Bich-poo

The Bich-poo is a cross between the Bichon Frise and the Poodle. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a Bich-poo. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.

Bichon Frise

Bichon Frise

The Bichon Frise is a small, sturdy companion dog with a distinctive powder-puff appearance that has charmed dog lovers for centuries. Standing between 9.5 and 11.5 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 12 and 18 pounds, this breed presents a compact and well-proportioned silhouette that conveys both substance and elegance. The body is slightly longer than tall, creating a balanced square appearance when properly groomed, with a moderately deep chest and well-sprung ribs that provide good lung capacity. The Bichon carries itself with a proud and confident posture, moving with an effortless and lively gait that reflects its cheerful disposition and athletic capability. The hallmark of the Bichon Frise is its remarkable double coat, which consists of a soft, dense undercoat and a coarser, curly outer coat that stands away from the body to create volume and dimension. This unique coat texture creates the breed's signature puffy appearance and feels like velvet or plush to the touch. The coat is always white, though puppies may show traces of cream, buff, or apricot shading around the ears that typically fades as the dog matures. The hair grows continuously rather than shedding seasonally, making the breed appealing to some allergy sufferers, though regular professional grooming every four to six weeks is essential to maintain its characteristic rounded shape and prevent matting. The Bichon's face is one of its most endearing features, with large, round, dark eyes that convey an alert and curious expression, often described as having a soft, inquisitive gaze. The nose, lips, and eye rims are solid black, creating a striking contrast against the pristine white coat and giving the face a defined appearance. The ears are drop-shaped, set slightly above eye level, and are covered with long, flowing hair that blends seamlessly with the body coat. The skull is slightly rounded with a well-defined stop, and the muzzle is not too pointed, giving the face a soft, gentle appearance. The tail is well-plumed with silky hair and carried curved gracefully over the back, adding to the breed's elegant and balanced silhouette.

Key Characteristics

Temperament
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Despite their many wonderful qualities, Bichons do have some temperament considerations that potential owners should understand. They form extremely strong bonds with their families and can develop separation anxiety if left alone for extended periods. This anxiety may manifest as excessive barking, destructive behavior, or house-training accidents. The breed can also be quite vocal, using their bark to alert owners to visitors or unusual sounds. With proper training and gradual conditioning to alone time, most Bichons can learn to cope with reasonable periods of separation while maintaining their sunny disposition.
Health Considerations
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Other health considerations include bladder stones, which can cause urinary discomfort and may require dietary management or surgical removal. The breed has a higher than average incidence of diabetes mellitus, a condition requiring lifelong management with insulin and dietary changes. Cushing's disease, a disorder of the adrenal glands that causes excessive cortisol production, is another concern seen more frequently in Bichons than in many other breeds. Regular health monitoring, maintaining a healthy weight, providing proper nutrition, and ensuring adequate exercise all contribute to helping your Bichon Frise live a long and healthy life.
Learn More About The Bichon Frise

Poodle

Poodle

The Poodle is an elegant and athletic breed recognized in three distinct size varieties: Standard, Miniature, and Toy. The Standard Poodle stands over 15 inches at the shoulder, typically ranging from 18 to 24 inches, and weighs between 45 and 70 pounds. The Miniature Poodle measures between 10 and 15 inches tall and weighs approximately 12 to 20 pounds. The Toy Poodle stands 10 inches or under and weighs between 6 and 9 pounds. Despite their size differences, all three varieties share the same breed standard proportions, presenting a square silhouette with the length of body equal to the height at the withers. The Poodle's most distinctive feature is its dense, curly coat, which has a unique texture that is more like hair than fur. This single-layer coat grows continuously and sheds minimally, making the breed a popular choice for individuals with allergies, though no dog is truly hypoallergenic. The coat can be found in a wide array of solid colors including white, black, brown, apricot, cream, silver, blue, gray, red, and cafe au lait. The breed's coat can be styled in various traditional clips or kept in a simple, uniform trim for easier maintenance. Beneath the elaborate coiffure lies a well-muscled and athletically built dog bred for swimming and retrieving. Poodles have a long, elegant head with a moderately rounded skull and a long, straight muzzle. Their oval-shaped eyes are dark and alert, conveying an expression of keen intelligence. The ears are set at or slightly below eye level and hang close to the head, with long, thick ear leather covered in wavy hair. The tail is set high and carried erect, traditionally docked in some countries but increasingly left natural. The Poodle moves with a light, springy, effortless gait that speaks to its athletic heritage as a water retriever.

Key Characteristics

Temperament
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament The three size varieties do exhibit some temperament differences worth noting. Standard Poodles tend to be calmer and more reserved, making excellent family companions and therapy dogs. Miniature Poodles are often more active and may be more inclined toward mischief. Toy Poodles can be more demanding of attention and may develop a closer bond with a single person in the household. All varieties can be prone to separation anxiety due to their strong attachment to their families, so gradual conditioning to alone time during puppyhood is recommended. With proper socialization and training, Poodles of any size make wonderfully versatile and devoted companions.
Health Considerations
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Smaller Poodles face their own set of health concerns. Toy and Miniature Poodles commonly experience Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a condition where the blood supply to the femoral head is compromised, leading to bone deterioration. Luxating patella, where the kneecap dislocates from its normal position, is also more frequent in the smaller varieties. All Poodles may be affected by von Willebrand's disease, a bleeding disorder caused by insufficient blood clotting proteins, as well as epilepsy, Addison's disease affecting the adrenal glands, and hypothyroidism. Regular veterinary care, appropriate exercise, quality nutrition, and maintaining a healthy weight are essential for helping your Poodle live a long, healthy life.
Learn More About The Poodle

Important to Remember

Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Bich-poo may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Bichon Frise and Poodle to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.