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Animal register · DogIn the app

French Bulldog

Frenchie

The French Bulldog is a small, sturdy companion dog from France with a short, smooth coat and upright “bat ears”. Its standard describes a sociable, lively and playful dog; UK charities call it laid back and adaptable and say it tends to get along well with children, which has made it a popular family pet.

It needs up to an hour of exercise a day and suits a flat. The trade-off every source raises is the flat face: it can make breathing harder, and Frenchies overheat quickly, especially in warm weather — so shade, water and calm walks matter. PDSA suggests families also consider adopting an adult French Bulldog.

Available in the 12-week PetPrep Challenge (paid breed).

Updated:

French Bulldog — photo (AI)
AI-generated photo

At a glance

Size
small — The Royal Kennel Club S78
Adult weight
males 9–14 kg, females 8–13 kg — FCI S76; ideal (breed standard): males 12.5 kg, females 11 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S79; 11–12.5 kg — PDSA S81; measured average: males 13.7 kg, females 11.5 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5:3 S83
Daily exercise
up to 1 hour a day — The Royal Kennel Club S78
Brushing
once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S78
Shedding
sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S78; sheds minimally — Woodgreen Pets Charity S82
Lifespan
median 9.8 years — Scientific Reports S54; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S78

Key facts from the sources at the bottom of the page. Where sources differ, each value is listed.

Who it suits

Good for:

  • apartment livingS78
  • family lifeS81
  • families with childrenS81S82

Keep in mind:

  • flat face — breathing and heat problemsS78S81S82S84S86
  • strong prey drive — may chase small petsS81

The same tags as in the app. Each tag is backed by the sources listed at the bottom of the page.

What it needs

From breed standards, kennel clubs, veterinary charities and studies. Where sources differ, each one is shown.

Exercise

  • Daily exercise: up to 1 hour a day — The Royal Kennel Club S78

Coat and grooming

  • Coat: short — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Brushing: once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Grooming needs: low — Woodgreen Pets Charity S82
  • Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Shedding: sheds minimally — Woodgreen Pets Charity S82

Meals

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • 8–12 weeks: 4 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 3–6 months: 3 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • 6–12 months: 2 meals a day — ASPCA S18
  • Adult: at least 2 meals a day — VCA Animal Hospitals S19
  • Senior: 2–3 meals a day, smaller portions — Dogs Trust S14

Lifespan

  • Lifespan: median 9.8 years — Scientific Reports S54
  • Lifespan: more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S78

Life stages

  • Reaches adult size at: about 9–15 months (guidance for its size class) — PetMD S10

General guidance for dogs (not breed-specific):

  • Puppy: until about 6–9 months — AAHA S11
  • Young adult: until 3–4 years — AAHA S11
  • Senior: the last 25 % of the expected lifespan — AAHA S11

Size and weight

  • Size: small — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Height at the withers: males 27–35 cm, females 24–32 cm — FCI S76
  • Adult weight: males 9–14 kg, females 8–13 kg — FCI S76
  • Adult weight: ideal (breed standard): males 12.5 kg, females 11 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S79
  • Adult weight: 11–12.5 kg — PDSA S81
  • Adult weight: measured average: males 13.7 kg, females 11.5 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5:3 S83

Training

  • No. 58 in Stanley Coren's ranking of working and obedience intelligence. — Wikipedia S35
  • FCI standard no. 101, group 9 (companion and toy dogs); origin: France. — FCI S77

Questions and answers

Answered only from the sourced facts on this page; every answer names its sources.

How much exercise does a French Bulldog need?

According to our sources, the French Bulldog needs this much exercise: up to 1 hour a day — The Royal Kennel Club S78.

How long does a French Bulldog live?

According to our sources, the lifespan of the French Bulldog is: median 9.8 years — Scientific Reports S54; more than 10 years — The Royal Kennel Club S78. The sources give different values, so each one is listed.

How big does a French Bulldog get and how much does it weigh?

Size and adult weight of the French Bulldog, according to our sources: Size: small — The Royal Kennel Club S78; Adult weight: males 9–14 kg, females 8–13 kg — FCI S76; ideal (breed standard): males 12.5 kg, females 11 kg — The Royal Kennel Club S79; 11–12.5 kg — PDSA S81; measured average: males 13.7 kg, females 11.5 kg — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5:3 S83.

How much grooming does a French Bulldog need?

Coat and grooming of the French Bulldog, according to our sources: Brushing: once a week — The Royal Kennel Club S78; Grooming needs: low — Woodgreen Pets Charity S82; Shedding: sheds — The Royal Kennel Club S78; sheds minimally — Woodgreen Pets Charity S82; Coat: short — The Royal Kennel Club S78.

