Breed library

French Bulldog

Also known as Frenchie.

French Bulldog photograph.
2008-07-28 Dog at Frolick Field.jpg - Ildar Sagdejev ( Specious ). CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008-07-28_Dog_at_Frolick_Field.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0. License: CC BY-SA 4.0.

Breed overview

The French Bulldog (Bouledogue Français) is a French breed of companion dog or toy dog. It appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century, apparently the result of cross-breeding of Toy Bulldogs imported from England and local Parisian ratters. It is commonly kept as a pet and is among the most frequently registered dogs in a number of countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The breed is susceptible to various health problems due to being bred for its distinctive flat face and skin wrinkles.

  • Country of origin: FranceBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • From the beginning of the nineteenth century, bulldogs were bred in the United Kingdom for purposes other than traditional blood sports such as bull-baiting, which were banned in 1835.
  • By the middle of the century there were miniature bulldogs, most weighing around 7 - 11 kg.
  • The dogs became popular in France and a trade in imported small Bulldogs was created, with breeders in England sending over Bulldogs that they considered to be too small, or with faults such as ears that stood up.
  • By 1860, there were few Toy Bulldogs left in England, such was their popularity in France.
  • The small Bulldog type gradually became thought of as a breed, and received a name, the Bouledogue Français.

Size and appearance

The American Kennel Club standard for the French Bulldog states that it should be muscular, with a soft and loose coat forming wrinkles. The AKC Standard weight for a French Bulldog is at maximum 28 lb. The head of a French bulldog should be square shaped and large, with ears that resemble bat ears. French bulldogs are a flat-faced breed. Eyes that are AKC Standard approved for French Bulldogs are dark, almost to the point of being black; blue eyed French bulldogs are not AKC approved. The coat of a French bulldog should be short haired and fine and silky. Acceptable colors under the breed standard are the various shades of brindle, fawn, cream or white with brindle patches (known as "pied"). The fawn colors can be any light through red. The most common colors are brindle, then fawn, with pieds being less common than the other colors. The breed clubs do not recognize any other colors or patterns.

  • Body mass reference: 8 - 13 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 8 - 13 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 8 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 13 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
  • Body mass reference: 9 - 14 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 9 - 14 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 9 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
  • Body mass reference: Up to 14 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
  • Height reference: 24 - 32 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 24 - 32 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 24 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 32 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 27 - 35 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 27 - 35 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 27 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 35 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Coat length: short
  • Height category: medium
  • Height category: short
  • Weight category: small
  • Weight category: medium

Personality and behavior

Care planning: record what your dog enjoys, how they greet visitors, and how they respond to new places. Add notes after walks and training so you can see their habits over time. Where this profile includes behavior research, use the same named measures when comparing your shortlist.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 2.26 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.86 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 1.00 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.57 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 2.10 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 2.05 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.97 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.56 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.22 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.69 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.37 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.27 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.79 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.33 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population French Bulldog.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

Care planning: keep your dog's veterinary records, health-check dates and agreed care plan together. Add reminders for appointments and record changes you want to discuss at the next visit. Use the linked breed organizations and original references to explore their current health resources.

  • Lifespan reference: 11 yearsBreed reference lifespan years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

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Breed history

From the beginning of the nineteenth century, bulldogs were bred in the United Kingdom for purposes other than traditional blood sports such as bull-baiting, which were banned in 1835. By the middle of the century there were miniature bulldogs, most weighing around 7 - 11 kg. At the same time, lace workers from Nottingham who were displaced by the Industrial Revolution began to settle in Normandy, France. They brought a variety of dogs with them, including Toy Bulldogs. The dogs became popular in France and a trade in imported small Bulldogs was created, with breeders in England sending over Bulldogs that they considered to be too small, or with faults such as ears that stood up. By 1860, there were few Toy Bulldogs left in England, such was their popularity in France.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. French Bulldog - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, French Bulldog, revision 1376451424. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=French_Bulldog&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:2008-07-28 Dog at Frolick Field.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. 2008-07-28 Dog at Frolick Field.jpg - Ildar Sagdejev ( Specious ). CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2008-07-28_Dog_at_Frolick_Field.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.