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If you’ve never heard of the aussiechon before, they are a mix between the bichon frise and Australian shepherd. This is an extremely rare designer dog that mixes the happy-go-lucky bichon frise with the active herder, the Australian Shepherd.
The result is a striking bichon frise mixed breed with a unique array of colors and traits.
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Aussiechon (Bichon Frise x Australian Shepherd Mix) History
The aussiechon was developed in the United States in the 1990s. Although major breed registries like the AKC do not recognize it, this dog is a relatively popular designer breed and can be found through select breeders. It is listed by the Designer Kennel Club. We don’t know much about the aussiechon, but we do know plenty about its parent breeds.
The bichon frise dates back to the 1500s when they were used as a companion dog for sailors. After arriving in France, the breed quickly became popular among the nobility. In this period, they were used in circuses and as street performers. It was introduced to the United States in 1934 and quickly became a popular choice for pet owners looking for a small dog that didn’t shed.
The Australian shepherd began its life in California during the Gold Rush as a herding dog. This breed has roots in herding dogs from the Basque region of France and Spain from the 1500s. When sheep were imported from New Zealand and Australia, a variety of collie-type dogs came with the sheep, mixing with the rancher’s work dogs in California and eventually creating the Australian shepherd.
It should be noted that the designer aussiechon is typically bred to be a small companion breed like the bichon frise. So it was originally bred with a “miniature” Australian Shepherd. The AKC does not recognize a miniature Australian shepherd, but the miniature American shepherd is a smaller dog descended from the Aussie. It is likely that this is the real parent breed of the aussiechon due to the way the mixed breed has turned out.
Aussiechon Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight
In terms of size, the aussiechon is fairly small as it comes from miniature versions of the Australian ahepherd. They range in size from 10 to 18 inches at the shoulder. Also, they can weigh anywhere from 8 to 20 pounds.
They can be bi-colored or multi-colored. Some of the most striking aussiechons can be merle, which could be either red or blue. In addition, they can come in solid colors, including black, white, cream, brown, red, apricot, red merle, gray, blue merle, gray tuxedo, and others.
Another unique feature about this designer breed is that many of them have blue eyes, just like the Australian shepherd. Some can even have one blue and one brown eye.
Aussiechons are also known for their medium-length muzzle and floppy ears. In addition, they have soft, medium-to-long coats that are either straight or slightly curly. Further, multigenerational aussiechons are low-shedding, hypoallergenic dogs that will make your life easier if you have allergies. Keep in mind, however, that a first-generation aussiechon that inherits a coat like the Australian shepherd may be a heavy shedder and not hypoallergenic at all.
Aussiechon Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements
Next, let’s take a look at what it will be like for you to take care of an aussiechon.
Grooming Requirements
As a low-shedding dog, the aussiechon is a potentially good option for allergy sufferers. But they will need frequent brushing to keep their coats free of mats and tangles. However, if you’re looking for a breed that will require no professional grooming needs, this might not be the breed for you. Since they are part bichon frise, the aussiechon does require regular attention from a professional groomer to keep its coat looking clean and the skin healthy.
Aussiechons have a thick double coat that can be either wavy or curly. They shed very little, but it’s important to brush them once or twice per week to keep their coat in good condition. To bathe your aussiechon, use a gentle, hypoallergenic dog shampoo.
It is better to maintain their natural coat than to shave them down, as shaving can damage their undercoat.
You should also trim their nails about once a month to keep them from becoming overgrown.
Daily brushing with a gentle toothpaste and rubberized brush can help keep tartar at bay and prevent painful gum disease. While brushing their teeth is an important part of their oral hygiene routine, it’s also important to have your aussiechon’s teeth professionally cleaned by your vet or vet dental specialist at least once a year. This will help ensure that no tartar buildup or other dental issues go unnoticed.
Exercise Requirements
These dogs will seek out your attention and affection, and they’ll want to be involved in whatever you’re doing. They need a good amount of exercise, but their ideal activity level is “moderately active.”
Aussiechons need 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day to be happy. They can get this through a long walk or a jog. They also love to play games like fetch and catch, which are great ways for them and their owners to bond. Since they are active pups, setting aside time to play and exercise multiple times a day will help keep them settled.
The aussiechon also needs mental stimulation to keep from getting bored and into trouble. This is especially true when you’re away at work. Make sure you leave them a puzzle toy stuffed with treats so they can entertain themselves while you’re gone.
Space Requirements
Since aussiechons are moderately active, they’ll need a home to support their energy level. While they don’t require a lot of space, they need some room to move around. They make great pets for people who live in apartments or smaller spaces, as long as their parents can take them out for regular walks, jogs, and playtime.
They do need a little outdoorsy time, though, and once or twice a day in a local park is ideal. Taking them out for a walk and even on hikes is all great physical exercise. In addition to keeping them active to prevent them from becoming overweight, physical exercise will also provide mental stimulation and prevent them from becoming bored.
