Bichpoo, Poodle and Bichon Frise Mix
The Bichpoo is a cross–breed obtained through the mix of the miniature or toy Poodle and the Bichon Frise. These dogs are a small–sized breed, reaching up to 35 centimeters tall and up to 10 kilos weight, but have an overall sturdy build.
They’re incredibly adorable and friendly but they’re also quite clever. This makes them the perfect pets for pretty much anyone. They adapt to full families, single people, old people, etc. A Bichpoo is the perfect roommate that keeps you entertained and shows lots of affection.
Quick – Pros & Cons of a Bichpoo
Bichpoos are incredibly intelligent, which is because they have Poodle blood running through their veins. More than that, they are very friendly, alert, sweet, and easy to train. It’s the perfect dog for active people that love spending time with their dogs. These dogs also love going on adventures, so taking it along on vacations is definitely a good idea.
While they thrive better in homes with yards, they can adapt to the apartment life as well, especially if they get the exercise they need. This means you should make sure you have around 1 hour a day at your disposal to walk the dog.
Pros:
Very intelligent
Friendly
Great with kids
Great with pets
Easy to train
Cons:
Very active
They tend to bark a lot
Temperament
Bichpoos are intelligent dogs, but they also manifest a lot of affection and are loyal to their people. Despite their size, they are pretty good watchdogs, promptly alerting their masters when they sense the approach of intruders or anything that stands out of the ordinary.
A Bichpoo is always alert and no one uses the bathroom in the house without them knowing about it. They like knowing everything and will most likely tell you all about it. So if you like a talkative dog, this is the perfect match.
Is it good with children?
The Bichpoos are good family dogs and can adapt easily to any type of living environment. Gentle in nature, they get along quite well with children, although they do have a preference for older children who are more aware of how is best to handle a dog.
The reason for that is that they are very small and fragile. What seems like innocent playtime for a child can really hurt the dog. So to avoid getting hurt, the Bichpoo would rather play with bigger children that know how to treat it.
Once the child understands how to treat the Bichpoo, they will immediately become best friends and will continuously tire each other out while playing.
Behavior towards strangers
Bichpoos are very alert and will inform you when a stranger is approaching your home immediately. Their reaction to strangers greatly depends on how you train them as they get older. They are naturally friendly dogs but they can also have the “tiny dog syndrome”, which can make the dog very annoying.
Training it properly will teach the dog how to respond to strangers. If you assure it that strangers are not dangerous to you, they will quickly become social butterflies. This means trying to become friends with everyone. Otherwise, they might grow up to be quite violent to strangers as they are small and can get easily intimidated.
How it does with other pets/dogs
They can do well with other pets, as well. The average life expectancy of this breed is up to sixteen years. The traits of both parents are relevant for the development of the temperament of the Bichpoo puppy. However, it’s very rare to find a mixed dog that is exactly like one of the parents. Most of the time, they are a wild card.
This means that if their parents are good with pets, it doesn’t mean that the Bichpoo will accept other pets as well. However, Bichpoos are known to love to play with anyone, which allows you to keep various pets in the house as the dog will love playing around with it.
Aggressiveness of a Poodle and Bichon Frise Mix
Bichpoos are some of the friendliest dogs in the world. But since they are very small, big things can scare them, especially if it makes a lot of loud noises. This is why it might get defensive and try to protect itself against a simple pet.
It’s unlikely to end up with a Bichpoo that is aggressive, but to make sure that never happens, practice socializing and good training from the start. Let the dog get to know the house for a few days, then you can start training it.
Does it bark a lot?
They have a tendency to bark a lot, but this can be covered by appropriate training during their early ages. Because of their intelligence, they can be trained easily and they have a natural ability to learn new tricks and obedience training.
If your Bichpoo seems to absolutely love barking, it might be hard to get it to stop. It will require a lot of training but it’s doable. However, if you live in an apartment that you know a barking dog is not acceptable, is best to look for another type of dog than to force this little talking machine to shut up all the time.
