Dog Breed Guide

French Bulldog

Profile

Size

Small

Country of origin

France

Origin

19th century

Bred for

Companion

Height

27 - 35cm (11 - 14in)

Weight

8 - 14kg (18 - 31lb)

Life span

10 - 12 years

Large, erect "bat ears" shaped like a bat's wings, a pushed-in nose and a small, sturdy body are the Frenchie's trademarks. The short, smooth coat comes in fawn, brindle and pied (white with patches).

Cheerful and charming, it is very affectionate with its family. It rarely barks without reason and does not need a lot of exercise, so it suits apartments and city life. Its slightly stubborn, go-its-own-way personality is part of its appeal.

Its short nose makes breathing difficult, and it is extremely sensitive to heat. Heatstroke is a serious danger, so indoor temperatures must be controlled in summer. With a heavy body and short legs, it is a poor swimmer, so never take your eyes off it near water. Snoring and spinal problems are also concerns.

Good to know

Its roots lie in Nottingham, England. In the 19th century small bulldogs were popular with lace makers there, and when the Industrial Revolution cost them their jobs and they moved to Normandy in France, they took their little bulldogs with them. In Paris the dogs mixed with terriers, pugs and others and are said to have developed into today's form, with the trademark bat ears.

There was even a French Bulldog aboard the Titanic when it sank in 1912. Gamin de Pycombe belonged to the passenger Robert Daniel, who had just bought him in England for 150 pounds. Daniel was saved in a lifeboat, but his dog went down with the ship. He later filed a claim for 750 dollars as compensation for the dog.

On the American Kennel Club's popularity rankings, the French Bulldog overtook the Labrador Retriever, which had held the top spot for 31 years in a row, in 2022 and has stayed at number one ever since.