Ralfie

These little white fluffballs will keep your family active and your heart full. The Bichon Frise is one of the sweetest and most sensitive dogs around. They love to run around the yard, play games, or snuggle up on the couch—any activity as long as you’re nearby. Housetraining can be difficult, so remain vigilant when they're still young and learning. Full-grown, they typically weigh 12-18 pounds and stand 9-11 inches tall.

Bichon Frises are generally excellent with children of all ages. Bichon Frises are eager to make friends with strangers, other dogs, and children. They’re family-friendly pups that may bark or nip during playtime but usually get along well with kids. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

The Bichon Frise is an active dog that needs daily exercise. Despite their small size, these pups are eager to play indoor games, romp in the yard, or take short walks on the leash. Like cats, they have sudden spikes of energy that turn them into crazy canines running laps around the house. Overall, their exercise needs are low.

The Bichon Frise has a white double coat with a soft, silky, dense undercoat and a coarse, curly outer coat. The fur is fluffy and springs back even when you pat it down. These dogs may have cream or apricot-colored hair. Grooming-wise, this breed is high-maintenance. Bichon Frises are considered hypoallergenic, which can be a plus for allergy sufferers.

Bichon Frises are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. Bichon Frises are good for apartment living because of their size, but they can be difficult to housetrain and may have more accidents if they don’t have a yard or doggy door at their disposal. They are fairly easy to train.

With mixed genes from a Shih Tzu and Poodle, it’s no wonder the Shihpoo is such a loving, sweet dog. These little guys adore people and will do just about anything to be with them. They don’t need much exercise or grooming, but they’ll take as much attention as they can get. Full-grown, they typically weigh 8-18 pounds and stand 8-18 inches tall.

Shihpoos are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. These dogs get along well with children but prefer older kids who are more gentle. They also make good friends for other family dogs and cats. They're relatively quiet and don't bark much.

Shihpoos don’t need much exercise to stay happy and healthy. They usually get enough activity just by playing with their family. If you want to take your Shihpoo out, they enjoy going for walks or playing around in the grass. Overall, their exercise needs are low.

The Shihpoo’s coat will range from curly to wavy to straight, depending on whether their Shih Tzu or Poodle genes are stronger. Normally, it’s curlier than the Shih Tzu but not as curly as the Poodle's. Their fur doesn’t shed much, so normal brushing or professional grooming will keep these dogs looking their best. Grooming-wise, this breed is moderate.

Shihpoos are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. At 7-20 pounds, the Shihpoo is a great fit for apartments or houses. If they have a yard to play in, make sure your Shihpoo primarily lives indoors so they can be around people. They are can be stubborn and challenging to train.