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A bichon frise mix refers to a puppy whose parents are a bichon frise and another breed. In general, bichon crossbreeds inherit the fluffy coat of a bichon and are healthier than purebreds. If you are a fan of America’s most beloved breed, the Labrador retriever, and the apartment-friendly, puffy bichon, labrachons are the best of both worlds.
That said, this mixed breed is not as commonplace as some others for one simple reason – the labrador retriever is significantly larger than the bichon frise. As such, it is hard to have a natural crossbreed like this.
Below, we’ll discuss the two breeds, whether labrachons exist, and what other similar crossbreeds you may want to consider instead.
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Bichon Frise and Labrador Retriever: A Brief History
Bichons frises have a very long history that dates back to the 14th century. It is believed that one of the bichon’s ancestors is the Barbet, a water dog with a wooly appearance. The name “bichon” is derived from “Barbichon”, a reminder of its origins, and is now a family that includes the bichon frise, the Coton de Tulear, the Maltese, the Havanese, and the Bolognese. All of these similar breeds can be traced back to the Mediterranean area.
Labradors, or Labs, are one of the most beloved breeds in America. It is named after a territory, Labrador, next to Newfoundland, Canada. One of its ancestors, the St. John’s Dog breed, does not exist anymore today, but it is well-known for its swimming abilities. Local people bred this dog to help fishermen and hunters. Back in the 1800s, the dog was used to retrieve fish that escaped the nets or other items tossed in the water thanks to their amazing diving abilities. Nowadays, the lovely Labs are excellent family pets, although still ready to work and please their owners.
Does the Labrachon (Bichon Frise x Labrador Retriever) Exist?
There are many bichon frise crossbreeds nowadays, and a pup that gets the trait from two of the most beloved breeds in the world may conquer many hearts. Although some breeders or owners may claim that they have a labrachon mix, this is difficult to prove or verify.
A labrachon may be unlikely, and even not recommended, because of the physical differences between the two. A male Labrador can reach between 65 and 80 pounds in weight and up to 22.5-24.5 inches in height, while a mature bichon frise reaches half the height, and only 12-18 pounds.
Consequently, a labrachon is rare to find because the crossbreed must generally happen through artificial insemination. This procedure employs risks, including physical and psychological trauma, but some breeders use it nonetheless to create less common crossbreeds.
5 Alternatives to the Labrachon
Instead of getting a labrachon and promoting the unsafe practice, you should consider one of the below alternatives which may be a lot easier to find.
1. Goldichon
If you are keen on larger pups that are bred to be family protectors but you have a small dwelling, a goldichon may be a good alternative. However, just like the case of the labrachon, the breed is quite rare because it can only be achieved via artificial insemination due to physical differences between the breeds. That said, you might be able to find a second generation goldichon – a dog bred from two goldichons.
The goldichon typically combines the best traits of its parents – the size of the bichon with the energy level and intelligence of a golden retriever. Just as you’d expect from a bichon mix, they are quite high-maintenance in terms of grooming, are sociable and friendly, and don’t like to be left on their own for long periods of time. Both breeds are great with children and extremely patient, so they are a great choice if you have kids. However, the goldichon pup may not be fully aware of its size, and it can get injured quite easily.
2. Doxie Chon
If you’d like an alternative with a shorter, less fluffy coat, the doxie chon may be the best choice. It is a mix between a bichon frise and a dachshund, and generally retains the size of a bichon, but is more muscular and may come in a wide variety of colors, including black, brown, and tan. The Doxie Chon is easier to groom and maintain due to its wiry coat.
In terms of temperament, Doxie Chons may take after their dachshund parent – bold, adventurous, and with strong hunting skills. It may be highly loyal and protective, especially as bichons are also protective and warn you of potential danger.
This hybrid should have traits from both parents, so you need to keep in mind that doxie chons, just like bichons frises, will not enjoy being on their own for a long time. Also, both breeds are known for their stubbornness, so early training and socialization are important.
3. Chi Chon
The chi chon is a mix between bichon frise and chihuahua. Intelligent and playful, this crossbreed is typically smaller than a bichon, reaching 8-10 inches in height and about 4-10 pounds in weight at maturity, which makes it a toy breed.
The chi chon is a relatively new crossbreed, which means that there will be variation between pups. Most chi chons have a short muzzle, large eyes, and small triangle-shaped ears. In general, a chi chon should inherit the bichon frise’s fluffy, curly coat with minimal shedding. These pups are excellent for families with kids as they love to play, but they should be supervised because their small bodies can be easily injured.
4. Glechon
The glechon is a mix between beagle and bichon frise, and it is suitable if you’d like a medium-sized pup. Glechons are active, intelligent, and people-oriented. Similar to Labradors, beagles were bred to hunt, so they may not be the perfect choice if you have small pets at home, such as birds or cats.
Both bichons frises and beagles are quite stubborn and, even if they appear quite small and fluffy, they are very independent and highly active.
5. Corgi Bichon
The corgi bichon mix is also a relatively new crossbreed, so there is little information on the temperament and personality of this pup. What’s for sure is that the pup is loving and sociable, but may dart away at the first sight of a small animal – that’s because of the corgi’s hunting skills.
They should always be kept on a leash when outside; alternatively, they can be taken outdoors to play in a confined, safe place. With proper training, this pup can adapt to any living environment and any type of family, including those with kids.
Summary
Bichon frise crossbreeds are often a mystery as you cannot predict which traits will be inherited. In general, you can learn more about what temperament, health, and traits to expect by getting to know the parents. The adorable labrachon is a very rare breed because of the differences between the two dogs, but may still be possible via artificial insemination.
While this makes the breed very expensive, you can opt for one of the many more common bichon frise crossbreeds available nowadays and avoid promoting a fairly unsafe practice along the way.
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