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Poochon vs Shichon Comparison

Poochon vs Shichon: Breed Comparison - Premier Pups
Published Wednesday, September 1, 2021 by PremierPups

The Poochon and Shichon are two of the most incredible designer dog breeds in the canine kingdom. These two cuties are playful, affectionate, loyal, and highly trainable. They are fun playmates for kids, excellent trick performers, and lovey-dovey family dogs. If your choice comes down between the two, read on to learn more about their qualities, what they share and how they are different.  

A puppy’s love is a pure thing and, here at Premier Pups, we aim to give our loving puppies the forever homes they deserve. Our specialized team of Puppy Agents is here to help you with the choosing process to make sure your new pup fits right in with your family.  


Poochon vs Shichon Overview

full-grown poochon dog

Poochon Overview

The Poochon, a breed defined by excellence, is a mix between a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Bichon Frise. Poochons are champions in the canine sporting ring, great swimmers, fun adventure buddies, and wonderful companion pets. They stand out with their brilliant learning skills, high affection towards their humans, and friendliness with all that moves.

Originally from Australia, the Poochon dogs were created to be hypoallergenic superstars that could be owned by allergy sufferers. They hold true to their purpose and impress furthermore with a loyal nature and a fun-loving personality. The lovely Poochon is also known as the Bichpoo and Bichon Poodle Mix.    


teddy bear shichon dog

Shichon Overview

Shichons, the cuddly teddy bears of dogdom, are a crossbreed of a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise. These perfectly adorable dogs impress with a merry disposition and an adoring personality. They are adaptable to both active and laid-back lifestyles, easy to train, and a treat to have around.

Originally from the United States, the Shichon puppies were designed to melt hearts and that’s exactly what they have been doing for the past 25 years. They are friendly, affectionate, docile, fun, and happy dogs. They can cuddle away any trace of a bad mood and they are known to be quite amazing with children. The Shichon dogs are also known as Teddy Bear dogs, Zuchon, and Shih Tzu Bichon Mix. 


Poochon vs Shichon Overview Comparison

The Poochon and Shichon first appeared during the 1990s as new breeds of hypoallergenic dogs.  
Although fairly new compared to other breeds, both the Poochon and Shichon have ranked high on the designer dog popularity chart since their debut. In the short time they have been around, the Poochon and Shichon spread out from one continent to the next gathering an impressive number of admirers and are now amongst the most popular breeds in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the United States.  

The Poochon and Shichon share a Bichon Frise parent breed and, as hybrid dogs, they both benefit from hybrid vigor.  

Both the Poochon and Shichon are recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club.   


Poochon vs Shichon Overview Key Points

Comparison Table

Breed Poochon Shichon
Parent breeds Poodle, Bichon Frise Shih Tzu, Bichon Frise
Place of origin Australia US
Date of origin 1990 2000
Purpose Companionship, hypoallergenic pet Companionship, hypoallergenic pet
Breed type Poodle mix, doodle breed Designer breed, hybrid
Other names Bichpoo Teddy Bear, Zuchon
Lifespan 12-15 years 12-14 years

Poochon vs Shichon Temperament

toy poochon

Poochon Temperament

Poochons are adventure-seeking pups that crave fun outdoor activities. They love playing canine games like hide-and-seek, Frisbee, and ball-fetching, and they are very fond of chases with their furry friends. Playdates at dog parks, hiking adventures, and swims are also on their list of hobbies. Curious and outgoing, the adventurous Poochon dogs are always interested in new experiences, especially ones that allow them to discover and explore the world.  

When it comes to their human family, Poochons are entirely devoted yet not overly dependent. They crave attention from their pet parents, love playing with their little human siblings, and are very fond of cuddles and praise.  As these dreamy dogs are a blend of two highly sociable dog breeds – the Poodle and the Bichon Frise - they get along great with everyone they meet. They are on their best behavior when met with strangers and they greet new friends with openness and affection.

