Unique Physical Features

• Large, bat-like ears


• Flat-face (brachycephalic) and narrow nostrils


• Stocky and muscular build

Unique Personality

The Frenchie is a fun-loving breed who can go from the life of the party to asleep in your favorite chair in no time. They’re playful and entertaining, not to mention extremely affectionate and loyal to their humans.

History of the French Bulldog

Some believe French Bulldogs can be traced all the way back to the mastiff-type dogs kept by an ancient Greek tribe called the Molassians — spread throughout the world by Phoenician traders. Many of these large dogs were used in sporting contests against bulls and other animals. When this practice was banned in England in 1835, many of the breeders shifted their focus to create a breed more suitable as a companion dog.

Companion dogs of the time were generally small, so the larger, 1800s English Bulldogs were crossed with Terriers (and possibly the Pug as well) to create a “Toy Bulldog.” Interestingly, this miniature breed became popular with the lace workers of Nottingham, England. Ultimately, the lace workers were pushed out of England by the Industrial Revolution and made their way to France. And that’s how the Frenchie finally made it to France.

The people of France, particularly high society, were rather smitten with these unique, stalky companion dogs. At that time, the floppy, bat-like ears we love in today’s French Bulldogs did not meet The Kennel Club’s breed standard. And English breeders saw an opportunity to export these little guys to France, where these puppies were all the rage. As often happens when breeds are introduced into a new culture, these toy Bulldogs were crossed again with small terriers. The result was the Bouledogue Francais, or French Bulldog — quite the status symbol.

Changes Over Time

When the new French Bulldog was imported back to England, there was pushback from traditional English breeders. Their concern — English-bred Bulldogs had rose ears folding at the tip, as we see today. They did not want the French and English breeds to mix. Both rose-eared and bat-eared French Bulldogs were entered in shows. But judges primarily chose rose-eared members of the breed as the winners.

In the late 1800s, American travelers started their love affair with the French Bulldog, preferring the large bat ears. This is how they made their way to the United States. And this move from across the pond is what prompted the breed standard we see today. In 1898, American owners of the breed boycotted the Westminster Dog Show. They weren’t happy Frenchies with both kinds of ears were allowed to participate, despite the French Bulldog Club of America requiring a bat ear as the breed standard. In an epic “shade-throwing” move, the club hosted their own swanky dog show at the Waldorf-Astoria, only allowing French Bulldogs with bat ears to participate. From there, the popularity of the breed (with the official bat ears) grew quickly, especially among the East Coast elite.

U.S. History of the French Bulldog Over Time

After their bat-eared American debut in the late 1800s, Frenchies were quite popular for the next few decades. Their popularity began to wane after World War I, thanks to the rise of the Boston Terrier as the new star of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. French Bulldogs also had trouble giving birth to their puppies naturally and didn’t do well during the summer heat.

Sadly, there were only 100 French Bulldogs registered with the AKC in 1940. And only 106 registered twenty years later in 1960. It wasn’t until the 1980s that the Frenchie experienced a jump in popularity that continues today. By 1990 there were 632 registered French Bulldogs and over 5,500 in 2006.

In 2018, the French Bulldog held the spot of 4th Most Popular Breed in the U.S. based on AKC registrations, and they continue to grow in popularity due in part to their social media presence and celebrity exposure.

French Bulldog Behavior and Training

French Bulldogs were bred as companion dogs and are experts at it. Their silly and entertaining personalities are endearing. And their eagerness to please makes training fun and successful, as long as their owner is positive, consistent, and patient. They also make great little guard dogs and will alert you when something or someone is afoot.

Frenchies do have some strong opinions, and they aren’t afraid to show it. While some call this “stubborn,” the breed’s lineage includes bulldogs and terriers, bred to be hard-working and able to think independently. It’s all about building solid, positive training habits that begin when they are a puppy, and knowing your Frenchie’s motivators.

French Bulldogs do best with consistent positive reinforcement training. Many love working for food (who doesn’t?), but also find toys and play with their human very rewarding.

Frenchies can also be sensitive to harsh scolding or yelling. Punishments, whether verbal or physical, not only damage the relationship between a Frenchie and their owner but also tend not to work in the long run. Often, it creates long-term behavioral issues. By focusing on teaching a Frenchie what to do, rather than on unwanted behaviors, they will be well-behaved, flat-faced rock stars.

Plays Well with Others?

