Bich-Poo (Bichon Frise & Poodle Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

Few dogs are as loving, trainable, and intelligent as the Bich-Poo. These pups are born entertainers and the perfect lap dog! They bring new meaning to the phrase “people pleaser.”

Breed Overview

Bich-Poos are wonderful family dogs, can fit happily in apartments and city life, and never want to be far from their owners.

This rather novel hybrid breed comes from mixing the Bichon Frise and the Miniature Poodle.

Bichon Frise are the cuddly comedians of the dog world. And their sense of humor has not dimmed over the antiquity of their breeding. Though they are from an ancient bloodline, these dogs were developed well before the 13^th century on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

They were immensely popular dogs among European nobility across France, Spain, and Italy for hundreds of years. This breed has survived revolutions, worked as circus performers, and even weathered both World Wars with their sweetness and cheer intact.

Miniature Poodles are direct descendants of the Standard Poodle, which was bred in Germany over 400 years ago. These dogs helped hunters and retrieved game from water, thus their name came from a German word “pudelin” meaning “to splash in water.”

This breed has never lost the hearts and minds of France, and many other European countries. They have been performers, hunters, entertainers, lapdogs, truffle hunters, and are frequently show dogs and companions to this day.

Bich-Poo Characteristics

Bich-Poo Puppies

Bich-Poos need a significant amount of attention and care as puppies and often grow into dogs that never care to be alone. Most live for around 14 years, but some can get as old as 18! So, make sure you’re prepared to support a dog emotionally, physically, and financially for up to two decades.

Bich-Poos are a great choice because they're a healthy dog breed that is highly trainable and gets along with other pets. They are obedient, responsive, and eager to please making them great for early socialization and training when they're puppies. They need light exercise each day making them great dogs for moderately active families. Keep reading the Bich-Poos full care guide to know what type of food, exercise, and grooming they need to grow into happy and healthy dogs.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Bich-Poo 🧠

Bich-Poos are obedient, eager to please entertainers. These people-oriented little dogs are happiest when they can be around their owner and family as often as possible. They get along well with most children and are friendly with everyone they meet.

These companionable lapdogs are also incredibly bright! They learn tricks and obedience training with alacrity and are known for their performative nature.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

A resounding yes! Bich-Poos are affectionate, sensitive, and genuinely love being around people. They are great with children of all ages and make wonderful playmates for older kids.

Do note, however, that children should initially be supervised with a small dog like the Bich-Poo. This breed doesn’t have an aggressive bone in their body, but their size can make them a target for bullying. Kids and dog should get some socialization and learn mutual respect before solo playtime.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Bichpoos are some of the most amiable, and gentlest of companions – even towards other animals. They have very little hunting instinct, so even relations with cats should go smoothly.

It would still be prudent not to try introducing your bunny to your Bich-Poo, however. Even something as innocent as a playful puppy can be too much for small pets and prey animals. As any prey animals knows, better to be overly cautious than dead!

Things to Know When Owning a Bich-Poo

Still wondering what daily life with a Bich-Poo might look like? Read on and you’ll get a peek into the care and keeping of one of these sweet, sentient fluff balls!

Food & Diet Requirements

Some little dogs are prone to pudginess, and there are a few ways you can address this for a Bich-Poo. Firstly, stick to lean proteins like fowl, fish, and eggs. Avoid fatty meats and excessive grains.

Another way to keep your Bich-Poo trim and fit is to break their food portion up into multiple feeding times per day. That way they aren’t ravenous by dinner time and are less likely to overeat or inhale their food and keep looking for more.

For bright pups like the Bich-Poo, it can be fun and exciting to add a little variety to the usual meal. Try serving their kibble with a side of cooked, unseasoned pumpkin in the autumn. Or a cool wedge of melon for the summer heat.

Occasional departure from the culinary norm can really perk a pup up and be healthy for the body and mind!

Exercise 🐕

The sweet and playful Bich-Poo needs a light amount of outdoor exercise and plenty of playtime with the family. Depending on how much indoor play they can get, a Bich-Poo may only need 30 minutes of truly vigorous exercise every day.