Poochon puppies are every trainer’s ideal students. Apart from being exceedingly adorable and playful, these brilliant puppies love to learn, are eager to please, and they train to excel. They are focused and determined, and they aren’t known to back down from a challenge. Little Poochon puppies can be trained a myriad of commands, tricks, and dog games, as well as advanced obedience and sporting skills. Poochons also have good watchdog skills and can be trained for therapy work as well.  


teddy bear shichon dog smelling a yellow flower

Shichon Temperament

Shichon teddy bears are sweet and affectionate little dogs that thrive on love, cuddles, and belly rubs. They enjoy spending an entire day glued to their humans on the couch but are also fans of outdoor activities just like their Poochon cousins. They love going on hikes, running, chasing things, and playing with their four-legged friends at dog parks.

As family-attached dogs, Shichons want to be near their humans every minute of every day, which means they are not likely to ever wander off. These cuddly dogs make fast friends with other dogs and strangers, and ideal playmates for children. They are sociable, friendly, outgoing, and fond of human interaction.

Shichon teddy bear pups are also highly adaptable to any type of lifestyle. They are just as happy in an active lifestyle as they are in a laid-back one as they are known to follow in their owner’s footsteps and match their energy. Training Shichon puppies should be easy enough as these pups are fast learners with eager to impress personalities. Although they can take after their Shih Tzu parent and have that streak of stubbornness, Shichon puppies are more often than not, obedient students who love to learn and impress. With their caring nature, cheerful personality, and affectionate disposition, the Shichon puppies can be trained to work as therapy dogs.    


Poochon vs Shichon Temperament Comparison

When comparing their personalities, you will find that the Poochon and Shichon Teddy Bear share a wonderful set of qualities. These amazing dogs are sociable, friendly, warm, and sweet. They play nice with others and are very fond and great with kids. They are as adventurous and outgoing as they are cuddly and generous with affection.  

As for some of their differences, the main aspect that sets these two apart is seen in their energy levels. Although both breeds are known to be somewhat energetic, the Shichon is generally more relaxed and laid back than the Poochon. The Shichon, who is happy in either lifestyle, does tend to be a bit more on the cuddly lapdog side, whereas the Poochon is more of an adventure-oriented companion pet. The Shichon is also more attached and dependent on family members, whereas the Poochon is an independent dog. The Shichon doesn’t deal well with being left alone and is prone to separation anxiety, whereas the Poochon is known to do just fine when alone. Although they are both a good fit for either job, the Poochon makes a better watchdog, with the Shichon being a better candidate for therapy work. 


Poochon vs Shichon Temperament Key Points

Comparison Table

Breed Poochon Shichon
Good with kids Yes Yes
Training Easy Easy, can be stubborn
Friendly Yes Yes
Separation anxiety Independent Can be prone to separation anxiety
Energy levels Moderate to high energy Moderate to low enery
Good for Families with children, active owners, first-time owners Families with children, couples, retirees
Barking Occasionally Generally quiet

Poochon vs Shichon Appearance

curly poochon dog

Poochon Appearance

The Poochons are athletic-looking dogs that appear happy and confident. Members of the Toy Group, the Poochon dogs stand at 9 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 17 pounds. These gorgeous pooches are well-built, sturdy, strong, agile, and fast. They have dark expressive eyes, cute floppy ears, a dark nose, and a long tail worn curled over their back.

The Poochons sport a low-shedding coat that is wavy or curly, and wool-like to the touch. The Poochon coat can be a solid color or a combination of two or three colors that include white, tan, apricot, blue, or black.  


cute teddy bear shichon

Shichon Appearance

The Shichon toy dogs are cuddly little teddy bears that appear joyful and friendly. These small and precious lapdogs stand at 9 to 12 inches tall and weigh between 6 to 14 pounds fully grown. They have a fit compact body, a round face, dark round eyes, a dark button nose, adorable hanging ears, and a short curled tail.

The Shichons sport a soft fluffy coat that is low-shedding and either straight or wavy to curly in texture. The Shichon coat can come in a variety of colors and color combinations with various patterns and markings. The most common colors of an adult Shichon coat are white, yellow, cream, gray, silver, brown, and black.   


