Bichon or Bichi-Poo for Christmas *UPDATE* 1st post

[Tinijocaro]

Hi- We're getting a dog for our kids for Christmas, and due to allergies, The Bichon is our best pick (yes, I know that no dog is allergy-free, but this seems to be the best one). I've been reading that the Bichon breed is hard to housebreak. I'd like to hear your experiences with either the Bichon Frise or the Bichi-Poo and how easy or difficult was the house breaking. Thanks!

Jackie

UPDATE:

Well, we got our puppy yesterday. He is 10 weeks old, was ready to come, we didn't see the point in keeping him boarded till Christmas. He is a purebred Bichon. We looked at Bichi-Poo pups yesterday, but didn't like the look of them as adults.

He doesn't have a name yet, there are six of us who have to agree, might take a while. My kids are so excited, they can't believe they actually have a pet.

Thanks to all who offered help!

Jackie

 

[WDW LOVR]

I've never personally owned a Bichon, but I worked in a Pet Store for years (during school and then part time to help out my brothers who were owners). My cousin's wife also groomed dogs in the store and she mentioned a number of times that Bichon's were a handful. Don't remember the reason, but I do remember the nick-name we had for Bichons. It was Bitc*in Frizzie. That about explains it.

But if due to allergies that is the only dog you can get, they aren't that bad

 

[Serena]

I don't mean to spoil the fun, but every person I've talked to, the Humane Society says not to get a dog during the holidays. It's too stressful for them and the family too.

 

[PaulaSue]

My ILs have 2 Bichons. Years later (they both are older than my oldest who is 7) they still yap all the time, not just the first few minutes company comes. Could be from not good training.

The younger one has BAD trouble with his eyes always looking goopy (?) DH's cousin has one with the same eye problem but is not from the same breeder.

LOL on the housebreaking of Bichons... For 2 Years straight the youngest one would PEE ON DH every time we would come over (the first few minutes we would get there). MIL said it was ONLY DH he would do it to.

I would make sure you check out the breeder very well. Best Wishes on which you decide!

 

[PrincessDeb]

I have a Bichon-she's ten now. They are very good with families which was partly why we picked one. Two of us are also allergic. It did take us awhile to housebreak our dog but we also waited awhile to use a crate. Once we did, that seemed to be what worked. We love our Bichon and would definitely get another one. Just know that you have got to keep their teeth cleaned and they require grooming. My husband seems to have allergy problems with ours when I've waited too long to bathe her so as long as you keep yours clean, you should be okay. I grew up with collie and shepard mixes and I'll tell you, I don't miss the shedding!!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Please don't buy a designer mutt - which is just what a Bicho-poo is. Any breeder who breeds these are irresponsible and you dont want to support them. You will NOT get a quality dog from one and there are no guarantees in them. Besides, bichons and poodles are wonderful breeds in and of themselves. Shelters are full of these mutts that need homes and it pains me that people breed them for huge amounts of money.

All small breeds are hard to train - but they're adorable and make up for it in other ways. I have a Shih Tzu, also very good for allergies, and he's still not trained at 1.5 years old. But he's cute and we love him to death so we put up with the occasional accidents. Yorkies and Maltese are two others you could look at in the small breed area. If you want a large breed good for allergies, check out the Greyhounds or Portugease Water Dog (if I remember right) or any of the Poodles.

Most reputable breeders will not sell animals over the holidays - it's the worst time to bring home a new puppy, esp with children in the house. It's better to give a picture of the puppy and a certificate stating it's theirs and go back in a few weeks and pick the puppy up. Plus it adds anticipation of the pups arrival and you can wrap up "dog" things instead like the bowls, toys, etc.

Good luck in your search!

 

[DisneyJen0504]

We have two bichons (well they are my parents' bichons but I miss them since I got married and moved out!!) and we had no issues with anything. They are awesome dogs and were wonderful to train and housebreak. I dont recall any issues and we have had other breeds to compare to.
Btw, both my mom and I have allergies and the bichons never bothered us. However, they have allergies of their own! I love those dogs and highly recommend! aw:

 

[Tinijocaro]

Bump for the morning crew!

 

[Cindy B]

I have a mini poodle. He is good, not much hair, and is compared to a Bichon a lot when we are out with him.

