How long does a Golden Retriever Bichon Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 12–14 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the Bichon Frise (14–15 years).

Is a Golden Retriever 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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Golden Retriever Bichon Mix

A Golden Retriever Bichon mix is a cross between a Golden Retriever and a Bichon Frise. Most grow into medium-sized dogs of 35–45 lb and live 12–14 years.

Golden Retriever, a purebred dog — Golden RetrieverPhoto: Janneke Vreugdenhil, derivative work by Anka Friedrich, Public domain, 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.

Weight35–45 lbcan be 12–75 lb

Height16–18 inat the shoulder

Lifespan12–14 years

SizeMedium-sized

How big does a Golden Retriever Bichon Mix get?

Golden Retriever55–75 lb

The mix35–45 lb

Bichon Frise12–18 lb

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

Height runs 16–18 inches at the shoulder, against 21.5–24 in for the Golden Retriever 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

Moderate to very 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever is usually described as friendly, intelligent, devoted. 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.

Golden Retriever vs Bichon vs the mix

Trait	Golden Retriever	Golden Retriever Bichon Mix	Bichon Frise
Weight	55–75 lb	35–45 lb	12–18 lb
Height	21.5–24 in	16–18 in	9.5–11.5 in
Lifespan	10–12 yr	12–14 yr	14–15 yr
Shedding	moderate	very low to moderate	very low
Energy	very high	moderate to very high	moderate
Group	Sporting	mixed	Non-Sporting

Questions about the Golden Retriever Bichon Mix

How big does a Golden Retriever Bichon Mix get?: Most grow to 35–45 pounds and 16–18 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 12–75 pounds.
How long does a Golden Retriever Bichon Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 12–14 years, the midpoint of the Golden Retriever (10–12 years) and the Bichon Frise (14–15 years).
Does a Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever mixes

Other Bichon mixes

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