Skip to Content

Frenchie vs. Poodle

A picture of a Poodle and a Frenchie meeting in the middle on the diagonal with the letters VS in the middle

You would be surprised to find out that these two dog breeds have a variety of names they are known. For example, the Frenchie is also known as Bouledogue Français and French Bulldog.

The Poodle has a few more names and it is also known as- Barbone, Caniche, Chien Canne, Grosse Pudel, and French Poodle. It is amazing that these dog breeds do not come down with an identity crisis at some point in their lives.

Frenchie vs. Boston Terrier? Check out this post to see how they are similar and learn their differences.

What is a Frenchie?

Black French Bulldog with a white chest standing in grass outdoors

Is called a French Bulldog even though it was originally bred in England. Its coat can be one of 4 colors, Cream, White, Fawn, and Brindle, plus it is a very friendly dog.

It seems to love kids, other pets, and strangers so do not expect it to be a great guard dog. While they are small, they do have powerful bodies. What you have to watch out for is their free-thinking personality. That can make it hard to train your Frenchie.

This dog breed will need some exercise but not a lot. Fifteen minutes outside to help keep their bodies slim and trim should do it.

What is a Poodle?

Brown toy poodle sitting on a white bed

Is said to have been originally bred in Germany. But like the Frenchie, it migrated to France and picked up its identity from that country. It is a dog breed that is willing to please its masters and it can be very affectionate as well.

On top of that, it is family, kid, and pet friendly so you can have both breeds in your home at the same time. What is good about a poodle is that it can enjoy any size of yard. It is both an indoor and outdoor type of pet although it prefers indoors more.

How are they different?

Portrait of a white and black Frenchie outdoors

One of the more telling differences between the two dogs will be their size. The Frenchie may only come in one size but the Poodle comes in three. Then the poodle may not bark as often as the Frenchie and it has more energy. So that means you will be spending more time exercising it over the Frenchie.

The Poodle can run twice as fast as the Frenchie and should also be a bit stronger than its competitor. Depending on the type of Poodle you get, it can be larger and heavier than the Frenchie.

The toy poodle should be smaller and lighter, as well as a bit more fragile.

How are they similar?

White poodle standing out doors on a brick sidewalk

There are fewer similarities between these two dog breeds than there are differences. Both are very family, other pets, and stranger friendly. Both are very affectionate and loving which makes home life better.

Both can be alert dogs as well as easy to train. Although the Frenchie may get a bit stubborn from time to time. Another similarity is that they need lots of socialization to be well-mannered pets.

How are Frenchies and Shih Tzus alike? Check out our post “Frenchie vs. Shih Tzu” to learn more.

What’s better about a Frenchie?

A black Frenchie and a brindle Frenchie outdoors.

They are smaller dogs that do not need a lot of exercise. They only need a few minutes per day to keep their girlish figure. Plus, they are not hard biters. They do not like to wander a lot and should remain close to home if they do get out of the yard.

Then this is good for first-time owner-dog breeds.

What’s better about a Poodle?

A brown and a white poodle sitting side by side outdoors in tall grass.

This dog breed is supposed to be more intelligent than the Frenchie. Plus, it likes to play and comes with a lot of energy that needs to be burned out of them through play.

Then they strongly protect their territory making sure no one comes in unnoticed or challenged. They should be easier to train and like to be playful. It is also said that this is a great dog breed for senior citizens.

Who should get a Frenchie?

A Frenchie puppy against a grey background.

Those families that live in smaller homes and apartments would find this dog breed adorable. Plus, if they do not want an over-active dog, this is the one to bring home.

Then if you want a healthier pet, this dog breed suffers from fewer ailments than the Poodle does. On top of that, this dog breed does not eat as much as the Poodle so you can save on dog food.

Who should get a Poodle?

A brown poodle puppy laying on a white blanket.

This depends on your living situation and if you want a large or small dog. The poodle comes in 3 sizes and while they are apartment adaptable, they would be a better fit for those families with a nice-sized yard.

Then those families with an allergy sufferers would benefit from owning this dog breed. They are supposed to be hypoallergenic.

Comparison Chart

Category Frenchie Poodle
 Country of origin England Germany
 Lifespan 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
 Friendliness Very good in all categories Excellent in all categories
 Personality Affectionate, loving, not a loner, and so on Willing to please, affectionate, and loving
 Living situation Best for apartments Can live in apartments or homes with yards
Energy levels Runs about 15 mph, has low energy and exercise levels Very high energy, runs about 32 mph, needs exercise
 Grooming Doesn’tneed a lot Needs a lot
 Hypoallergenic No Yes
 Cost $2000 to $4000 Approx. Up to $1000 approx.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.