There are plenty of interesting Poodle hybrids out there due to the three different sizes of Poodles and their ability to bring new benefits to other breeds.
Some are more well-known than others. The Labradoodle is world famous, but there are probably much fewer dog lovers that have heard of the Bichon Frise Poodle mix.
This cute hybrid is one to keep an eye out for if you want a small poodle cross with a big personality.
In this guide to the Bich Poo we will look at some of the main characteristics of this mix breed.
This means all the important information that you need before deciding whether or not to bring one of these dogs into the family.
Bichon Frise Poodle Mix puppy – Source
We will start with the breeds that go into creating this mix, and the potential size differences involved.
We will then look the coats of these animals and general care, such as grooming and exercise.
This is followed with a section on the personalities of these dogs, and the potential issues of training them.
Finally, we will look at some of the important considerations to keep in mind when it comes to finding breeders or shelters and the Bichon Frise Poodle price.
By the end, you should have a better idea if this hybrid is right for you.
Table of Contents
What is a Bichon Frise and Poodle mix called?
Before we look at the traits of this dog, we need to know what to call it.
The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC) is often seen as the authority on these matters, and they use the term Poochon for all pups that meet their standards.
However, there are many owners and breeders that prefer the terms BichPoo or BichonPoo.
Further Reading: The Best Dog Beds For Small Dogs (Top 14)
How do breeders go about creating a Bichon Poodle mix and how big do they get?
This dog grew in popularity with breeding in Australia in the late 90s as breeders worked with the Miniature Poodle and Bichon for a more manageable dog. Some will use Toy Poodles instead.
So what does this mean for the size of a Poochon full grown?
The average weight of this dog is around 15-25 pounds and they are typically 9-15 inches in height, depending on the genetic mix and gender.
Clearly a Toy Poodle and Bichon will be at the lower end of this scale.
Other physical traits of this interesting Bichon x Poodle dog include their almond shaped eyes, long ears and the shorter muzzle of the Bichon.
What about the coat and grooming needs of this Bichon Poo?
There are lots of different coat colors with this cross – many that you would expect from the Poodle genes. This includes white, black and apricot dogs, with the chance of cream and blue as well.
As you will see from the many Bichon Frise Poodle mix pictures online, white is pretty likely with these pale miniature Poodles and white Bichons.
[thrive_text_block color=”note” headline=””]The great news here is that the Poodle genes in this curly coat add that hypoallergenic quality that many dog owners are now after. [/thrive_text_block]This also means minimal shedding and moderate grooming needs. Make sure to brush them regularly to keep the curls in good condition.
Further Reading: What Is The Best Brush For Shedding Dogs? (Top 15)
Some important Bichon Frise Poodle mix health issues to keep in mind
Major health issues are a rarity with this dog.
There are few major genetic issues to worry about as long as the breeders are careful with their stock and initial health checks.
Still, there is the chance that some dogs will develop progressive retinal atrophy, patella luxation and allergies due to their genetics.
On a more positive note, the Bichon Frise Poodle mix lifespan is around 12-15 years, so this is a fairly long lived dog.
There are some great tools available to help new owners provide the best healthcare.
The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health from Kingdom of Pets is a great resource for information on different topics.
The Embark Breed Identification Dog DNA Test provides a more detailed look at the genes and risk factors your poochon puppy may face.
What do all new owners need to know about the home life of Bichon Poodle?
Generally speaking, the size of this dog means that it can live quite happily as an apartment dog. However, its energy levels and fun loving nature mean that a garden may be a good idea.
A Bichon Poodle needs a moderate amount of exercise to keep them fit and active, as well as a healthy diet.
A good walk each day is a must, but so is plenty of playtime because of the intelligence and curiosity of the hybrid.
Many owners will note that the hybrid exhibits sudden spikes of energy when they start to dart around for a while. Regular exercise can limit these episodes and playtime will help to burn the energy off.
Important positive and negative traits regarding the Bichon Poodle mix temperament
The Bichon Poo personality is something that many new owners are worried about because we have a little Poodle crossed with a toy breed.
The good news is that this is a good natured dog, who is generally great with families, loving and fun to be around. Those energy bursts are comical and easily tamed into playtime.
They do have a potential tendency for barking at unknown sources of noise, or people of interest, so can be a great watchdog.
Be careful that the barking isn’t excessive. There are also some worries that these hybrids can get a little high strung, so be careful with socialization from an early age.
Training these dogs isn’t too difficult, but don’t get too complacent either
As you can see, the personalities of these dogs are not perfect – although they are pretty good.
You still need to employ a strong training regimen of positive reinforcement and clear obedience training from an early age to get the best out of them.
Bichon Frise Poodle mix training shouldn’t be too different because of their good nature and loyalty.
They are also intelligent dogs thanks to those Poodle genes. This should make them quick learners for obedience and house breaking.
However, because they are so energetic, they may need to calm down a little at first.
Any new owner that finds themselves struggling a little with this new training regimen should turn to online guides such as Doggy Dan the Online Dog Trainer or Secrets to Dog Training.
Here you can find step by step guides on a range of topics that will easily apply to this hybrid.
Further Reading: A Guide To Some Of Best Dog Training Books Available Today (Top 24)
Take your time when researching different Bichon Frise Poodle breeders
There are lots of different types of BichPoo breeders in the world.
There are those that breed them because they love the hybrid and want to continue to create strong, healthy lines of this interesting pup.
These breeders are the best ones to find because they will have happy, healthy parents in a good home. They will also be happy to show you the animals and the surroundings.
The bad breeders are the opposite. They are the ones that will hide the parents away, show puppies from the back of a car and perhaps have less healthy stock.
These are the ones in it for profit as they cash in on the growing popularity of small poodle crosses.
What do we need to know about the cost of these Bichon Frise Poodle mix puppies?
The price tag of hybrids is always an issue for new owners.
Here the Bichon Frise Poodle mix cost is anything from from $350 to $1000 per pup, depending on the breeder and supply and demand issue in your area.
Those that ask for higher prices may have pups from top lines with strong medical histories. However, some will charge more for “rare” colors, like a blue Poodle Bichon mix. Do your research and don’t pay too much.
The benefits of adopting a Bichon Frise Poodle mix dog instead
The obvious alternative here is to look into adoption from shelters and rescue centers.
This is the perfect way to find BichPoo adults in need of a new home, at a greatly reduced cost.
These dogs aren’t necessarily problem dogs. They may just have had the misfortune of a bad first family and need a little love.
What have we learned from this Bichon Frise Poodle mix info?
Now that we have compiled all of this information together, we get a better idea of what to expect from this dog.
There is a lot to take on-board here:
The good news is that they do have the intelligence, good nature and hypoallergenic coat that many expect.
However, there are additional quirks in the genetics to watch out for, such as that high energy and some health issues.
It clearly pays to be vigilant when looking for breeders and taking care of their training and general care needs.
Summary: is this Bichon/Poodle cross a great choice for your family?
As you can see, there are plenty of good reasons to look for a Bichon Frise Poodle for sale.
There is little doubt that they can become great family pets and watchdogs with the right approach, and have many additional benefits for first time owners.
However, we can’t get complacent with this intelligent, energetic Bichon Frise Poodle mix. This isn’t your average small dog. It has a big personality and families need to offer all the love and care that these animals require.