Bichon Poodle Mix Information: 7 Must Read Bichpoo Facts

If you like the smart nature of the Poodle and the friendliness of a Bichon Frise, you might love the Bichon Poodle! Also known as a Poochon, or Bichon Poo, this breed is a mix between the Bichon Frise and Miniature or Toy Poodle.

The Bichpoo has the fuzzy coat and small size of both its parents. This little pup almost resembles a teddy bear, and has earned the nickname of a teddy bear dog. If you want a dog that will love to cuddle up beside you, this pooch can be your new best friend!

Bichon Poodles are perfect for families that like to stay active. They adapt well to children and other animals within the home. They also have a great nature and the cutest puppy dog eyes that make it difficult to say no.

If you are interested in this mix, continue reading. We discuss everything you need to know about them to help you determine if this pup is a good fit for you.

1. What Is A Bichon Poodle

The Bichon Poodle is a Bichon Frise Poodle Mix. In crossbreeding the Bichon Frise and the Poodle, the goal was to produce puppies with all the desirable traits of the parents, while trying to remove health issues.

Bichon Poodles combine the smarts and fluffiness from a teacup Poodle and the fun, loyal personality of a Bichon Frise. Their soft coats and small stature allow for a perfect opportunity to sneak right under the covers to cuddle up beside you. Holding a teddy bear isn’t nearly as nice as holding one of these dogs!

Not only does this breed have the cutest teddy-bear face, but, it also has a low shedding coat.

They do not shed much as they are hypoallergenic. But, their fur must be kept groomed to avoid it getting tangle and matted. Some people avoid this problem by trimming their fur short. However, if you want to keep the “teddy-bear look,” then these dogs require frequent grooming.

Bichon Poodles are small in size, but they have big personalities and love their owners. These furry social butterflies love making new friends and have a need for affection.

Their friendliness and curiosity allow them to get along well with children and other animals.

However, they are very energetic puppies, so it is important to give them daily exercise. They can also bark a lot and be prone to separation anxiety.

As this breed is a mix it is not recognized by the American Kennel Club. Other organizations such as the American Canine Hybrid Club and The Dog Registry of America, Inc. recognize this breed under the name Pochoon.

Bichon Frise Poodle Origin

Bichon Poodles began being intentionally bred in Australia in the late 1990s, similar to Australian Labradoodle. Not long after they arrived in the US.

These puppies were bred to combine the sweet and playful temperament of the Bichon Frise with the intelligent nature and hypoallergenic fur of the Poodle.

It was also hoped this mix would remove some health problems associated with the Toy Poodle. The main health issues associated with Poodles were Addison’s disease and eye problems.

Since mixed breeds are relatively modern, Bichon Poodles do not have a long history, but their parents are well known:

• Poodles are from Germany. The breed name is a translation of the German word pudelin which means splashing in water. They were water retrievers used for waterfowl hunting due to their high intelligence, waterproof coat, and ability to swim.
• The Bichon Frise is believed to have originated in the Canary Islands. It is a descendant of the Bichon Tenerife. Around the 13th century it became associated with the nobility in Spain, Italy, and France.

Bichon Poodle Mix Nicknames

The Bichon Poodle goes by many names. Typically, a combination of the Bichon and Poodle names are used.

Names such as the Poochon, Bichpoo or Bichon Poo are most often used. Bichonpoo and Bichon Frise Poodle Mix are also used. These names all come about from the mixing of the names of the two parent breeds.

Because of the teddy-bear-like appearance, these guys have earned themselves the nickname of a teddy bear dog. A fluffy, snuggly pup with a soft coat and puppy-dog eyes sounds like the perfect teddy bear replacement!

The American Canine Hybrid Club recognizes this mix as Pochoons.

2. Bichon Poodle Appearance and Size

Bichon Frise dogs were often owned by royalty, and Poodles are known for their famous haircuts. It should be no surprise that Bichon Poodles have a super snuggly appearance. They are a very cute mix and are often called teddy bear dogs.

Their coat is soft, curly or wavy and of medium length. It can be of a variety of colors, but the most common colors are apricot, black, brown, cream, golden, gray, and white.

First generation puppies tend to have solid colors, while second and third can have a mix of colors.

As the Bichon Poodle combines a Toy Poodle and the Bichon Frise, these pups are fun sized. They are the perfect size for a snuggle buddy. You will not have to worry about them taking up the entire bed!

How big they grow depends on if their Poodle parent is a Miniature or Toy. If born from a Miniature, their size and weight will be closer to 15 inches and 18 pounds. If born from a Toy, their size will be close to 9 inches and 6 pounds.

A Bichon Poodle’s physical appearance can vary as they are a mixed breed.

Typically the Bichon Poodle has long floppy ears and a long tail curled over their backs. They also have short snouts with a button nose. Their eyes are almond shaped and their legs are short and stubby.

The Poodle and Bichon have different coat types, so the Bichon Poo often has a combination of the two. It is normal for them to have a soft curly coat, but not to the same extent as Poodles.

Their fur must be regularly maintained and groomed so that it does not get tangled and matted. Some people avoid this problem by trimming their fur very short. Some popular cuts are the Poodle clip and the teddy bear cut. If their hair is left long, they must be brushed every day.

3. Do Bichon Poodles Shed?

Yes, all dogs shed. But the Bichon Poodle is a low shed dog breed. The low shedding coats of both parent breeds have carried over to the Bichon Poo.

Most Bichpoos are hypoallergenic dogs, but some individuals might not be. This can differ depending on the genes they inherit from their parents.

