How Big Do French Bulldogs Get?

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French bulldogs were bred to be companion dogs. They are affectionate, loyal, curious and bright. Size is an important factor when choosing a pet, so you may want to know how big French bulldogs get. You will be happy to hear that this breed will do well in any kind of living space.

French Bulldogs Size

French bulldogs come with 2 variations – the teacup and the mini. The AKC or American Kennel Club doesn’t recognize these variations because they did not pass the traditional breed standards. Some breeders say that teacup and mini French bulldogs are 2 dissimilar titles for the same breed.

Standard French bulldogs usually weigh 28 lbs and stand at 12″ tall. On the other hand, teacup and mini French bulldogs are much smaller. A lot of mini French bulldogs weigh between 7 lbs to 14 lbs. Some even weigh 5 lbs. Teacup Frenchies weigh 18 lbs or less.

Frenchies usually have a small litter size, producing only 2 to 4 puppies. The litter size affects the size of the pups. Newborn Frenchies usually weigh 11 oz to 14 oz but the weights range from 8 oz to 20 oz. Their growth spurt occurs between the ages of nine months and one year. They continue to gain weight and grow until they reach adulthood at about two years of age.

Due to their English bulldog pedigree, Frenchies have a short, broad neck. The standard neck circumference of a French bulldog is about 14″. The size of their collar ranges from 12″ to 16″. The width of their neck and the size of their skull could be one of the reasons why some Frenchies have breathing problems.

French bulldogs are stocky and muscular dogs with a broad chest. Their chest measures 18″ to 26″ around the barrel. Due to their heavy frame, this breed cannot swim so Frenchies should not be left alone near pools, lakes or other bodies of water.

French bulldogs have a square shape and short snout. Their head’s circumference is between 13″ and 18.5″.  The average French bulldog measures between 10″ and 11″ long. This sturdy and compact dogs love to curl up on their human’s lap. The easy-going nature of Frenchies and their tendency to not bark make them a great choice for those who live in apartments.

AKC Breed Standards and Restrictions

Traditional French bulldogs can be registered with the AKC. Here are the standards and restrictions for this breed.

  • French bulldogs that weigh over 28 lbs are disqualified.
  • French bulldogs should have a muscular body of a medium or small build. Their body parts should be in perfect proportion.
  • Their head should be square and large with bat ears, broad deep muzzle, flat skull and dark eyes. French bulldogs with green or blue eyes are disqualified. Their neck should be thick and well-arched with loose skin around their throat.
  • The hindquarters of French bulldogs should be muscular and strong as well as longer than their front legs. Their forequarters should be set wide apart, straight and short.
  • The acceptable colors are fawn, white, cream or any mix of these colors. Other colors are disqualified.
  • French bulldogs should have a short, shiny and smooth coat. Coats that are not short and smooth are disqualified.

French Bulldogs Weight

Male French bulldogs weigh between 20 lbs and 28 lbs while the female ones weigh between 18 lbs and 26 lbs. There are certain factors may affect their weight such as diet, exercise and genetics. Male Frenchies tend to be heavier than the females.

The size difference is obvious in small dogs. There’s not much difference when it comes to height. The size of the pup’s parents significantly affects their weight. Experienced breeders can frequently predict the size of a dog when he reaches adulthood by using the Double-Up and Four-Fold formulas.

The Double-Up formula states that the weight of an adult dog will be twice its current weight when it is 4 months old. The Four-Fold formula states that an adult dog’s weight will be 4 times its current weight when it’s 8 weeks old. For instance, a puppy that weighs 12 lbs at 4-months should weigh 24 lbs when it becomes an adult.

Is Your Frenchie Overweight?

Frenchies are not exempt from weight problems. They are often left alone and because of this, they don’t get the physical activity or exercise they need. Frenchies can put on weight quickly.

How can you determine if your Frenchie is overweight? If your dog has no visible muscles, it is an obvious sign that he is overweight.

Frenchies can develop respiratory problems because of their short snout and flat face. If you see that he’s having more breathing problems than normal even with little activity, your dog might be overweight.

Another sign that your dog is overweight is if he can’t groom himself properly and can’t reach some parts of his body that he was able to do in the past. This only means that your dog needs to lose weight.

How to Keep Your Frenchie Healthy and Fit

Exercise is the best way to keep your French bulldog healthy and fit. He should exercise at least once a day. This could be a walk around the neighborhood or dog park. Playtime and short walks are enough for Frenchies. This way, you won’t risk over exercising your pet.

You can walk your French bulldog for about 15 to 20 minutes every day. If it is too cold or too hot to go outside, you can stay inside the house. You can play hide and seek with him to satisfy his curiosity and give him exercise. Teach him the “stay” command. Continue to say this command while you hide for him to find you.

Train your Frenchie to react to another command to find you. You can give him a treat at first, but your dog will eventually come and find you even without a treat. Don’t over exercise your dog.

Due to their shorter nose and flatter face, they find it hard to control their body temperature. To determine how much exercise they need, observe when your dog tires during physical activities.

This breed is susceptible to being overworked easily. Overworked older dogs and puppies are prone to heat exhaustion and joint problems. The heart of older Frenchies may not be as good as before, so they may feel tired much quicker when exercising.

French bulldogs are smart and will stop doing whatever they are involved in when they feel tired. They will cool themselves and rest when they need to. If you live in an area with a hot climate, you should consider buying a children’s pool that your Frenchie can use after his exercise.

Just make sure that you are there to supervise him. As mentioned before, Frenchies can’t swim. You should supervise your Frenchie even if he is wearing a doggie swimming vest. French bulldog puppies can nip at other people or pets when they are in a new environment or excited.

This action decreases as they grow older, but you have to socialize your pet as early as possible to let him enjoy an active lifestyle and to prevent this hyperactive behavior.

What to Consider When Exercising Your Frenchie

Since French bulldogs find it hard to control their body temperature, it’s important to walk them during the cooler part of the day. Always bring something to provide shade and water when you’re walking them outside. Consider playing with them in an air-conditioned room during the summer.

Observe your pet’s behavior when you take him out for a walk. Foamy saliva and increased panting are early indications of heat exhaustion. If your dog shows these signs, you should place him in cool water and use a fan to bring down his temperature.

French bulldogs need regular exercise to stay healthy, but you should know their limit as well. This way, they won’t be prone to exhaustion and other health problems.

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