Full Grown Poochon: Size, Lifespan, Price & More

The Poochon is a charming and playful small dog breed that is a cross between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. As a mixed breed dog, Poochons tend to be medium-small in size and have fluffy coats. But what do Poochons look and act like when they finally reach full maturity?

In this guide, we'll explore what to expect from your Poochon physically, mentally, and in terms of care needs when they are fully grown.

About the Poochon Breed

Before diving into what Poochons are like at full growth, it's helpful to understand the breed's background.

Poochons are a designer dog breed, meaning they were intentionally crossbred to combine the qualities of their parent breeds.

The Bichon Frise is known for its playful, gentle temperament and curly white coat. Poodles are highly intelligent, and come in various sizes from toy to standard.

By crossing these breeds, Poochons inherit a soft, curly coat and teddy bear-like appearance from the Bichon Frise along with the poodle's smarts and low shedding coat.

Size at Full Grown

When fully matured at around 2 years old, Poochons typically reach a medium-small size. On average, adult Poochon heights range from 9 to 15 inches at the shoulder. Their length from the chest to the rear end is usually between 12 to 16 inches.

Poochons also have short legs in proportion to their bodies giving them a squished teddy bear look. In terms of specific measurements, the typical fully grown Poochon size is:

• Height: 11-13 inches
• Length: 14-16 inches

Keep in mind that size can vary depending on whether the Poochon inherits more of the Bichon Frise or Poodle genetics. Poochons with more Poodle ancestry may reach the higher end of height and length ranges.

Weight at Full Grown

Corresponding to their medium-small stature, adult Poochons generally weigh between 8 to 18 pounds. The average weight range for a fully grown Poochon is 12 to 15 pounds. As with height, weight can fluctuate based on genetic inheritance.

Poochons leaning more towards the Poodle side may max out closer to 18 pounds while those with predominantly Bichon Frise traits stay under 12 pounds.

Appearance at Full Grown

When it comes to looks, mature Poochons maintain their adorable teddy bear appeal. Their body shape remains stocky and compact with short legs. Perhaps the biggest change is in their coat. As puppies, Poochons have softer, downy fur. But as they reach adulthood, their double coat becomes fuller, fluffier and more abundant.

The coat texture is soft and curly, forming ringlets or waves down the dog's back, tail and legs. Acceptable Poochon coat colors include cream, apricot, white, black, grey and parti-color or mixed. No matter the shade, their coat gives them a constantly tossed bedhead appearance that is utterly charming.

Other distinguishing Poochon features at maturity include dark brown or hazel eyes, a black nose, small round ears and a curled or bobbed tail. Overall, they retain their cute puppy looks but achieve a more polished, refined appearance when fully grown.

Personality at Full Grown

In terms of temperament, Poochons keep the friendly, gentle soul they exhibited as a puppy even as adults. They remain playful, happy-go-lucky companions willing to entertain you endlessly with their antics. Poochons bond closely to their family members and will follow you from room to room for attention and affection.

Their playful nature can make Poochons seem like perpetual puppies at heart! At the same time, training and socialization pays off as mature Poochons become well-behaved indoor pets.

With training, they can learn to curb nippy puppy behaviors and listen to basic commands. Good breeding ensures Poochons stay calm and quiet as adults, making them suitable pets for apartments too.

While playful with family, Poochons are shy with strangers as adults and may bark at unfamiliar people initially. Consistent socialization helps curb this somewhat. Their intelligence also shows more as grown dogs, enabling them to learn tricks and routines with ease.

Price

As a mixed breed, there is wide variation in Poochon pricing depending on the breeder. In general, expect to pay anywhere from $800 to $2,500 USD for a well-bred Poochon puppy from a reputable breeder.

Prices may be on the higher end of the range for puppies with exceptional pedigree or rare coat colors. Of course, adoption from shelters is often more affordable if you don't require a specific breed.

Be wary of suspiciously low prices, as those puppies are more likely to have health or temperament issues from poor breeding practices. Reputable breeders will also provide health certifications and ask questions to ensure their puppies go to suitable homes.

Food/Feeding

As adults, Poochons maintain high energy levels and an active lifestyle. To fuel their fun-loving spirits, aim to feed a high-quality dog food formulated for small or toy breeds. Look for food that lists meat such as chicken, salmon or lamb as the primary ingredient. This ensures your Poochon gets complete and balanced nutrition.

The daily amount needed varies based on your dog's metabolism and activity levels, so consult the feeding guidelines on your dog food package. As a general guideline, plan to feed an average 12-15 lb Poochon 1/2 to 3/4 cup of dry kibble divided into two meals per day. Always keep fresh, clean water available too.

Treats can be given occasionally for training or as a snack. Be mindful not to overfeed though, as obesity can cause health problems in small dogs. Your vet can help determine if your Poochon's weight, activity and portion sizes are appropriate for their size.

