What’s a good name for a Bichon-poo? Poo-bich! If that’s a bit too grungy for you, you can also try Princess or Spoiled Little White Dog. It’s not the Bichon-poo’s fault that he’s spoiled rotten — he’s just such a darn cute little white fluff ball that humans are hypnotized into giving him his every desire.
DOGSTER WARNING: If you are in the market for a Bichon-poo, please be forewarned that this is not an established breed, and the chances that you will encounter backyard breeders or puppy millers trying to capitalize on this fancy mutt’s popularity are pretty high. As with any breed, please DO YOUR HOMEWORK and resist the urge to impulse buy. If you see “buy it now” PayPal buttons on websites hawking these dogs, this is a huge red flag and we implore you to run screaming in the opposite direction.
We are also huge fans of adoption here at Dogster, and urge you to look at local shelters and rescues for lovable pups that might just — gasp — be the offspring of a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. It’s really not too far-fetched. But anyway, on to the profile …
What Bichon-poos Are Like to Live With
He may seem like just another Poodle cross, but the Bich-poo is known for possessing the best qualities of both purebred parents, the Bichon Frise and the Poodle. This means you’ll likely get a smart, noble type who is also friendly and affectionate. The Bichon-poo makes a good apartment dog as long as he is exercised regularly. He also makes a good family companion.
Obedience training is important, as is owner training, so that your Bich-poo doesn’t end up with Small Dog Syndrome (see spoiling your Bichon-poo above). This is easily kept in hand provided the owner does not see a human infant when he or she looks at her pup. Restraining from dressing your Bichon-poo in frilly things may also help.
Things You Should Know About the Bichon-poo
It’s fairly common for the Bichon-poo to suffer from separation anxiety, a disorder that also afflicts its parent, the Bichon Frise. When left alone, especially for long periods, the Bich-poo may bark and whine, have accidents, or become destructive (which hardly needs mentioning, as a destructive Bich-poo likely means a mutilated Kleenex on the floor). What does need mentioning is that this hybrid is also apt to whine even when you’re home.
Separation anxiety can be helped through desensitization training and calming therapies, but the whining around the house can be tougher to correct. Be prepared if you are considering a Bichon-poo to provide patient training if needed.
Bichon-poo History: Fast Facts
- It is unknown exactly when the first Bich-poo was bred, but it was probably in the 1990s.
- The Bichon-poo originated in the U.S.
- Today, Bichon-poos are often bred with purebred Bichon Frises or Poodles, causing more variations in the hybrid.
The Look of the Bichon-poo
The Bichon-poo can range in size from 6 to 15 pounds. His most notable feature is his pristine, white coat. His coat is self-cleaning, soft, and glossy, and can be wavy or curly. It’s the first thing noticed by many Bich-poo owners. He is a sturdy little dog, squarely set with a tail that curls tightly over his back. With his black nose and dark eyes, this hybrid dog is truly stunning.
10 Things You Might Not Know About the Bichon-poo
- The Bichon-poo has a non-shedding coat.
- The Bichon-poo is also called the “Poochon.”
- The Bichon-poo is also called the Bich-Poo.
- This hybrid dog is very clever and can be mischievous.
- It is fairly easy to adopt a Bich-poo as their popularity has led to some of them being surrendered.
- The Bichon-poo can be tiny (when bred with a Toy Poodle), small (bred with a Miniature Poodle), or medium (bred with a Standard Poodle).
- The Bichon-poo is so popular he’s included in the Everything Small Dogs Book, which helps people picking small dog breeds.
- There exists a bumper sticker that says “Bich-poo, Bad to the Bone” on Amazon; this would go well with the name “Poo-bich.”
- There is a “Bichon Poo Review” at www.bichonpooreview.com.
- Learn how to draw a Bich-poo with this video tutorial.
