Choosing a best friend and companion in a dog is not an easy task. You need to consider a puppy’s breed, size, temperament and demeanor, look, lifespan, possible health issues and how they will fit in with your lifestyle. With breed being the deciding factor for which pup you can choose, it’s important to understand that within a type of dog breed, there will be slightly different naming conventions. These naming conventions do have a meaning behind them and generally mean that the size of the dog can vary. This is where Mini French Bulldogs can be introduced to the mix.
In this article, we will examine the difference between the French Bulldog and the Mini French Bulldog, why there are different types of Frenchies, how to breed for a Mini French Bulldog and a comparison of appearance and build, characteristics, behaviors and lifespan of the French Bulldog and Mini French Bulldog.
The French Bulldog Breed
French Bulldogs as a breed are one of a kind in the dog world. In 2022, the Frenchie was named the most popular breed of dog for the year. This has come to a surprise as the Labrador Retriever had been the most popular dog breed in America for 31 years straight. You can distinguish the features of this breed by their large, bat-like ears and even disposition. With super short noses and extremely wrinkly faces, the Frenchie doesn’t bark too much and is known for their alertness, making them great watchdogs. This breed is classified by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as a smaller dog that are perfect for city dwellers and those who live in apartments.
Why are there different types of French Bulldogs?
It is widely known that there are a few different names you can call a French Bulldog based on their size and genetics. There’s the mini/miniature, teacup and micro variations. These are all bred from the standard Frenchie but are not the standard size of a Frenchie. Many love the look of the Standard French Bulldog but wish it came in an even smaller size. Essentially all these other names associated with Frenchies are the same as one another. They all mean that they are a smaller breed than the standard-sized French Bulldog. While these small dogs are adorable, they are not widely recognized as a breed according to the AKC as they generally are not purebred dogs.
How to breed for Mini French Bulldogs
To breed for mini French Bulldog puppies, there are three ways a person can go about creating miniature versions of the Frenchie and each have their risks associated with it.
- Cultivating a dwarfism mutation: many dog breeds are made from genetic mutations including the standard French Bulldog. When you play god to make a smaller version of the Frenchie, it can cause multiple health problems including chronic pain, shortened spinal vertebrae , bowed legs and abnormal facial and skull structure.
- Breeding from runts of litters: when you breed from the runt of the litter, you’re using the weakest and smallest of the litter. This is one of the most unhealthy practices and repeating this process can result in further issues and concerns of the health of the puppies.
- Crossbreeding with smaller dogs: you can crossbreed a standard French Bulldog with other breeds such as Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers. The outcome of these crossbreeds can vary depending on the breeds chosen. Some breeders can be unethical though and are known for breeding French Bulldog’s with a smaller dog breed and then keep breeding until they look like a purebred Frenchie puppy. They are then advertised and sold as if they are purebred Frenchies but this is definitely not the case.
It’s important to note that there is no real ethical way to breed for a Miniature French Bulldog or any type of smaller version of the Frenchie.
The difference between a Mini French Bulldog and a French Bulldog
Characteristics, Appearance and Build
The main distinguishable characteristics of a Frenchie or French Bulldog mix is their big bat like ears. These ears are completely unique to the breed. They have muscular bodies that almost mimic the body of an English Bulldog but in a smaller size. French Bulldogs tend to have very short, stumpy tails that sit just over their anus. They are born with these short tails and were not disfigured. However, the breed did have longer tails originally. French Bulldog breeders created these shorter tails by selective breeding which then created shorter tails over time.
The average height and weight of the standard Frenchie is 14.5 inches tall and sit between 28 pounds and 30 pounds heavy whereas the Mini Frenchie will stand less than 11 inches tall and weight between 15-25 pounds. You will find that all versions of the French Bulldog come in similar colors but are known to vary more in Mini Frenchies based on how they are bred. When it comes to standard Frenchies, they are much broader and stronger in their build than the teacup Frenchie (otherwise known as the Miniature Frenchie). Though much of their appearance is similar including their brachycephalic nose and face shape.
