A delightful mix between the bichon frisé and a toy or miniature poodle, the Poochon—also called the bichon poo and bichpoo—is a popular “doodle” mix. From their teddy bear-esque looks to their friendly personalities, the Poochon is a dog that’s hard not to love.
Whether you’re a long-time lover of this breed or just a fan looking for some seriously cute pictures, we’ve got you covered. Here are just a few facts you should know about the cheerful and charming Poochon.
1. Poochons are always up for a cuddle
The bichon frisé lends its playful, upbeat, and friendly personality to the Poochon, who’s pretty much always happy to see their pet parent (and anyone else for that matter.) That means cuddle time is all the time, and that includes on the couch, bed, or anywhere else they can find a lap to curl up on.
And let’s be real: It would be very hard to say no to a Poochon.
2. Poochons need regular grooming
That sweet, soft poodle fur comes with a caveat: Poochons will need regular baths and hair trims, lest they grow bangs that make it impossible to see, and their soft fur gets crusty and matted. Regular (think: daily) brushing is key, and hair cuts will likely need to happen every couple of months.
The good news: they don’t tend to shed loads, so you won’t have to spend your whole life hoovering.
3. They’re a little bit like velcro
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And no, we’re not talking about their coats. If you like your pets to stick to you like glue, the Poochon is fabulous. Whether you’re gardening, cooking dinner, or painting in your spare time, this dog likes to be underfoot.
4. There’s no time like play time
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Because the Poochon gets its intelligence from both the poodle and the bichon frisé, they love puzzles, games, and activities. There’s no such thing as too much playtime, and pet owners are way more likely to get tired of fetch before the Poochon does.
5. This is a pet of many colours
Poochons come in a variety of colours, including white, cream, apricot, brown, and dark grey. Many even have an adorable white patch on their chest.
6. They’ve got one of the sweetest smiles
It’s hard to find a dog that looks more like a teddy bear than a freshly groomed Poochon. They tend to retain their “puppy” looks long into adulthood, and they have one of the sweetest smiles around.
In order to keep their smile healthy, you’ll need to get into a daily brushing routine. Small dogs like the Poochon are prone to tooth decay that can lead to losing teeth.
7. They still love to get outdoors
Although they’re small dogs, the Poochon needs regular activity in the form of walks and playtime—ideally 30 minutes a day or so. Whether it’s a jog around the park, a walk near the beach, or frolicking in flowers, regular activity helps the Poochon maintain a healthy state of mind and wards off unwanted behaviour like chewing up your property.
8. Poochons can be a little nervous
It’s not all rainbows with the Poochon. Thanks to their intelligence, Poochons can be a bit skittish if they’re not appropriately socialised and given enough regular activity. That can take the form of barking at strangers, separation anxiety, or being scared in new situations.
Be sure to take your Poochon out in the world in regular doses, and give them lots of positive encouragement around new places and people. And if you can’t be around as much as you’d like to be, you can find a local dog walker or sitter on Rover.com who offers dog boarding and can give your dog all the attention they deserve while you’re gone.
9. They’ll take both tricks and treats, please
Again, thanks to their high intelligence, Poochons are happy to learn all kinds of tricks, and they’re relatively quick to learn them. The dog in the above video, for example, is just 15-weeks-old. Clicker training and positive reinforcement are great ways to keep your dog entertained and give them something to show off.
10. You’ll be so happy they’re yours
If what you want is a lifelong friend, you couldn’t choose a better one than the Poochon. Smart, energetic, friendly, and loyal, this is a dog that will bring much joy to your life.
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Featured image via MISS_SUMMER from Pixabay
