Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix

The Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix, is a mixed breed dog resulting from breeding the Australian Shepherd and the Bichon Frise. Both of these dogs can be friendly but personalities differ, so you never know. The Aussie is known for being friendly, affectionate, and intelligent. All dogs need proper socialization and that will be a big factor in how they interact with others. What does this mixed breed look and act like? Is it more like the Australian Shepherd or the Bichon Frise? Those are the questions we will try and answer below. Continue reading below to see pictures, videos, and learn more about the beautiful Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix.

While we really recommend that you acquire all animals through a rescue, we understand that some people might go through a breeder to get their Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix puppy. That is, if they have any Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix puppies for sale.

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Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix History

All hybrid or designer dogs are tough to get a good read on as there isn’t much history to them. Breeding specific dogs like this has become common in the last twenty years or so even though I am sure that this mixed breed found it’s share of dogs to the shelter due to accidental breeding. We will take a closer look at the history of both parent breeds below. If you are looking at breeders for new, designer dogs please beware of Puppy Mills. These are places that mass produce puppies, specifically for profit and don’t care at all about the dogs. If you have a few minutes, please sign our petition to stop puppy mills.

Australian Shepherd History

The Australian Shepherd has a rather vague past and lineage. For this reason, it’s name is a bit misleading. The Aussie was actually called the following prior to it’s current name - Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, California Shepherd, and Australian Shepherd. There are a lot of folks who think that the breed originated from the Basque region in Spain where they were used by shepherds. The thought is that those shepherds emigrated to the West Coast of the United States via Australia and brought their dogs with them. While the origins aren’t totally agreed upon, there is agreement that it developed in western North America in the 19th and early 20th centuries. One theory as to where they got their name is that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded.
The Australian Shepherd isn’t as affected by altitude as much as other herding breeds so it became a well known and loved sheep herder in the Rocky Mountains. The original breeders were Ranchers in Boulder, Colorado, who then began to sell and distribute the dogs all over the West.
Back when dogs such as this were used primarily as working stock, shepherds were much more interested in dogs' working abilities than their appearance. As a result, over time, shepherds interbred dogs that they believed would produce better workers for the given climate and landscape. The landscape played a large role in how the dogs looked, In the eastern U.S., terrain and weather conditions were similar to that of Europe. Europe is where most of those breeds came from, so the existing breeds and their offspring worked well there.
However, different dogs were needed In the American West, as the conditions were much different from the East. Spanish flocks of sheep, known as the Churra were introduced for food. The shepherds brought over Spanish dogs that proved capable for their job in the wild and dangerous territory. These dogs were highly valued for their ability to herd and protect from predators on the open range. Selective breeding for many generations focused on aspects of the dog that enabled it to function as an effective stockdog in the American West. It had to handle severe weather; have plenty of speed, athleticism, energy, and endurance; and be intelligent, flexible, and independent; while remaining obedient.

Bichon Frise History

The Bichon Frise (French: “curly lap dog”) is Mediterranean in origin. Her early history can be viewed in certain paintings from the 1400s to the 1700s that show small white dogs nestled in the laps of noble or royal figures across Europe. Her visibility in the U.S. has grown over the years, and a 2013 survey by the American Kennel Club ranked the Bichon Frise at number 40 on its most-popular-dogs list. Many people know the Bichon as one of a small number of dogs that do not shed; this makes her an attractive choice for people allergic to pet dander. There are two reasons Bichons are considered suitable for people allergic to pet dander, the first being the curl of their coat, which prevents the release of allergens, and the second being the dog’s rigorous grooming regimen, which also keeps loose hair and dander from escaping the dog’s coat. When the Bichon is properly cared for, most people with sensitivities to pet allergens can successfully make her a part of the family. The Bichon Frise is one of many dogs descended from the Barbet, or French water dog. The Caniche, Poodle and Maltese share this ancestry. Several early varieties of the Bichon contributed to the evolution of the dog we know today.