Their curly coats require a lot of maintenance, but they are much less likely to cause an allergic reaction than non-hypoallergenic dogs. Hypoallergenic dog can sometimes still cause allergic reactions, but, this is much less likely with dogs that have low-shedding coats.

As they have a short, curly coat, it is much easier for it to become matted.

Make sure you are prepared to groom this dog weekly. Using a slick brush or a pin brush allows for getting all of the knots out easily. They tend to become matted around their armpits, ears, and between legs, so be sure to take extra care around those spots.

Some owners use grooming scissors to trim up extra hair, but many bring them to the groomers for regular trimmings instead. Regular trips to the groomers every six weeks, and weekly brushing, are essential.

4. Bichon Poodle vs. Toy Poodle Differences

The Bichon Frise and Toy Poodle combine to create an adorable, cuddy Bichpoo. However the Bichpoo and Toy Poodle are different breeds and have their own qualities.

Toy Poodles are a smaller dog that only reach about six pounds, and cannot exceed ten inches tall. Whereas this hybrid is slightly larger, at a maximum of 18 pounds and 15 inches.

A Toy Poodle’s coat is curly, dense and hypoallergenic. It is a solid color, and is commonly apricot, brown, black, cream, gray, or white. This coat also needs constant maintenance and grooming.

The Poodle’s eyes can be either amber or dark colored and their ears are floppy and fur. These are all traits which their mixed-breed offspring can inherit. However a Poodle’s muzzle is longer and straighter.

All Poodles are very active, intelligent, well proportioned, proud, and dignified. Toy Poodles are also less attached to you. Most of these qualities can be inherited by the Bichon Poodle. However, its highly loving, sweet, and affectionate personality comes from the Bichon Frise.

5. What Is Their Personality

Bichon Poodles are incredibly sweet and playful dogs. They have low prey drives but are full of energy. They can be very active inside the house and will want to play with children and other animals. Poochons can have random, short outbursts of energy that make them quickly run around the house.

The loving nature of Bichon Poodles makes them want affection. You can expect lots of hugs, kisses, and cuddling on the couch. Also expect them to follow you around, and to be very friendly with other people.

They can become very attached to their owners, but it also means they can develop separation anxiety.

It is important to teach them from a young age that being alone is okay. If this condition becomes severe, it can make leaving them alone very difficult. Having other dogs in the house can also them not feel alone.

Their eccentric personality can cause them to bark a lot, which can make them good guard dogs. But, barking can become excessive if not controlled.

It is common to hear whining and barking. Keeping them stimulated will help with less barking. Using toys (e.g. stuffed kongs with bananas or puzzle feeders) is a great way to keep them active while you are busy.

Daily play and walks will also help to prevent barking and separation anxiety. Exercise helps to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. It tires them out quickly because of their small bodies.

Unwanted behaviors might deter some people from adopting Bichon Poodles.

As long as they are given the proper care and training, these behaviors should not be a problem. Fortunately they are very easy to train because of their high intelligence and need to please.

6. How Much Does a Bichon Poodle Cost?

The price of Bichon Poodles can range from $600 to $2800. These pups are expensive because they are a designer mix born from expensive parent purebreds. This mix combine two fairly pricey puppies, but they are worth every penny!

It is not uncommon to find a rescue. Adoption costs are usually cheaper, starting from $300 to $400. If you are considering obtaining this mix, make sure to do the proper research on the breeders.

A breeder must be one that is reputable.

Only buy from a reputable breeder that participates in health testing and screening for their breeding stock.

They should provide health certificates for both parents and the puppy’s vaccination history. Avoid any breeder who doesn’t or produces multiple litters in short periods of time.

To learn more about breeders and finding one, check out our Toy Poodle breeder guide.

Make sure that you have the budget to be able to take care of one of these dogs before adoption. These dogs have health issues and need to be routinely groomed, which will increase the cost of care.

7. How Do You Train Them

It should be no surprise that these mixes are smart, in fact, some Bichon Frise dogs were used in the circus and dog shows. Bichon Poos are intelligent dogs and have no problem showing off their tricks.

Bichon Poodles do best with reward-based training, and treats go a long way. By reinforcing positive behaviors, they will quickly learn which behaviors are wanted. Breaking larger treats into smaller pieces, or using pieces of their kibble, is a great way to reward them.

Never reprimand these puppies angrily or become frustrated with them. This can deter them from learning and cause them fear or anxiety.

Ignore negative behaviors and always praise positive behaviors.

Some behaviors like whining, barking, or even compulsive disorders may result if they are not given mental stimulation. Teaching your puppy new tricks and giving them toys that test their mind will help keep them busy.

Many small dogs can get into habits of barking and nipping to get what they want.

If your Bichon Poodle barks, ignore them. They are merely seeking attention and giving it to them will teach them that they will get what they want when they bark. This could also help with preventing separation anxiety as they will learn that they do not need attention all the time.

Summary

Bichon Poodles are hybrid dogs bred from the mating of the Bichon Frise and Miniature or Toy Poodle. These “teddy bear” dogs are very friendly, energetic, intelligent, and affectionate. They are great for families as they are hypoallergenic, very playful and easy to train.

If you are looking for a dog with a small size, but big personality, that lives to please their owners and likes to have a voice of their own, this teddy bear pup may be the perfect fit for you.

These puppies are extremely loving and will want to snuggle and be by your side all the time. However, this need for attention could develop into separation anxiety.

If you are willing to dedicate the proper amount of time to their lives, this pooch will repay you with a wonderful bond and lots of cuddles! They are sure to show you unconditional love, liven up the house, and fit right in with the other members of your family.

Is the Bichpoo the dog for you? If so, what name would you choose? Let us know below!