Doxie-Chon (Bichon Frise x Dachshund Mix): All You Need to Know

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Doxie-Chon (Bichon Frise x Dachshund Mix)While we all love the iconic bichon frise, mixed breeds can sometimes be easier to find or adopt, and they all come with their own charms. One heart melting crossbreed is the doxie-chon, or the dachshund bichon frise mix.

While the exact traits of the doxie-chon are infinitely variable, this alert and feisty little designer dog makes both a perfect companion and reliable watchdog.

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Doxie-Chon (Bichon Frise x Dachshund Mix) History

The doxie-chon originated at the end of the 20th century. Its increasing popularity is a result of new breeds being in higher demand as designer dogs are becoming more popular. As a rare crossbreed, however, doxie-chon’s is really the history of its two parent breeds.

Both have fascinating lineages with very different origins.

 

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Bichon Frise

Bichon FriseThe bichon frise traces its early lineage to the Canary Islands. The precursor bichon is the ancestor of the frise, the Maltese, the Havanese, and the bolognese. These breeds differentiated during the popularity boom of ‘the little white dog.’ They were very popular among European nobility since the 13th century.

The bichon frise’s popularity in the royal courts of Italy, Spain, and France cemented their status, and in the 16th century, they all but possessed King Henry III’s court. Today the bichon still enjoys its iconic statues. Their intelligence gained them prestige among competitive breeders and dog show enthusiasts.

Dachshund

DachshundThe fascinating history of the dachshund is pretty straightforward by comparison. They trace their origins to Germany. Their role was right in the name, ‘dach’ means badger, since the dachshund hunted badgers.

Three types of dachshund were bred, differentiated by their coats that came as short, wire, or longhaired forms. You can also get the miniature dachshund or the standard size, although both are considered small dogs.

Today the dachshund is primarily kept as a companion dog but still loves to dig and is fantastic at earthdog trials.

Doxie-Chon Appearance, Coat, Size, and Weight

There is no formal description or breed standard for the doxie-chon. As a mixed breed, they are not officially recognized. That means that their characteristics can vary. In addition, there is no formula for breeding most crossbreeds, and the genetic dice can land anywhere on a spectrum between the parent breeds.

The dachshund’s genes that account for their length seem relatively dominant. As a result, most doxie-chons have a notably long midsection with shortened legs. Ideally, one hopes to see some of the bichon frise coat on the doxie-chon, although it is not always guaranteed.

Other traits that vary depending on their mix and ratio of genetics are:

  • Their paw size
  • Coat characteristics (depending on the type of dachshund in the mix)
  • Facial features
  • Body size
  • The color of their coats

Weight

The doxie-chon comes in two sizes, depending on the dachshund parent.

The offspring of a small dachshund typically measures 5 to 8 inches. This smaller doxie-chon weighs no more than 11 pounds. The larger, standard doxie produces a doxie-chon measuring between 10 and 12 inches. These are the more common of the two and weigh in at 16 to 21 pounds.

Occasionally a doxie-chon pup will have a few surprises up its sleeve and grow into a less common combination of the parent breed’s physical characteristics.

Physical Traits

What would you get if you dressed your dachshund up as a bichon frise? That is what you get with most doxie-chons.

They generally share their build and features with the dachshund, while the bichon frise parentage is more prominent in their coat. The doxie-chon also shares the bichon’s shorter snout and rounded face and have pendulous, rectangular ears. Furthermore, the dachshund comes in two distinct sizes, small and medium. This, as mentioned earlier, directly impacts the size of the resulting doxie-chon.

Coat

The coat depends on the type of dachshund in the crossing. There are three different kinds: the long-hair, the short-hair, and the wiry-hair dachshund.

In general, the long-hair dachshund produces a doxie-chon with a medium-length, curly coat. The wiry doxie produces a shorter-haired, wiry doxie-chon. Finally, the short-hair dachshund produces a short- to medium-hair doxie-chon with fine, soft fur.

The doxie-chon sports a more manageable coat, whereas the bichon frise has a remarkably dense, fluffy double coat. As a result, it is very soft but not as fine as the bichon’s, making it less prone to matting.

The doxie-chon coat can be any color or combination of colors, although they are often white, tan, or buff and can be bi or tri-colored

Doxie-Chon Maintenance, Activity, and Space Requirements

Next, let’s take a look at how much of a work it is to keep a doxie-chon.

Maintenance

It is easier to maintain the coat of an average doxie-chon than it is of a purebred bichon frise. Their shorter coat requires minimum effort in terms of grooming. A brushing every couple of days and a bath when needed will be enough. The more like a dachshund your doxie-chon, the easier grooming should be.

The bichon rests its fluffy laurels comfortably on the other end of the spectrum. As a result, a doxie-chon with a coat more like that of the bichon will require more attention in the grooming department. Long-haired dachshund parents will also demand more grooming and coat maintenance.

