Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix: All You Need to Know

Bichon World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This post may also contain other affiliate links and Bichon World might be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on them.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd MixThe bichon frise and the German shepherd are very different breeds. The puppy from these two smart, family-friendly parents can be quite surprising, as it is difficult or even impossible to predict which parent’s traits will be prevalent.

If you love both breeds, you can check out the following sections to know what you should expect from this adorable, smart, and protective bichon frise mixed breed.

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.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix History

The bichon frise is a small, fluffy dog with a curly, hypoallergenic coat. It belongs to the Barbichon family of pups, along with the Bolognese, Maltese, and Havanese. Its history points toward a wooly, large water dog, bred as a sailing dog. Despite the French name, the bichon frise is actually thought to have originated in Spain, in the Mediterranean region.

Initially, bichons were water dogs, but they quickly become popular with the wealthy royal European families, which pampered them and treated them as lap dogs. Nowadays, they are perfect companions for most households and are beloved for their cheerful personalities.

Although the German shepherd is now a dog known for its service to the military and the police, the dog was actually bred to herd sheep, as its name indicates.

In the United Kingdom, its name was changed to “Alsation” due to it being associated with the enemy after WWI. The name was changed back to German shepherd in 1977. Nowadays, the German shepherd is one of the most popular breeds in the U.S., and around the world.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight

A bichon frise mixed with a German shepherd is a hybrid dog most likely to be bred via artificial insemination or between a bichon frise male and a German shepherd female. This is because a small bichon frise female is less likely to safely carry the pregnancy and give birth to these pups.

Most German shepherd mixes are usually medium-sized.

Depending on which parent’s traits are inherited, the hybrids can be quite different, so it is difficult to predict what an adult mix will look like. The bichon frise is a small breed, measuring about 11.5 inches and 12-18 pounds, while the German shepherd dog is 26 inches tall and up to 90 lbs in weight.

The hybrid is likely to have a double coat, inherited from either of its parents. The German shepherd has a medium-length, wiry coat, while the bichon frise’s is curly and puffy.

One of the advantages of the bichon frise and German shepherd mix is that it may be the best of both worlds: bichon frise is a low shedder, while the German shepherd is a heavy shedder. The result pup may be a medium-shedder, so you still need to consider frequent grooming (about 2-3 times per week).

Regarding the color of its coat, the bichon frise is most often pure white, but some shades of cream and apricot may be present, too, especially during puppyhood. The hybrid’s coat may differ since the German shepherd’s coat can be black, tanned, black and red, black and cream, or black and silver.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements

In terms of maintenance, the hybrid’s coat will most likely shed more than a bichon’s, but may not need daily brushing as a bichon frise’s coat would. Most likely, twice or three times per week would be enough to keep shedding and mats under control. If the coat is curly, similar to a bichon’s coat, more brushing may be required to avoid tangles.

The bichon frise doesn’t require more than 30 minutes of activity per day and can be the perfect companion regardless of the size of your home. However, the mixed breed will most likely be more active and require more space than just its bichon frise parent.

A German shepherd and a bichon frise hybrid is not suitable for living outdoors or in a very small apartment. The hybrid is most likely to be a smaller dog, but it still may require a larger house, or a house with a garden to fulfill its activity and space needs.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix Temperament and Intelligence

Both breeds are smart, loyal, are very affectionate with their owners. The bichon frise German shepherd mix is very likely to be suitable for families with kids and other family pets as long as they are introduced to new people, animals, and experiences at a young age.

German shepherds are usually protective, so they need more socialization to welcome strangers. However, this makes them perfect guard dogs. The hybrid will definitely require socialization from puppyhood to ensure it grows into a well-rounded adult.

In terms of training, both breeds are smart, but bichons frises are known for their stubbornness, so the hybrid may be quite challenging to train. The pup will need a firm hand and a consistent plan with training split into short, entertaining sessions. Also, depending on whether it inherits these traits from its shepherd parent, the pup may have a strong prey drive. That said, training can decrease it.

Just like any other dog, a bichon frise and German shepherd mix will respond best to positive reinforcement and treats.

You need to be consistent and firm, so your pup knows who is the leader of the pack. If you are a first-time pet owner and not sure how to train a pup, it’s best to opt for professional training sessions to make sure your pooch has the right start in life and grows into a well-behaved, loyal companion.

Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix Health and Lifespan

In terms of health, the German shepherd and bichon frise mix is considered to be a healthy hybrid. It may tend to develop some of its parents’ problems, such as elbow and hip dysplasia, cataracts, or cardiomyopathy.

Most health issues develop later in the pup’s life, so regular vet appointments for general check-ups are a great way to ensure that any issue will be treated at an early stage. As a result, your pup has a high chance of living a long, healthy life.

One of the main advantages of a hybrid is that mixed pups are less likely to inherit genetic diseases that pure breeds are likely to develop. In general, a hybrid pup may outlive both of its parents: a bichon frise may live 12+ years, while a German shepherd up to 10 years only.

Larger breeds have shorter lifespans, so having a hybrid with a smaller parent may help extend this lifespan considerably. In addition to this, larger breeds tend to mature much slower than smaller breeds.

A bichon frise reaches full maturity at 1 year old, while the German shepherd at about 2-3 years old, depending on if it is a female or a male. As a result, your bichon and German shepherd pup may mature at a later stage, depending on which parent’s traits it inherits.

During puppyhood, you need to consider training and reinforcements to have a well-rounded mature dog. At the same time, until the pup is fully mature, it is not advisable to opt for intense activity, as its bones and joints are still developing, so intense activity could put pressure on its bone structure and lead to many health problems.

Another important aspect that impacts your puppy’s health and well-being is diet. Each dog is unique and has specific needs for nutrients and activity. The best thing you can do is team up with your vet, who can help you provide the right food in the right quantity.

Overfeeding or providing food that lacks nutrients can lead to many health issues and possibly cut its life short, so providing high-quality food in the right amounts is key to having a happy and healthy hybrid.

3 Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix Fun Facts

A bichon frise and German shepherd mix will inherit traits from both parents, so here are some fun facts about the hybrid that you might find interesting to know:

  1. German shepherds have a very strong smelling ability, so the hybrid may be easy to keep entertained with tracking activities.
  2. These hybrids may be very versatile, so they could be the right companion for just about any household and family.
  3. The mix may be quite protective, as both bichons and German shepherds are watchdogs. Thus, they could help protect the family against unwanted visitors, letting you know every time someone comes close.

Is Bichon Frise x German Shepherd Mix the Right Breed for You?

The bichon frise and German shepherd mix may be the best option if you love these breeds while reaching somewhat of a compromise between energy level, maintenance, and size. Just like any hybrid, estimating how exactly the hybrid pup will look and behave as an adult is quite difficult, if not impossible.

The key to having a healthy pup is to ensure that you choose a responsible breeder and schedule regular appointments with your vet. Bichon frise and German shepherd mixes may be suitable for just about any type of household and family, but early training and socialization are required, just like with any other breed.

Also, to ensure your pup has a long and healthy life, a proper diet and sufficient activity are required.

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.