Poochon
A cheerful, affectionate Bichon–Poodle cross (also called Bichpoo) that suits families and flats. Soft curly coat is low-shedding but needs regular grooming. Coat and size vary depending on which parent they take after.
Poochon scorecard
Overview
The Poochon is a small designer crossbreed produced by mating a Bichon Frise with a Poodle (usually a Toy or Miniature Poodle). Also known as the Bichpoo or Bichon Poodle, it was bred as an affectionate, cheerful and low-shedding-hopeful companion, combining the playful charm of the Bichon with the intelligence and curly coat of the Poodle.
The Poochon is not a recognised breed; there is no Kennel Club or FCI standard and no registry, so coat, size and temperament vary between individuals and generations. The Poodle parent is often chosen in the hope of a lower-shedding coat, but no dog is genuinely hypoallergenic or guaranteed non-shedding. Expect a small, friendly, intelligent dog that loves company and suits owners who can offer plenty of attention.
Good to know — a Poochon is flat-friendly and great for first-time owners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
Save the Poochon guide
Thinking about a Poochon? Pop your email in and we’ll send this guide so you can come back to it any time — handy while you compare breeds.
Popular searches for the Poochon
History & origins
The Poochon has no history of its own and is best understood through its two companion-oriented parents. The Bichon Frise is a small white Mediterranean companion dog, related to the Maltese and water spaniels, long valued as a cheerful and affectionate lapdog. The Poodle, originally a water-retrieving gundog, is highly intelligent and trainable with a distinctive curly, low-shedding coat, and is bred in Standard, Miniature and Toy sizes.
The deliberate Bichon-Poodle cross is part of the broader "poodle-cross" designer trend aimed at producing affectionate, lower-shedding small dogs. Because both parents are sociable companion breeds, the Poochon was bred for temperament and looks rather than work. A responsible breeder will still health-test both the Bichon and Poodle parents.
Temperament & family fit
Poochons are typically affectionate, sociable, playful and intelligent. They tend to bond strongly with their families, love human company, and usually get on well with children and other pets when properly socialised. The Bichon's cheerful nature and the Poodle's cleverness combine into a friendly, engaging little dog that enjoys being involved in everything.
That devotion has a downside: both parent breeds dislike being left alone and the Poochon can be prone to separation-related problems. It can also be alert and somewhat vocal. Early socialisation helps prevent timidity and over-attachment. Overall it is a gentle, people-focused companion that thrives on attention and is rarely happy spending long stretches by itself.
- Families with children of all ages
- Committed first-time owners
- Flats or houses with daily exercise
Training & intelligence
The Poochon is usually quick to learn, as both the Poodle and Bichon are intelligent and eager to please. Reward-based, positive training with treats and praise works very well, and short, fun sessions suit this sensitive little dog. Harsh methods are unnecessary and counterproductive.
House-training can take patience, as with many small breeds, and crate training plus a consistent routine help. Because the Poochon hates being alone, it is worth teaching it to settle calmly and independently from an early age to reduce the risk of separation anxiety. These clever dogs also enjoy trick training and puzzle games as mental enrichment.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Keep sessions short, calm and consistent
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Poochon typically needs around an hour a day (roughly 60–80 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. A good sniffy walk, some play and a little training usually keeps them content. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
The Poochon usually has a soft, curly or wavy coat that is often lower-shedding, though this varies and is never guaranteed. It typically needs regular brushing, often several times a week, to prevent matting, plus professional grooming or clipping every few weeks. Pay attention to the eyes and the hair around the face, and keep up with ear cleaning, nail trimming and dental care. Low-shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic.
- Brush several times a week
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality food suited to a small dog's size, age and activity level, following manufacturer and vet guidance. Small dogs gain weight easily, so measure portions, account for treats and monitor body condition to keep your Poochon at a healthy weight. Keep fresh water available at all times.
Poochon health & costs
Before bringing a Poochon home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£250–400 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£15–32 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£400–700 / year
Regular professional grooming
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
As a crossbreed, the Poochon can inherit health problems from both parents, so responsible breeders should health-test the Bichon and Poodle lines. From the Poodle side, concerns include progressive retinal atrophy and other eye conditions, luxating patella, and in some lines epilepsy and hip problems. From the Bichon side, luxating patella, bladder stones, dental disease and eye conditions are recognised.
Both small parents can be prone to dental disease and to ear problems. Buyers should ask for evidence of relevant parental health testing, particularly eye testing and patella assessment, and consider pet insurance. As with all designer crosses, choosing a conscientious breeder who screens both parent lines is the most reliable way to reduce inherited health risk.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) — an inherited, progressive eye disease in Poodles leading to blindness
- Luxating patella — slipping kneecaps common in both small parent breeds
- Dental disease — crowded teeth in small dogs lead to plaque and gum disease without regular care
- Bladder stones — recognised in Bichon Frises and worth being aware of in this cross
- Cataracts — clouding of the lens recognised in both parent breeds, so eye testing of parents matters
- Epilepsy — a seizure disorder recognised in some Poodle lines, worth discussing with the breeder
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Poochon; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Poochon puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Poochon
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Friendly, low-shedding and apartment-friendly
- Clever and easy to train
Things to consider
- Curly coat needs frequent grooming to avoid matting
- Can be prone to separation anxiety
Compare the Poochon
See how the Poochon measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
More breeds like the Poochon
Same breed group
Cockapoo
A hugely popular Cocker × Poodle crossbreed — friendly, lower-shedding and great with families.
