non-sporting Group
French Bulldog
Are you looking for a small dog with tons of personality? The French Bulldog, also known as the ‘Frenchie,’ is a popular breed for a reason.
The Frenchie is a one-of-a-kind breed distinguished by its bat-like ears, boxy face, and lovable demeanor.
Due to its small size, the French Bulldog is a popular choice for city living and families alike because it is a friendly and companionable pet that requires minimal exercise.
A fully grown French Bulldog has an average height of 11–13 inches, and will weigh somewhere between 16–28 pounds.
The average life expectancy of a French Bulldog is around 10–12 years.
French Bulldog Average Statistics
Average size and life expectancy of a French Bulldog.
Height
11–13 inches
Weight
16–28 pounds
Life Expectancy
10–12 years
The Most Popular Small Dog Breed
Since 2013, the popularity of the French Bulldog has continued to soar. In 2020 the French Bulldog was ranked the most popular small dog breed in north-America and ranked #2 among all dog breeds.
In fact, the French Bulldog has been the most popular small dog breed since 2015 when it finally surpassed Miniature Poodles, Dachshunds, and Yorkshire Terriers.
French Bulldog Characteristics
Just like humans, dogs have unique personalities. But did you know that there are common personality and character trends unique to each breed?
This means that it’s worth taking the time to understand the differences in personality, character, and needs of each breed before choosing the right dog for your family, for you, and your lifestyle.
Below is a table we created to show the personality and character traits commonly associated with French Bulldog‘s in an easy-to-read table. Each row contains a character trait, a score ranging from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), and a description.
| Trait | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Affectionate | 5 | How affectionate a breed is with family members or close friends. Some breeds are reserved around strangers, while others treat everyone as a close friend. |
| Playful | 4 | How eager a breed is to play, even as an adult. Some breeds will want to play tug-of-war or fetch until they are old, while others will be content to lounge on the couch with you. |
| Energy | 1 | A breed’s need for exercise and mental stimulation. High-energy breeds are always ready for their next challenge. They’ll spend the day running, jumping, and playing. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes who enjoy a good nap. |
| Trainability | 4 | How easy it will be to train and how eager your dog will be to learn. Some breeds only want to please their owners, while others prefer to do their own thing, whenever they want! |
| Grooming Requirements | 1 | How often a breed’s coat needs to be brushed, trimmed, or otherwise maintained. When looking at the grooming effort required, consider your time, patience, and budget. Nail trimming is required on all breeds. |
| Shedding | 3 | How much fur and hair the breed will leave behind. High-shedding breeds require more frequent brushing, are more likely to cause allergies, and require more frequent vacuuming and lint-rolling. |
| Drooling | 3 | A breed’s drool-proneness. If you’re a neat freak, dogs that slobber on your arm or wet your clothes may not be the best choice. |
| Watchdog | 3 | How often the breed will bark or howl. Some breeds will bark at every passer-by or cat in the window. Some barkless breeds can still communicate using other sounds. |
| Good with Children | 5 | The breed’s tolerance to children’s behavior and overall family-friendly nature. Always supervise dogs around young children or children of any age unfamiliar with dogs. |
| Good with Dogs | 4 | How sociable a breed is with other dogs. Interactions and introductions with other dogs should always be supervised, but some breeds are naturally more likely to get along, both in public and at home. |
| Good with Strangers | 4 | How friendly a breed is towards strangers. Some breeds are reserved or cautious around strangers, whether at home or in public. In contrast, others will be excited to meet a new human! |
Keeping your French Bulldog happy & healthy
Did you know that each dog breed has different needs to keep them both physically and mentally healthy?
That means things like exercise requirements, grooming needs, mental stimulation, frequent training, and bonding time will need to be taken into consideration before you decide whether a French Bulldog is right for you.
So let’s start with listing out the needs of the French Bulldog, and describe the minimum expectations that will be required to keep your dog happy and healthy, helping you to decide if they’re the right breed for you.
Exercise Requirements for French Bulldog‘s
Because the French Bulldog doesn’t share the same high energy reserves as other breeds, this makes them perfect for apartments and city living, with a daily 30-minute walk to stretch the legs being more than enough for this pooch.
Are French Bulldog‘s a playful breed?
Yes, French Bulldog‘s are a playful breed. In fact, French Bulldog‘s are rated as one of the most playful small dog breeds, making them a perfect fit for young, fun, and playful families. They’ll just love running around playing in the house or yard, and love to play games such as rope pull, chase, and make games for themselves out of any soft toy.
Are French Bulldog‘s easy to train?
French Bulldog‘s are known to be quite a challenge when it comes to training, but with some persistence, consistency, and patience, you can be sure to reap the benefits from taking the time to train him.
Just remember that as with any element of training, but especially potty training your dog, positive reinforcement and consistency from you is one of the most important aspects of training.
Random Facts about French Bulldogs
For a bit of fun, here are some facts about French Bulldogs:
- The popularity of this breed is clear to see, climbing steadily up the rankings in total registrations with the AKC over recent years. In 2013, it was the 11th most registered breed, and in 2020 it was the 2nd most popular dog breed overall.
- Ranking #2 in popularity across all dog breeds and sizes, makes the French Bulldog the most popular small dog breed in 2020.
- The French Bulldog has been the most popular small dog breed since 2015.
- French Bulldogs are unable to swim due to their short legs, flat nose, and face. So never leave unsupervised around water.
Medical Conditions
Some breeds are prone to medical conditions, so severe, others mild. But either way, it’s important for you to be aware of such issues as a responsible dog owner, so you know what potential symptoms to look out for, and what steps to take if you spot any in your dog.
FAQs about French Bulldog‘s
People also regularly ask the following questions about French Bulldog
What is the average height of a French Bulldog?
The height of a fully grown French Bulldog will be somewhere around 11 to 13 inches. Don’t worry if your French Bulldog is slightly over or under those figures, as this is just a breed average.
What is the average weight for a French Bulldog?
Ideally, your French Bulldog should weigh somewhere between 16 and 28 pounds. This is an average for the breed overall, so if your pup comes in slightly over, or slightly under this weight, don’t worry too much.
How to tell if my French Bulldog is overweight?
In surveys conducted by Pet Obesity Prevention since 2012, more than 55% of dogs are now classified as overweight or obese. This number has been steadily increasing from 52.5% in 2012, with the most recent numbers in 2018 being 55.8%.
That’s an increase of 3.3% in just six years, showing that dog obesity is a problem that is only getting worse over time.
We’ve created an easy-to-use dog calorie calculator to give a pretty good idea of how many calories your dog needs to maintain energy requirements (or MER).
Keep your dog happy and healthy, and be sure to regularly check the weight of your dog to ensure a long and healthy life.
What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog?
The average life expectancy for a French Bulldog is 10 to 12 years, although don’t be surprised if your dog lives longer!
It’s not uncommon to fall outside of this age range, mainly due to health and medical conditions. So keep your dog happy and healthy, ensure your dog’s weight is kept within the ideal range, with plenty of exercise and playtime to keep his mind and body healthy, helping to extend his life!
References, and Further Information
- French Bulldog full breed standard, AKC (American Kennel Club)
- Pet Obesity Prevention