Poochon: Discover the Charming Characteristics & Essential Care Tips

The poochon (aka bichon poo or bichpoo) is a small, non-shedding, hybrid dog that is a cross between the bichon frise and the toy or miniature poodle, with colors that include white, black, cream, apricot, red, silver, and brown.

The poochon’s looks and temperament are variable as this is not a standardized breed but a mix of two different breeds. Since both bichons and poodles are friendly and intelligent breeds, the poochon is generally smart, trainable, affectionate, and outgoing. However, every poochon is an individual, and each dog will have a unique personality. 

Learn more about the poochon, including their temperament and care needs.

Breed Overview

Group: Hybrid

Height: 9 to 15 inches

Weight: 6 to 20 pounds

COAT: Curly, coarse, dense; may have an undercoat

Coat Color: White, black, cream, apricot, red, brown, or silver

Life Span: 10 to 18 years

Temperament: Playful, affectionate, intelligent

Hypoallergenic: Yes

Origin: Australia

Characteristics of the Poochon

The poochon is likely to have a similar temperament as the parent breeds, the bichon frise and the poodle. This means poochons are generally sweet, affectionate, lively, and playful. However, every poochon is an individual, and each dog will have a unique personality.

Some poochons might be more on the calm and quiet side, and others might be more energetic and outgoing. Most poochons are so dependent on human company that they don't do well in households where they must be alone for many hours a day. Like poodles and bichons, poochons can be alert to sounds; some might bark a bit more than is necessary. 

History of the Poochon

The history of the poochon is not well recorded. However, the first poochons were likely created in the 1990s in Australia as part of the wave of “doodle” breeding that occurred after the Labradoodle was created. 

Purebred dogs have been bred for generations following a special blueprint called the breed standard, which is the written description of the ideal physical and temperamental traits of the breed. The breed standard is what gives purebred dogs predictable height and weight, body structure, color, coat type, and temperament. 

The poochon is a hybrid and not a purebred dog, so they do not have a breed standard and they are not standardized. This means that there is a lot of variation in the way individual poochons might look and act.

A poochon that is a 50-50 cross between a purebred bichon frise and a purebred poodle might look more like a bichon or more like a poodle, or could look different from both breeds. That said, these parent breeds are more similar than different, both in looks and temperament, so poochons are likely to look and act in a similar manner to the parent breeds.

Some might question the reasoning behind breeding together such similar breeds. Though the claim of “hybrid vigor” is often cited as allowing for better health, this is more applicable for dogs with many different breeds in their background and not the case with crossing two purebred dogs. Crossbred puppies have the potential of inheriting congenital diseases and disorders present in both parent breeds. 

The poochon is not recognized by any of the purebred dog registries such as the American Kennel Club or United Kennel Club.

What Is a Designer Dog Breed?

Poochon Care

The poochon has more complicated grooming needs than some other breeds. But these dogs are a pleasure to be around because they’re smart and lots of fun. You can enjoy a variety of activities with them to give them the exercise and playtime they need.

Exercise

Both parent breeds of the poochon are lively and energetic, but poochons are small enough to get enough exercise through one or two daily walks plus playtime with you inside or outdoors.

Some poochons are athletic and might enjoy training for dog sports like agility and flyball. 

Grooming

Grooming requirements for the poochon are the same as those for the bichon frise and poodle. The curly, dense coat of the poochon sheds very little or not at all, but daily brushing or brushing every other day is necessary to remove loose hair from the coat and prevent matting.

Poochons are said to be hypoallergenic, but remember there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Keep in mind, too, that a poochon’s curly coat requires significant upkeep, including daily brushing and regular professional grooming, which comes at an expense. 

Poochons with undercoats likely need more frequent brushing than poochons with single coats. Like their parent breeds, poochons need haircuts from a professional groomer every four to eight weeks.

Trim your poochon’s nails every other week and take a look inside their ears on a weekly basis to make sure all is well. Clean the ears with a pet-safe ear cleaner if they look dirty. If you see excessive dirt or redness in the ears, or if your poochon is shaking their head or scratching at their ears, schedule a veterinary visit. Also, brush their teeth often to help prevent dental and gum problems.

Training

Like the bichon and poodle, poochons are extremely smart and trainable. Bichons were once famous as circus dogs performing charming tricks, and poodles are considered one of the smartest breeds.

