French Boodle

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
France -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the French Boodle

A small dog with a big personality, the French Boodle incorporates the intelligence and charm of the Poodle with the balance and humor of the French Bulldog. A real pleasure, this breed loves to be around humans and doesn't like to be left in its own company. An excellent pet choice for families with children, the French Boodle should keep them occupied for hours and will never say no to a game. The French Boodle should be lean and athletic with a small, compact body. They have a handsome face with kind brown eyes and, while some will be born with the typical French Bulldog bat ears, others will inherit Poodle floppy ears. The French Boodle's coat varies from puppy to puppy, and there are many different color possibilities: fawn and black, as well as white and black, being the two most common.

History of the French Boodle

The French Boodle is one of the lesser-known specific crossbreeds, which is thought to have originated in the last 20-30 years. Although theoretically three variants of the Poodle (Toy, Miniature or Standard) could be used in this mix, it is generally the medium-sized Miniature Poodle crossed with the French Bulldog. Although these two breeds are both small, the physical similarities end there, making this a hybrid whose appearance can vary greatly.
        

A little of the French Bulldog

        
The French Bulldog, or Frenchie, is a direct descendant of the Toy Bulldog, an extinct English breed similar to the English Bulldog, but much smaller. Its ancestors were introduced to northern France from Great Britain and crossed with French Mastiffs. These dogs were not used for fighting like their ancestors, but were adored, kept as beloved pets of the upper classes. Today, this breed is recognized in the Utility group of the Kennel Club and is an extremely popular choice of pet, owned by many celebrities, including Reese Witherspoon and Madonna, and even featured in prime-time TV shows, such as the TV comedy Modern Family.
Standard of the French Bulldog

A little of the Poodle

Poodles are a much-loved breed worldwide, coming in three distinct sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard. Each type is distinctly different, and it's often the two smallest that are used in hybrid creations. The Poodle is so versatile, attractive, intelligent and adaptable, it has become one of the most prolific contributors to specific crossbreeding dogs. Poodles have been featured in German works of art since the 15th century, although it was in France that they were popularized and became a real hit with the aristocracy. With their remarkable swimming ability, Poodles were once used to retrieve waterfowl, a job rarely seen today.
Standard of the Poodle

Appearance of the French Boodle

The French Boodle has yet to create a uniform appearance, and it can be difficult to predict what each puppy will look like. Most will be small, weighing between 7 and 11 kg and measuring between 30 and 38 cm. Depending on the genes they inherit, they may have a more muscular appearance, like the brachycephalic French Bulldog, or a longer muzzle, similar to a Poodle. Some will have the characteristic bat ears for which French Bulldogs are renowned, but for others, their ears hang close to the face. Their eyes are dark, round and expressive, revealing their busy minds. Their body will be relatively compact with visible musculature. They have a barrel-shaped torso and rather straight limbs. They can have a very short tail like their French Bulldog relative, or a medium-length, slender tail similar to that of the Poodle. The French Boodle's coat can be short and smooth or a little faded. All will have a low-maintenance coat that shouldn't shed much, if at all. There are many possible coat colors, including fawn, brindle, black, brown and white. Solid colors are possible, but most will have coats that contain two or more colors. White patches are not uncommon.

Temperament of the French Boodle

A friendly, boisterous character, the French Boodle is the life and soul of the party and loves to be social. Never lacking in confidence, these guys love company and may even show up and clown around when new guests show up. They particularly enjoy contact with children and never tire of playing with them, at home or out. For some, they can become over-dependent on their family and have difficulty adapting if left to their own devices. In the worst cases, dogs will develop separation anxiety, a behavioral disorder that can lead to destructive behavior and a deeply unhappy dog. For this reason, it is not advisable for French Boodles to be cared for by families who will be away for most of the day. Although French Boodles know that new people have arrived at the house, they are generally too gregarious to warn you and are much more likely to be trying to make friends than anything else. For this reason, they are not a wise choice of guard dog. While it's true that the French Boodle is a wonderful companion for children, as they're quite small, it's always wise to keep an eye on them when they're around youngsters.

Needs and activities of the French Boodle

The French Boodle comes from a crossbreed of parents known for their activity levels, so it's safe to assume that the French Boodle will be the same. Walks around the neighborhood, or time spent in the pet park socializing with other dogs will provide the exercise and mental stimulation this dog needs. Any outing around water - remember, the Bulldog is not a great swimmer - such as a walk on the beach will be fully appreciated, or activities such as competitive obedience or learning a new trick will keep your dog happy. Be less active in hot weather, as these dogs are prone to heat stroke. A children's paddling pool will be available for relaxation on these days.

Maintenance of the French Boodle

The grooming requirements of the French Boodle will vary according to the coat it inherits. If your dog's coat is more like that of the French Bulldog, it will be short, smooth and easy to care for. A simple brushing twice a week and a bath when needed will suffice. But if your dog inherits the Poodle coat, then it will need more grooming, perhaps a trim, and more regular baths to keep it in good condition. While grooming, examine your dog's ears for infection, infestation or inflammation. Nails will need to be trimmed regularly, and just check around the eyes to make sure they're in good health. This is an excellent time to bond with your pet. You can finish it off with a good teeth brushing and a few cuddles for good behavior.

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