Lifespan

With proper care, Poochons have a promising lifespan similar to other small companion dogs. The average lifespan for a Poochon is between 12 to 15 years. Good nutrition, regular preventative vet care like vaccines and deworming, ample physical and mental exercise all help Poochons achieve long and happy lives.

Their size makes them less prone to orthopedic issues than giant breeds. But as a mixed breed, there is potential for certain genetic health problems to surface depending on parent lineage. By choosing a reputable breeder who health tests their breeding stock, you reduce the risk of inheriting genetic diseases.

Health at Full Grown

When matured at 2 years, most major puppy health concerns have been ruled out. At this stage, focus on preventative care and monitoring for genetic conditions more common to small breeds or those sometimes seen in parent breeds.

Conditions to watch for in adult Poochons include dental disease, skin allergies, eye problems and patellar luxation (slipped knee caps). Early diagnosis and treatment can avoid progression of such problems. Regular brushing also curbs issues like mats and hairballs.

Annual vet checks are a must, as are vaccination, dental care and parasite prevention year-round.

Care and Nutritional Needs

Grown Poochons need daily care and attention just as they did as puppies. However, their coat often requires more intensive upkeep once fully matured. Commit to brushing their long, fluffy fur at least 2-3 times per week to remove loose hair and prevent painful mats. Consider regular professional grooming every 4-6 weeks too.

Bathing is necessary only when dirty rather than on a strict schedule. Brushing helps keep their coat clean in between. Be sure to properly care for their nails by trimming or grinding as needed. Also clean their ears and check for wax buildup or infection regularly.

Costing

Owning a fully grown Poochon does involve ongoing costs beyond the initial purchase price. Expect to budget around $500-1000 per year for routine medical costs such as annual checkups, vaccines, flea/tick/heartworm prevention, and dental cleanings. This helps keep your poochon in great health as they age.

Regular grooming is also a necessity for their fluffy coat. Plan to shell out $30-80 every 4-6 weeks for standard grooming sessions. Owners who groom their own poochon will spend around $100 per year or more on clippers, shampoo, conditioner, brushes and other supplies.

Additional minor expenses include food (around $30-50 per month), toys, treats, training classes if needed, licensing fees if your area requires them, boarding/daycare costs if leaving your dog occasionally, and any emergency veterinary care if issues arise. Ownership costs add up, so be prepared to commit long-term financially to properly care for your beloved companion.

Possible Behavioral Changes of a Fully Grown Poochon

In general, Poochons' affectionate nature remains constant as they mature into adults. However, a few subtle changes in behavior may occur as they Hit their full size and strength:

• Play biting and nipping seen in puppies often fades away as adult teeth come in.
• Jumping up on people can lessen if discouraged consistently with age.
• Improved bladder control means fewer accidents indoors.
• Separation anxiety may diminish when confident in their home routine.
• Obedience and response to commands becomes more ingrained and reliable.

Proper socialization and training throughout puppyhood helps minimize bad habits. Positive reinforcement will keep your Poochon well-behaved in their senior years too.

Notable Characteristics of a Mature Poochon

Some signature qualities that define the poochon breed at full maturity include:

• Fluffy, curly white/cream/apricot coat that forms a voluminous lion cut style.
• Intelligent and playful personality that retains puppy-like charm.
• Strong bond and affectionate nature towards trusted humans.
• Eager to please, easy to groom and train when properly handled.
• Adaptable indoor pet that gets along with respectful children and other pets.
• Loyal companion that follows owners closely for affection and play.

When is a Poochon Really Considered Fully Grown?

Most veterinary sources agree that the age of maturity for Poochons is roughly 2 years old. At this point, their growth plates are fused and they have achieved full skeletal size and weight. Some key signs that your poochon has reached adulthood include:

• Reaching average breed height of 11-13 inches and weight of 12-15 pounds.
• No longer having growth spurts or changes in overall proportions.
• Adult teeth have fully replaced puppy teeth.
• Full adult coat comes in completely fluffy.
• First heat cycle occurs in female dogs around 6-10 months.
• Calm, balanced energy levels and activities well-suited for lifestyle.

While fully grown, Poochons are still young at heart with many happy, healthy years ahead. Two years marks the point they graduate from adolescence into mature canine companions.

Suitability as a Pet

When brought up properly in households, fully grown Poochons tend to make wonderful family pets and companions. Their size and personality traits are generally well-suited for mainstream home environments. Some specific considerations for their suitability include:

• Affectionate nature welcome in homes with or without children over age 5 when supervised.
• Small size able to live peacefully in apartments or homes of any size with daily walks.
• Low shedding coats minimally impact those with pet allergies when groomed regularly.
• Willingness to bond closely with one family without aggression towards other pets.
• Non-sporting breed does well in mostly sedentary homes and content with indoor activities.
• Relatively low-energy needs that fit well into lifestyles of urbanites and retirees.

With proper care, these darling companions make terrific pets for a wide variety of responsible owners who provide them with affection, routine and activities indoors or in the yard.