How Big Do French Bulldogs Get And Are There Different Sizes? (2024)

How Big Do French Bulldogs Get?

The adult size that a dog will grow to is often a top concern for those looking to add a new pup to their family.

With the soaring popularity of French Bulldogs, more people are choosing this breed. They’re highly prized in major cities, where living spaces tend to be smaller.

In those areas and others, a relatively small dog breed…that also doesn’t bark much, is a definite plus.

French Bulldogs are a small breed of dog. Not as tiny as a Chihuahua but significantly smaller than an English Bulldog.  

They were first bred in the 1800s in England when breeders mixed the English Bulldogs with local ratter dogs in an attempt to create a miniature Bulldog.

The result of the experiment was a huge success. Very popular with British lace workers, when those workers then immigrated to France, they brought the dogs with them.

Popularity in France grew steadily as these dogs were favorites of many workers. Given the nickname of Frenchie, their small size plays a huge part in its popularity.

So, how big do French Bulldogs get?

  Weight Height
Females 18 to 26 pounds 11 to 12 inches
Males 20 to 28 pounds 11 to 12 inches

Male French Bulldogs tend to weigh slightly more than females, although genetics, body shape, and lifestyle can also affect adult size.

Depending on if the French Bulldog is a male or female, the size may vary from 18 pounds to 28 pounds.

While this may not seem like a big difference, it can be noticeable in a small dog like the Frenchie. Their height doesn’t really vary that much between genders.

If you’ve reached the point that you’ve decided this is the breed for you, the next step is to invest in a guidebook for French Bulldogs to ensure you start your journey on the right track.

The Owner’s Guide To The Perfect French Bulldog provides you with everything you need to know in order to raise a happy, well-adjusted, obedient, healthy Frenchie.

It covers everything including:

  • Identifying responsible breeders and selecting the right puppy for your family.
  • Puppy proofing and necessary supplies.
  • Crate training, housebreaking, and reward-based training.
  • Socialization.
  • Feeding, exercise, and mental stimulation.
  • Health conditions that appear in the breed.
  • Daily maintenance and grooming.
  • Breed-specific tips and common mistakes to avoid.
  • And so much more!

This guidebook is the only resource you’ll need to raise the dog of your dreams. It’s the help you’re looking for and the book you’ll turn to over and over. Pick up your copy today!

Are There Different Sizes Of Frenchies?

There are two other variations of the French Bulldog, which are substantially smaller than the traditional French Bulldog: Mini and Teacup.

These smaller versions are created by breeding the runts of a few different litters.

Unlike the French Bulldog, the Mini (or Micro) and Teacup French Bulldog are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) because they don’t meet the traditional breed standard.

The Controversy

There has been much speculation as to the validity of the Mini and Teacup French Bulldogs.

Many professional French Bulldog breeders state that there is no such thing as Micro, Mini, or Teacup French Bulldogs.

They claim they are simply the result of regular French Bulldogs being bred down to that smaller size.

Yet, other breeders, who breed, raise and sell these little dogs, claim that they not only exist but also are extremely valuable.

Wondering how much you can expect to pay for a Frenchie?

You can find out the average prices in this article, as well as an explanation of why these little dogs aren’t exactly cheap.

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Understanding Mini And Teacup French Bulldogs

They get their titles of Mini and Teacup from their size.

Some breeders of these little dogs state that Mini and Teacups are two different titles for the same dog, but are dependent on the dog’s size.

Whereas regular French Bulldogs can weigh up to 28 pounds and be up to 12” tall, these little guys and gals are much smaller.

You won’t find a Teacup French Bulldog that weighs more than 18 pounds, and many Mini Frenchies weigh from 7 to 14 pounds with some as little as 5 pounds.

One of the main reasons why some French Bulldog breeders are so skeptical about if these mini dogs really exist is because they state there is no such thing as a Toy French Bulldog.

Their feelings are that if the Toy French Bulldog does not exist, how can there be a Mini French Bulldog?

Breeding Mini And Teacup French Bulldogs

Just how do these little dogs come about? Through some very careful breeding. Mini or Teacup French Bulldogs are “created” by breeding the runts of the litters.

Unfortunately, this is not as easy as one might think.

They seldom get what they want the first time but generally have to try several years and generations to get the exact size French Bulldog they want.

