Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
Poochon is a mixed dog breed between the Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise.
If you love smaller size dogs who are intelligent, have an outgoing attitude, and love being around people, the Poochon might be just what you need.
Breeders did their best to create a breed that picks the best qualities of both parents.
Poochons go under many names, including Bichpoo, Bichon Poo, and Bichon Poodle, but they are best-known as Poochons.
These small-size dogs are highly popular and they are a great addition to families of any size. Although they are lovely, lovable, and very people-oriented they can still be found in animal shelters.
If you’re thinking about getting a dog, and you do not mind adopting one, make sure that you check your local shelter first.
You will be surprised to learn just how many purebred and designed dogs can be found in animal shelters across the States.
Now, let’s learn more about this unusual breed.
Quick Facts
Real name: Poochon
Other names: Bichpoo, Bichon Poo, Bichon Poodle
Origin: Australia
Breed type: Mixed Breed Dogs
Weight: 6 to 17 pounds
Height: 9 to 15 inches
Lifespan: 12 to 15 years
Litter Size: 2 – 6 puppies
Color: Cream, tan, and apricot
Coat: Mix of their Poodle and Bichon parents’ coat
Poochon History
No one can tell precisely when Poochon was first developed or where exactly. Like the majority of hybrid digs, Poochnon was developed somewhere in the late 1990s.
It is common for hybrid dog breeds to be developed in the States, but this breed is an exception.
The Poochon dog breed was developed in Australia when breeders started mixing Poodles and Bichon Frises to develop a breed that will have the best qualities of both parents.
In no time, the interest in this breed turn out to be big and UK and US followed the trend.
The main goal of breeders was to mix the two parent breeds to create an intelligent Toy Poodle with playful and affectionate Bichon Frise.
By mixing them breeders also wanted to eliminate health problems that are commonly linked to purebred dogs and inbreeding.
As the demand for these puppies climbed so did the numbers of these puppies.
Poochons are a designer breed, but they still may end up in animal shelters due to many reasons.
If you are fine with adopting a dog, you might think about checking your local shelter first – you will be surprised to learn that these shelters are homes of different purebred and mixed dog breeds.
Now, let’s see what you can expect from your Poochon in terms of appearance.
Poochon Physical Appearance
When it comes to owning a hybrid dog you need to be ready for surprises. Although there are common looks, with mixed breeds you can never know 100% how they will turn out to be. These little dogs will inherit traits from both their parents.
If your Poochon comes with a thick coat and curly hair that is from the Bichon Frise side.
If Poochon’s coat is covered with tight curls they are from the Poodle side. As for the colors, they will vary. Their coats may be covered in all black, apricot, or white color.
In some cases, they may have shared these colors, if not the mix. In most cases, they will have a tail that flops over on their back.
It is a common practice to trim their coats – you can learn how to do it, or a professional dog groomer might do it.
Their eyes will always be oval-shaped and amber or brown in color. They are commonly 9 to 15 inches at the shoulder and should have 6 to 17 pounds.
Since this is a relatively new breed, there are no specific standards of the breed, but size measurements are something that is defined through practice.
All in all, you can expect your Poochon to always be a smaller size dog. As such, they are a great fit for city living and apartment surroundings.
Fun fact: Poochon is often described as teddy bear dog.
Poochon Personality
Poochons are highly affectionate dogs. They are energetic, playful, and cuddly.
Being next to you all day long is something that makes them really happy and exciting. They will love a nice run in the dog park, and napping on the couch next to you all day long.
If you want a breed that enjoys indoor games, this is the breed to consider having.
Poochons are smart dogs, so mastering basic commands is something that should be a difficult task for them.
Did you know that dogs are more than capable of mastering basic commands as of eight weeks of age?
Use this as your advantage to create training sessions that are fun, interactive, and consistent.
Do not let their size fool you, because these small dogs are highly vocal. Poochons are fast to be vocal. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but you want to have a good relationship with your neighbors.
Handling barking is something that can be addressed during the training process.
You cannot force dogs to stop barking, this is something they naturally do. However, you can put barking to a minimum level, and minimize it through proper stimulation, treats, indoor play sessions, outdoor walks, and even different games.
