The Bichon Frise Golden Retriever mix, also known as the Goldichon, is a rare breed of dog due to the substantial sizing difference between the parents. Typically, a female Golden Retriever must be artificially inseminated using Bichon Frise sperm—an expensive ordeal that requires purposeful breeding.

Breed Overview

These canines are often considered sociable and affectionate. They’re companion animals through and through, with many of the traits people look for in companion animals. They do require frequent grooming and plenty of attention, though. They may be prone to separation anxiety for this reason.

They are prone to hip dysplasia, allergies, and ear infection. However, they are healthier than most breeds, as they draw their traits from a very large gene pool.

Goldichon Characteristics

Bichon Frise Golden Retriever Mix Puppies

Goldichon puppies are extremely fluffy and adorable. They often have curly coats that come in shades of red, cream, and golden. It’s important to train and socialize these puppies, but doing so is often very straightforward.

Grooming should start early, even before the dogs really need it. Doing so helps them get used to the process and makes it easier to groom them later on.

These dogs are extremely rare and aren’t recognized by the AKC, as they are a mixed breed. They aren’t very easy to find and breeders who specialize in this breed are far and few between. You’d be lucky to find one litter in the USA at a time.

Therefore, you’ll often have to spend quite a bit of time looking for a puppy—and then even more time on a waiting list.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bichon Frise Golden Retriever

The Bichon Frise Golden Retriever mix is a gentle, friendly dog that loves to be around people. They’re often described as playful, cheerful, and loving, though temperament will vary from dog to dog. They’re extremely sociable and get along with just about everyone, including children.

In most cases, the Goldichon is intelligent and eager to please, which makes them very easy to train. They want to make their owners happy and catch onto new commands quickly. They’re also extremely alert and attentive, making them excellent watchdogs. They’re loyal to their family, but they lack the protective instincts of other dog breeds.

This mixed breed is pretty active, enjoying playing and exercising. They aren’t hyperactive or lazy—but somewhere in the middle. While they can adapt to many living environments, it’s important that they are given plenty of stimulation.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡

This Bichon Frise Golden Retriever mix does great in families. They get along with children well and are easily socialized. They’re often gentle and playful.

Plus, these dogs were developed solely to be companion animals. Therefore, breeders tend to prioritize traits that make these dogs good companions.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

This breed often gets along well with other pets when properly socialized. They are friendly and curious, which allows them to get along with a range of different pets. They aren’t aggressive or territorial towards other dogs, either.

You can easily have these dogs coexist with other dogs and cats. Smaller animals (like rabbits) may be able to coexist with them, too. However, it’s important to point out that these are still dogs, and they can easily see rabbits as prey animals. They’re plenty big enough to do some damage, as well.

Things to Know When Owning a Bichon Frise Golden Retriever

Food & Diet Requirements🦴

This breed doesn’t require any special food. They do well on a high-quality diet that you might feed any other dog. Ensure any food you select is certified by the AAFCO, which regulates the nutritional content of dog food. (Luckily, today, practically all commercially available carry the AAFCO seal.)

That said, these dogs may be prone to overeating and obesity. Therefore, it’s important to monitor their food intake. Do not free feed. Follow the directions on the food container, but feel free to adjust the amount depending on your dog’s body condition.

If your dog becomes overweight, speak to your vet and switch to a diet dog food. These foods contain the nutrients your dog needs in fewer calories. Therefore, they help ensure your dog gets all the nutrition they need while still helping them lose weight.

Some of these dogs may have special dietary needs or preferences. You may need to adjust their diet based on this.

Exercise🐕

The Goldichon is a moderately energetic dog. You should plan on providing at least 30 minutes of exercise a day to keep them happy and healthy. They enjoy just about any kind of exercise as long as it is with their owner. Walking, hiking, swimming, fetching, and agility are all great ways to help them meet their exercise needs.

These canines are also very sociable, so dog parks work well. They can adapt to just about any living situation (including apartments). However, you should plan on giving them room to run at least once a day.

Be careful not to overexercise or underexercise these canines, as this can cause health and behavioral problems. Overexercising can lead to joint issues, for instance. Not providing enough exercise can quickly cause obesity (which also leads to joint problems). Therefore, finding a middle ground is important.

