Poochon Pros and Cons – Complete Owners Guide
Since the designer dog craze started in the 1990s, Poochons have risen in popularity.
The demand for a small dog that suits urban living and family increased. The Poochon was the choice for breeders deciding to combine popular pedigree breeds for a new breed.
History
Due to the rising demand for mixed breeds that increased through the 80s and 90s, breeders crossed two breeds.
The breeds that were crossed were the Bichon Frise and the miniature or toy Poodle. The hypoallergic crossbreed produced a dog as friendly, loving, robust, and hypoallergenic as possible. So, the Poochon dog was created.
Breeders in Australia were the first to breed these dogs then the UK and Us followed suit. The traits of this new crossbreed were perfect for novice dog owners and for families.
Very Excitable Dogs
The Poochon has few problems with the training process or ownership in general.
But owners often underestimate how much maintenance is required because this breed is very energetic and excitable. This is the perfect breed for families with children because of the need for mental and physical stimulation.
Other names for a Poochon are bichpoo or a bichon poo.
Pros
Low Shedding:
Your dog is considered a designer dog that has qualities that make him hypoallergenic.
It’s because your pup’s parents are the Bichon Frise and Poodle, which are two low-shedding breeds.
There isn’t any such thing as a totally hypoallergenic breed. Still, the AKC does say that will the parents of a Poochon being what they are, your dog will most likely be a low shedder.
Easy To Train:
Your dog is intelligent and will train reasonably quickly. Your Poochon’s temperament is one of intelligence and intuition.
You’ll be able to train your pup to complete complex puzzles and tasks. You will need to socialize your dog when he’s young to prevent excessive barking.
When lead training your Poochon, use a harness instead of a collar. It may be challenging to lead train your dog since he is enthusiastic and will try to pull ahead of you.
However, because your pup is so small, if your dog pulls, he shouldn’t be on a collar because of throat strain, so a harness is best.
Good Family Pet:
Your Poochon is a wonderful dog for a family pet. He has the pleasant and easygoing nature of the Bichon Frise.
Combined with the playfulness and intelligence of the Poodle, your dog will get along with your family. Also, because your pup is so tiny, he’s a great dog if you live in an apartment or a limited living space.
These dogs love to meet new people and play with other dogs. You should start your pup in socialization classes at a young age, so he is accustomed to being around other dogs. Exposing your dog to different situations is a good idea as long as it’s a controlled environment. Your dog is an intelligent one that will respond well to praise, rewards and thrive on training.
Highly Intelligent:
These dogs are fast learners and pick up habits quickly.
They can pick up good and bad habits equally as fast, so it’s essential to start training your dog when he’s young. Keep the training sessions short to help with your dog’s focus and keep him from becoming bored.
Only use positive reinforcement if you want your dog to do his best. The harsh correction will only bring out his stubborn side.
Keep in mind that these dogs will test your limits and boundaries, so early training is essential. You can teach your dog one-word commands such as Sit, Come, Stay, Leave, Quiet, Down, and Bed.
Lifespan:
The lifespan of your new friend is about 12-15 years with proper care.
Cons
Separation anxiety:
Some Poochons can develop separation anxiety, so it’s something to consider if you’re planning on not being home much.
Separation anxiety is a disorder in dogs that is chronic and can affect any breed or dog.
The symptoms of separation anxiety begin when the owner starts preparing to leave home. Your dog may begin to whine, bark, howl as you go out the door.
When he’s left alone, then your pup can start to destructive chew your furniture or walls. He can dig up your carpet or floors and even urine or defecate inside your home.
If you discover your dog doing this, you can do some dog anxiety training to help your pup cope with your absence.
Grooming:
Your pet won’t shed much, so you won’t have a lot of dog hair to deal with.
But you will need to brush your dog on a daily routine so his coat doesn’t become tangled or matted. For example, if you brush your pet four or five times a week, you can remove any dirt or debris stuck in his coat.
You will also need to take your dog to the groomers every 5 to 6 weeks, depending on the kind of grooming you choose.
Expensive:
These dogs are costly since they are a designer breed.
If you buy your puppy from a breeder, it can cost from $1000 to $3000.
But with a breeder, you can meet the parents of your puppy. Plus, the breeder has health checks as the puppies become older.
You can also call or contact the local shelter or rescue to see if any Poochons are available.
Likes to bark:
These dogs can suffer from “tiny dog” syndrome and will constantly bark unless trained not to.
If not trained, your dog will try to rule the roost and become neurotic and stressed out. This would make both you and your dog’s life hectic.
Needs exercise daily:
Even though these dogs are small, they need 20-40 minutes of exercise daily.
When your puppy has enough mental and physical stimulation, he will grow into a well-adjusted and happy little dog.
Suppose he doesn’t get enough mental and physical stimulation. In that case, your pup can become bored and destructive quickly just to relieve stress.
If you have a fenced-in backyard, just letting your pup run around the yard will help keep him happy and exercised.
Personality
The Poochon is a sociable and friendly little dog and loves just about everybody.
