Bichon Poodle: Get to know the ultimate lovable teddy dog

Last Updated on April 26, 2023

What do you get when you cross a Bichon Frise with a Poodle? A teddy bear dog hybrid!

Not familiar with this crossbreed? You may know the Bichon Poodle (pronounced /bee-SHAWN free-SAY poo-duhl/) through a different name. They’re also called Poochon, Bichpoo, or Bichon Poo.

Once you see their adorable teddy-like faces and gbet to know their charming personality, you’ll be hooked.

What is a Bichon Poodle mix?

As mentioned earlier, Bichon Poos are designer dogs that resulted from crossbreeding a miniature or toy Poodle with a Bichon Frise. Breeders wanted to create a companion and lapdog.

The first Bichpoo popped out of Australia in the 1990s and spread across the world as people got to know these little lovebugs.

He retains both parents’ characteristics, so it’s essential to get to know them to understand this little lover.

Meet the friendly Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is thought to have been developed in the Canary Islands and was brought to Europe sometime in the 13th century. He quickly became a favorite of nobility and later as a street performer.

They’re about 9.5 to 11.5 inches (24 to 29 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds (5 to 8 kg). They have big, dark eyes and a white, hypoallergenic coat that makes them stand out in a crowd.

Bichon Frises are known for being super friendly and confident. They’re easy to train and seem to radiate happiness.

Meet the clever Poodle

The Toy Poodle is the smallest of the poodle sizes, coming in at under 10 inches (25 cm) and weighing about 5 pounds (2 kg). The Miniature version is a bit larger, at 10 to 15 inches (25 to 38 cm) at the shoulder and 10 to 15 pounds (4.5 to 7 kg).

They have curly hair that doesn’t shed and long, floppy ears.

The poodle breed is the national dog of France, but they didn’t originate there. Poodles were bred as water retrievers in Germany. The world poodle is a translation of “pudelin,” the German word for splashing in water.

Poodles of any size are known for being incredibly smart and people-oriented. They’re actually the 2nd most intelligent breed in the world!

Unlike its purebred parents, the Poochon isn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). But they are recognized by other organizations like the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).

What exactly does a Bichon Poodle look like?

As you can imagine, a combination of a Bichon and a Poodle is pretty cute, but let’s get into specifics.

All Poochons have dark, almond-shaped eyes and floppy ears covered in curly or wavy hair and a short snout. They have long tails that are carried curled over their backs.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that they look like little teddy bears, especially given their curly, medium length, single coats.

They come in a wide range of colors, including black, white, brown apricot, cream, golden, or gray. They can be one shade or have a blend of color and some white markings.

Size: How big do Bichon Poodles get?

Females and males are about the same size. Once they’re full-grown, they typically stand anywhere from 9 to 15 inches (23 to 38 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh anywhere between 6 to 18 pounds (3 to 8).

A Bichon bred to a Miniature Poodle will fall on the lower end of the scale. Dogs that fall on the lower end of the scale are sometimes referred to as teacup-sized.

Due to their size, they would do pretty well in all types of houses, even apartments. But you should deal first with its personality quirks that we’ll discuss in a bit.

Temperament: Are Bichon Poodles good dogs?

Now we know what they look like, but what do they act like? Bichon poodles aren’t just adorable – they have a ton of personality. Overall, we can say this fido is a good breed. They’re also obedient, smart, playful, and incredibly friendly.

They love to be near their people. Like the Bichon personality, Poochons think of strangers as friends they just haven’t met yet.

Before we continue, we wanted to give you an idea of the different looks of the Bichon Poodle mix and what it’s like to own them, so here’s a video compilation of cute Poochons:

Are they good with kids and other pets?

Bichon Poodles sound pretty great, right? But what about if you have kids or other pets? Because of their sweet, outgoing personality and low prey drive, they do well with other pets, especially when they’re raised together from a young age.

When it comes to kids, the only thing to worry about is making sure your kids are taught to be gentle with their new pal.

Bichon Poos are curious dogs who will forever be checking out new things and wanting to stick their noses in on the action. But they’re not pushy. In fact, they’re known for their sweet temperament.

They’re not perfect, however. Just like any dog, they have their challenges. Some Bichon Frise Poodle mixes are prone to getting separation anxiety, which can take medication and or training a bit difficult to deal with. This can be a tough problem to tackle, but with consistency, your pooch can learn that when you leave, the world doesn’t end.

Remember when we said that they could also adapt to apartment-living? You should know that they can be yappy. When the doorbell rings, they’ll be sure to let you know. They can also whine if you leave them behind. Remember, their goal in life is to be by your side.

But early socialization and training your canine friend using positive reinforcement can help curve behavioral issues.

In addition to the standard potty training and good manners, you’ll want to teach them when to bark and, more importantly, when not to.

During training, praise and reward your doggo with a small treat when she stays quiet at an appropriate time, and ignore or give her a gentle correction when she barks at the wrong time. After she relaxes, offer a treat and praise.

Some dogs bark because they want your attention. This is the right time to ignore them so that they learn yapping and whining won’t get them what they want.

Eventually, your dog will learn to give you an alert bark and stop when you let them know that you’ve heard them, and they can relax.

Again, positive reinforcement is vital. When you leave, be happy and confident and reward your pup with a treat as you exit. This teaches them that it’s not a bad thing when you head out the door.

When you return, now is the time to be calm. DON’T give them a treat when you get back. This just reinforces the idea that your returning is the most important thing.

You can also play good music, a dog-friendly YouTube channel, or a recording of your voice while you’re gone to calm a concerned pup.

When they’re young, proper socialization is essential to head off any troublesome behaviors.