Poochon vs Shichon Appearance Comparison

When comparing their appearance, you will find that the Poochon and Shichon are quite dissimilar-looking. Although they can both have a variety of coat textures, the Poochons are generally on the curlier side, whereas Shichons tend to have a straighter to slightly wavy Shih Tzu coat. The Shichon teddy bears resemble their Shih Tzu parent more, whereas the Poochons take after their Poodle parent breed more. Although they both have a similar average in height and weight, the Poochon does tend to be a tad bigger than the Shichon. A Poochon with a Toy Poodle parent will be on the smaller end of the scale, possibly even smaller than the Teddy Bear Shichon.  


Poochon vs Shichon Appearance Key Points

Comparison Table

Breed Poochon Shichon
Adult weight 6-17 pounds 6-14 pounds
Adult height 9-15 inches 9-12 inches
Coat type Curly, wavy Straight, wavy, curly
Colors White, black, tan, blue, apricot White, yellow, cream, gray, brown, black
Hypoallergenic Yes Yes
Shedding Minimal Minimal

Poochon vs Shichon Comparison Conclusion

The Poochon and Shichon are fan-favorite breeds for good reason. These versatile pups are cheerful, smart, friendly, and playful. They are docile, non-aggressive, and highly affectionate companion pets and family dogs that fit well with many types of owners and households. Both the Poochon and Shichon are considered to be hypoallergenic dog breeds that can be owned by people suffering from pet-related allergies. They are easy to train and generous with their love.

Although they are both adaptable to various lifestyles, they each do best with an owner that can meet their needs. On that note, we recommend the sweet Shichon Teddy Bear to families with children, couples, and retirees who are home most of the day, and the spunky Poochon to active families, singles, and novice owners.  

Elena R.

About The Author

Elena is a leading expert in the field of dog behavior, care, and training, with over a decade of experience in writing about dogs. As a published writer and lifelong dog enthusiast, Elena currently shares her home with three beloved canine companions. She is dedicated to staying up to date on the latest advancements in dog care and training, ensuring that her articles provide readers with accurate and valuable insights. With her extensive knowledge and passion for all things canine, Elena's contributions to the Premier Pups community offer both expertise and authority on a wide range of dog-related topics.
Elena R. - Author Photo

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more energetic: Poochon or Shichon? Both the Poochon and Shichon exhibit a moderate energy level. However, Poochons, with Poodle genes, might be a tad more vivacious and playful, while Shichons tend to be more laid-back but still enjoy playtime.

Poochon or Shichon, which barks more? Both breeds can be somewhat vocal, especially if they want attention or detect unfamiliar stimuli. Poochons might be slightly more alert and could bark more at strange noises, while Shichons could be a bit more reserved in their vocal reactions.

Do Poochons have separation anxiety vs. Shichons? Both breeds can develop separation anxiety since they form strong bonds with their families. Training from a young age for comfortable alone time is crucial for both.

Should I get a Poochon or a Shichon? Your preference and lifestyle will influence this choice. If you desire a slightly more lively and clever companion, consider a Poochon. If you're seeking a relaxed, affectionate buddy, a Shichon might be your match.

Which is better: a Poochon or a Shichon? The term "better" is subjective. Both breeds are known for their loving nature, adaptability, and suitability for various households. Assess what you want in terms of appearance, grooming needs, and activity level to make your decision.

What is the lifespan of a Poochon vs. Shichon? Both breeds have comparable lifespans, typically ranging from 12-15 years. Providing proper care, a nutritious diet, and consistent veterinary visits can ensure a long, healthy life.

Are Poochons easier to train than Shichons? Both breeds are relatively easy to train, with Poochons possibly having a slight edge because of the Poodle's intelligence. Nonetheless, both breeds respond excellently to positive reinforcement.

Do Poochons shed more than Shichons? Both the Poochon and Shichon are considered low-shedding breeds, making them suitable for people with allergies. Regular grooming helps maintain their coat's health and appearance.

Which is calmer: a Poochon or a Shichon? Shichons are generally a bit calmer and more relaxed, especially when compared to the playful energy of the Poochon.

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