Even with the best training, some dogs can get frustrated if they are forced to shut up when they want to bark and can burst out in the middle of the night and create some serious problems.
Appearance and Grooming
Figuring out how the mix will look is pretty tricky as the puppies can look very different, even if they’re from the same litter. But since the parent dogs are not extremely different from one another, you can make a pretty good guess about how they will look.
They will most likely be white and have a bit of a curly coat. But some Bichpoos can look a lot like one parent and have the personality of the other. It’s very common, which is why you can get two Bichpoos looking completely different from one another. But the best part about their parents is that they don’t require much grooming, which means the Bichpoos won’t either.
How big does it get?
Bichpoos are quite small dogs and you have to be very careful with them until they grow up. They can get up to 15 inches in height regardless if it’s a female or male. And they rarely reach 20lbs in weight. They also typically weigh between 10 and 18lbs.
This means you should pay extra attention while they’re playing with small children or bigger dogs. They might be very energetic, but a few hits from a big dog can end up in a vet visit. Super excited children can also hut the little dog if it’s not fast enough to run. Small kids don’t know any better so never let them play unsupervised.
What does a Bichpoo look like?
A Bichpoo is one of the most adorable-looking dogs in the world. They typically have lots of hair around their muzzle and longer ears, similar to the poodle parent. But their coat is also a mix of the two parents which results in a longer but really curly situation.
They have long tails and they can look like teddy bears most of the time, especially after you take it back from the groomer. These dogs are incredibly popular all over the world thanks to their cute face and perfectly round eyes.
Appearance and color
Typically, the Bichpoo’s color is a mix of white and fawn. But they don’t have white spots or fawn spots. Their coat is perfectly mixed and it gives them a golden look. And their eyes can either be brown or amber, while the nose is either black or brown. There are lots of shades possible so you should expect anything.
You can get a Bichpoo that is completely white or one that is completely fawn. You never know what surprising colors you can find in a litter of Bichpoos. There are some dogs that end up with a black coat and it turns into a blueish color when the dog is an adult.
Type of coat
The coats of Bichpoos are most often white, but they can also be apricot, black, or blue sometimes. The length of the coat is medium to long and because it presents curls, it requires frequent brushing in order to prevent the occurrence of tangles and mats.
These dogs do have a double coat but the first one is not very resistant to water, dirt, and debris. Mud gets stuck to these types of dogs very easily but their coats are almost always very soft and fluffy.
How easy it is to groom?
Grooming a Bichpoo is actually quite easy as they only need weekly brushing. However, you should get used to doing a bit of trimming as well, especially if you can’t afford to take the dog to a groomer every few weeks. The real problem is their very active personality that makes the dog prefer running around than sit in place and wait for you to clip its nails.
The Bichpoo will need a set of nail clippers, a slicker brush, and a pair of scissors. You can get the dog used to grooming by faking the process each day little by little. This will get them used to the whole process without any troubles. Using the best treats is also ideal.
Care Guide – Diet, Exercise & Health Issues
Bichpoos are pretty active dogs, but since they are so small they get tired pretty fast. This means that they require a medium amount of daily exercise to live a happy and healthy life. They love being as active as possible and they love playing with their owners.
Every dog is different so make sure you’re talking with your vet about how much exercise can your dog take each day. If your little furry friend has a condition that doesn’t allow him to run much, you will have to find other ways of getting rid of all that energy.
The best thing about first-generation dogs is that the worst health issues of their parents tend to skip them. This doesn’t mean that all dogs are clear of all the health issues of their parents. It just means you can take a deep breath and relax as there are fewer chances of them getting those health issues.
Diet Tips: What does it eat?
A Bichpoo is small and has lots of energy. This means that all the food you’re giving to the dog needs to be made for small dogs with a medium level of energy. This way, the dog will be provided with everything its body needs to remain healthy.
