Bichon Frise vs Poodle
If you’ve narrowed your search down to Bichon Frise vs Poodle — you’ll want to keep reading. While these breeds are comparable in many traits, there are also differences that could be the doggy decision maker for you.
The Bichon and Poodle have a similar coat, maintenance regime and level of intelligence. But that’s only half of the story. We’ll also talk you through size, breed history, temperament and price — so you have an idea what to expect if you were to welcome one into your home.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Contents
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Quick Comparison Chart
Bichon Frise vs Poodle — The Breeds
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Size
The History of Bichon Frise vs Poodle
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Temperament
Bichon Frise vs Poodle — Shedding and Grooming
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Training
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Price
Conclusion
Bichon Frise vs Poodle FAQs
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Quick Comparison Chart
Bichon Frise vs Poodle — The Breeds
Bichon Frise
The Bichon is a purebred dog with a lot of love to give, thanks to their enthusiastic and playful nature. Although they’re small, they have plenty of intelligence and thrive on mental stimulation.
They are popular family dogs and are hypoallergenic, meaning they don’t shed and have a single-layered wiry coat.
Is the Bichon Frise for Me?
As an older pet parent looking for a furry friend, the Bichon Frise may be a good choice.
If you have the time to dedicate to training and encouraging your Bichon Frise to be a sociable and loving companion, the Bichon is a worthwhile consideration.
They fit in well into families with children. Plus, their hypoallergenic coat makes them ideal for allergy sufferers who still want a fluffy dog they can groom.
Pros
- Intelligent.
- Loving.
- Companion animal.
- Low shedding.
Cons
- Stubborn.
- Requires a lot of energy to train.
The affectionate and regal attitude of the Poodle comes from their history. They’re also extremely intelligent, adaptable, and loyal.
Although they look posh, that doesn’t mean they won’t get into mischief. The Poodle loves nothing more than being destructive if you don’t give them plenty of exercise and stimulation!
This breed is also the original hypoallergenic dog. The tight curls/wiry coat doesn’t shed, making them ideal for families who suffer from dog allergies.
Is the Poodle for Me?
Similar to the Bichon, all Poodle sizes will have the same friendly and sociable nature. However, they’re more eager to please and follow your commands when it comes to training and exercising.
They do have a lot more energy and need plenty of stimulation to keep them out of trouble, but they still make a fantastic hypoallergenic family dog with a loving personality.
Pros
- Intelligent.
- Playful.
- Loving.
- Eager to please.
- Hypoallergenic.
Cons
- Sensitive.
- Daily grooming.
- Requires a lot of energy to train.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle: Size
There are big differences between a full-grown Bichon Frise vs Poodle. The latter comes in three sizes — toy, miniature, and standard, whereas the Bichon only comes in one.
Poodle
The Poodle can be as small as 10 inches or as tall as 15 inches. Their weight can range from 4 to 70/80 pounds in the standard breed. Miniature Poodles vary in size but are roughly 10-15 pounds when fully grown. Toys weigh between 4-6 pounds.
There is more variety with poodles for those who want a larger-sized dog that will still be loving and hypoallergenic.
Bichon Frise
In comparison, the Bichon weighs anywhere between 12-18 pounds and reaches around 9.5-11.5 inches tall. Even the Miniature Poodle is taller than the Bichon, but sizewise, these two are probably the most comparable.
The History of Bichon Frise vs Poodle
The history of both these breeds has several likenesses, which have led them to become the well-loved breeds they are today.
Poodle
The Poodle is of German origin with the name “Pudel,” deriving from the word “puddeln” — meaning to splash. And, as the word suggests, they were bred for use as water dogs. Their intelligence and obedient nature led them to be particularly famous as a circus breed in France. They were even popular companion dogs for royalty.
Bichon Frise
Similarly, the Bichon Frise was originally bred as a water dog, which led to their use with sailors. As a result, this led to the breed spreading across Europe and becoming popular as a gentle and loving lap dog around the world.
