Non-SportingEngland / France

French Bulldog

A pocket-sized comedian with big opinions.

Weight: 16–28 lbs
Height: 11–13 in
Lifespan: 10–12 yrs

In short

The French Bulldog is a non-sporting companion breed, developed from lace-workers' small bulldogs in England and France, weighing 16–28 lbs and standing 11–13 in tall, with an affectionate, playful and clownish temperament. It needs only short exercise sessions but careful heat management, airway monitoring and strict weight control throughout its 10–12 year lifespan.

Is it right for you?

A great match if you…

want a small, funny dog for apartment life
prefer short, easy walks to long outings
are home a lot and want a close companion

Think twice if you…

live somewhere hot without air conditioning
want a jogging or hiking partner
can't budget for possible breathing or spine care

The daily plan

Exercise: 30–60 min
Training: 2–4 × 5 min
Treat limit: 45–65 kcal

At a glance

TrainabilityWilling learner7.0/10

EnergyModerate4.0/10

Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10

SheddingLight shedder3.5/10

What sets it apart

01
Bat ears
Large, upright, rounded ears are the breed's signature and need weekly cleaning to prevent yeast.
02
Flat face
Brachycephalic skull shortens the airway, so heat, exertion and stress cut breathing capacity fast.
03
Compact frame
A heavy-boned, muscular body on a short back makes weight control critical for spine and joints.

Size & coat

Specification	Male	Female
Weight	20–28 lbs	16–24 lbs
Height	11–13 in	11–13 in
Daily calories	590–850 kcal	500–760 kcal
Lifespan	10–12 yrs
Coat	Short, smooth, single coat

Side profile 11–13 in at the shoulder

Back in stock soon

Personality

A clown-hearted companion that wants to be wherever you are, with a stubborn streak.

How it thinks

Smart but motivated by company and food rather than tasks; learns quickly and tunes out dull repetition.

At home

Thrives as a one-household shadow, mixes well with children and other pets, and fusses if left alone for long.

Training

How often

2–4 sessions daily, 5 minutes each, indoors and cool.
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)

Socialize between 8–16 weeks with people, traffic, other dogs and handling of the face and paws.
Self-control

Teach a settle-on-mat and wait-at-door; reward calm before excitement builds and breathing quickens.
What it works for

Tiny, fast-eaten liver pieces keep sessions short and calorie-controlled for a breed that gains weight easily.

Exercise

Exercise a day 30–60 min

CouchModerateAthlete

Good outlets

Two or three short, cool-weather walks
Gentle indoor play
Short sniff-focused outings.

Brain work

Snuffle mats and puzzle feeders
Short trick sessions
Scent games.

Feeding

Prone to food sensitivities, gas and weight gain. Feed measured meals of a single-protein diet and slow the eating pace.

Puppy (4–12 Mos)

Daily calories: 460–1,050 kcal
Protein: 28%
Fat: 18%
Treat limit, all treats: 45–105 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–5 pieces a day

Adult Maintenance

Daily calories: 430–660 kcal
Protein: 26%
Fat: 15%
Treat limit, all treats: 45–65 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Active / Working

Daily calories: 680–1,040 kcal
Protein: 30%
Fat: 20%
Treat limit, all treats: 70–105 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 3–5 pieces a day

Senior (8+ Yrs)

Daily calories: 370–570 kcal
Protein: 28%
Fat: 12%
Treat limit, all treats: 35–55 kcal
Saylor's liver, suggested: 2–3 pieces a day

Compare every life stage

Life stage	Daily calories	Protein	Fat	Treat limit (all treats)	Saylor's liver, suggested / day
Puppy (4–12 Mos)	460–1,050 kcal	28%	18%	45–105 kcal	2–5 pieces
Adult Maintenance	430–660 kcal	26%	15%	45–65 kcal	2–3 pieces
Active / Working	680–1,040 kcal	30%	20%	70–105 kcal	3–5 pieces
Senior (8+ Yrs)	370–570 kcal	28%	12%	35–55 kcal	2–3 pieces

The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.

Health & grooming

Watch for	Ask the breeder or vet for	When
Brachycephalic airway syndrome	Veterinary airway exam and weight check	Yearly
Intervertebral disc disease	Neurologic and spine exam	Yearly or with any back pain
Skin-fold dermatitis and allergies	Skin and ear check	Every vet visit
Hip dysplasia	OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation	Once. OFA final results from 24 months
Inherited eye disease	Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (ACVO)	Yearly while breeding
Luxating patella (slipping kneecaps)	OFA patella evaluation	Once, from 12 months
Heart disease	Heart exam by a veterinary cardiologist	Before breeding; ask for the latest result

Official health tests for breeding dogs

The OFA's CHIC program asks French Bulldog breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.

Hip evaluation
Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
Kneecap (patella) check
Heart exam

Also recommended

Tracheal Hypoplasia
Elbow evaluation
Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts (HSF4-1)
Breathing grade (RFGS)
Cystinuria Type III

See the full list on OFA.org

Grooming Moderate year-round, with light seasonal increases

Wipe facial folds daily, brush weekly, clean ears weekly, trim nails every 3 weeks and keep the dog cool.

History

Origins

English Bulldog Miniatures

Lace workers in Nottingham bred small bulldogs, and many moved to France in the 1800s.
Standardization

Parisian Standardization

French breeders favored erect bat ears, and the breed was recognized in the late 1800s.
Modern Companion

Urban Favorite

A low-exercise, affectionate city dog now ranked among the most popular breeds in the US.

Questions owners ask

Are French Bulldogs easy to train?

Yes, with patience. Frenchies are bright but stubborn and food-motivated, so short, upbeat sessions with small rewards work best. Avoid hard exertion and heat during training.

How many calories does a French Bulldog need per day?

An active adult French Bulldog (16–28 lbs) typically needs about 500–850 kcal per day (1.6–1.8× resting energy requirement), while a neutered, low-activity adult needs about 430–660 kcal and a working dog up to 680–1,040 kcal. Adjust to body condition and your vet's advice.

What is the best diet and training treat for a French Bulldog?

Small, fast-eaten, high-value pieces. Keep every treat inside the 10% limit: about 45–65 kcal a day in total for an adult French Bulldog of typical size. If you use Saylor's freeze-dried liver, keep it to a small share of that, roughly 2–3 pieces a day: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should stay a topper, not a staple. Adjust for your own dog's size and body condition, and ask your vet if there is a health condition or special diet.

Are French Bulldogs good for apartments or first-time owners?

Yes. Their small size and modest exercise needs suit apartments and first-time owners, though they dislike being alone and overheat easily, so air conditioning matters.

How much exercise does a French Bulldog require daily?

Plan for 30–60 minutes of split, low-impact activity. Walk in cool hours and stop at the first sign of heavy panting or noisy breathing.

What health issues are French Bulldogs prone to?

Common concerns include brachycephalic airway syndrome, intervertebral disc disease, skin-fold infections, allergies and eye problems. Keep your Frenchie lean and cool, and have its breathing checked yearly.

Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats

Back in stock soon

We're restocking. When it's back, a French Bulldog needs only 2–3 pieces a day, well inside the 45–65 kcal treat limit.

See the product

Where the French Bulldog ranks

Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.