But you should also keep in mind that small dogs are known to have teeth problems. You should feed your Bichpoo dried food as much as possible. And make sure you’re brushing their teeth daily if you don’t want the dog to have problems later in life.
Exercise Requirements: Keeping the dog in shape
They love to play but are not excessively active, therefore they will only need a medium level of physical exercise. This can be offered by regular walks in the park, letting the dog off the leash in the park, having a big yard and lots of toys, having children that play with the dog, etc.
But besides their physical health, you need to provide games that stimulate their brain as well. Otherwise, a bored dog will often become destructive. This includes ruining shoes, clothes, pillows, etc. Don’t be too harsh on a dog that ruins your shoes if it doesn’t have other toys.
Common Health Issues for a Bichpoo
While Bichpoos are generally healthy dogs, there are still a few health concerns that you should keep an eye on when you’re going to the vet. Some of the major concerns include Addison’s Disease, Cushing’s Disease, and Corneal Dystrophy. Other minor concerns are Anaemia (IMHA), Cataracts, Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, and Immune-Mediated Haemolytic. Patellar Luxation can also happen to some dogs.
This means that you will have to do various tests each year to make sure your pet is healthy. The test includes the usual physical examination, eye checkup, x-rays, blood tests, and thyroid tests.
Training a Bichpoo
Training a dog as smart as the Bichpoo is nothing but a fun time. They are very smart and eager to please their owner. This leads them to follow your lead all the time and listen to all of your commands.
But regardless of how intelligent and sweet the dog is, an animal is still an animal and it can get distracted and bored if the training is not entertaining enough. This is why you need to maintain your cool and take as many breaks as possible.
Obedience Training
Tiny dogs are often not taken seriously, which is why a lot of owners won’t bother to do the whole obedience training. This can easily lead to the dog developing an annoying sense of self-importance and will retaliate very badly if it doesn’t get its way. This can be very dangerous for kids and other pets.
Obedience training needs to happen from a very young age. And if you can’t do it all by yourself, there’s no reason to worry or leave your dog untrained. There are lots of professional trainers that can help you out, and some of them offer online courses as well.
Socialization
Socialization is another thing that needs to happen as soon as you get your dog. This teaches the dog how to act in public and when it’s OK to bother people and when it has to stay next to the owner. Bichpoos are naturally social creatures, which means you won’t have to struggle with this part of training too much.
If you don’t have visitors over that the dog can get used to, you can easily take the dog to a busy park and let it interact with other people and pets under your strict supervision. This is a great teaching moment for your pet.
Exercise requirements
Make sure your Bichpoo gets daily exercising as these dogs can become very destructive very fast if they are bored. They need around 10-12 miles of walking a week, but most of them could benefit from a bit more.
You should walk your dog for at least half an hour each day, but up to 1 hour is highly recommended. Some Bichpoos are more active than others so at the end of the day, it’s important to figure out how much exercising your pet can take.
Breeding & Puppies
The size of the litter depends a lot on the type of Poodle used for breeding. And since the Bichon Frise is the mom most of the time, you can expect anywhere between 2 to 5 puppies. They’re very small and need a lot of extra care until they can walk around on their own.
The Bichpoo puppies are prone to injuries and they need to be kept away from children and other pets. Jumping from higher surfaces is another danger for these dogs that you need to be aware of.
Finding a Bichon Frise and Poodle Mix – Kennels & Pedigree
Since the Bichon Frise and Poodle mix has become so popular, you won’t have to spend too long looking for a puppy. Bichpoo breeders are quite common nowadays, which is why you need to pay extra attention to the breeder, where the parents are kept, how is their health, and how open the breeder is with the info you need.
If your gut is telling you that the breeder is actually running a puppy mill, trust it and stay away from the seller. Buying from him “to save the puppies” will sadly have a very bad ending as the bad breeder will take this as an encouragement to exploit even more dogs for money.