Poochons are highly social begins, and they need proper care, and their humans to thrive.
If you anyhow neglect or ignore this breed, you can expect them to become bored and unhappy.
When bored or neglected dogs tend to become destructive, or they may experience separation anxiety.
Since Poochons are very outgoing dogs, as such they are a great addition to families of different sizes.
Poochon With Children And Other Pets
Poochons love being around people. They are not only major people-pleasers but huge children lovers, as well.
These gentle dogs will love being around children and make them laugh (and keep them safe) as long as children know how to behave around dogs.
Children tend to see dogs (especially small size dogs) as moving toys and usually try to pick them up or handle them roughly without realizing that they might be hurting them.
This is why children must know how to behave around dogs and how to interact with them safely.
Children should know that dogs are territorial beings, and to never:
- Interupt them while they are eating, resting, drinking water, or sleeping
- To respect their area
- Not to try to pull toys or food from their mouth
- Not to pull their ears or tail
- Not to grab their paws
No dog, no matter how friendly or small in size might be, should never be left unsupervised with a child.
Accidents happen and by supervising dogs and children you are keeping the odds of accidents at a minimum.
As for the other pets, Poochons will much appreciate the company of other dogs, as long as their owner gives them enough attention. Yes, they tend to be territorial over their humans as well.
Poochons Are Always Ready For A Cuddle
If you tend to spend long working hours in the office, or you tend to be outside a lot, this breed may not be for you.
If your family members are ready and willing to help with dog-related issues, your Poochon will much appreciate it. They hate being left alone and they need constant attention.
If your home is a multi-pet household your Poochon will love it. All in all, they love being surrounded by active and social people who will keep them active and social.
Next to active time, make sure that you make time for cuddles, or they will jump to your visitor’s lap every time.
Poochon Training
If you want your Poochon to be a well-behaved canine citizen you need to think about training.
Training is much more than that teaching your dog how to give paw-on commands. Training sessions should be fun, short, consistent, and packed with treats.
Using positive reinforcement training is the best way to train your dog. No dog should ever experience any harsh training method or handling.
If you feel like you could use support training your dog, you can think about these two effective options:
- Hire a professional dog trainer. This option should speed up the training process and help your dog gain more confidence. Professional dog trainers will usually provide additional tips on how to continue trading your dog. When it comes to good behavior in dogs, repetition is the key.
- Enrolll your puppy in puppy classes. This is a great way to learn firsthand about dog training. Moreover, this option is great for bonding with your dog.
How to know if you need support training your dog? If you see that there are no results and time is just passing by, you might rethink your training methods.
Do you provide structured training sessions? Does your dog love training with you? Are you using treats?
If the answer is mostly ‘no’ you might ask for consultations. If you don’t have enough experience in dog ownership or training dogs, getting additional support should be your first option.
This way you will speed up the training process and arm yourself with further knowledge on training dogs.
To get the maximum out of training sessions, make sure that you keep them fun, short, consistent, engaging, and always reward-based.
Dogs are food-driven creatures and they love performing a trick when they know that there will be a reward afterward.
No dog should ever experience any harsh handling or negative training method.
If you feel like you could use support, think about hiring a professional dog trainer.
Poochon Exercise
Dogs thrive on exercise. They need regular exercise time to stay fit, keep their minds busy, and have strong joints.
Know that for dogs spending time outdoors is more than just having time to pee.
For dogs, outdoor time is an opportunity to explore the world. They love to explore new areas and follow different smells.
All in all, to keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically fit you should provide daily exercise time.
For Poochon perfect exercise time is about 30 minutes per day. This time should be spent on walks and playtime.
On rainy days or too warm days, provide indoor playtime because indoor games are a great way to stimulate your dog’s brain even after outdoor playtime.
If your Poochon is just a puppy make sure that you do not over-workout him. Puppies are growing and their bones are sensitive.
Any injury could affect their overall development. If your Poochon is an adult dog you should mind his joints and provide enough exercise to keep his joints healthy.
