Poochon
 Male Poochon puppy with inherited sable trait at 8 weeks of age | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Common nicknames | Pootie | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |||||||||||||||||||||
The Poochon (also known as Bichpoo, Bich-poo, Bichonpoo, Bichon-Poo, Bichoodle[2]) is a crossbreed dog, the offspring of a Poodle and a Bichon Frise.[1] The Poochon became particularly popular through crossbreeding programs in Australia from the late 1990s.[1] Key to their development was the coordinated effort by Chevromist Kennels in Melbourne in bringing together various breeders aiming to develop the breed.[1] This breed of dog was developed to suit families wanting a small breed that was suitable for most people with allergies to dogs;[1] the breeders were looking for a healthy, outgoing small dog with a non-shedding wool coat that would get along well with children They are very popular in Australia due to their exceptional temperaments, robustness and non-shed coats. The Poochon typically has the shorter and more rounded muzzle of the Bichon Frise, and this can be seen from the time they are puppies. Poochons have variable coat colours and markings.
Appearance
Coat and Color
They can come in tan, white, brown, tan and white, brown black and white, , black[3] but any colour is acceptable. Their coat is coarse, medium long with loose curls[3] and have a coat that is more hypoallergenic than most dogs (a characteristic inherited from the Poodle).[3]
All Poochons will need grooming as their non-shed coats continue to grow, but will not shed.[3]
Temperament
The Poochon does very well in a number of environments, but you need to cater for a daily exercise of at least half an hour, or a bit more if it does not have access to a backyard.[4] Poochons inherit a higher than average intelligence as both parents, particularly the Poodle, are considered in the top section of intelligent dog breeds.[4] It should be easy to house-train your Poochon fairly quickly and it will be quick to learn your nuances.
The poochon usually has an accommodating nature that will allow it to fit into most households. A family with young children will suit it perfectly; existing pets should not be an issue.[4]
Though small in size, they make good watch dogs as they will alert their owners to unusual or suspicious sounds with a hearty bark.[3]
Activity
If Poochons are given the proper training and exercise, they will do well in an apartment;[1] however, they'll need extra space for playing. Poochons also tend to run back and forth in a hallway to exercise.
Health
First generation Poochons tend to be much healthier than either of their parents.[1] However, they may have some problems, like Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and patella luxation. Otherwise, Poochons, and in particular first generation Poochons, are a relatively healthy breed that have few health concerns.[1][3][4]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Poochon. |