Your pup won’t have any defensive instincts or predatory ones. He will always be looking to make new friends, animals or humans.
Even though your pup might be a little shy or hesitant because he’s so small, he will trust someone he feels safe with. Plus, this dog breed is dedicated and loves its owner. He will stay to your side like glue and wait for you to move.
Your dog will be lively and energetic and is an excellent match for older kids who respect the small dog’s size. Cuddly, soft, and a bundle of energy, these dogs are excellent pets for any dog owner.
Appearance
The coat of a Poochon can come in the colors of apricot, cream, golden, light brown, and caramel. These dogs do come in darker colors but are not seen as frequently.
Those colors are black and gray and multi-color options of white and brown, black and grey, and cream and gray.
The type of coat depends on which parent the puppy inherits it from. For example, the coat could be single-layered and ball-like from the poodle parent. Or it could be a powder puff or double-coated if it’s from the Bichon Frise’s parent.
The coats of these dogs require regular brushing. If not, the coats will become coarse. The coarseness shows up, especially around the ears and the tail.
If you let the brushing go, then the hair hardens, and there will be a lot of growing when you try to detangle the coat.
The general appearance of these dogs is short muzzles with almond-shaped eyes. The tongue is pink and small, with tiny teeth aligned perfectly in the upper and lower jaws.
This alinement contributes to their sweet smile. The nose can be black or brown and is centered between short furry ears.
The weight can range from six to eight pounds, ranging from nine to 15 inches at the shoulder. This breed is robust, well proportioned, hardy with a sturdy appearance.
These dogs have a sweet expression with a broader face than a poodle and are similar to the facial features of the Bichon. The dog has a rounded skull, a medium muzzle, and ears that are medium length. When your Poochon face isn’t clipped, it will be fuzzy.
Health
The Poochon can inherit health issues from either of his parents. These issues would be Addison’s, Von Willebrand’s, Cushing’s, epilepsy, eye problems, patellar luxation, hypothyroidism, Legg-Perthes, vaccination sensitivity, skin problems, hip dysplasia, and bladder problems.
But when your buy your pet from a reputable breeder who takes care of their breeding dogs and puppies, chances of these diseases go down.
You need to ask the qualified breeder to see the health clearances and visit the puppies, just don’t buy one sight unseen. By just doing those few things can increase your chances of purchasing a healthy puppy.
Other Information
- Poochons are not recognized by the AKC, Kennel Club, or any other breed clubs because these dogs are not really a breed. But they are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry and Designer Dogs Kennel Club.
- The looks of the dogs can vary depending on which parent breed they take after. Some puppies will have shorter muzzles, and others may have shorter ears. But almost all of the puppies will have round dark-colored eyes nicely spaced in the puppy’s face. The paw pads on their feet are usually firm with strong nails.
- These dogs are highly adaptable and can live in a big house with a yard or an apartment. All you need to do is make sure there is enough mental and physical stimulation so the dog doesn’t become bored.
- Poochon love to swim, and the owners need to make sure their dog doesn’t wander off near rivers or waterways where they might drown.
- These dogs love family but are best suited to be around larger children. It’s because these are small and lively dogs. As a result, a smaller child may unintentionally harm them. But any interaction with children should always be supervised regardless of the child’s age.
- Poochon is prone to allergies from skin and coat issues. Unfortunately, allergies can be challenging to clear up. Plus, finding out what is triggering the allergy may even be more difficult. So as soon as you notice a flare-up, your pup needs to go to the vet. Some common allergy triggers are environment, dust mites, certain foods, airborne pollens, chemicals in household cleaning, or flea and tick bites.
- These dogs are not big eaters and will eat kibble. But adding some canned dog food to their diet will give your dog a good amount of meat protein. You can also feed your dog brown rice, cooked chicken, orange/yellow/ green vegetables.
- This breed looks like small teddy bears and will retain their look into their adulthood.
- They have the sweetest smile, and to retain those smiles, regular teeth brushing is a must. Unfortunately, because of this dog’s size, they are prone to tooth decay, and that could cause tooth loss.
- A backyard breeder is never a good idea to buy your puppy from. These breeders usually don’t take the time to make suitable genetic matches. Backyard breeders aren’t as unethical as puppy mills, but they are still in it to make money. They won’t take their puppies back if the puppies become ill or something goes wrong. You can’t trust a breeder who won’t guarantee their puppies.
Conclusion
So, if you want a small dog that is as comfortable in an apartment as a home, loves its owner, and has an adorable smile, then a Poochon is for you. Active, intelligent, can learn tricks, and is adaptable to your lifestyle, what are you waiting for?
For more information on this lively little dog, click here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uk0SHYKl8eQ
References:
https://hellobark.com/advice/poochon-pros-and-cons/
https://woofbarkgrowl.co.uk/poochon/
https://yourdogadvisor.com/poochon/
https://blog.inspireuplift.com/poochon/
https://designerdoginfo.wordpress.com/designer-breeds/poochon/