Training🦮

The Bichon Frise Golden Retriever mix is easy to train, making them suitable for beginners. It takes them only a few iterations to pick up on new commands, and they are very eager to please. Therefore, they will actually listen to commands in a real-world setting.

These canines can learn a variety of tricks with relative ease. You can expect them to understand a variety of different words beyond training, too. They’ll pick up these words as you go about your day-to-day activities.

The Goldichon should be trained from an early age to establish good manners and habits. They should be socialized with other pets and people, especially children, to prevent shyness or aggression. While they are naturally friendly, socialization is still important.

Because they are intelligent, these dogs also get bored very easily. Regular training (even when they don’t necessarily need it) can go a long way to preventing boredom and the destructive behaviors that often go with it.

Grooming ✂️

As a mixed breed, the exact coat these dogs will have varies. The amount and type of grooming they require will vary with it. Therefore, it’s a bit harder to prescribe a set grooming routine, as it can vary considerably from dog to dog.

They often have fluffy coats that require regular brushing. They may shed a lot or not at all. Brushing will help reduce shedding. But, even if they don’t shed, it’s still required to keep their coats free of mats. You can plan on brushing at least every 2–4 days. (Some dogs may need more than this, though.)

Many Bichon Frise Golden Retriever mixes also need professional clipping and trimming. Their fur may continuously grow, requiring a trim every 1–2 months. You can learn to do this yourself with the right tools or have a professional do it. This is an added cost that you should keep in mind.

Of course, you’ll also need to trim their nails and brush their teeth. Because they’re prone to ear infections, always pay careful attention to their ears. They may need to be cleaned with a special ear-cleaning solution recommended by your vet.

Health and Conditions 🏥

This mixed breed is relatively healthy. They inherit their traits from a very large gene pool, so they’re much less likely to inherit genetic issues. They can live up to 15 years for this reason and are considered one of the healthiest dog breeds.

However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t prone to any health issues. They need regular grooming and can develop issues if their coat isn’t kept properly groomed. They may also be prone to hip dysplasia, allergies, ear infections, and eye problems.

The Bichon Frise is prone to bladder problems, liver shunts, and patellar luxation. The Golden Retriever is susceptible to cancer, heart disease, and hypothyroidism. Their puppies can inherit any of these conditions, which is why only breeding healthy dogs is so important.

This breed should be given regular check-ups and vaccinations to prevent or detect any health problems early. Catching diseases early often makes them far easier to treat.

Male vs. Female

Because they are a mixed breed, the Bichon Frise Golden Retriever isn’t standardized enough for particular differences between genders to shine through. These dogs vary quite a bit in size and weight, and that’s true for both males and females. They don’t have any significant differences in appearance or coat.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bichon Frise Golden Retriever

1. They are exceptionally rare

Because of the sizing differences, these dogs must practically always be bred on purpose by a breeder. However, breeders that specialize in these dogs are extremely rare. Therefore, finding a puppy is difficult.

2. They’re often confused with the Goldendoodle

While this breed is bred using a Golden Retriever, it isn’t a Goldendoodle. Goldendoodles are half Poodle, not Bichon Frise. Therefore, they have slightly different traits.

3. They aren’t hypoallergenic

While their coat may not shed as much as other dogs, these canines aren’t considered hypoallergenic. Their coat simply varies too much, and they still make the proteins that cause allergies.

Final Thoughts

The Bichon Frise Golden Retriever is an unusual canine that requires very careful breeding, which is one reason they are so rare. They inherit a mixture of traits from each parent and are not standardized, so they tend to vary quite a bit. However, they do tend to share some traits.

For instance, these dogs are very friendly and sociable. They work well with kids and other pets, making them perfect for families. However, they do require significant amounts of exercise and grooming, plus, they can be pretty needy and prone to separation anxiety.

Therefore, while they can make great family pets, they tend to be a decent amount of work. Keep this in mind before adopting one.

• See also: Japanese Akita Inu vs American Akita: The Differences (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Dylan Xu, Shutterstock