It’s been said that it’s taken some breeders up to 20 years to get what they considered the perfect Mini or Teacup dog.

One way they’re able to turn a teacup into an even smaller mini dog is by using the smallest runt and mixing it with an even smaller runt.

The downside of using the runts of the litters is that in addition to being runts, these little guys and gals are often also the weakest pups of the litter.

It’s not uncommon for one or two pups of a litter to die a day or two after birth and, when this happens, it’s usually the runts that are the first to go.

The runts that do survive may become more prone to developing health issues.

Runt to runt breeding can lead to the pups being prone to the same health issues as the French Bulldog plus any issues that have arisen due to their small size.

However, those that do survive are believed to have a very good life span.

It’s not unusual for a Mini or Teacup French Bulldog to have a life span of 12 to 16 years or more.

Another way of creating Mini French Bulldogs is by breeding the French Bulldog with a small dog of another breed.

The disadvantage of doing this is that the puppies would not be able to be registered with the AKC because they have parents of two different breeds.

Can They Be Registered?

Mini or Teacup French Bulldogs should be registerable because they are not over 28 pounds.

However, their characteristics must stay within the breed standard set by the AKC.

Mini and Teacup French Bulldogs are very popular not just because of their cuteness but also because they make great family pets.

While little dogs are seldom a good choice of a dog for children, mini and teacup French Bulldogs love little children and make excellent playmates.

These little dogs are also really popular with royalty. They love a little dog they can actually carry in their pocket!

AKC Breed Standards/Restrictions

The traditional French Bulldog is recognized as a breed that can be registered in the AKC.

They do have to meet the AKC Breed standards in various areas, and the size is one of these critical areas.

  • General appearance – Dog must have a muscular body of small or medium structure with body parts being in perfect proportion.
  • Head – Must be large and square with dark eyes, flat skull, bat ears, and broad deep muzzle. Blue or green eyes are a disqualification.
  • Size – Any French Bulldog weighing more than 28 pounds is disqualified.
  • Neck – Must be well arched and thick with loose skin around the throat.
  • Forequarters – Must be straight, short, and set wide apart.
  • Hindquarters – Must be strong, muscular, and longer than the front legs.
  • Coat – Must be shiny, smooth, and short. Any other coat type that is not smooth and short is a disqualification.
  • Colors – Must be cream, white, fawn or any combination of these colors. Any other colors are a disqualification (visit our Frenchie color guide complete with images for more details).

How Much Do French Bulldogs Weigh?

The weight of the French Bulldog varies from dog to dog. Male Frenchies usually weigh more than female Frenchies.

Female French Bulldogs weigh between 18 and 26 pounds while male Frenchies weigh between 20 and 28 pounds.

Certain things may affect the dog’s weight, including genetics, diet, and exercise.

How to Tell if Your Frenchie is Overweight

Being overweight is a problem that affects more than 50% of the dogs in the world, and the French Bulldog is by no means exempt from this problem.

With so many families working all day, Frenchie’s are often left home alone and don’t get the exercise they need, which can result in the dog being overweight.

Here are some signs your French Bulldog might be overweight.

  • Failure to groom himself properly – Dogs spend a lot of time licking themselves as part of their personal hygiene. If your Frenchie is unable to reach certain parts of the body that he was able to reach in the past or is having difficulty, he may need to lose some weight.
  • Heavy breathing after little activity – French Bulldogs do have occasional respiratory difficulties due to being brachycephalic breeds of dogs with flat faces and pushed-in noses. However, if they seem to be experiencing more difficulty breathing than normal with little activities, the dog may be overweight.
  • Little or no muscle definition – The most apparent sign that your Frenchie is overweight is if you really can’t see any muscles because he’s become a round and roly-poly dog.

How Can I Keep My French Bulldog Trim and Healthy?

Exercise

Exercise is the key here, as well as monitoring food intake and treats.  

While Frenchies do not require a lot of exercise, it’s definitely important to take them on daily walks – even around the house or apartment will do the trick.

What about Frenchie puppies? We have a complete guide to Frenchie puppy exercise here.

Playtime is also something that keeps your French Bulldog active enough to avoid being unhealthy.

However, keeping your dog interested and engaged in playtime can be challenging sometimes.

Having a wide variety of toys can really help boost activity levels in dogs who would ordinarily prefer to be a bit lazy.

