Bichonaranian Dog Breed

The Bichonaranian, as a mixed breed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' specific origin; while a Bichon Frise mixed with Pomeranian has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. The Pomeranian-Bichon Frise mix likely gained popularity during the designer dog "explosion" in North America in the late 20th century. These sassy, friendly toy-sized pups are great with singles, seniors, apartment dwellers, or anyone with a lot of time to devote to their pooches.

A few Pom-Bichon mix facts: they're toy-sized, averaging 10 inches at the shoulders in height and eight pounds in weight; they have medium-length, fluffy coats that don't shed too much; and they need a lot of companionship, and will become highly upset if left alone for long periods.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Bichon-Pom mix:

The Bichonaranian is the offspring of two beloved toy breeds. Both the Bichon Frise and the Pomeranian are happy, playful companion dogs, so their Bichon Frise-Pomeranian mix offspring will surely be the same! These little hybrids' coats come in a few different colors in both solid and patchy patterns: white, red, orange, brown, and black are most common. The coats can be soft and curly like the Bichon or thick and fluffy like the Pom's--or more likely, somewhere in between.

The Bichonaranian temperament is perhaps its best quality. Friendly, playful, loyal, and possibly feisty (if the dog inherits that trait from the Pom), these hybrids are excellent family pets. The one known drawback to the Bichonaranian personality is that these dogs need constant companionship, and will be miserable if left alone for more than even a few minutes. Other than that, these hybrids are terrific companions. They get along great with kids, and usually socialize well with other pets; like other breeds, it's best if they grow up alongside any children or other pets so they become accustomed to one another early on. Bichonaranians are smart, too, and normally learn commands and tasks pretty easily. They also make good watchdogs, and will bark at and investigate most unknown sights or sounds.

And though these hybrids are high-energy, they're small, so they don't need a ton of exercise. A short walk or two on a daily basis, possibly combined with a period of playtime, will keep a Bichoneranian in great shape.

The Bichonaranian, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids can suffer ailments common to the parent breeds including joint problems like hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, allergies, and various eye issues (such as juvenile cataracts). Toy-sized breeds like the Bichonaranian are also prone to dental problems, so it's important to brush these dogs' teeth regularly. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for the Bichonaranian is 12-15 years.