The color and type of coat these two breed have is slightly different depending on the breed. A version of the standard Frenchie can come in popular colors such as brindle, cream, fawn, white and blue whereas Teacup Frenchies can be brindle, white, fawn or pied. Their coat type is also slightly different depending on the breed of Frenchie. Standard ones are known for their short, fine and smooth coat and the mini versions are known for their short but tough coat feel.
Behaviors
The behaviors and traits between the standard Frenchie and their miniature breeds are very much the same. They are known for their affectionate nature, playfulness, obedience and their adaptability to change. Behavior in a mini French Bulldog will vary depending on the exact mix of small dog breeds. In saying that, the mini should be of a similar nature to the French Bulldog. Mini Frenchies are super people-oriented much like the standard Frenchies. While both types of this breed are great companions for laid back owners, they do tend to need time around their family and can become depressed if they are left alone for too long during the day. While this breed of dog are generally good living in apartments, they can become bored if left alone for too long. This can result in the dog becoming anxious and destructive within their surroundings.
Lifespan
You best friend’s lifespan can depend on the level of care you give them. This includes diet and level of exercise, regular health checks at the vet and providing vaccinations. The average French Bulldog lives between 10 to 12 years, making it a similar life expectancy to other dogs such as a Boston Terrier and Pug. Other (smaller) versions of the French Bulldog may not live as long as the average French Bulldog due to a list of health issues and possibly inbreeding practises that take place. Frenchies of all types are not friends with the extreme heat and are prone to heatstroke due to their short muzzles. In these situations, it is recommended you try and keep your pup out of the heat and close to drinking water. Similar to overheating, the small bodies of the Frenchie are also prone to hypothermia during the colder months. During this time, your dog may benefit from wearing a winter coat and dog booties to protect their bodies from icy temperatures.
Health Issues of Teacup French Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs of all kinds, like all dogs are not exempt to possible health issues. A French Bulldog is likely to have issues with their breathing which can cause respiratory issues with exercise, sleeping (snoring) and general day to day activities. Any type of French Bulldog can suffer from skin and ear infections as well as allergies. These health concerns are also prominent in the smaller version of the French Bulldog as well as further potential health problems. Due to the small size of these miniature dogs, the chances of them hurting themselves from sudden jumping and/or falling from high surfaces is highly probable. If a smaller breed of French Bulldog is created from using dwarfism genetics, they are likely to be prone to bone and joint issues, narrower pelvises, muscle issues and large heads. If you’re choosing a Frenchie for your new best friend, it is recommended you choose a reputable breeder ensure that French Bulldog health issues are minimalized.
Sometimes, the mini or teacup French Bulldog may be more expensive than the standard sized ones. Watch out for this as mini Frenchies are prone to more health issues than the standard sized dogs of this breed. French Bulldogs generally have a high average cost in terms of caring for them due to their health issues.
French Bulldog vs Miniature French Bulldog: A Summary
French Bulldogs are currently the most popular choice of dog that is accepted by the American Kennel Club. Their miniature size is attractive to those who live in apartments and city areas. This breed is generally low maintenance when it comes to exercise and does not require as much exercise as some of the big canine breeds do. They however should not be allowed to exercise for too long in hot or humid whether due to their nose and breathing difficulties. Standard French Bulldogs are recognized as an official breed according to the AKC but the smaller versions including the Mini French Bulldog, Teacup French Bulldog and the Micro French Bulldog are not. This is due to there being no ethical way of actually breeding these smaller versions. If you’re considering getting a Mini Frenchie, make sure you do your research before committing. There are a number of health concerns and associated costs to consider when it comes to these small dogs. However, they will provide love, affection and a fun attitude that will brighten up your day if you do choose to adopt a Teacup or Mini French Bulldog.
