise Poodle Mix?

The Poochon requires fairly regular grooming in order to ensure their coat is healthy and free from mats.

It is generally recommended that a Poochon be brushed about once a week to prevent the build-up of dead skin and to prevent matting.

In addition to this, it is a good idea to bring your Poochon to a professional groomer about once every couple of months.

This will ensure things like nail trimming and more in-depth coat maintenance are taken care of.

I am always hesitant to trim around my dog’s eyes so this is something that I leave for a professional groomer to take care of.

In order to remember to book an appointment for your dog, I always recommend setting a recurring calendar reminder. This will remind you to schedule an appointment well in advance as the waiting list could be quite long.

To learn more about grooming your Poochon, you can follow pretty much the same tips and advice that I have outlined in this article: Bichon Frise Grooming – A Helpful Beginners Guide.

What Brush Should You Use For Grooming A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix?

The 2 brushes that I recommend for brushing your Poochon are:

1. Pin Brush – this brush is used for light brushing and won’t damage your dog’s coat. Here’s a great pin brush on Amazon: Andis – Premium Pin Brush
2. Slicker Brush – this brush is used to remove tangles and dead hair as well as to break up mats. Here’s a great slicker brush on Amazon: Pro Slicker Brush

To learn more about using these brushes as well as some handy tips for removing dog hair from your house, check out this article: Does A Bichon Frise Shed? The Definitive Answer You Should Know.

How Often Should You Bathe A Bichon Frise Poodle Mix?

A general rule of thumb is to bathe a Poochon about once a month.

If you find that your lovable dog has rolled around in mud then you will certainly need to bathe them immediately or risk your house being ruined!

Exercising Your Poochon

As the Poodle is a very active dog and the Bichon is slightly less so, the Poochon is a relatively active dog in terms of its exercise requirements. Let’s take a look at this in more detail.

How Much Exercise Does A Poochon Need?

The Poochon is a relatively active dog that will generally require at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

They may require more exercise if they become destructive and begin chewing or barking excessively.

Plenty of exercise and mental stimulation each day will ensure a happy and healthy Poochon.

Tips For Exercising Your Poochon Inside

Being able to exercise your dog outside isn’t always possible so it’s important to find ways of exercising indoors.

Here are some indoor exercise tips:

• Practice Obedience Training – Obedience training is something all dog owners should be practicing with their dogs on a regular basis. As the Poochon is a pretty intelligent dog, this will be a breeze for you both.
• Make Use Of Dog Toys – Dog toys are an easy way to mentally stimulate your dog inside. Spending some time playing tug of war or interacting with these toys is a great way to give them exercise.
• Create An Indoor Obstacle Course – Work that creative part of your brain by assembling a fun obstacle course inside from whatever you can think of.
• Sign Up For Obedience Training Classes – Obedience training classes are a great way to motivate both you and your dog to get the basic training commands down.

Tips For Exercising Your Poochon Outside

Exercising your dog outside is beneficial for both you and your dog. Being out in the fresh air is great for your mental health and provides your dog with plenty of mental stimulation.

With that in mind, here are some outdoor exercise tips that I recommend:

• Play With Other Dogs – A simple and totally free way to exercise your Poochon is by letting them play with other dogs. The Poochon’s sociable nature means they will get on with any dog or person.
• Learn To Play Fetch – Fetch is the easiest and most rewarding game to play with your dog. They will get plenty of exercise and you won’t be exhausted from it.
• You can take some further inspiration from this article for exercising your dog outside: 9 Of The Best Free Outdoor Dog Activities To Do With Your Bichon

Conclusion

We were able to cover a lot of useful information in this article so let’s summarize things before we finish up:

• First, we talked about the history of the Poochon
• Next, we looked at what the Poochon actually looks like in terms of its appearance, its weight and how big it is.
• After that, we examined what the temperament of the Poochon is.
• Next, we discussed some potential health problems that could be associated with this breed.
• Next, we covered some questions such as the age span of the breed and if they are hypoallergenic or shed.
• After that, we covered the grooming requirements of the Poochon.
• Finally, we talked about the exercise requirements of the Poochon and I shared with you some tips for exercising them outdoors and indoors.

There was a lot of information covered in the course of this article and I hope you were able to find it useful.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please consider sharing it on social media as it will help other dog fans like you to find it.

Also, if you have any questions about any of the information covered in this article, leave me a comment or reach out on social media.

Finally, if you enjoyed this article, you should read these next:

• Bichon Frise Maltese Mix – Everything You Need To Know
• Bichon Frise Cavalier King Charles Mix – Everything You Need To Know
• 7 Helpful Pros And Cons Of A Bichon Frise Mix Breed You Need To Know