I would also say no pets during the holidays.

 

[epcotfan]

I don't mean to spoil the fun, but every person I've talked to, the Humane Society says not to get a dog during the holidays. It's too stressful for them and the family too.

I agree. Come February many Christmas pets wind up in the Humane Society or breed rescue centers. However, for serious pet lovers that is a good time of year to look for a new addition to the family. You might want to do a search for a Bichon Rescue society.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Trust me- we've thought long and hard about even getting a dog, and waited till our children were a few years older. Aside from going two minutes across town for 2 hours on Christmas day, our Christmas is not hectic in the least. Church is Christmas Eve, before we will get the dog. We are home the rest of the time. For me, the hectic part is before Christmas. We don't do any more running around than usual after Christmas either. This isn't a spur of the moment decision.

With that said, any more thoughts on the breeds I've mentioned?

Jackie

 

[chrissyk]

My sis has a bichon, and we adore her The thing is, it took her like a year of being on a good breeder's waitlist to even get her puppy. Are you already on a waitlist? Finding a good breeder was tough. My sister dragged me to some gross places when she was looking, leading me to believe that there are some seriously bad breeders out there

As for housetraining...yes, this took a VERY long time. I hate to admit it, but the dog still has occasional accidents after 2 years. My old neighbors' bichon had the same issue. Also, the dog has allergies of her own, as someone else noted about this breed.

That said, she is the happiest, friendliest, most loving little bundle you ever want to meet, and we wouldn't trade her for all the world

 

[Galahad]

We have three Bichons. They may me a handful for groomers but they are wonderful. They are a bit (only a bit) harder to housetrain, but once they are trained they're fine. There's nothing better than three Bichons on your lap on a cold day! Great with kids (if they are raised with kids). I think there are some bad breeders. They are popular and they are overbred. They have actually been getting "bigger" in the last few years because of this. They are really suppose to be around 10 or 12 pounds. One of ours is that small. They other two are 15 and 18 pounds. Our vet says they see 25 pound Bichons (which is grossly too big for the breed). Other than the holiday puppy issues mentioned above, we'd really recommend them!!

 

[Crankyshank]

DH's Aunt has a Bichon and she is the cutest, friendliest little thing. She got Candy not long after her husband died and Candy was a godsend to her.
I would love to get one myself one day.

 

[MerryPoppins]

We have two bichons. They are so sweet and easy-going. I think they are the perfect family pet. They are a little harder to train, and they need grooming. But I've had lots of dogs in my lifetime. If I was in the market for another dog a bichon would be my first choice.

 

[ZachnElli]

I think smaller dogs are harder to train overall. I have a Maltipoo and a ****zupoo. I didn't know they were harder to train until after we got them and my vet told me. We also got them for allergy reasons. We were going from a golden retriever to them (our goldie passed). My son doesn't have any problems with his breathing with either of our dogs. And before anyone wants to flame me for having "designer dogs", I had no idea when we got them that they would be labeled such a year later!

 

[chrissyk]

I think there are some bad breeders. They are popular and they are overbred. They have actually been getting "bigger" in the last few years because of this. They are really suppose to be around 10 or 12 pounds. One of ours is that small. They other two are 15 and 18 pounds. Our vet says they see 25 pound Bichons (which is grossly too big for the breed). Other than the holiday puppy issues mentioned above, we'd really recommend them!!

I agree with you about the bad breeders, but I must say that my sis's bichon came from a great breeder, had "petite" parents, and is still larger than 10-12 pounds. This has nothing to do with breeding in her case. My sister and my parents overfeed her, plain and simple. They feed her her regular food, and then half the time they feed her whatever they are eating too because "she begs for it" They can't say no to her, so she is gaining weight. I wonder if the owners of the 25 pound bichons do the same thing (but just don't admit it). At least my family is up front about their inability to say no to to the dog

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I have a toy poodle! She is everything that we wanted and more. I have allergies and I am fine with her. She is great with the kids. We got her at 12 weeks and she is 9 years old now. She is very smart. She is such a good dog.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Bump for the update

 

[janette]

You'll enjoy your puppy. We have 2 Bichons also and they are great dogs.