Poochons respond readily to positive training methods like clicker training along with tasty treats and other food rewards.

Common Health Problems

Although many people who breed and sell hybrid dogs claim that crossing two different purebred dogs automatically makes healthier puppies, science tells us that genes don’t necessarily work this way. Most purebred dogs have specific inherited health issues common to the breed. Crossing bichons with poodles means that poochon puppies are at risk of inheriting any of the genetic diseases found in either breed. 

The bichon frise is prone to:

• Allergies: Dogs can suffer from various allergies, such as skin, flea, and food allergies. It’s important to find and eliminate or reduce the triggers, and work with a vet, to provide relief.

• Bladder infections: Infections in the urinary tract can be caused by bacteria, and symptoms include urinating in inappropriate places, urinating more often, straining to urinate, and blood in the urine.

• Ear infections: Allergies, mites, water in the ears, growths, and more can cause ear infections. Symptoms include shaking the head, scratching the ears, and odor coming from the ears.

• Dental disease: Check your dog’s teeth and gums often to look for problems like chipped or broken teeth, discolored gums, or discolored teeth. A vet can provide treatments for these issues.

• Luxating patella: This condition causes slipping kneecaps, where they move out of their groove.

• Eye problems: This breed can be prone to various eye problems, so consult a vet if you notice changes or symptoms in your dog’s eyes. Examples include cataracts (clouding of lens), glaucoma (high pressure in eye), and dry eye.

Poodles are affected by:

• Hip dysplasia: This orthopedic problem impacts the hips, and can lead to mobility issues and pain.

• Eye disease: In addition to cataracts, this breed can develop progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), which affects the retina and leads to blindness, and optic nerve hypoplasia, in which the optic nerve doesn’t develop properly.

• Idiopathic epilepsy: This condition causes seizures. Idiopathic means the cause is unknown.

• Sebaceous adenitis: This is an inflammatory skin disease. It impacts the sebaceous glands and causes changes in the skin and coat.

• Von Willebrand’s disease: This blood disorder adversely affects the blood’s ability to clot properly.

• Immune-mediated disorders: These are conditions that cause the body to attack itself.

• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease: This is a hip joint disorder. Symptoms include lameness, muscle atrophy, and stiffness, among others.

Responsible breeders use healthy, well-bred adult purebred dogs for breeding, and test them for the genetic diseases common to their breed to avoid passing on health problems to the puppies. Reputable breeders should also offer a health guarantee on their poochon puppies should the puppy develop a genetically linked disease later in life. 

Diet and Nutrition

To prevent overeating, feed your poochon measured meals twice a day rather than leaving food out all the time. Keeping your poochon lean can help prevent the development or worsening of joint disorders like luxating patella, to which the poochon is prone, as well as other weight-related health issues like diabetes. Talk to your veterinarian for a recommendation on a healthy food to feed your poochon, as well as how much to feed.

Where to Adopt or Buy a Poochon

If you’re thinking about adding a poochon to the family, you can first check your local animal shelters and rescue organizations for poochons in need of new homes. This is a great option if you don’t mind adopting an adult dog, since most poochons in rescue are adults. Occasionally, you might find a poochon puppy in a shelter or rescue environment, but it’s rarer.

If you have your heart set on a poochon puppy, your best option is finding a responsible breeder who tests their breeding dogs for health issues common to both the bichon frise and poodle. Watch out for puppy mills, which are common with "designer" dog breeds.

Here are some resources to help you start your search:

• PuppyFinder

• Premier Pups

Poochon Overview

The poochon is a popular designer dog breed that can be a great match if you’re looking for a smart, playful, and affectionate companion. For those with allergies, this hypoallergenic breed can also be a good choice.

Pros of Poochons

• Intelligent and trainable

• Affectionate and friendly

• Non-shedding and hypoallergenic

Cons of Poochons

• Doesn’t do well if left alone a lot

• May bark excessively

• Needs regular professional grooming

More Dog Breeds and Further Research

If you like the poochon, you might also like these breeds: 

• Goldendoodle

• Havanese

• Shih Tzu

• Shih-Poo

Otherwise, check out all of our other dog breed articles to help you find the perfect dog for you and your family.