If you like small dogs who are low maintenance and who don't shed much, then the Chonzer is the dog for you.
This cross between a Bichon Frise and a Miniature Schnauzer is kind, protective, and a social butterfly.
Chonzer Temperament and Personality
In addition to being a lovable charmer, the Chonzer is also a loyal, devoted dog. He loves nothing more than to have heaps of attention lavished upon him.
The Chonzer is a lap dog – and a very happy one at that. Though, he can become clingy and jealous of children and other animals. You may have to nip his insecurity in the bud.
He is also very independent, but he can suffer from separation anxiety and lash out if left alone for long periods of time.
This means you'll need to keep him crated, else your furniture and other household items may suffer his anxious wrath.
The Chonzer is pretty active. No surprise for a small dog. So you may need to walk him at least twice a day to help him get all of that excess energy out.
He is okay with living in an apartment, so long as he gets those daily walks. Else, he may get cabin fever and take it out on your belongings.
He loves to be active, but he also loves his downtime. This means that he may be up for a quick game of fetch if you want to take him to the park. Otherwise he may say “no, thanks” and settle in for a nap instead.
Training the Chonzer
Compared to other breeds, the Chonzer is relatively easy to train.
- He loves to make you happy, and he's a good listener
- And he will generally learn new things quicker than other dogs.
Of course, you will still want to keep up the typical training regimen. This includes consistency, firmness when necessary, and praise and treats for a job well done.
When training your Chonzer if he's more interested in what's behind you, then you should move his training session.
A location with fewer distractions is best.
Another way to keep him focused is to keep the training sessions short. The longer they are, the more likely he will get bored and want to move on to something more exciting.
It is also crucial that the Chonzer gets some time to socialize with other animals. The best way to do this is to take him to the local dog park and let him get to know everyone there – people, too.
The more socialized your Chonzer, by getting him accustomed to other dogs and people the more manageable he will be.
He will be less defensive in the presence of others and make your time together less stressful and more enjoyable.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Chonzer dog
Grooming the Chonzer
Even keeping a Chonzer clean requires less work than some other breeds do. Just make sure to keep his eyes and ears clean, else build-up will occur.
This can be as simple as quickly rubbing a cotton swab over the areas to gather up the discharge.
The Chonzer's coat is interesting. If you choose to shave your Chonzer, the coat underneath will be baby-soft. It also tends to be a lighter gray than its darker topcoat, with some even being white.
Depending on how you want your Chonzer's coat to look, you may not need to visit a professional groomer.
If you choose to keep your Chonzer's coat short, his coat will more closely resemble that of his Bichon parent. A longer coat will more closely resemble his Miniature Schnauzer parent.
Some Chonzer owners prefer to keep their dogs' coats short simply because the longer they get, the messier they can look.
You should brush your Chonzer's teeth about two or three times a week.
You should also take him to have his nails clipped only if he does not naturally wear them down over time.
As far as Chonzer colors go, he is typically salt-and-pepper-colored, though the white parts of his fur may turn gray as he gets older.
Some people love the Chonzer because he is “hypoallergenic,” or causes less of an allergic reaction than some other breeds might. However, no dog is truly allergen-free, so spend some time with the pup you want to see if you develop a reaction.
Health Concerns of the Chonzer
All in, there's not too much to worry about insofar as the health concerns normally associated with the bichon schnauzer mix. Probably the biggest things you may run into are ear infections, bladder stones, and allergies.
With regard to allergies, if you find your Chonzer is suffering from skin allergies, in particular, this can often be cured by way of upgrading to a higher quality food.
Some Chonzers suffer from hip dysplasia, muscle issues, and issues with the blood, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand disease, which is another kind of clotting disorder.
Also, some Chonzers may suffer from Epilepsy.
The lifespan of an otherwise healthy Chonzer is between 10 and 13 years.
The average weight of a Chonzer is between 25 and 35 lbs., so be sure to stick to his recommended diet so he does not become overweight.
The average height of a Chonzer is between 10 and 16 inches tall.
Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your Spitz friend will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.
Exercise
Chonzers have a moderate energy level, but they do not require as much exercise as their Miniature Schnauzer relatives do.
A 20-minute walk each day should be enough to satisfy your Chonzer.
The Chonzer does well at the dog park, so feel free to bring him regularly so he can socialize with both dogs and other people.
