Side by side
Put a few breeds side by side before you make up your mind.
Pick up to four. The URL updates as you go, so you can send this comparison to whoever you are arguing with.
| Breed |  Bichon Frise |  Cockapoo |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | France and Belgium | United States, popularised in the United Kingdom |
| Group | Toy | Crossbreed |
| Size | Small | Small to Medium |
| Coat | Dense, curly, white coat with a soft undercoat | Variable, from loose waves to tight curls to a flatter spaniel type coat |
| Weight | 3 to 6 kg | 4.5 to 11 kg |
| Height | 23 to 30 cm | 25 to 38 cm |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 yrs | 12 to 15 yrs |
| Exercise need | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Affection | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Grooming needs | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Barking | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Good with children | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Good with other dogs | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Trainability | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Prey drive | 2/10 | 4/10 |
| Copes alone | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Drool | 1/10 | 1/10 |
| Shedding | 2/10 | 3/10 |
| Flat fit | 8/10 | 6/10 |
| Running cost | €81 / month | €163 / month |
Bichon Frise verdict
A cheerful, curly coated companion bred purely to be good company, and happiest never left alone for long.
Get one if
- · Owners who can offer consistent daily company rather than long stretches alone
- · People happy to commit to frequent brushing and regular professional grooming
- · Families with children who can play gently with a small dog
Think again if
- · Owners who are regularly out of the house for long working days
- · Anyone hoping grooming will be occasional rather than a weekly commitment
- · People relying on the breed being fully allergy proof without testing their own reaction first
Cockapoo verdict
An affectionate Cocker Spaniel and Poodle cross where coat, size and energy vary litter to litter, so no two Cockapoos are quite alike.
Get one if
- · Owners wanting an affectionate, people focused companion that bonds closely with the family
- · Households able to commit to regular professional grooming regardless of coat type
- · Families realistic that allergy friendliness is a possibility rather than a certainty
Think again if
- · Anyone choosing a Cockapoo purely to avoid grooming costs
- · Allergy sufferers relying on reputation alone rather than testing their own reaction first
- · Households that cannot offer much daily company or structured alone training