Labradoodle
A friendly Labrador × Poodle crossbreed — sociable, often lower-shedding, and a popular family choice.
Cavapoo
One of the UK’s most popular crossbreeds (Cavalier × Poodle) — affectionate, adaptable and usually low-shedding.
Cavapoochon
A small triple-cross (Cavalier × Bichon × Poodle) — friendly, low-shedding and well suited to family and flat life.
Similar temperament
Coton de Tulear
A cheerful little companion from Madagascar with a soft, cotton-textured coat. Affectionate, sociable and eager to please, making one of the friendliest toy breeds, though the coat needs regular care.
Havanese
Cuba's national toy dog, a small, cheerful companion with a long silky coat. Affectionate, sociable and easy to train, making an excellent first dog, though it dislikes being left alone.
Havapoo
A small, sweet-natured cross of the cheerful Havanese and the clever Poodle. Affectionate, adaptable and usually low-shedding, making a popular apartment companion, though the coat needs regular grooming.
Maltipoo
A Maltese × Poodle cross — affectionate, playful and usually low-shedding, a popular lap-sized companion.
Similar size, different type
French Bulldog
A compact, easy-going companion that suits flats and modest exercise — but with serious health considerations.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
A gentle, affectionate lap dog that’s wonderful with children and adapts happily to flat or house living.
Jack Russell Terrier
A small dog with a huge personality — bold, clever and bursting with energy and prey drive.
Border Terrier
A hardy, good-natured working terrier that’s friendlier with people and dogs than many of its terrier cousins.
Is the Poochon your breed?
Create your pet profile and get personalised food, toy, insurance and health recommendations — tailored to your dog.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Poochon?
A Poochon is a small designer crossbreed produced by mating a Bichon Frise with a Poodle, usually a Toy or Miniature. Also known as the Bichpoo, it was bred as an affectionate, cheerful companion combining the Bichon's playful charm with the Poodle's intelligence and curly coat. It is not a recognised breed and has no formal standard or registry.
How big do Poochons get?
A fully grown Poochon typically stands around 23–38 cm at the shoulder and weighs roughly 3–8 kg, making it a true small companion dog. Because it is an unstandardised cross, size varies with the parents used, especially whether the Poodle parent is a Toy or Miniature, so some individuals fall outside this range.
What is the life expectancy of a Poochon?
Poochons commonly live around 12–15 years, in keeping with their small parent breeds. Longevity depends on genetics, weight control, dental care and regular veterinary attention. Buying from health-tested parents and keeping your dog at a healthy weight supports a long, comfortable life.
Do Poochons shed much?
Poochons usually have a soft, curly or wavy coat that is often lower-shedding, though this varies and is never guaranteed. Importantly, low-shedding is not the same as hypoallergenic, which is a marketing claim rather than a promise. The amount of shedding depends on which parent the individual dog favours.
How much grooming does a Poochon need?
A Poochon's curly coat typically needs regular brushing, often several times a week, to prevent matting, plus professional grooming or clipping every few weeks. Pay attention to the hair around the eyes and face, and keep up with ear cleaning, nail trimming and dental care to keep your dog comfortable and healthy.
How much exercise does a Poochon need?
The Poochon has moderate exercise needs, usually content with around half an hour to an hour of activity a day combining walks with play. It is lively and enjoys mental stimulation but is also happy relaxing at home, making it suitable for less active households. Avoid over-exercising puppies while they are still growing.
Are Poochons good for first-time owners and families?
Poochons suit a wide range of homes, including flats, and are a good fit for families, older owners and first-time dog owners who can offer plenty of company. They are affectionate, sociable and usually get on well with children and other pets when socialised. Their main need is companionship rather than lots of space.
Do Poochons suffer from separation anxiety?
They can. Both parent breeds dislike being left alone, so the Poochon can be prone to separation-related problems and is rarely happy spending long stretches by itself. It suits households where someone is usually around. Teaching it to settle calmly and independently from an early age helps reduce the risk.
Are Poochons good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Poochons tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Poochon need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Poochon needs around an hour of exercise a day (60–80 minutes), split across walks plus play. A good sniffy walk plus some play and training usually keeps them happy. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Poochons shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is high upkeep — plan on frequent brushing and regular trips to a groomer.
Are Poochons easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Great for first-time owners. Poochons are generally a forgiving choice for first-time owners who put in early training and socialisation. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Poochons bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Poochons good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Poochons suit flats or smaller homes?
Flat-friendly. A Poochon can adapt to flat living as long as it gets its daily exercise and company.
Sources
- The Kennel Club — Bichon Frise breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/toy/bichon-frise/
- The Kennel Club — Poodle (Toy) breed information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breed-standards/utility/poodle-toy/
- PDSA — Looking after your dog: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs
- Blue Cross — Dog breeds and behaviour: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/dog/dog-breeds-and-behaviour
- RSPCA — Buying a puppy: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
Happier, healthier pets — in your inbox.
Breed care tips, seasonal advice and first access to new arrivals. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.