She became quite a traveler in her early years, moving from the Mediterranean to Tenerife in the Canary Islands, and later to Italy and the rest of Europe.
For whatever reason, she became less popular with European royalty in the late 1900s and could be found roaming the streets or performing in circuses. But the years after World War I saw a resurgence of interest in the curly white dog, and in 1933 the French approved a breed standard for her.

Some American veterans of World War I brought Bichons back home with them, but their numbers eventually died out. It would be the mid-1950s before they would be seen on our shores again. Credit for their re-introduction goes to a French couple who brought with them six Bichons when they immigrated to the U.S. Other breeders saw their potential as well, and in 1964 the Bichon Frise Club of America was established.

In 1972 the AKC recognized the Bichon as an established breed, leaving them fully eligible for show participation in 1973.

Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix Size and Weight

Australian Shepherd
Height: 18 - 23 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 35 - 75 lb.
Lifespan: 13-15 years

Bichon Frise
Height: 9 - 12 inches at the shoulder
Weight: 10 - 20 lb.
Lifespan: 12 - 15 years

Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix Personality

The Australian Shepherd and the Bichon Frise are known for being courageous and protective. The Aussie is known for being intelligent, active, and protective. They are also very loving dogs. This dog will require a very strong and firm owner who makes sure to assert that they are the alpha and not the dog. They are cautious, yet non-threatening with strangers, and are affectionate towards family and children. Early socialization helps take care of any bad habits that could develop. She responds well to positive reinforcement, like all dogs. She should be rather affectionate and enjoy spending lots of time with you. Don’t plan on leaving her alone for long periods as he won’t do well alone. She wants to be with the “pack.”

Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix Health

All dogs have the potential to develop genetic health problems as all breeds are susceptible to some things more than others. However, the one positive thing about getting a puppy is that you can avoid this as much as possible. A breeder should absolutely offer a health guarantee on puppies. If they won’t do this, then look no more and don’t consider that breeder at all. A reputable breeder will be honest and open about health problems in the breed and the incidence with which they occur. We obviously recommend that you look for a reputable animal rescue in your area to find your new mixed breed. Health clearances prove that a dog has been tested for and cleared of a particular condition.

The Australian Shepherd mixed with the Bichon Frise might be prone to epilepsy, eye diseases, hip dysplasia, heart disease, allergies, among others.

Note that these are just common problems in both breeds.

Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix Care

What are the grooming requirements?

Even if you know the breed, sometimes it is hard to tell if it will be a heavy shedder or a light shedder. Either way, Get ready to invest in a good vacuum if you want to keep your floors clean! Give them baths as needed, but not so much that you dry out their skin.

What are the exercise requirements?

Plan on taking them for extremely long walks and hikes to keep their energy level down. This mix will more than likely have a high energy level. This exercise will keep them from being destructive. A tired dog is a good dog. A tired dog is a good dog though. Never tie your dog up outside - that is inhumane and not fair to him.

What are the training requirements?

This is an intelligent dog that will be a little bit challenging to train. They are going to want to take the alpha position and need someone with a firm, strong, hand that can let them know their place. The best thing you can do is break the sessions into shorter daily sessions to keep their attention span higher. It might have a prey drive and be disposed to running for and chasing small prey, but if handled properly this can be managed. All dogs respond best to positive reinforcement. So make sure to praise her when she does well. She is an intelligent dog who loves to please, and loves a physical challenge. The more exercise she gets the easier she will be to train. Proper socialization is imperative to all dogs and puppies. Make sure to take her to the park and doggy day care to get her around as many people and dogs as possible.

Australian Shepherd Bichon Frise Mix Feeding

"A lot of times diet is done on a per-dog basis. Each one is unique and has different dietary requirements. Most dogs in the U.S. are overweight. A mix like this one that is prone to hip and elbow dysplasia should really be on fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin supplements as soon as possible. A good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background.

Overfeeding any dog is not a good idea as that can really exacerbate health problems such as elbow and hip dysplasia.

I good diet to look into is Raw Food Diet. A raw food diet will be especially good for the Wolf background."

Australian Shepherd Links

Links to other breeds you might be interested in