There are hundreds of dog breeds, and it can be hard to choose between them. Even the popular ones have their drawbacks for some people and households. What might be a bad trait in a dog for one household might be a good trait for another household.
When you are looking into different dogs, always remember that you want one that’s not just cute and cuddly, but that will fit in well with your family, your lifestyle, and your living space and situation.
Bichpoos are a mix of the bichon frise and the toy poodle. It is not a pure breed, and these dogs can have attributes from either parent breed. While they are very popular, a bichpoo might only be for some. Here are the pros and cons of owning a Bichpoo dog for you to consider.
Pro: Don’t Need a Lot of Activity
Bichpoos are small dogs. A short hike for a larger breed might feel like a long trek to a bichpoo. As such, it doesn’t take a lot of activity for them to get tired out. This is a great benefit if you are a senior or have mobility issues.
You may also not have much time in the day, so a short 20-minute stroll fits better into your schedule than an hour or longer walk. If you have a yard, you may even be able to meet their exercise needs with some playtime outside followed by some treats when you come back inside.
Con: Separation Anxiety
Bichpoos love family, and they love being around their favorite people. This can be adorable when they excitedly run up to you after you get home from work, but it’s not ideal. They can suffer from separation anxiety, which can be a big problem.
For one, dogs that are anxious while alone can cause damage to your home. They will chew through things, including your drywall. They will constantly bark, which could upset your neighbors, especially if you live in an apartment building or shared complex of some kind.
This can be trained out of most dogs, but if you don’t have the time to put in the training, or you are away from home for longer than a normal work or school day, then this breed might not be for you.
Pro: Trainability
Bichpoos tend to be smart animals. The poodle is often ranked as the 2nd most intelligent dog breed behind the collie. The bichpoo usually inherits this trait, which makes them very trainable. They will quickly pick up your expected behaviors and understand what they need to do at certain commands.
Of course, they aren’t as smart as poodles, but if you want a dog that’s relatively easy to train and fits into your home, then a bichpoo will achieve that goal very nicely.
Con: The Price
The Bichpoo is a designer breed. That means that it can be expensive to buy one directly from a breeder. However, you may be able to find one at your local shelter. You can also do some research and find some Bichpoo puppies for sale at a price that meets your budget.
The truth is that no matter how expensive a dog is, if it fits in with your home and becomes a loved member of your family, it will be worth it. Always make sure you meet the parents of any prospective puppy and check that they are in good health before committing.
Pro: Friendly
While they tend to pick up the intelligence gene from poodles, they are also likely to inherit the friendliness and sociability of the bichon frise. They love being around family and meeting new people, too. The opposite of separation anxiety is enjoying being around as many others as possible.
They play well with kids and other animals and will follow their “pack” around from room to room. Of course, you should always take a new dog to socialization classes, but a bichpoo will be more amenable than other breeds to this type of training.
Con: They Need a Lot of Grooming
While they won’t take up much of your day for activity, they might make up for it with the amount of grooming they need. Bichpoos don’t shed much, which is good if you don’t like to pick up the vacuum. However, they have curly coats that can get matted and tangled as they get longer.
This means that you have to brush your bichpoo regularly to keep its skin healthy and clean. You can expect to have to do it at least four times a week, but more would be even better. Otherwise, their coat will get dirty and stuck with debris, which can make your dog look awful and start to smell.
You will also have to get their fur trimmed every 2 to 3 months. Otherwise, it will get too long and unsightly. If left for long periods of time, you might need to take your dog to the vet to get him checked for infections.
Pro: Hypoallergenic
Many people out there would love to have dogs, but it would affect their health. While this is unfortunate, dogs like bichpoos may be a solution. While no dog is completely hypoallergenic, bichpoos are in a category that is pretty close.
Both the bichon frise and the poodle are low-shedding dogs, so there’s a good chance that yours will be too. Allergies are also related to dander, and both breeds emit a low level that is safe for those with allergies and respiratory issues. So if you’ve held off on buying a dog because of your health fears, then it might be time to take the big step with a bichpoo.
There is so much to love about any dog, but they also have their traits and idiosyncrasies that can be drawbacks for certain people and situations. So if you are thinking of bringing a bichpoo into your home, make sure that you understand the pros and cons ahead of time.
