How long does a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 13–15 years, the midpoint of the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years) and the Bichon Frise (14–15 years).

Is a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix easy to train?

Trainability is moderate to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix

A Australian Shepherd Bichon mix is a cross between a Australian Shepherd and a Bichon Frise. Most grow into medium-sized dogs of 25–40 lb and live 13–15 years.

Australian Shepherd, a purebred dog — Australian ShepherdPhoto: Christoph Aeschlimann, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Bichon Frise, a purebred dog — Bichon FrisePhoto: Heike Andres, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight25–40 lbcan be 12–65 lb

Height14–17 inat the shoulder

Lifespan13–15 years

SizeMedium-sized

How big does a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix get?

Australian Shepherd40–65 lb

The mix25–40 lb

Bichon Frise12–18 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 14–17 inches at the shoulder, against 18–23 in for the Australian Shepherd and 9.5–11.5 in for the Bichon Frise. The parents differ a lot in size, so litters vary more than usual. Breeders normally use the larger breed as the mother to keep whelping safe.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Very low to moderate

Bichon Frise has a low-shedding coat, so some puppies shed little. It is not guaranteed: coat type varies even within one litter, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic.

Energy

High

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Moderate to very high

The Australian Shepherd rates very high and the Bichon Frise moderate; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Low to very high

Brush a couple of times a week.

Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is usually described as smart, work-oriented, exuberant. The Bichon Frise as playful, curious, peppy. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

Australian Shepherd vs Bichon vs the mix

Trait	Australian Shepherd	Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix	Bichon Frise
Weight	40–65 lb	25–40 lb	12–18 lb
Height	18–23 in	14–17 in	9.5–11.5 in
Lifespan	12–15 yr	13–15 yr	14–15 yr
Shedding	moderate	very low to moderate	very low
Energy	high	high	moderate
Group	Herding	mixed	Non-Sporting

Questions about the Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix

How big does a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix get?: Most grow to 25–40 pounds and 14–17 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 12–65 pounds.
How long does a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 13–15 years, the midpoint of the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years) and the Bichon Frise (14–15 years).
Does a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix shed?: Shedding is very low to moderate. Bichon Frise has a low-shedding coat, so some puppies shed little. It is not guaranteed: coat type varies even within one litter, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic.
Is a Australian Shepherd Bichon Mix easy to train?: Trainability is moderate to very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other Australian Shepherd mixes

Other Bichon mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.