If you have a senior dog make use that you know what kind of exercise and suitable for your dog’s joints.
Poochon Grooming
Pooches need regular grooming. Some would even say that these small size dogs are high-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming.
If this is something that you see as too much work, you might think about getting a breed that is promoted as low maintenance breed.
Since they have Poodle in them, shedding should be minimal. In other words, just brushing your Poochon weekly should be enough to keep his coat shiny and clean.
Brushing is a great way to bond with your dog further. Plus, brushing is a great way to check a dog’s coat for fleas and skin for any sign of skin infection.
If you notice anything unusual on your dog’s skin, make sure that you contact your veterinarian.
To make grooming overall an easy and fast process, make sure that you use the right grooming tools.
The right kind of tools should help you handle your dog faster, and achieve the best possible results in no time.
While brushing your dog is mandatory, you should know that just brushing him isn’t enough.
Brushing is just one area of dog grooming. All in all, grooming should include:
- Monthly nail trimming or grinding
- Daily eye check
- Regular ears cleaning
- Weekly brushing
- Bathing only when needed
- Weekly gums check
Make sure that you provide extra paw care on hot summer days and really cold winter days and nights.
Paws are a highly sensitive part of a dog’s body, and too hot asphalt or road covered with industrial salt can easily harm your dog’s paws.
Poochon Health
As for health, Poochons are considered to be healthy dogs. If you manage to provide the right care, these small size dogs can live up to 16 years.
If you work with responsible dog breeders you should know that they will always present you with medical documentation on the breed.
Not only that but reputable breeders will let you meet the bitch, show you the facilities, and provide tips for further care.
Some breeders might even tell you that in case of a hardship you return the dog to them.
This is why if you are thinking about getting a Poochon you should check your local shelter first. You will be surprised to learn just how much different purebred and hybrid dogs are waiting for a safe and warm home.
It is also common for breeders to ask you a lot of questions. Responsible dog breeders will never give their puppies to anyone. They want to make sure that you are a good fit for their dog.
Pooches should do fine on high-quality food. Make sure that you provide the food that complements the dog’s overall health.
This means that you should serve food that is appropriate to the dog’s age, size, and exercise levels.
You can serve puppy food to the senior dogs if you run out of food for the day, but you should know what this ay they won’t get any of the nutrients.
Dog’s diet should always be adjusted to the dog’s needs. Also, you should know how much to feed your dog, and when.
Always provide easy access to clean and fresh water, and learn which human foods are bad and which are OK to share with your Poockhon.
For example, cucumber can be a great summer treat, while onion may seriously harm your dog.
Know that the best way to keep your dog in great shape physically-wise is to provide regular veterinarian check-ups.
Next to this stick to recommended puppy vaccination and keep parasite control on the track.
Know that you might be the best dog owner ever, and you might provide the best care possible and your Poochon still might get sick.
Here are the most common health issues seen in this breed:
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy
- Sebaceous Adenitis
- Hip Dysplasia
- Patellar Luxation
- Von Willebrand Disease
- Allergies
This doesn’t mean that any of these issues will appear in your Poochon. It just means that you should be well aware of them.
Once you get a dog you are directly responsible for his weight. This means that you know precisely how much food to serve to your Poochon and that you can limit treats to a minimum.
Smaller dogs are prone to weight gain, so keep them in mind. Serve treats in moderation and always as a reward.
Is Poochon For You?
If you are a first time dog owner, this breed is to consider. These dogs are small in size which makes them a great fit for city living, while sometimes they love being active.
Pooches are smart dogs who love being surrounded by people. Since they are big people, pleasers, Poochons will do their best to keep everyone around them entertained.
If you don’t have enough time to spare to spend with your Poochon this breed isn’t for you.
These small dogs are a bit clingy and they will hate being left alone (or often) for an extended period.
If you are an experienced dog owner, know that you will have to put extra effort into training this small size dog, as they tend to be stuborrnish.
All in all, if you want a breed that is smart, and cuddly, loves people, enjoys playing both outdoor and indoors, and who will love you no matter what, the adorable Poochon may be the right dog for you!
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