Teddy bear dogs are incredibly popular among dog owners – and it’s not difficult to see why! These dogs have curly coats, button noses, and large round eyes.
They have loving temperaments yet are still playful and loyal lap dogs.
But there are so many teddy bear dogs to choose from! How will you decide?
The Bichon Frise and Cavapoos are some of the most popular doodle dogs. Both are amazing pets in their own right, but there are some major differences between them.
Bichon Frises are better suited to inactive owners as they are the less active of the two. However, they tend to have higher grooming requirements. Both of these dogs are friendly, loyal, and love a cuddle. They can both suffer from separation anxiety, and the Cavapoo tends to be easier to train than the Bichon Frise.
Today we’re comparing the Bichon Frise and Cavapoo to help you choose which breed is best to welcome into your family.
Breed History
Both the Cavapoo and Bichon Frise have extensive histories with royalty. The Cavapoo is a mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Miniature Poodle.
The Cavalier dates back to the Roman Empire. They were loved by many and used as lap dogs for noble families.
They got their full name from King Charles II, who reportedly loved the breed enough to rename them.
The Poodle originated in Germany as water hunters, but they were quickly introduced to France to be used as lap dogs by the royal family.
They were so beloved that they were made the national dog of France!
Cavapoos were bred much more recently in the 1990s, in Australia.
The Bichon Frise is a purebred dog but is believed to have originated from Poodle descent.
The first recorded Bichon Frise dates back to the 14th century in the Canary Islands. However, these adorable dogs were quickly brought to Europe to be used as lap dogs.
Bichon Frises are very happy, loyal dogs. They are excellent companion dogs, even being hailed as a sailors’ favorite breed.
Appearance
Cavapoos are mixed breed dogs, so their appearance can differ much more greatly than that of the Bichon Frise.
The Cavapoo’s appearance will depend on their parents and which traits they inherit from each.
For example, some Cavapoos can inherit the Poodle’s curly coat or the Cavalier’s straight coat. Their size will depend on how large or small the parents are, as Poodles can vary greatly in size.
Bichon Frises only reach between 9 and 11 inches in height and between 11 and 18 pounds.
This breed is known for its signature white coat, while the Cavapoo can come in various colors such as black, apricot, gray, and more.
Bichon Frises also have very curly double coats, and it’s incredibly rare to see a straight-haired Bichon.
Overall, there is much more chance for variation in appearance for a Cavapoo, whereas Bichon Frises almost always have the same main features.
Personality
Both of these dogs are very social and cheerful, and they’re praised for their intelligence.
Their temperament is what makes them such great pets – and why they’re so loved by owners. They love playing with their owners and always want to spend time with you.
However, Bichon Frises are less active than Cavapoos. The former is more suited to inactive owners that have less time to go on walks with their dogs.
Most Bichon Frises will prefer a cuddle on the couch to a long walk in the park.
A Cavapoo, on the other hand, loves to run around constantly. They have plenty of energy, so you’ll need to keep up with this, taking them for at least two walks a day.
Cavapoos require between 45 and 60 minutes of exercise each day, while a Bichon Frise will be happy with 30 minutes a day.
Both breeds are prone to separation anxiety, so they might not be the best breeds for busy people.
If you are going to be out of the house for many hours at a time, we suggest you enlist the help of a dog walker or sitter who can come and spend some time with your dog. For other tips on how to train your Cavapoo to be alone, check out our blog post.
They’re both prone to barking as well, so they work well as watchdogs. They’re not aggressive, though, so they should not be used as guard dogs.
Their barking tendencies might make them not the best dogs for apartment living.
Trainability
Every dog needs to be trained properly to blend into your family well. You’ll need to teach them to use the bathroom outside, minimize barking, and listen to your commands.
Luckily, as both these dogs have Poodle ancestors, they are incredibly smart breeds.
Cavapoos and Bichon Frises are both known for their people-pleasing tendencies, which often makes training easier.
They are also eager to learn, so you often won’t find them ignoring your commands.
However, dog training is difficult with any dog breed. You need to be patient and consistent, and make sure you only use positive reinforcement.
Both of these breeds respond well to positive reinforcement and badly to negative words. So, ignore the bad behaviors and reward the good.
This will help your dog understand what they should be doing to get a treat or a head rub.
These dogs might be intelligent, but this can also pose the risk of stubbornness. If your Cavapoo or Bichon Frise think they know better than you, they might show their stubborn side.
Luckily, this can be trained away by letting your dog know that you are Top Dog through positive reinforcement.
Grooming
Both Cavapoos and Bichon Frises have double coats, meaning they are low shedders and considered hypoallergenic.
This is great for allergy sufferers who are sensitive to pet dander. However, it does mean that their grooming needs are more extensive.
Bichon Frise dogs will need to be brushed every two to three days to avoid tangles and mats. If left untreated, mats can cause skin irritation and even infections, which can be painful for your pup.
Cavapoos, if they have the curly coat of their Poodle parent, will need to be brushed just as much.
However, if the Cavapoo has a wavy or straight coat, it won’t need to be brushed as much. This means that the Cavapoo has the potential to be less demanding when it comes to grooming.
Both of these breeds should be washed and trimmed every six to eight weeks, and this is easiest done by a professional groomer.
We would recommend booking them every 1 to 2 months for a full bath, trim, and nail clip.
Bichon Frises are more likely to have hair growing into their eyes, although this can also be present in Cavapoos. Overgrown hair in their eyes can lead to infection and pain, so it is vital that you keep the hair around their faces trimmed.
If you are looking for a breed with low-shedding hair, then check out our guide to the top hypoallergenic dogs.
Health Issues
The Bichon Frise can suffer from a number of joint issues, such as Patellar Luxation and Hip Dysplasia. They are also prone to Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease and eye issues.
Small dogs can also be more susceptible to dental issues due to the smaller jaw leading to overcrowding.
Cavapoos are often considered to be the healthier dog because they are crossbred.
Mixed-breed dogs tend to suffer from fewer ailments because there is only a 50% chance they will inherit the same illnesses as their parents. This is known as hybrid vigor.
However, Cavapoos are still prone to some health issues, like Mitral Valve Dysplasia and Patellar Luxation. Minor health issues include Entropion and Cataracts.
For an overview of Doodle health issues and diseases, check out our informative guide.
Bichon Frise Vs. Cavapoos – Which Is The Right Breed For You?
The Bichon Frise and Cavapoo are similar breeds, so if you want a small dog with a big personality, these are good breeds to choose from.
The main difference between these two breeds is their exercise needs.
Bichon Frises are one of the most popular breeds when looking for a lap dog, so they might be best for seniors who aren’t very active. They’re also good family dogs for busy professionals.
However, Cavapoos are better suited for people with more time on their hands for walks and trips to the dog park.
Many owners report that the Cavapoo is the more adaptable of these two breeds, so they tend to be easier to train.
If you spend many hours a day away from home without any support that can come and check on your dog for you, we suggest neither of these breeds.
They are both prone to separation anxiety and need an owner who can spend lots of time with them.
Both of these dogs are small enough to live in either apartments or houses – just be mindful of your neighbors with the barking!
Summary
Thanks for reading our guide on Cavapoos vs Bichon Frises! Both of these dogs are lovely pets to keep, but each will work better for different owners.
Make sure you do plenty of research before deciding the best breed for you.
Good luck, and enjoy your new family member!