Exercise

The amount of exercise a doxie-chon needs varies greatly. The first consideration is their size.

The smaller doxie-chons need very little physical exercise. They can even meet their exercise needs through play and they shouldn’t need more than two 15 minute walks a day. The main reason to take them out on a walk is for them to get out into the world. So be prepared to pick them up and carry them for stretches, even on a short route.

It can be trickier to find the exercise sweet spot for the standard doxie-chon. Neither parent breed is considered a high-energy dog, but the average dachshund is a bit more active than the average bichon frise. It is a difference that can get passed on to a doxie-chon.

A twenty to thirty-minute walk should be plenty, if not too much, as a rule of thumb. The best way to tell is by observing your doxie-chon when you get back from a walk. With their exercise needs met, a dog is calm and will find a comfortable spot to rest. However, if your pup is still bouncing off the walls, incrementally add more time to their daily walk until you see a change.

Space Requirements

As small dogs, doxie-chons don’t require a tremendous amount of space. That said, they have their ancestral hunting instinct, and they will get bored if they don’t get out enough. The doxie-chon is also a very intelligent breed. They adapt to small living spaces as long as they get a daily walk outside and have enough stimulation to keep their minds busy at home.

Depending on the size of your doxie-chon, you may need to take a couple of safety precautions around your home. For example, a small doxie-chon could get hurt jumping off a couch. They might also get stuck in small spaces.

Doxie-Chon Temperament and Intelligence

The doxie-chon is often a brave little dog. So brave that it is constantly at risk of biting off more than it can chew. They are protective and will defend themself and their family at any cost. As with many smaller breeds, they can seem unaware of their diminutive stature when engaging much bigger dogs.

This mixed breed may be a menace to any smaller animals. They will fixate on catching mice and small pets, like hamsters, should they come across any. Dachshunds are ultimately hunters deep down and they love to chase and dig.

The doxie-chon is also very intelligent, alert, and sensitive to their surroundings. It is also a companionable dog that is protective of its owner. But, unfortunately, they are also inclined to develop separation anxiety. Their separation anxiety can become so bad that they cannot spend a brief period alone.

Most owners report that the doxie-chon is easy to train, which isn’t surprising. Its parent breeds are fast learners and show above-average intelligence. The doxie-chon will likely be intelligent, no matter the prominent genes. Unfortunately, that does not mean the same thing as ‘easy to train.’ That same intelligence can become a problem as they learn ways to get out of doing anything they don’t want to.

Doxie-chons are friendly and can get on well with new faces and other pets with proper socialization.

Doxie-Chon Health and Lifespan

As is the case for all hybrid dog breeds, the doxie-chon benefits from the genetic diversity that comes with being a crossbreed. There are some ailments that they are less likely to experience than their purebred parents might. That said, they remain susceptible to any of the genetic disorders that the parent breeds might face.

The primary concerns are back problems, eye problems (cataracts), hip dysplasia, skin problems, hyperadrenocorticism, allergies, patellar luxation, and obesity. The parent dogs are the best indicators of any of these potential health risks. Both the bichon frise and dachshund can develop diabetes with age, and so their weight and a healthy diet are mandatory from puppyhood.

The doxie-chon will be fine on a regular diet designed for medium energy small breeds, but when it comes to getting a diet right, you should consult your vet and ask for updated recommendations as your doxie-chon ages.

The average lifespan of the doxie-chon is 12 to 15 years.

Is Doxie-Chon the Right Breed for You?

The doxie-chon brings together the best of both parent breeds. But, unfortunately, there is no way to determine which parent species it will be the most like. There are common traits that you are likely to encounter, however.

Most importantly, a couple of traits most common to the breed might not work with your lifestyle.

The doxie-chon is very clever. Therefore, they will be well suited to any owner looking for a breed of dog capable of mastering advanced training techniques in professional hands.

The drawback of owning highly intelligent dogs is that they risk engaging in negative behavior like excessive barking if they feel understimulated. For this reason, the doxie-chon is better suited to owners who have the time to play with and entertain their dogs.

The doxie-chon is not well suited to spending a lot of time home alone. They sometimes fare better if they have other animals around for companionship. However, they will likely become very attached to their owner, and no other person or pet will placate them.

If you have a busy schedule and can’t take your dog with you everywhere you go, the doxie-chon runs a higher risk of struggling with severe separation anxiety like that of its bichon parent.

It is better that any children in the household are older, especially if the doxie-chon is a very small dog. In these cases, interactions with kids should be supervised to avoid accidents.

Summary

The doxie-chon is an adorable cross between the beloved dachshund and the iconic bichon frise. The resulting puppy can have any ratio of the characteristics of either parent breed. They come in two sizes, depending on the size of the dachshund parent, and live for 12 to 15 years. They make for good companion animals.

Both parent breeds are highly intelligent, so it comes as no surprise that the doxie-chon is a very clever pup. They can be difficult to train but usually succeed, even at advanced training under professional supervision.

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