This 12-pack of toys is just the right size for smaller mouths, so it’s perfect for both puppies and breeds like the French bulldog.

With various rope toys, chew toys, balls, and squeaky toys, keeping your Frenchie moving will be a piece of cake.

If he tends to be food motivated, the included IQ treat ball will surely be a favorite. For the value and variety, this bundle is a true bargain.

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Diet

Although exercise is critical, it’s also important to examine carefully what their diet consists of.

Lower priced or generic food is often too high in fats and calories and too low in key nutrients.

“People” food from your plate may be convenient but can be dangerous.

To keep your French Bulldog healthy and in peak shape, be sure that every bite counts.

After carefully reviewing many best-selling dog foods, we narrowed it down to the best of the best for this breed. Check out the best food for Frenchies here.

(Want a sneak peak? – The #1 choice is this grain-free, all-natural kibble.)

What Size Are They When Born?

Breeding French Bulldogs can be a difficult venture and often dangerous for the mother.

This is why the majority of French Bulldog pregnancies are the result of artificial insemination. Many of the deliveries end up being by C-section.

New Frenchie mothers often do not know how to care for their newborns, which results in many dead puppies if humans are not around to help.

Needless to say, French Bulldog puppies are a valuable commodity to Frenchie lovers.

French Bulldogs generally have small litters with the average litter size at 2 to 4 Frenchies. The size of each puppy is usually affected by the size of the litter.

The average weight for newborn French Bulldogs is 11 to 14 ounces with weights ranging from 8 to 20 ounces.

Cream and White French Bulldog Puppy

When Do They Reach Adult Height and When Do They Stop Growing?

Unlike many other dog breeds that continue growing until they’re almost two years old, the French Bulldog gains most of his height between the ages of 9 months and a year.

Height is determined by the height at the withers. The French Bulldog continues to gain weight and fill out until he reaches maturity at about two years of age.

Weight can be determined mostly by the size of the parents.

Although it’s not an exact science, experienced breeders can often predict what the dog’s adult size will be by using a formula called and Double Up and Four-Fold.

  • Double Up: As a rule, the adult dog will weigh about twice as much as it weighs when it’s four months old.
  • Four-Fold: The adult dog should weigh about four times as much as it weighed when it was 8 weeks old.

If a puppy weighs 12 pounds when it’s 4 months old, it should weigh about 24 pounds as an adult.

If the pup weighs 86 ounces at 8 weeks old, multiply this number by 4, which gives you 344. Divide this by 16 and you have an adult weight of 21.5 pounds.

Related Questions:

What is the life expectancy of a French Bulldog?

French Bulldogs have a life expectancy of about 10 to 12 years.

While this may seem like a long time, it’s only a moderate life span when compared to other small breed dogs.

The various health issues Frenchies are prone to developing often contribute to the shorter life expectancy.

Do French Bulldogs Shed?

Yes. Like all breeds, French Bulldogs do indeed shed. The degree to which they lose fur, however, can vary from one dog to the next.

Learn more about their shedding habits and grooming needs here.

How much attention do Frenchies need?

Frenchies are infamous for being attention seekers and need a lot of attention. They love attention and do not like being left alone.

Often, when they do decide to bark or make noise, it’s because they want attention.

(Find out exactly how much barking you can expect and what often triggers it in this article.)

People who are gone from home for long hours yet want a dog should not consider getting a Frenchie because being alone for extended periods of time will not make for a happy Frenchie.

What are similar breeds to French Bulldogs?

There are several breeds of dogs that are similar to the French Bulldog, but the Boston Terrier is so similar that people often confuse the two.

Other dogs similar to the French Bulldog are English Bulldogs and Pugs.

Concluding Facts

French Bulldogs may be small in size, but they’ve proven to be big in terms of popularity. The AKC ranked them No. 4 among the most popular dogs in the United States.

With a Frenchie as a family pet, you’ll have a loving and faithful companion as well as one that’s not a monster in size.

For many dog owners, the French Bulldog is the perfect dog! It’s intelligent, loyal, very trainable, small, playful, funny, and not too noisy.

What more could you ask for?

Don’t miss out on more Frenchie facts, helpful info, and guides for Frenchie care. Click here to access all of our articles dedicated to these delightful dogs.

Last update on 2024-03-18 at 19:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API