• While Frenchies are known for their outgoing and social nature, proper proactive exposure to new sights, sounds, people, dogs, and other animals as a young puppy is essential for their socialization skills.

• French Bulldogs are a frequent breed choice for families with children. They’re outgoing, rugged, and can tolerate the physical handling of young kids. Make sure they have been properly introduced and socialized with children as a young puppy to set them up for success. Young children and dogs should always be supervised, and it’s helpful for a dog to have their own “safe space” where they can go when they need some quiet time.


• When it comes to animal buddies in the home, it’s once again, all about socialization. As long as they have been properly socialized and introduced, French Bulldogs can enjoy and benefit from the companionship of other animals. Just remember, they tend to have a high-energy, rough and tumble play style — they might be small, but they play hard! Early socialization during puppyhood helps French Bulldogs learn proper play. And it’s important to always supervise play between a Frenchie and other dogs to keep it fun for everyone.

Exercise Requirements

French Bulldogs need daily exercise. But due to their flat-faces and breathing difficulties, it’s essential to make sure they don’t overdo it. A little outside playtime or short walks are a great way to keep a Frenchie in good shape. Never exercise them in warmer temperatures or when it’s humid outside, and provide lots of breaks and water. Frenchies should always be monitored for heatstroke symptoms, which include: rapid panting, drooling, bright red tongue or gums, and trouble breathing.

Mental Enrichment Needs

Mental enrichment is important for Frenchies, not only to keep them entertained but also to help prevent separation anxiety. Stimulate their brains by teaching new tricks, attending obedience classes, joining a dog sport, and providing dog puzzles and interactive toys. These activities are a great way to provide an outlet for all that French Bulldog puppy energy.

Common Behavioral Issues

Frenchie puppies are known to take to house training slower than other breeds, though most get the hang of it by 6 to 9 months of age. Because Frenchies love their humans so much, they are prone to separation anxiety if they aren’t taught at a young age that being away from their human is nothing to worry about. Spending some time on this potential problem early on will save you and your Frenchie many anxious days.

Fun Activities the French Bulldog Enjoys

French Bulldogs enjoy activities that keep them close to their humans, including:

• Rally Obedience


• Conformation (dog shows)


• Trick Training


• Scent Work

French Bulldog Coat Type

Frenchies sport a short, smooth coat and come in a variety of colors, from white to cream to brindle (often referred to as tiger stripe) or piebald (a specific dappled coat). You’ll also see fawn-colored Frenchies (a light tan coat with a black mask). And while there are other “specialty” colors for French Bulldogs, such as blue, solid black, black and white, or merle, these are disqualifying colors according to the breed’s AKC standards.

French Bulldogs need weekly brushing, which helps evenly distribute the natural oils in their coat and remove any dirt and shedding fur. Regular bathing is recommended for this breed as well, with special care to keep their face wrinkles clean and dry, to keep the yeast and bacterial populations in check and prevent uncomfortable and recurrent infections. Introduce your Frenchie puppy to the grooming experience from a young age to create a positive association that will make lifelong grooming easy.

Best Brush for French Bulldogs: Bristle brush

Famous Owners of the French Bulldog

• Simone Biles (Gymnast)


• Chrissy Teigan and John Legend (Model/Actress and Musician)


• Carrie Fisher (Actress)


• Jonah Hill (Actor)


• The Rock (Actor)


• Vernon Davis (Football player)


• Juju Smith-Schuster (Football player)


• Eva Longoria (Actress)


• Martha Stewart (Lifestyle expert)


• Michael Phelps (Swimmer)

Famous French Bulldogs

• Francesca and Sharkey, Martha Stewart’s Frenchies, had their own product line and blog


• Zoe, the San Francisco 49ers official emotional support dog. The first in the NFL


• Gary Fisher, the beloved Frenchie of Carrie Fisher

French Bulldogs in Books, Movies and TV

• Stella on Modern Family


• Sonny in Due Date


• Mr. Quiggly from the Skechers commercial

Non-Endorsement Statement: The social media posts displayed here do not imply any endorsement of these people or products, nor does it imply they endorse Trupanion or our product.

Common Health Conditions for the French Bulldog Breed

Use the chart of Trupanion claims data below to find out what health conditions happen most frequently for French Bulldogs. Every French Bulldog is unique, but understanding what health conditions are likelier to occur can help you be a more prepared pet owner.