Aussiechon Temperament and Intelligence
Aussiechons are known for their outgoing personalities and a desire to socialize with new people and dogs. When they meet someone for the first time, they are likely to be friendly even if they lack social experience. However, adequate socialization as a puppy is always critical for their development.
Breeders consider aussiechons one of the most affectionate and loving mixed breeds. When they are with their owners, they love nothing more than smothering them with kisses and cuddles. Also, aussiechons are acutely attuned to their owners’ desires and needs making them great service dogs.
Unlike the bichon frise, the aussiechon does not require constant attention. As long as they’ve been fed well and exercised, they’ll be fine when left alone for longer periods. Because of their ancestry as herding dogs, they have an innate desire to please their owners.
Aussiechons are great with children and easily get along with other dogs. Not to mention, they are excellent family pets because they are devoted to their human companions.
In addition to being great therapy dogs, aussiechons are also excellent watchdogs. Intruders and unusual sounds will cause them to bark.
The aussiechon is extremely intelligent and naturally obedient, so they can be trained quickly if their handler is consistent. In addition, they’re very good at solving problems, even without much reward. They are usually easier to potty train than bichons. This goes hand in hand with their desire to please their owners, intelligence, and ability to respond positively to positive reinforcement.
In terms of socialization and command learning, aussiechons are among the fastest breeds to master new skills. They become even more sociable as a result of their quick acquisition of social skills.
Aussiechon Health and Lifespan
Aussiechons are generally healthy dogs, and they don’t appear to have inherited much of their parents’ health issues. However, it’s not unusual to notice the same general concerns you would for any other breed. This could include:
- Cataracts and eye issues
- Hypothyroidism
- Gastrointestinal disease
- Patellar luxation
- Diabetes
Some common health issues in aussiechons, such as dental disease, ear infections, and obesity, can be avoided or minimized. Taking good care of their teeth and ears, for example, can help reduce the likelihood of your dog developing dental or ear problems. Another way owners can prevent their dogs from becoming overweight is through regular exercise and carefully controlling their diet.
Breed, age, gender, and whether or not your dog has been neutered are all important factors determining your dog’s risk of developing these diseases. Unfortunately, some of these factors cannot be controlled by anyone, such as age, and sometimes there’s nothing you can do for your dog to avoid these diseases. For example, arthritis is a common health problem among senior dogs because they are older.
Aussiechons have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years on average because they are a smaller breed. However, their life expectancy can vary greatly, depending on the dog’s health and living conditions.
In general, an aussiechon well taken care of in a loving home can live up to 15 years or longer. They are a resilient breed, but a loving environment, good genetics, and a lot of attention are essential for a long and happy life.
Is Aussiechon the Right Breed for You?
There are numerous reasons why aussiechons are excellent breeds that will most likely be ideal for you and your family. Aussiechons are extremely intelligent and can be trained to do just about anything. The downside of this trait is that if you don’t train them well, they’ll train themselves, which will probably not go the way you want it to.
Unlike bichons frises, who can be a little independent and challenging to housetrain, aussiechons enjoy training and can quickly learn complex tricks. As a result, if you don’t have the time or patience to train your dog, an aussiechon is a good choice. Furthermore, you do not need to be an expert in dog training to teach them, making them ideal for new dog owners.
The aussiechon is an excellent choice for families with other pets when living with other animals. They will enjoy playing with your animals, whether a dog or a cat. You won’t have to worry about your dog’s well-being if you have rough and overly energetic children. Because aussiechons are moderately active, they can withstand children’s high energy. Still, as a small breed they need to be supervised with small children.
Designer aussiechons are known for being hypoallergenic and perfect for people with allergies. They have a low shedding coat that doesn’t cause allergic reactions in humans like some other breeds do. However, this is only true if they don’t inherit the Australian shepherd’s thick coat.
Due to their moderately active nature, they require more exercise than bichons frises. So, if you don’t have the time or ability to provide them with adequate exercise, getting an aussiechon isn’t a good idea. They require exercise to burn off any pent-up energy and stay healthy and entertained.
If they don’t get enough exercise, they may become destructive around the house. Because of this, both you and the dog may become frustrated and stressed.
Finally, mixed breeds aren’t recognized by the AKC. So if this is an important quality from a breed for you, it is probably better to get a bichon frise or an Australian shepherd than an aussiechon.
Summary
Although many pet owners are unfamiliar with mixed breeds, it is clear that an aussiechon is potentially an excellent pet. In many ways, you’re getting the best of both of the purebred parents’ traits in this crossbreeding situation. With many impressive and attractive qualities, they are hard to resist.
Whether you are looking for food for your dog or other pet supplies, Chewy.com has them all. Right now, they are even running a promotion where you get 40% OFF your first Instinct Raw Frozen autoship order.