How much does a mixed Bichpoo cost?
Despite becoming a quite popular pet in the designer dog world, the Bichpoo is easily one of the most expensive dogs. A single puppy can cost from $200 to as much as $4500. And it all depends on the breeder and whether the parents of the Bichpoos are prized dogs or not.
A good breeder will ask lots of questions about how you live and what life you can offer your next pet. So don’t get annoyed at the rain of questions as a good breeder is as suspicious of you as you are of him.
History & Origins of the mixed breed
The history of the Bichpoo is widely unknown, which is very common for mixed breeds. The breeding most likely started in the 1990s in Australia and the U.S.A. and U.K. quickly picked the breeding up as well. They were bred for people that wanted a small dog that’s also energetic, good with children, and intelligent.
Both parents have a quite rich history. The Bichon Frise was created a very long time ago in the Mediterranean and they were often used as trading objects. They were loved by the Italian nobility, French people, and they were quite popular in the Canary Islands as well.
On the other hand, the Poodle was created to be a working water retriever and was very popular in Germany, France, and Spain. They are widely known as being fancy and regal pets, but they are actually the second most intelligent breed in the world and are very skilled at lots of sports. You can find three types of Poodles, the standard, the miniature, and the toy.
About the Bichon Frise and Poodle Parents
The Bichon Frise dogs are well known for being very playful, lively, and sweet. Even from the start, these dogs have been used as companion dogs, due to their gentle natures, but also for the fact that they get along very well with children and other pets. They are a very good choice for people suffering from allergies.
The daily exercises are only required in moderate amounts for Bichon Frise dogs, which are known to have spontaneous bursts of energy, starting running very quickly for no particular reason. Fortunately for the owners, these bursts come in brief episodes, sometimes taking less than a minute and finishing just as quickly as they began in the first place. This is regarded as an amusing character and is perceived by people as being entertaining, rather than a problem. There are other dog breeds that are known to manifest in the same way.
The Bichon Frise dogs are highly trainable and obtain the best results when the training process starts when they are very young. It is a trait of smaller–sized dogs that they can be a bit of a challenge to housetrain, but with the proper consistency, this can be resolved. Because they are very affectionate towards people and are sociable dogs, they are good companions, also because they love to be in the presence of people. The life expectancy can be up to thirteen years.
The Poodles come in three different configurations: the toy is the smallest, with a maximum height of 25 centimeters and a weight of no more than 5 kilos, the miniature is second with a maximum height of 40 centimeters and no more than 8 kilos weight and the standard Poodles are the biggest, with over 40 centimeters height and weighing up to 30 kilos.
Maybe not all people know, but the Poodles are considered to be the second most intelligent dog breed because of the optimal mix between their intelligence and desire to please people, which allows them to be excellent during obedience training. It’s quite easy to housebreak Poodles, who have very loving natures and love to be in the center of attention.
Sociable dogs, Poodles are also very devoted to their masters and make good companions for them. Poodles are calm and have a well–balanced temperament, which is an advantage in bonding with their human family. They are getting along very well with children, especially the standard Poodles, while the other two, the toy and the miniature, prefer older children who are more aware of how to best handle dogs. They hate being left alone and react badly to this, so it is highly recommended to not leave them isolated for long periods of time.
Poodles require a rather low level of grooming, mainly because they are very low shedders. Brushing is only required every five to eight weeks, in order to prevent tangles and mats from forming in their dense, curly coats. Poodles are among the most suitable dogs for people with allergies, thus gaining their title as hypoallergenic dogs. Active and playful dogs, Poodles will enjoy a lot of daily sessions of walking, running, and playing.
Conclusion
The Bichpoo is a very lovely dog that thrives in homes with big yards and big families. They love all the attention given to them and they can impress you with their tricks and amazing intelligence. But you should be ready for a 13-year long commitment and lots of playtimes if you feel like this is the dog of your dreams.
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