Poochon - Guide for Owners & Lovers

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The popularity of Poodle crossbreeds and designer breeds is on the rise in recent years, and it is not surprising that an adorable crossbreed like the Poochon is gaining popularity. This handsome designer breed has many desirable traits, but these traits are not constant, like in any other crossbreed. We managed to talk to Poochon owners and asked them about their Poochons. Before we get into that, here is what you should know about these dogs.

What are Poochons?

As their name suggests, the Poochon is a mix between the Poodle and the Bichon Frise. These adorable dogs are a crossbreed of two popular companion dogs, so it is not unreasonable to expect their offspring to become great companion dogs. However, crossbreeds have a significant problem - they don’t inherit a constant set of physical or mental characteristics.

History

Poochons are a relatively new dog breed that mostly became popular in the late 20th and early 21st century. Creators were aiming to secure a breed that will combine the best characteristics from their parents - Poodle and Bichon Frise while also creating a dog with a low shedding coat suitable for people with allergies.

When talking about any dog breed or crossbreed, learning their origin is important. However, since the Poochon is a crossbreed, we can’t say they have an origin like their parents. We know that the first intentional and planned Poodle Bichon breeding occurred in the 1990s in Australia. That is the same place many other popular crossbreeds, like the Labradoodle come from. Soon after that, the United States and the United Kingdom followed, and this popular crossbreed became international.

Physical appearance

Like many other Poodle mixes, Poochons have some common characteristics that will clearly indicate who their parent breed is. The main idea behind a Poodle crossbreed is to get a companion dog that will have a curly, low-shedding coat. Since both parent breeds are low-shedding breeds, this is a trait breeders expect Poochon puppies should inherit.

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Since the Poochon is a mix of Toy Poodle and Bichon Frise, it is reasonable to expect they will also be reasonably small. Most Poochons are between 9 and 15 inches tall, and they weigh between 6 and 17 pounds. Again, that is totally expected since both parent breeds are fairly small. However, you can never be sure what type of Poodle was used for creating Poochon puppies. If you are not absolutely sure one of the parents is a Toy Poodle, don’t be surprised if your Poochon grows up larger.

Coat color

One of the main issues when it comes to crossbreeds is that you can never be absolutely sure which color their coat will be. Bichons are white, and Poodles come in different colors. The Poochon puppy can come in any color and combination of colors from their parents. Despite that, many inherit the Poodle’s coat color.

Coat and grooming

Coat of a Poochon is low shedding and curly which is excellent for people suffering from allergies. Because of the type of their coat, they require regular grooming to prevent tangles and mats and to keep their coat healthy. Most groomers recommend that you brush your Poochon coat daily and every 4-6 weeks you take your dog for a professional grooming session.

Besides brushing, these dogs also require proper ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care.

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Exercise

Poochons are active and energetic dogs that will need regular daily activities to be happy. Don't thing that these dogs don't need exercise and that can spend all day lying on the couch. Regular exercise will help maintain their physical and mental health. This can include regular walks, running, or other fun activities.

These dogs also enjoy mentally stimulating games, as both of their parents are known for their intelligence.

Character

When getting a new dog, the main thing new owners have to get right is the dog’s character. If you get an energetic dog in a low-energy family, it is a recipe for disaster. The dog will have too much cooped-up energy, and they will need a healthy outlet. When dog’s physical needs are not satisfied, they will become bored, destructive, and develop behavioral issues.

The problem with crossbreeds is you can’t guess what energy levels the dog will inherit. Poodles are fairly energetic, social, and playful. Bichons are slightly more reserved and prefer being a “one-person dog.” It is impossible to say what characteristics the dog will inherit. That’s why we decided to talk to some Poochon owners to learn a bit more about their actual character. Here is what Sandra K. told us about her dog, a female 2-year-old Poochon Zara;

“Zara is uncharacteristically energetic. Before I got her, I tried reading as much as I could about them, but in the end, I am really glad she is the way she is. We do everything together. We cuddle, hike, and spend all day together since I work from home.”

This is a clear example that even though most Poochons are expected to be less energetic, Zara ended up being more like her Poodle parent. We wanted to know more, so we asked about training, raising, and socialization. She told us,

“Zara is a friendly dog. I often take her to the dog park, and my best friend has a Doberman. At first, I was a bit scared of how her dog was going to react, but whenever they come to my place, Zara jumps on him. She bites his ears, legs, and basically anything she can get ahold of. It is really good that he is a friendly dog as well.”

“I have to admit that I am not the best or most diligent when it comes to training. I taught her things like “Sit” and “Shake,” but I didn’t really pay special attention to obedience or advance training. She still ended up really friendly, and I think she really understands the situation around her really well. She knows exactly when I am serious, and playing is over. I can honestly say she is really smart.”

Poochon through the eyes of the owner

From what we learned from Sandra, we can say that Poochons are friendly and affectionate dogs that love having company - both canine and human. These dogs should be reasonably smart, which is not surprising since Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds in the world. These dogs have a forgiving character, so even if you don’t train them, they can end up being good dogs.

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However, like with any other crossbreed, this type of character is not a gimme. This is just an example of what a Poochon can be like, but you can never be sure which genes and temperament will a Poochon puppy inherit.

Best dog food for Poochon

A well-balanced diet is essential for Poochon dogs to maintain their healthy weight and overall health. These dogs should have high-quality food appropriate for their size, age, and activity level. You can always consult with your vet about ht best dog food for your dog. Since these are active and energetic dogs, you should choose a food with many proteins and many minerals, and vitamins. By doing that you can be sure that nothing will miss from your dog's diet.

Here are our two recommendations for the food you can choose for your Poochon.

Getting a Poochon puppy

We always advise that you look for crossbreeds in rescue organizations. There are many Poodle rescues, and if you get in touch with them, they might have d Poochon puppy in need of a new home. However, if you are adamant about buying, you should know that a Poochon puppy is usually between $500 - $1.000.

Poochon rescue

As with any breed, even Poochon can end up in a rescue situation. If you are trying to adopt one of these dogs, you can search Poodle and Bichon Frise shelters and rescues, where there is a higher probability you will be able to find one of these dogs. Also, check your local shelters and contact them about available dogs and the adoption processes. We will always advise you to go for adoption rather than buying, since by adopting a dog, you are doing a good deed but also offer second chance in life for the dog.

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World Dog Finder team