Frenchie Doodles are mixed breed or hybrid dogs obtained by crossing French Bulldogs and miniature or toy Poodles. This unique hybrid dog exhibits the traits of both the parent dog breeds.
Are you looking to add a Frenchie Boodle to your household? Want to know the characteristics of this cute puppy? Then read on, this guide has all the information you need.
French Bulldog Poodle Cross
The Frenchie Doodle is a result of crossing a Poodle with a French Bulldog. They are also known as French Boodles, Frenchie Boodles, Frenchipoos, and Frenchie Doodles (or Frenchiedoodles).
To learn about the origins of this sweet hybrid dog, let us check out some fun facts about the parent dog breeds.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog may have originated in England and not in France as its name indicates. Lace makers in England wanted small dogs that would sit on their laps and keep them warm while they worked in the cold factories. That is how the French Bulldog was born!
Frenchie (as French Bulldogs are fondly known) are mainly bred to be house companions. They are slow to be housebroken but they get along well with other house pets and do not need too much exercise. Frenchie cannot swim and are brachycephalic – which means they have squashed in noses. Due to this reason, many airlines will not allow them to fly in aeroplanes and nor should they get overheated or exhausted. The breed is known to have two types of ears – unique bat-shaped ears or rose-ears. Today, breeders mainly breed Frenchies with bat ears.
Poodles
Poodles are one of the smartest dog breeds today – they are included in the world’s smartest dog breeds alongside the Border Collie and German Shepherd.
Unlike French Bulldogs, Poodles are easy to train and this trait along with their low-shedding coat makes them one of the most popular dog breeds today. Poodles were first bred in Germany to help in retrieving waterfowl for hunters.
Apart from their unique “poodle haircut”, Poodles are also famous for their low-shedding, hypoallergenic coats.
Today, Poodles are available in three sizes: standard, toy, and miniature and all three sizes are recognised by the American Kennel Club and Australian National Kennel Council.
Origin of the Frenchie Doodle
The origin of Frenchie Doodles or Frenchie poos is somewhat murky. No one can say for sure when the first Frenchie poo was developed. Since there is no canine club that registers hybrid dogs like Frenchie Boodles, there are no records of any Frenchiedoodle puppies. (Some hybrid dog clubs do maintain these registries – e.g., the ACHC.)
In general, Doodle dog breeds (hybrid dogs having one Poodle parent) became extremely popular in the 2000s. This was the time when more and more potential dog parents wanted small, easy-to-train, and hypoallergenic dogs. The French Boodle has most of these characteristics making them quite popular with Doodle fanciers.
The French Bulldog is generally a calm companion, whereas the Poodle can be quite demanding and high energy. Like the English Boodle, this makes the Frenchie Boodle a sweet-natured poodle crossbreed that isn’t too hyperactive.
Physical Traits – How Big will a French Bulldog-Poodle Mix Puppy Get?
There is no standardisation in the height and weight of French Boodles. These aspects depend entirely on complex canine genetics and especially on the Poodle parent used in the breeding program. Some breeders use Miniature or Toy Poodle Studs or breeding females for mixing with a French Bulldog to create small to mini sized French Boodles. In general, French Boodles measure between 12 and 15 inches (30-38 cm) and weigh about 16-25 lb. (7 to 11kg).
The coat colours are also not standard in this hybrid dog. However, you can expect colours like white, black, fawn, brindle, blue, merle, red, cream, lilac, phantom etc. which are seen in the parent breeds.
Some French Boodles develop the Frenchie’s bat-shaped ears along with the characteristic black mask and brachycephalic (snub-noses) snouts. Others develop the Poodle’s long floppy ears, long legs, and pointed snout. You can never know what to expect with hybrid dogs, although knowledgeable breeders selectively breed to achieve the right temperament and conformation.
Are Frenchie Boodles Hypoallergenic?
There is no guarantee that a Frenchie Boodle will be 100% hypoallergenic. This is because the French Bulldog is not hypoallergenic. You cannot say for sure whether your Frenchie Boodle will inherit the Poodle-like coat or a Frenchie-like coat.
It is important to discuss the ‘generation’ of poodle mixed breed dogs like Frenchie Boodles here. When it comes to crossing dog breeds, you can have various combinations such as:
- F1 or first generation – purebred French Bulldog crossed with a purebred Poodle, results in an F1-generation or first-generation Frenchie Boodle puppy. This pup will be 50% Poodle and 50% Frenchie. It may or may not have low-shedding genes.
- F1B or F1-backcross generation – This is a puppy from an F1-generation French Boodle crossed back with a Poodle. This results in a 75% Poodle and 25% French Bulldog. An F1-B puppy has a good chance of having a low-shedding coat.
