Poochon Dog Breed Information

Group

Unrecognized

Weight

2.7-7.7 kg

Height

23-38 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

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About the Poochon

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

Poochons have stolen the heart of many dog lovers simply due to their teddy bear appearance. Called a doodle mix, the Poochon is a designer breed of dog that faced early criticism for why it was bred but has since become a beloved member of the dog family.

Poochon owners typically say the upbeat and highly doting aspects of these dogs are a very equitable trade-off for the time and cost these high maintenance pooches require.

Whether you call them real-life teddy bears, walking velcro, or your new shadow, Australia’s own Poochon has taken the dog world by storm.

What is the history & origin of the Poochon?

Another designer breed, the Poochon, is a cross between two separate breeds of poodle, the Bichon Frise and the Toy Poodle. As with other dogs of the mixed breed variety, the intention was to keep all the good traits of the parent breeds.

While both the Bichon Frise and the Poodle date back centuries, the Poochon does not. These were first bred in Australia in the 1990s and for no other reason but to be a toy breed that made the perfect home pet.

However, as with most designer dogs, the reason for breeding mixed breeds is controversial, and the Bichon Poodle was heavily criticised as being an unnecessary breed. Nevertheless, in more recent years, the Bichon Poodle has become a very popular breed and is loved the world over.

What is a Poochon breed?

The Poochon or Bichon Poodle actually goes by a few different names, including:

Poochon
Bichpoo
Bichon Poo
Bichon Poodle

The Bichon Frise actually has a royal lineage dating back to the European monarchs of the 13th century. And, like the Bichon Frise, their size and cuddly coat lend to them making a good lap dog breed.

The Poochon is a designer breed and a mixed breed dog and is not a recognised breed by any international kennel club, including the American Kennel Club.

However, they are a breed that is registered with the International Designer Canine Registry.

Who is a Poochon best for?

As a Bichon Frise Poodle mix, these are among the most social dog breeds. They absolutely love the attention they get, and they will get a lot of it. The miniature or Toy Poodle image is a very approachable one for strangers, especially kids, and they will want to pet your dog, which your Poochon will simply eat up.

They do require a lot of mental and physical stimulation, so they are great family pets for active families. They also do very well with other dogs as well as other pets. They are really just a happy ball of fluff and are great first dogs to homes with cats or small kids.

They are good apartment dogs, providing that you have the ability to get them outside on a regular basis. They are easy to train but are high maintenance dogs and do require the investment of time and a bit of cost.

The Bichon Poodle is great for either a single person, a young couple, or a family.

Poochon Grooming & Shedding

When it comes to the Poochon coat, it is a mix between their Poodle and Bichon Frise parents. Their coats tend to be a solid cream, apricot, or tan colour of medium length. These dogs do not shed very much at all, so you won’t need to worry about living in dog hair. However, as both the poodle parent breeds are high maintenance, the Poochon is as well.

It requires lots of grooming. Poochon owners should expect to brush the puppy daily and bathe it once every few weeks. The grooming can become costly and should be considered among the cost of owning a Poochon.

They are also prone to tear staining at the corners of their eyes, so owners should expect to monitor and clean their eyes on a regular basis.

Do Poochons bark a lot?

Poochon puppers tend to be loud and bark constantly. However, with proper puppy training classes, this is an issue that is easily curbed and does not extend into adulthood. These are very smart dogs, so as long as you invest the time and money into the training, the barking will not be a problem for long.

Barking in adult dogs is a symptom of separation anxiety and something to look out for.

What is the average weight & height of a Poochon dog?

These are small dogs and tend to be similar in size regardless of gender.

Height: 23 to 38 cm
Weight: 2.7 to 7.7 kg

Are Poochons easy to train?

Due to the fact that they are mixed breed dogs with a Toy Poodle parent, the Poochon is very amenable and easy to train. They are intelligent dogs that require both physical and mental stimulation.

The most important thing to remember is that obedience training needs to begin very early so as to prevent the bad habits that Poochon puppers have, such as excessive barking, to become adult problems.

How do Poochons behave? A look at their temperament and personality

Very basically, Poochons are best described as friendly dogs. In fact, there are several words that are all on point when describing the Bichon Poodle, including:

Cheerful
Loving
Sensitive
Fiesty
Gentle
Playful

They are little dogs with big hearts! Pet owners will find that Poochon’s biggest investments are the time for exercise and the cost of grooming.

Like their parent breed, the Bichon Frise, the Bichon Poodle has a show dog demeanour and is attentive to its owner.

Does the Poochon have any common health issues?

The Poochon dog breed is susceptible to many of the health concerns that the Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise have, including:

Addison’s Disease: A hormonal disorder affecting adrenal function.
Corneal Dystrophy: A condition affecting the cornea’s transparency.
Cataracts: Clouding of the lens, impacting vision.
Cushing’s Disease: An endocrine disorder causing excessive cortisol production.
Immune-Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA): A condition where the immune system attacks red blood cells.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: Affects blood flow to the femur, leading to bone degeneration.
Patellar Luxation: Dislocation of the kneecap.
Retinal Atrophy: Degeneration of the retina, potentially leading to blindness.
Allergies: Sensitivities to various environmental factors.
Bladder Issues: Potential urinary tract or bladder problems.

What is the lifespan of a Poochon?

The Poochon can have an above-average life expectancy. Poochons live to be 12 to 15 years old in human years, or 84 to 105 in dog years.

How much does a Poochon need to be fed?

The perfect diet for the Poochon is one that addresses their high energy but is still suitable for a small dog breed. Though they are small, they will get fat and round relatively fast. So leaving food out all day long is not recommended.

The best diet for this dog is very specific to the life stage they are in; puppy to adult to the elderly dog years. Thus, you should consult your veterinarian about the best diet to keep your dog healthy.

How much can you expect to pay for a Poochon in Australia?

As a designer breed that is selectively bred, the Poochon don’t come cheap. In fact, many breeders claim to have a waiting list for puppies.

Due to their popularity and limited supply, these dogs tend to average between AUD 1,400 and 4,200 from a reputable breeder.

Poochon FAQs

Is a Poochon ideal for a first-time dog owner?

They definitely can be, but this is really about your situation as well as the situation that you would be bringing the dog into. As family pets, these are great first time dogs. However, for a single professional who is out of the house more than being home, this is not a good breed to start off with.

Do Poochons suffer from separation anxiety?

All dog breeds will suffer from separation anxiety to some degree. This is a breed that tends to be prone to this anxiety disorder. These dogs never want to leave your side, so when you are not there, they feel somewhat abandoned. Some dogs can be trained to deal with this issue and handle short bouts of workday loneliness.

Are Poochons hypoallergenic dogs?

Yes, one of the traits these designer dogs were engineered to have was to be hypoallergenic. While high maintenance dogs, they do not shed much and are not known to trigger issues with those who suffer from pet allergies. They do require a bit of grooming, so those with some allergy issues should use a professional groomer.

Will a Poochon need professional grooming?

This is a breed of dog for which a professional groomer can make a big difference. These dogs require a lot of your time, and some owners simply can’t address their extensive grooming needs. These guys have coats that seemingly attract everything and are high maintenance dogs. However, for this dog, professional grooming can become expensive.