Frenchie Bichon (French Bulldog & Bichon Frise Mix): Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Frenchie Bichon sounds like an elegant dessert on the menu of an ice cream parlor. Instead, he is a friendly, designer doggy who is becoming increasingly popular with all kinds of families. He is the hybrid puppy of the not-so-French French Bulldog and the Mediterranean Bichon Frise.

Breed Overview

One of his parents is cheeky and playful, and the other is comical and sweet. Together, they have produced a lovable canine that makes a fantastic family addition. He is a well-balanced dog who is obedient most of the time but always friendly and polite. He loves to be the center of attention and is gorgeous and intelligent.

He is adaptable to most family environments, gets along with all other pets, and is excellent with children. Honestly, we're struggling to see any real disadvantages of owning a Frenchie Bichon. Have we piqued your interest in this hybrid yet? Well, let's jump straight into the world of the Frenchie Bichon to discover all the details you need to know before fully committing to one.

Frenchie Bichon Characteristics

Frenchie Bichon Puppies

The Frenchie Bichon is a rare mix, so it is likely that he will be a first-generation pup.  Although both of the parents are very happy-go-lucky pups, there are a few differences that you need to know about.

The main difference is that his Frenchie parent can be stubborn and independent. So, the Frenchie Bichon has the potential to be a challenge to train. His very trainable and dependable Bichon parent will hopefully calm this stubbornness and instill an obedient streak into him.

His French Bulldog parent is a brachycephalic breed with a short muzzle and a flat face. Therefore, the Frenchie Bichon is likely to inherit a flatter face, too, and with that, the associated health concerns. So, you need to be aware of the potentially life-threatening concerns it poses.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Frenchie Bichon

The Frenchie Bichon is a happy pup with a real zest for life. He is delighted to join you in whatever you are doing, whether playing a game in the yard or snoozing on the sofa. He is adaptable, and he is also happy to keep himself entertained while you aren't there. The Frenchie Bichon is unlikely to suffer from separation anxiety.

When you return home, he'll be ready and waiting to smother you in doggy kisses. He is affectionate and loving with his family. If the Frenchie Bichon inherits the flatter face of his Frenchie parent, he could be a loud snorer and snuffler. Some find this trait annoying, but that is part of his charm.

He is also a crowd-pleaser, and everyone will fall head over heels in love with him. His cheeky Frenchie genes and the circus-performing past of his Bichon parent means you are in for hours of canine entertainment. He is full of mischievous energy, and there is never a dull moment with this guy around.

Both of his parents are intelligent, especially his Bichon parent. The Bichon is also eager to please his master, and if your Frenchie Bichon takes after the Bichon, he'll be easy to train. On the other hand, there is also a chance that he could inherit the stubbornness of the French Bulldog. But with early and consistent training, that shouldn't be an issue.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

Yes, the Frenchie Bichon makes a fantastic addition to most, if not all, families.  He'll happily live in a small apartment or a large home. As long as he gets his daily exercise, he's a happy dog.

He also gets along well with children and is tolerant of their behavior, and he also knows when to be calm and respectful when the grandparents visit. This is another reason he is a top pick with many families.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

The Frenchie Bichon gets along with all other pets, from other dogs to cats, and is suited to a multi-pet household. You'll find that if you have to leave him at home for a few hours, he'll probably be happier with the extra company.

Of course, this depends on whether he is socialized well as a pup. If he is taught to be a polite pet, he will have no concerns later in life. But, if not socialized well, he might have issues interacting with other animals and people.

Things to Know When Owning a Frenchie Bichon

Despite being a laidback canine, he needs the proper care to be happy and healthy, so let's take a closer look at the requirements.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Frenchie Bichon will consume around 1 cup of food every day. You should use the best quality kibble that you can afford because proper nutrition is the easiest and cheapest way to keep him healthy. If he is a smaller Frenchie Bichon, find a kibble that is specifically designed for smaller breeds.

It's also essential to feed him life-stage-appropriate food. The MSD Veterinary Manual recommends that all puppies should consume a kibble with a minimum protein content of 22%, and all adults should eat a minimum of 18%. Anything above that is just a bonus.

All high-quality kibble will provide the protein content he needs, a well-balanced diet, and various vitamins and minerals to keep him healthy. They will also help break down the plaque buildup in his compact mouth.