- F2 generation – This is an F1 French Boodle crossed back to another F1 French Boodle. This results in a litter with various coat types, some will be low shedding while others will throw back to the French Bulldog and be high shedding.
The colour and dander characteristics of F1, F1B and F2 generation Boodles will differ greatly. In any case, pet allergies are often caused by the saliva and urine of the dogs too, and not the dander alone. So, a pet-allergy sufferer might still develop asthma, sneezing and itchy eye symptoms around F1B and F2 generation Boodles.
Do Frenchie Boodles Need Grooming?
All dogs need grooming. Grooming should include daily brushing and regular oral care. You also need to clean your pet’s ears and trim its nails.
If your Boodle acquires the Poodle-like coat, then it will need regular hair trimming, brushing and combing. Similarly, if your pet develops the Bulldog’s short, wrinkled coat, then it will need to get its skin folds wiped regularly. Regular grooming is essential for your French Boodle to keep its skin free from skin-related issues.
Is a Frenchie Doodle a Good Family Dog? The Temperament of a French Boodle
Frenchiedoodles make great house pets. They are sweet, loving, and loyal dogs. They are also compact in size, which makes them great for apartment dwellers.
Frenchie poos also get along well with kids. However, their small size means that they could be easily injured by boisterous kids, so it is important to teach children to handle their small pets with care.
French Boodles are smart dogs, and they train easily. However, some Frenchiedoodles tend to pose challenges during potty training due to their stubborn temperament. Training issues can also occur because of these dogs’ cute looks and small size which enable them to get away with inappropriate behaviours.
Therefore, short and consistent positive training sessions are a must for these dogs. Make sure all family members are on board to not confuse the dog with different commands. Early socialisation with kids and other dogs/pets also goes a long way in establishing good relationships and in preventing bad behaviours from forming.
In general, Frenchiedoodles make excellent companions for individuals and families. They are also good pets for elderly people if they can get their daily dose of exercise. Thankfully, these small dogs do not need too much exercise. A short walk around the block twice a day is enough.
French Boodles cannot be left alone for long periods of time as they suffer from depression and separation anxiety. To prevent this, you could either get another dog or hire a pet sitter to watch your pet. Another downside to a Frenchiedoodle is that it does not take too kindly to strangers. They tend to appear aloof and reserved, at least until they get familiar with the person. This trait makes them good watchdogs.
In general, French Boodles are comical and funny pets that will bring a smile to your face with their antics. They have a natural affinity for fun and games and will gladly participate in all family activities. Your Frenchie poo will be content going out with you to the mall or the beach or simply resting by your feet or on the couch by your side.
How Much Does a Frenchie Boodle Cost?
There is no standardisation in the price of a French Bulldog Poodle mix puppy. Most breeders charge between $1000 and $2000 for their pups depending on the parent dogs, the puppy’s size, coat colour, propensity to shed, health testing etc.
Some say you should never pay purebred dog prices for hybrid dogs. However, in the case of the Frenchie-Poo, the cross is often healthier than the purebred French Bulldog. Research the breeder well before buying and ensure that she/he has conducted health tests and genetic tests on the parent dogs prior to breeding.
Meet the parents of any French Doodle puppies for sale, this is important to assess the temperament of the lineage and to ensure you’re not buying a puppy from a commercial breeding facility, scammer, or puppy farm.
What to Feed a Frenchiedoodle?
Most Frenchiedoodles need to eat 1.5 to 2 cups of food per day. This quantity will vary based on your dog’s age, size, and activity levels. Always select premium dog food with healthy ingredients. Avoid low-quality food containing fillers, grains and unwanted calories.
Your vet nutritionist or breeder can guide you in selecting the right food for your Frenchiepoo.
Health Issues and Lifespan of Frenchiedoodles
Common health issues seen in the breed are like the ones seen in the parent breeds. These include brachycephalic airway syndrome which could cause breathing issues and stenotic nares. They could also suffer from skin allergies, cherry eye, and joint issues. Some Frenchiedoodles also acquire the issues seen in the Poodle parent such as epilepsy, luxating patellar, Addison’s disease, hip dysplasia, retinal atrophy, etc.
Good breeders strive to prevent these issues in their puppies. On average, Frenchiedoodles live for 10-14 years.
Frenchie Doodle’s for sale and Breeders in Australia
The French Bulldog x Poodle is an extremely rare poodle mix breed in Australia. If you’re having trouble finding French Boodle breeders or puppies for sale near you, consider looking for a rescue or other similar poodle mix breeds such as the English Boodle, Papi-Poo,Bichoodle, Cavoodle, Chi-Poo, Yorki-Poo, PeekaPoo, DoxiePoo, ShihPoo, Schnoodle, Bichoodle, Standard Schnoodle, Mini or Standard Bordoodle, Roodle,Shepadoodle, Labradoodle, Aussiedoodle or Groodle.
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