How do I take care of my new teddy bear friend?

As with any pooch, your Bichon Poo needs training and care to be a perfect, happy addition to your life.

Time for walkies!

All dogs, no matter the breed, would require exercise. Even though your Bichon Poodle mix is small, this hybrid can still have lots of energy – it’s part of that curious nature we mentioned.

You can keep walk time short and head out multiple times a day for a total of 30 or 40 minutes. Or, you can do other fun tasks like swimming or fetch.

Bichon Poodles are smart, and they need mental stimulation to keep them from getting into negative behaviors. In fact, mental and physical exercise can help remedy problems like barking and separation anxiety.

Give them lots of playtime to keep their minds occupied. This can be fun for you, too. Try things like playing hide and seek, asking them to find either you or a treat.

You can also give them wiggle balls or teach them new tricks. Bichon Poodle mixes are some of the best dogs out there for teaching tricks. No wonder they were often used as performers in the past.

Break out the kibble

Bichon poodles should be fed three meals a day of high-quality dry kibble. They need a total of 1.5 cups a day, which equates to about 500 calories. This can still vary depending on your dog’s size, age, activity level, and health.

For those who prefer to feed their fur babies based on their daily caloric intake, here’s a calorie calculator you can use.

Keep an eye on their weight and have your vet check to make sure that they stay in a healthy range.

Grooming: Do Bichon Poodles shed?

All of that adorable teddy bear-like hair takes some work. The good news is that Poochon hair is considered hypoallergenic, and it doesn’t shed like typical dog fur, so you won’t find tufts of hair floating around your house all the time.

While their coat looks cute when it’s taken care of, their hair can get matted easily, and they can quickly become a tangled mess. Some people deal with this by trimming them short into a so-called puppy clip.

Others keep their hair longer. If you do this, you’ll need to brush them once a day. Shorter dogs can be brushed a few times a week.

Trimming needs to happen, at most, every eight weeks. There are lots of cute styles you can clip your dog into, including a poodle clip and the teddy bear cut.

Small dogs like Poochons are prone to dental issues, so brush their teeth every day. Make a game of it and give them a treat if they sit calmly while you work. 

You also need to clean out their ears once a week and trim their nails twice a month.

How healthy is a Bichon Poodle mix?

Bichon Poodle mixes are relatively healthy dogs and can enjoy a lifespan of 12 to 16 years. But even crossbreeds can inherit some health conditions that their purebred parents are susceptible to.

Poochons can suffer from patellar luxation, heart diseases, retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, and allergies.

Poodles and Poo mixes are prone to Addison’s disease, which can be deadly.

They can also get gum infection, also known as periodontal disease, and tooth loss. This is why we advise you to feed your Bichon Poodle cross a kibble diet and to make sure your fido’s teeth are brushed frequently.

When going out, we recommend that you use a harness instead of clipping the leash onto your pet’s collar. This will help protect your small dog’s delicate neck.

Buying: How much are Bichon Poodle puppies?

If you’re convinced that the Poochon is for you, there are many ways to add one to your life. Are you planning to purchase a pup from a breeder? Expect to pay a price of $600 to $2800. Some can get more expensive depending on the bloodline of the parent breeds, the popularity of the kennel, availability of puppies, and the breeder’s location.

Hold up! Before you take out your wallet or sign anything, be sure that you’re dealing with a reputable breeder.

Bichon Poo breeders

Responsible breeders would often interview potential puppy buyers, or they’d provide questionnaires. You should also be prepared with a set of questions. This will guarantee that the pup would end up with the right owner.

Some would voluntarily offer you the chance to visit the puppy you want so you can see where it’s born, and meet the parents and its littermates. While you’re there, take the opportunity to request to see the parents’ medical documents to make sure that they were tested before breeding. If the pups have already been vaccinated, take a look at those, too.

The bottom line is, be sure to do your research. A low-priced pup should be a red flag, as should a breeder who won’t let you visit the puppy. While we don’t endorse any of the following breeders, they can be a good place for you to start your search.

• Liza Doodle Little (Harlem, Georgia)
• Puppy Stars (Centerville, Iowa)
• Little Joy Pups (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

There may be available Poochon puppies for sale in online marketplaces like Greenfield Puppies, Lancaster Puppies, and Buckeye Puppies.

Bichon Poodle mix for adoption

Adopting or rescuing a dog is a decision we’ll support. Aside from giving a fur angel another chance to be loved, you’ll be glad to know that most of them are already trained, and adoption costs are usually cheaper – around $300 and up.

You can check out Poodle or Bichon Frise rescues to see if they have Bichpoos that you can rescue or adopt, such as:

• Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue (Mukwonago, Wisconsin)
• Bichon Rescue of Orange County (Placentia, California)
• Carolina Poodle Rescue (Pacolet, South Carolina)
• Poodle and Pooch Rescue of Florida (Orlando, Florida)

Not sure if the Bichon Poodle is right for you? 

If you like the idea of a Bichon Poodle, but you’re not sure if they’re right for you, several other mixes include the characteristics of a Bichon or a Poodle. Some of those designer dogs are the:

• Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle mix)
• Cavachon (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Bichon Frise mix)
• Cavapoo (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix)

The Bichon Poodle is a little teddy bear & is all heart

Bichon Poodles are a big ball of love that looks like the ultimate teddy bear dog. With the right care, this little bundle of joy can be your loyal companion for years to come.

You must be prepared to deal with their grooming and training demands to have the perfect companion. If you’re willing to make an effort, they’re perfect for new owners, families, apartment dwellers, and anyone who wants a loyal friend.

If you’ve ever had one of these sweet dogs, let us know what your experience was like!