The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

The Purebred French Bulldog

Information and Pictures

A white with black French Bulldog is standing on a mossy log

"Rosa the French Bulldog can do retrieving until she is worn out. She has a very strong grip on things, even if she needs to jump into the air to get them. She is extremely loyal and affectionate. She is excellent with children."

Other Names
  • Bouledogue Francais
  • Frenchie
Pronunciation

french boo l-dawg speaker

Description

The French Bulldog is a sturdy, compact, stocky little dog, with a large square head that has a rounded forehead. The muzzle is broad and deep with a well-defined stop. The nose is black, but may be lighter in lighter colored dogs. The upper lips hang down over the lower lips. The teeth meet in an underbite and the lower jaw is square and deep. The round, prominent eyes are set wide apart and are dark in color. The bat ears stand erect, are broad at the base narrowing in a triangular shape and rounded at the tips. The height at the withers to the ground should be approximately the same as the length from withers to the base of the tail. The tail is either straight or corkscrew. The chest is broad and deep with the front of the dog being wider than the back end, forming a pear shape. The dewclaws may be removed. The medium-fine coat is short and smooth. The skin is loose, forming wrinkles around the head and shoulders. Coat colors include brindle, brindle and white, cream, cream and white, fawn, fawn and white, fawn brindle, white, white and brindle, white and fawn, black, black and fawn, black and white, fawn and black, fawn brindle and white and gray and white. It can have a black mask, brindle markings, be piebald, spotted and/or have white markings.

Temperament

The French Bulldog is a pleasant, easy-care companion who is playful, alert and affectionate. It is enthusiastic and lively, without being yappy and loud. Curious, sweet and absolutely hilarious, it has a very comical personality and loves to clown around. It is bright and easygoing. The Frenchie gets along fairly well with strangers and other animals and enjoys being with its owner. It plays well with other dogs. Those Frenchies that are allowed to believe they are alpha may become dog aggressive. This breed needs leadership and will not thrive without it. The Frenchie cannot be owned and ignored. When it senses an owner is meek or passive toward it, it will become very stubborn and even snappish. They can be trained if the owner is calm, but firm, consistent and patient. Proper human to canine communication is essential. Do not give them affection or sweet talk them if they are displaying any type of unwanted behaviors; instead correct them sternly with an air of calm authority. French Bulldogs are clean, and most will try to avoid puddles. Most cannot swim so take caution around water. This breed does best with considerate children who know how to display proper leadership. This breed may drool and slobber; however a good percentage of them do not. They are also a relentless hunter of mice. Do not allow this sweet little bully to develop Small Dog Syndrome.

Height, Weight

Height: 12 inches (30 cm)
There are two weight classes of French Bulldog: 19 - 22 pounds (9 - 10 kg) and 22 - 28 pounds (10 - 13 kg). Over 28 pounds is a disqualification.

Health Problems

French Bulldogs are prone to joint diseases, spinal disorders, heart defects and eye problems. Dams often have to deliver pups by cesarean section, because pups have relatively large heads. They often have respiratory problems. They tend to wheeze and snore and have trouble in hot weather. Prone to heatstroke. An overweight Frenchie may have trouble breathing, because of a swollen abdomen. Do not overfeed this breed. Putting them under anesthesia is risky because of their breathing issues. French Bulldogs are high maintenance and potential owners need to be aware that their vet bills may be high. Take this into consideration before choosing a Frenchie puppy.

Living Conditions

Frenchies are good for apartment life. They can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. They do not do well in temperature extremes.

Exercise

The French Bulldog needs to be taken on a daily walk, where the dog is made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. Simply running around a large yard is not going to satisfy their migration instinct. Take care in hot weather. They love to run and play and can play for hours if you let them. Some have higher energy levels than others.

Life Expectancy

About 10-12 years.

Litter Size

About 3 to 5 puppies

Grooming

Very little grooming is needed. Regular brushings will do. This breed is an average shedder.

Origin

The French Bulldog originated in 19th Century Nottingham, England, where lace makers decided to make a smaller, miniature, lap version of the English Bulldog that was referred to as a "toy" bulldog. In the 1860s, when the Industrial Revolution drove the craftsmen to France, they took their dogs with them. The toy bulldogs became popular in France and were given the name the "French Bulldog." The breed eventually made its way back to England for dog shows. The Brits were not happy with the name "French" given to a dog that was originally from England, however the name "French Bulldog" stuck.

Group

Mastiff, AKC Non-Sporting

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • AKC = American Kennel Club
  • ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
  • CKC = Continental Kennel Club
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
  • KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
  • NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
  • NKC = National Kennel Club
  • NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
A black and white French Bulldog is laying on a olive green couch

Moxie the 10-month-old black and white French Bulldog doing what she does best...lounging.

A white French Bulldog is sitting in a house on a tan carpet with its mouth open and tongue out. It looks like it is smiling

Harley the French Bulldog at 8 months old

Close Up - Teddy the black brindle with white French Bulldog is wearing a bright blue collar sitting on a dark blue carpet looking up

Teddy the Frenchie

A black with white French Bulldog is sitting next to a French Bulldog puppy that is laying down on top of an ottoman inside of a house with wood walls behind them.

"These are my 2 Frenchies. Capone is the large black male, Kona is the little brindle. Capone is 10 months old in this picture and Kona is a 4-month-old puppy. Capone is a gentle giant. He is 35 lbs. and full of energy. Kona is much smaller right now, but is the roughest little puppy I've ever had. She chases Capone around all day nipping at his heals."

Side profile - A black with white French Bulldog is standing on a stand with a grey blanket over it and a yellow wall behind it.

Cybele Venus Boji the black and white French Bulldog

A small brown with black striped and spotted patterned dog with dark eyes, a pushed back face, large perk ears and extra skin in the arms of a person wearing a red shirt.

A brown-brindle French Bulldog puppy

Close Up upper body shot - A white with tan French Bulldog is sitting in front of a coffee table

Betty the white and tan 1.5-year-old French Bulldog

A black brindle and white French Bulldog is wearing a red harness sitting in a green grassy area with tall dead grass behind it

Biscuit the French Bulldog at 6 years old

An Animated gif of a black with white French Bulldog running

A French Bulldog on the run.

See more examples of the French Bulldog