Finding the Perfect Chonzer
If you've decided that you'd like to add a Chonzer puppy to your family, you may be wondering where you might be able to find one.
You can find a Chonzer for sale from a breeder who specializes in developing the mix. You may also be able to find a Chonzer at your local adoption agency.
Chonzer Puppies for Sale
The typical Chonzer price is between $300 and $500.
The price of a Chonzer varies, depending on where you get him from.
If you're looking to save money by adopting a Chonzer, rather than buying one from a breeder, remember that you are only saving on the cost of the dog.
You still have to budget for things like toys, food, and vet checkups – not to mention tucking money away for a rainy day in the event of a medical emergency.
However, in some areas the adoption fee is about equivalent to the price you would pay for a Chonzer from a breeder. The slight advantage to adoption in this case is that you get to provide a warm and loving home to a dog who might not have enjoyed one otherwise.
Chonzer Adoption and Rescue
If you want to adopt a Chonzer puppy, you may find you have luck with your local animal shelter. That's because people are more likely to drop off mixed breeds than the purebreds they paid thousands of dollars for.
Of course, this is not fair to the dog, who deserves a loving family just as much as a purebred does. That's where you come in – the loving, loyal soon-to-be owner of a Chonzer who needs a home.
Adoptions come with many benefits. Typically, dogs who are up for adoption are also older. This means no more worries about destructive chewing or peeing on the carpet.
However, the downside to adopting a shelter dog is that, depending on how long he was in the shelter, he may have picked up some bad habits. For instance, he may have food aggression because he was worried where his next meal would come from.
You can try to combat these bad behaviors by bringing your dog to a professional trainer or obedience class. The longer he lived in the shelter, the harder his bad habits may be to break.
Another factor is whether he received any training at all as a younger pup. If he did, that makes your lives easier, but if he didn't, then you have to accept that you're basically starting from scratch with an older dog. The training may not stick, so you may have to make accommodations for that.
Chonzer Breeders
When it comes to mixed breeds, you have to be even more careful than normal when you select a breeder. This is because you want to make sure you get a “First-Generation” mix.
When breeders breed mixed breeds with other dogs, this dilutes the properties of the dog's offspring. As a result, mixed breeds who are not First-Generation mixes tend to have more health problems than First-Generation mixes do.
In addition to this, you must make sure that the dog you're buying is a mix of Minature Schnauzer and Bichon Frise. Any other mix is a rip-off. The breeder should be able to provide documentation of the dog's lineage as proof.
If you're unsure of where to look, start by researching the Chonzer in your local area and selecting a few of the breeders. Then, take your research further by Googling the breeders you find to see what people have to say about them.
Of course, the standard rules still apply. You still want to inspect the premises to make sure the breeder isn't engaging in any funny business. Make sure the pups have enough space to run and play, and that they aren't living in dirty or dangerous conditions.
You should also pay close attention to the parents of the dog you're interested in. If the parents show undesirable personality or temperament traits, like aggression, it is more likely that the pup you're interested in may have those traits too.
A Final Word about the Chonzer
Compared to other small dog breeds, the Chonzer is fairly easygoing and is just as lovable.
Training him may not be as difficult as training other dogs.
He doesn't have a lot of health concerns, and those he may succumb to can be monitored and controlled.
He is a loyal charmer, and he doesn't mind living in an apartment, so long as he gets his daily walks.
The Chonzer is a great little dog for those who want a small dog but who don't want to deal with a high-maintenance diva.
More Bichon Frise Mix-breeds
If you did not find what you looking for maybe our article on the Top Bichon Frise Mix will answer your question. Or you can check out each Bichon mix directly by clicking on the links below:
- The Bichpoo – Bichon Frise Poodle Mix
- The Shichon – Bichon Frise Shih Tzu Mix
- The Maltichon – Bichon Frise Maltese Mix
- The Yorkie Bichon – Bichon Frise Yorkie Mix
- The Chi Chon – Bichon Frise Chihuahua Mix
- The Kashon – Bichon Frise Cairn Terrier Mix
- The Goldichon – Bichon Frise Golden Retriever Mix
- The Glechon – Bichon Frise Beagle Mix
- The Corgi Bichon – Bichon Frise Corgi Mix
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.