Italian Bichon (Bichon & Italian Greyhound Mix): Info, Pics, Traits
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| Height: | 12 – 15 inches |
| Weight: | 10 – 15 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 14 years |
| Colors: | Fawn, cream, sable, white |
| Suitable for: | Couples, active individuals, families with older children |
| Temperament: | Playful, intelligent, trainable, energetic |
Many folks out there love big dogs. But many others prefer their canine companions to be pint-sized. If you’re on the hunt for a small pooch with a larger-than-life personality, consider bringing an Italian Bichon into your home.
A cross between a Bichon Frise and an Italian Greyhound, the Italian Bichon is a fun-loving designer dog that is also a super vigilant watchdog.
Before you bring an Italian Bichon puppy home, read this in-depth guide on everything you need to know about this petite pup.
Italian Bichon Puppies
The Italian Bichon is a type of designer dog breed. Also known as a hybrid dog breed, this type of dog is the result of the controlled cross-breeding of two purebred breeds. They are different from mutts in the fact that designer dogs have two purebred parents who were deliberately bred.
There are a number of perks that come with purchasing a designer dog breed. With over 200 hybrid fusions available, you can get virtually any type of dog that you want. Additionally, a hybrid dog can come with the best traits of both of their parents. It’s like you’re getting a two-for-one deal!
However, with the increase in popularity and demand for designer breeds comes the rise in backyard breeders and puppy mills. Both of these types of dog breeding facilities have very little or no concern about the welfare of the puppies they are producing or their parents. Bad breeders often sell designer dogs at extremely low prices. But while the cheap price tag may be tempting, you could be getting a dog that is severely damaged, both emotionally and physically.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Italian Bichon
1. The Italian Greyhound is an ancient breed.
Your Italian Bichon’s parent breed, the Italian Greyhound, can be traced back as far as 7,000 years!
2. They hail from royalty.
The Italian Greyhound was a favorite dog breed among royalty, including Catherine the Great, Queen Victoria, and Frederick the Great.
3. Bichons accompanied sailors on long trips.
Italian sailors kept this fluffy breed as a companion dog and used them for bartering.
Italian Bichon Temperament & Intelligence 🧠
To fully get to know the personality and intelligence of your new Italian Bichon puppy, it’s important to know all about the dispositions of the two parent dog breeds, the Italian Greyhound and the Bichon Frise.
The Italian Greyhound is a gentle, affable, sweet breed that thrives on affection and attention. If they are denied love, they can become hyper or shy. Very intelligent, the Italian Greyhound is a great family pet but can be a bit shy around strangers. Therefore, socializing them from the start is highly recommended.
The Bichon Frise is a cheerful, fun-loving pooch with a ton of love to give. Extremely intelligent and highly trainable, these small dogs have loads of energy and need daily doses of exercise. They are very sensitive, so gentle but firm training methods work wonders for these dogs.
Your Italian Bichon will get an assortment of these personality traits.
Are Italian Bichons Good for Families? 🏡
Yes, the Italian Bichon is great for families. However, because of their small size, it is recommended that only families with older children bring one home.
Since an Italian Bichon can be shy around new faces, it is important to start socializing yours with all members of the household from day one.
Do Italian Bichons Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes, the Italian Bichon can cohabitate exceptionally well with other animals, including dogs and cats. However, if you have a larger dog in the household, always keep a vigilant eye on your pups when they play. Due to the Italian Bichon’s small stature, they can get easily injured.
Things to Know When Owning an Italian Bichon
Before you bring home this adorable dog, read up on everything you need to know in order to take great care of them.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
You’ll need to feed your Italian Bichon 1 cup of high-quality, grain-free kibble that is broken into two meals per day. Always feed your dog food that caters to their weight, age, and activity level. You can ask your vet’s advice on what types of brands work best for your dog.
Exercise 🐕
Despite their small size, your Italian Bichon will need daily amounts of exercise. Aim to give them about 45 minutes of physical activity every day.
If left alone for hours on end, the Italian Bichon can develop severe anxiety or bouts of boredom. This is why giving them plenty of mental stimulation is as important as giving them their daily dose of exercise.
Training 🦮
The Italian Bichon is a sensitive designer dog that loves to please. Highly intelligent, they can pick up on new tricks easily. Positive reinforcement training works best for this breed. Since they can be timid toward strangers, socializing them with new people and pets from an early age is a must.
Grooming ✂️
Your Italian Bichon can either inherit the long, dense coat of the Bichon Frise or the fine coat of the Italian Greyhound. If yours has the former, you should be brushing them a couple of times per week. If their coat is more like that of an Italian Greyhound, they may be hypoallergenic and should be brushed weekly with a slicker brush. Brush their teeth daily and clean their ears and clip their nails as needed.
Health Conditions ❤️
- Cataracts
- Shaker dog syndrome
- Urolithiasis
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Kidney disease
Overall, your Italian Bichon is a very healthy pup. But, as with all types of breeds, they can develop some health concerns as he ages. This can include shaker dog syndrome, which involves tremors throughout the body. In order to keep your Italian Bichon healthy throughout their lifetime, routine vet visits are a must.
Male vs. Female
Male Italian Bichons will be a tad larger than females. However, both genders will behave the same, relatively speaking.
Final Thoughts: Italian Bichons
The Italian Bichon is a little dog with a big heart. If you’re in the market for a spunky, sweet, and sassy pooch, this may be the perfect designer dog for you.
By buying your Italian Bichon from a reputable breeder and providing them with lots of socialization and affection, they will provide you with endless amounts of love for years to come.
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Featured Image Credit | Left: Italian Greyhound (Alexandra Morrison Photo, Shutterstock), Right: Bichon Frise (Vladimir Nenezic, Shutterstock)