They’re now recognized as likable companion dogs — similar to their long history with French nobles as a court companion.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle: Temperament
The behaviors of both these breeds are pretty close to each other. Therefore, suitability would depend on your circumstances and family life.
- They both have endless intelligence. With the right training and attention can learn a huge variety of tricks — linking back to both breeds’ previous roles as circus and performing animals.
- The Poodle and Bichon are family dogs. This includes young children — providing they’re socialized and receive proper training.
- The Bichon Frise has its advantages of being much more sociable with family. In contrast, the Poodle is slightly more calm.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle: Shedding and Grooming
Both breeds are known for having coarse, wiry, curly hair that feels fluffy to the touch. However, their non-shedding coats require frequent professional grooming trips to maintain the appearance we all love.
Bathing
Both breeds are susceptible to dry and itchy skin. So, investing in an organic hypoallergenic shampoo may help to prevent or alleviate any issues.
They should really only require a bath every 3-4 weeks unless they get themselves into something mucky.
Grooming
The Bichon Frise and Poodle are famously loved because they don’t shed any fur or dander, making them hypoallergenic and very clean! Yet, these breeds will still require grooming to maintain their coat.
Expect to groom a Bichon and Poodle every 3-6 weeks to keep their coats knot-free and prevent any dirt from becoming trapped close to their sensitive skin. Additionally, you will have to brush both dogs on a daily basis.
You can also opt for these breeds to be clipped or shaved to cut back on grooming costs and remove the need for regular brushing and de-matting.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle Training
With both breeds being incredibly intelligent, there are endless opportunities to get the family involved in making sure these pups can live up to their performance backgrounds. But is one easier to train than the other?
Bichon Frise
A Bichon Frise is known for being stubborn yet sensitive, so when it comes to training, harsh punishment won’t do much to correct their behaviors. They require patience and persistence with consistent training to get the best results, which is why many tend to favor the Poodle.
Poodle
Poodles are equally intelligent but are more willing to please their owners as they enjoy the company of other animals and their family. Plus, their eager curiosity means they’re willing to learn, thus easy to train — providing you keep the process fun and exciting.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle: Price
Both are popular purebred pooches, but how much can you expect to pay for the privilege of welcoming one into your home?
Bichon Frise
For the Bichon Frise puppy, several impacting factors such as breeder, parental history, and reputation can determine the cost. The price can range from $700 to $1000.
Poodle
The Poodle is a much more difficult breed to provide an estimate for as they come in so many sizes, which is a strong impactor on their final cost. A Standard Poodle can cost anywhere from $900 up to $1200. And, surprisingly, the miniature will cost you more, at around $1500.
Conclusion
The similarities between these two breeds may create a difficult choice for many — they show so many of the same intelligence and physical traits.
However, the Poodle offers much more variety in color and sizing, which can be a big deal breaker for many.
This doesn’t mean to say that the small and hardy Bichon Frise is to be ignored. With their stubborn attitudes and loving nature, you may find that this tips the scales in their favor when it comes to choosing between the Bichon Frise vs Poodle.
Bichon Frise vs Poodle FAQs
Does a Bichon Frise Bark a Lot?
The Bichon Frise isn’t typically known for frequent barking unless they have reason to alert you. With the right exercise and training, a Bichon is typically quiet and friendly.
Which Is Smarter Poodle or Bichon Frise?
Poodles are considered easier to train as they are more willing to please their owner and follow commands. The Bichon is known for its stubborn nature that needs a lot of time and encouragement to fully train.
Are Bichon Frise Good for First-time Owners?
Yes. This breed can adapt to most environments, has a friendly nature, and manageable exercise needs. They pick up commands quickly with the right training too.
Do Poodles Like to Cuddle?
Poodles are a very affectionate breed that loves to cuddle and bond with their owners. However, they’re prone to separation anxiety, so may not be ideal if you work long hours.
Can Bichon Frise be Left Alone?
This does depend on the dog, but around four hours. If they’re well exercised you may be able to leave them longer.