Bich-Poos will enjoy being included in any activity because they love spending time with their people. Beyond the usual walks and fetch try taking them for a hike or excursion every week to keep them both mentally and physically stimulated.

And don’t worry, these bright little fluff balls will tell you when they need more outdoor time! If left alone or cooped up Bich-Poos, like many dogs, will begin to develop bad behavior to get your attention.

Be on the lookout for signs that your Bich-Poo is bored or under-stimulated such as excessive barking or yappiness, whining, chewing on inappropriate items, rooting through the trash, or neurotic behavior like tail chasing.

Training 🦮

All that talk of bad behavior may have got you concerned. But have no fear, because the Bich-Poo is also one of the most trainable little dogs around! They are fast learners and incredibly eager to please.

Whether you are training them to stop barking at the neighbor’s cat or to do a little dance on command, these dogs will flourish with positive reinforcement training. After all, training is just one more way they can spend time hanging out with their favorite people!

Grooming ✂️

One of the most charming physical qualities of the Bich-Poo is their hypoallergenic, incredibly soft, and fluffy fur. That means folks with allergies can snuggle this dog to their heart’s content with nary a sniffle or sneeze!

However, just because they do not shed does not mean Bich-Poos don’t need to be groomed. Their hair can grow with remarkable speed and reach lengths Rapunzel could only dream of. That kind of luster and length requires significant attention to keep it from becoming matted and tangled.

For those uninterested in long grooming sessions multiple times a week you can always go the close-cropped, routinely trimmed route for a truly low maintenance coat. You’ve got options!

Bich-Poos will also need regular teeth cleaning, ear swabbing, and toenail trimming to stay healthy and looking great. Brush your pup’s teeth a few times a week and you can kiss tooth decay and gum disease goodbye!

Start cleaning your Bich-Poos teeth as a puppy and ease them into this particularly invasive care regimen so that they will be happy to allow your help polishing their pearly whites throughout their life.

Swab your pup’s ears about once a week, and gently remove any buildup to prevent a breeding ground for infection. Similarly, regular toenail clipping can avoid painful splintering and cracking. Nails can be cared for less frequently depending on your dog’s activity level but should be checked every month.

Health and Conditions ❤️

A hybrid of two ancient, sturdy breeds the Bich-Poo is an excellent example of how a little new blood can make for a healthier dog.

They are much less likely to develop most of the ailments common to the Bichon Frise and the Miniature Poodle, but here is a good look at the conditions which may pose issues for your Bich-Poo.

Male vs Female

Male Bich-Poos are sturdier and taller than females. They are also more inclined to display behaviors such as humping and marking territory with urine upon reaching sexual maturity.

The female Bich-Poo is smaller by comparison, and often gentler and calmer.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Bich-Poo

1. Bichon Frise inspired a new word in French.

For much of the Bichon Frise’s time of intense popularity before the French Revolution, these dogs were pampered like fluffy little divinities!

The lavish treatment these pups received at the hands of nobles and royals inspired a whole new French verb: bichonner, to pamper.

2. Miniature Poodles have hair, not fur.

Unlike most dogs, all the variations of Poodle have hair and not fur. That means they are hypoallergenic, their hair never stops growing, and it can even be turned into dreadlocks.

This fluffy hair has historically been clipped short on most of the body but kept fluffy in patches to keep vital organs and joints warm when splashing through ice-cold water on a job.

3. No one can decide on a name for the Bich-Poo.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on, or their own name for, this hybrid of the Bichon Frise and Miniature Poodle.

Poochon, Bichpoo, Bichon Poodle, and Bichon Frisoodle are all widely used.

Final Thoughts on the Bichpoo

So, is the Bich-Poo the dog for you?

If you aren’t the type to enjoy a lap dog, or simply don’t have much time to spend with them outside of work and obligations then it would be wise to look elsewhere.

However, folks who love the idea of sharing their life with a constant companion and affectionate little canine comedian are in the right place!

Featured Image Credit to: Mario Korterik, Shutterstock