Bichpoo

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 13-15 years
The Bichpoo, often called the Poochon, is a hybrid breed of the Poodle and the Bichon Frise. When it comes to hybrid breeds, it is important to pay attention to both breeds of the parents, as the puppy can inherit any or all diseases from both sides. Some of the major health problems to watch out for in your Bichpoo puppy include Addison’s Disease, Von Willebrand’s Disease, epilepsy, Cushing’s Disease, hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, and Legg-Perthes Disease.

Addison’s Disease is also known as hypoadrenocorticism and can be found in the Bichpoo. This condition occurs when the body does not produce enough corticosteroids. The adrenal gland is responsible for pumping out this substance and when it does not, the body is not able to function properly.

Von Willebrand’s Disease is a type of blood disorder that occurs and can cause platelets to lack the protein needed to stick together and clot the blood.

Epilepsy can occur in your Bichpoo and is often related to other underlying conditions such as a neurological issue or diabetes. Seizures can be scary, and they take a lot out of your dog when they occur. The seizure itself can range from mild to quite violent in nature.

Cushing’s Disease is another condition that your Bichpoo may have inherited. This condition often occurs in older, senior dogs. The disease is related to a tumor that forms on the pituitary gland in dogs. Symptoms are often displayed, and your dog may exhibit hair loss, skin lumps, muscle weaknesses, panting, and high blood pressure.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects the thyroid in dogs and can lead to trouble gaining weight or the opposite, obesity.

Your Bichpoo may experience a condition known as patellar luxation which occurs when the knee cap slips out of place or is dislocated. This can be painful for your pet and may cause weakness in the limbs.

Lastly, your Bichpoo may inherit Legg-Perthes Disease, which causes bone and joint inflammation in the hip joint. This disease is painful for your pup.

The Bichpoo’s life expectancy is 13 to 15 years.

Temperament & Train-ability

While the Bichpoo may be small in size, it has a wonderful personality. They are known to be loyal, cheerful, friendly, and affectionate.

This little ball of fur is active and loves to play. You would be hard-pressed to find a Bichpoo that doesn’t want to run around and chase anyone ready to play. Since the Bichpoo is energetic and playful, he or she is a great addition to any family with children.

This breed is not necessarily a watchdog, but is often cautious of strangers and will bark if need be. The Bichpoo is loyal to the ones he or she loves and will show you affection day in and out. You can expect your puppy to curl up with you and even lay next to you in bed if allowed.

The Bichpoo is a brilliant breed of dog and loves to please his or her owner. You can train this pup quickly, and he or she will listen to your commands. The Bichpoo responds well to a gentle approach and calm training. If you are too stern or use aggressive methods to train them, they will become stubborn.

Your Bichpoo is perfect for apartment living and can adapt when needed. While you do not have to go on long walks, he or she does need to be walked for 30 to 45 minutes per day.

Grooming

Often, the Bichpoo is hypoallergenic, especially if they pick up the traits from the Poodle side, which means that they are perfect for families who have allergies.

The grooming needs of the Bichpoo are not super demanding. You should brush your Bichpoo daily, but once every couple of days is okay too. This breed does need to be clipped by the groomer every few months, so keep this in mind.

You do not want to over bathe your Bichpoo, as this can strip the natural oils from their skin and cause it to dry out. A bath is only required when they are really dirty or smelly.

You should check your Bichpoo’s ears once a week and clean them with a cotton ball. You will also need to clip your dog’s nails to prevent overgrowth.

Diet

Your Bichpoo needs to eat between 3/4 cup and 1.5 cups of food per day. Ideally, this food should be split up into two meals, once in the morning and once at night.

When it comes to choosing your Bichpoo’s food, choose one that is high in quality and does not contain any by-products or chemicals. You should look for ingredients such as corn, rice, gravy, and meats.

If you are unsure of what type of food to feed your new Bichpoo puppy, speak with your veterinarian and ask for his or her opinion on a recommended brand.

You can feed wet food to your Bichpoo, but it should not be relied upon on as the only source of food, as it can lead to obesity and a poor source of nutrients.
 

Find A Bichpoo Breeder

Bichpoo Puppies For Sale

Adopt A Bichpoo

Cost

A Bichpoo puppy will cost you anywhere between $500 and $1,000. It is not likely that you will find them in a shelter, but you may find one in a rescue. To adopt this breed, you can expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $300.

In addition to the cost of your puppy, you should estimate for another $600 or so annually to care for your puppy and take him or her to get vaccines.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. The Bichpoo is not as common as some of the other breeds out there, but if you can locate a breeder selling one, they are worth the cost and the hunt. This breed makes a wonderful family pet and will fulfill your need for a four-legged companion. This breed ranks a 1.

 

Bichon Frise

Poodle

Yorkie-Poo

Maltese