Bich Poo Care

The Bich Poo, as a hybrid of a Bichon Frise and a Toy or Miniature Poodle, is a lively, toy-sized companion crossbreed that needs a good bit of attention. Overall Bich Poo care and maintenance won't take a ton of work, but will need to include daily exercise and regular grooming--and most of all, plenty of TLC!

Below you'll find details on caring for a Bich Poo including puppy development, exercise and grooming needs, food recommendations, and more. Find answers to your questions about raising a Bich Poo in the following sections!

These hybrids are extremely energetic, bordering on hyperactive--but they're also small, so Bich Poo exercise requirements are moderate overall. Bich Poo dogs will fulfill a lot of their daily exercise needs just running around being their active little selves, but they'll still benefit from a few short walks and a period of playtime each day. And owners say these dogs have brief bursts of energy throughout the day, so numerous, short exercise sessions are best.

Adult Bich Poos will need 30-45 minutes of exercise per day. You can start exercising puppies at 2½-3 months old by taking them on short walks, then as the pups grow the walks can get longer.

Precautions with Bich Poo exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're eight months old
• A leash is recommended when exercising in public
• Yards should be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises should be done together with people

It's important to exercise your Bich Poo multiple times every day. These hybrids can be hyperactive and vocal, and without consistent activity they'll become fussy, disobedient, and incredibly yappy! Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind. Some exercise ideas:

• Walking: Three 10-minute walks per day is recommended
• Fetch: Play indoors with the dog's favorite toy
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, your Bich Poo will enjoy the company of other dogs
• Laser Pointer: These hybrids will go nuts chasing that little red dot

When indoors give your Bich Poo access to balls or toys that will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks after breakfast, lunch, and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

These hybrids will need moderate maintenance overall. Bich Poo shedding is minimal, but grooming will still be a frequent task. Drooling isn't an issue.

Bich Poo dogs, like their Poodle parents, have soft, wavy to curly coats that don't shed much at all. Even so, owners will need to brush their Bich Poo dogs 3-4 times per week (if not daily) with a slicker brush to keep the coats from matting or tangling. It's also a good idea to have the coats clipped (either by owners themselves or by a groomer) every couple of months or so to keep them looking their best. If a Bich Poo's coat is regularly maintained, shedding is very light--which means hair cleanup really won't be necessary.

A Bich Poo practically never drools, though. If your Bich Poo is drooling excessively, it might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

Though opinions can differ, a majority of veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for Bichon-Poodle mixes is premium dry kibble. This high-quality food, while more expensive, has balanced portions of the nutrients these hybrids need to maintain their health in the long term.

Bich Poo dogs do best with food formulated for extra small breeds. Blue Buffalo, Royal Canin, and Nutro are three recommended brands with excellent lines of toy-breed dry food.