His Frenchie Bulldog blood makes him fond of food. Although using treats to your advantage during training is beneficial, you must also be aware of weight gain. Being overweight is associated with health problems, especially for flat-faced breeds.

Exercise

The Frenchie Bichon needs around 30 minutes of exercise every day. If you fancy a casual stroll around the block, he'll happily tag along. Equally, if you need a frisbee catcher, he is always game. He will want you to play with him throughout the day, too, so invest in several toys to stimulate his mind and body.

If he is anything like his French parent, he might try to persuade you that he doesn't need daily exercise, but you should take him for a walk every day. If he has a flat face like his Frenchie parent, you need to think about when you exercise him, too. Brachycephalic breeds struggle to breathe when it's hot. So, if you live in a warm climate, or it's a hot day, you'll need to walk him during the early morning or late evening when it is much cooler.

Training

The Frenchie Bichon is very trainable thanks to the intelligence of both his parents and the eager-to-please trait of the Bichon breed. This is why he makes a fantastic dog for the first-time owner. There is a slight chance that he could be stubborn, but more often than not, it's not a significant problem.

To prevent undesirable behavior, start training as soon as you get him home. Ask your breeder if they have any words or commands that they have already started training him with. If they have, continue with them.

The Frenchie Bichon craves praise from his humans and plenty of "who's a good boy?" compliments. Using these with the positive reinforcement training method is the best way to train him. Training sessions will also create a closer bond between you.

Grooming

The Frenchie Bichon can take the short coat of the Frenchie or the longer, curlier coat of his Bichon parent, and with that comes different grooming needs. If he has a shorter jacket, he'll only need brushing once a week to keep him looking healthy and shiny. If he has a long coat, he'll need brushing two to three times a week to ensure that his curls do not become matted and tangled.

His teeth must be cleaned once or twice a week with a canine toothpaste. His large ears must also be cleaned once a week to avoid bacterial infections. Because he is not overly energetic, you'll need to clip his nails often.

Bathing him once every 8 weeks will keep him clean and smelling fresh. If he inherits the Frenchie skin rolls, you must pay particular attention to them and keep them clean.

Health and Conditions

The Frenchie Bichon is a relatively healthy dog, seemingly much more robust than his purebred Frenchie parent. With all mixed breeds, one must be aware of all the health conditions he could be predisposed to. So, let's take a closer look at them.

Male vs. Female

There is not a vast difference between male and female Frenchie Bichons. The males are usually on the larger end of the height and weight scales compared to females. Training and upbringing, more so than gender, are significant factors when it comes to personality.

Generally speaking, male dogs are slightly more energetic and boisterous. However, that is not always the case. If you are interested in a particular personality trait, seeing the puppy in action with his littermates is always important. This is a good indicator of whether he is more energetic or docile.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Frenchie Bichon

1. The Frenchie Bichon Is a Great Performer

Not only does he inherit the cheeky personality of the Frenchie, but he is also likely to inherit the performing circus persona of the Bichon parent. With a treat in hand, your Frenchie Bichon will pick up tricks quickly. Back in the day, when his Bichon parent fell out of favor with royalty, he had to turn to employment as a circus performer to earn his keep.

2. The Frenchie Bichon's Appearance Is Totally Unpredictable

His appearance can look like his Frenchie parent, his Bichon parent, or anywhere in between. Even within the same litter, the characteristics of each puppy vary. The only two real givens are that he will have a slightly flatter face like the Frenchie parent and longer hair like his Bichon parent's coat.

3. The Frenchie Bichon has no French blood

Despite his parent's name, the French Bulldog, the Frenchie Bichon has no French blood. The French Bulldog is the cousin of the English Bulldog, and he is from Nottingham in Great Britain.

Conclusion

We hope you learned everything you need to know about whether the Frenchie Bichon is the right canine fit for you and your family. Whatever your lifestyle, because he is so adaptable, he will more than likely feel at home right away.

Like all dogs, he will become agitated and unhappy without enough exercise and stimulation. But thankfully, when it comes to the Frenchie Bichon, he is relatively easy to care for, so there are no excuses!

See Also:

• Pugairn (Cairn Terrier & Pug Mix)

• Shocker (Shiba Inu & American Cocker Spaniel Mix)

Featured Image Credit: PxHere