Who is the French Bulldog a good fit for?

Our sources describe the French Bulldog as a good fit for: apartment living — The Royal Kennel Club S78; family life — PDSA S81; families with children — PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity S81S82. Keep in mind: flat face — breathing and heat problems — The Royal Kennel Club, PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity, Canine Medicine and Genetics 8:13, Scientific Reports 10:9128 S78S81S82S84S86; strong prey drive — may chase small pets — PDSA S81.

Game rules, not veterinary advice

How PetPrep simulates it

In PetPrep one real week is one month of the pet's life. These are the rules the game uses for this breed. PetPrep chose them from the sources on this page; they are not care instructions for a real animal.

Life stageStartsMeals a dayDaily step goal
Puppyarrives at 2 months4; from month 3: 3; from month 6: 21,000 steps per month of age (2,000 on arrival), up to 6,000 from month 6
Young dogmonth 926,000 steps
Adultmonth 36 (3 years)26,000 steps
Seniormonth 88 (7.3 years)24,500 steps
  • Step goal = minutes of daily exercise × 100 steps: an adult gets 1 hour, so 6,000 steps a day.
  • Learns commands more slowly than the mixed breed of the free plan (0.7× its speed).
  • Becomes a senior in month 88 (7.3 years) — the last quarter of the breed's expected lifespan.
  • Walks count real steps from Apple Health or Health Connect (with permission, read-only) and the phone's motion sensor — no GPS.
  • Combing once a week.
  • In summer (June–August; December–February in the southern hemisphere) the child and walk screens show a calm reminder between 11:00 and 16:00 family time: no walks in the heat. No weather data, no penalty — steps still count.

Each game number is a PetPrep decision recorded with its sources. — PetMD, AAHA, Dogs Trust, ASPCA, VCA Animal Hospitals, The Royal Kennel Club, Purdue University Canine Welfare Science, Wikipedia, British Journal of Sports Medicine, Scientific Reports, PDSA, Woodgreen Pets Charity S10S11S14S15S18S19S21S24S35S45S54S78S81S82

Health

For information only, not vet-reviewed. Ask your vet about your own animal.

  • Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed: the short muzzle, narrow nostrils and extra soft tissue in the airway can make breathing harder (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, BOAS). — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Overheats quickly and is more vulnerable to heatstroke than most dogs, especially in warm weather. — Scientific Reports 10:9128 S86
  • Prone to ear inflammation and skin-fold infections; the skin folds need to be kept clean and dry. — Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5:3 S83
  • Merle is not a breed-standard colour; in this breed it carries a higher risk of hearing and sight problems. — The Royal Kennel Club S78

Before you buy: what to check with the breeder

Questions to settle before you take a puppy home. The points are advice from vets, welfare charities and kennel clubs; each cites its source.

For every breed

  • See the puppy with its mother, where it was born. — PDSA, RSPCA K1K2
  • The puppy should not leave its mother before 8 weeks of age. — PDSA K1
  • Ask for the pedigree. Under FCI rules a pedigree may be issued for correct parentage only. — FCI K7
  • Ask to see the health-test results of both parents. Which tests matter depends on the breed. — PDSA, British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K1K9K10
  • National kennel clubs can set breeding rules that go beyond the FCI's — ask the breed club which tests the parents need. — FCI K7
  • Ask for a written sale contract that records the puppy's background and health. — British Veterinary Association, FOUR PAWS UK K9K10

Laws on the minimum age, microchipping and vaccination differ by country — check the rules where you live.

Health tests of the parents for this breed

Tests the Royal Kennel Club recommends as a minimum

  • Breathing test for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS grading) — The Royal Kennel Club S78

Further tests for best practice

  • DNA test for hereditary cataract (HSF4) — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Elbow X-ray screening for elbow dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Eye examination by a veterinary eye specialist (UK: BVA/KC/ISDS scheme; for some breeds with gonioscopy) — The Royal Kennel Club S78
  • Hip X-ray screening for hip dysplasia (UK: BVA/KC scheme) — The Royal Kennel Club S78

These lists come from the UK's Royal Kennel Club and are an orientation; national kennel clubs can set their own, stricter rules. Ask the breed club and the breeder which tests the parents have done.

Similar breeds

Other dogs in the register with similar needs — each with sourced facts.

Sources

Every fact on this page cites one of these sources.

  1. S10PetMD — S. C. Mitchell, DVM, DABVP, 2025-05-20 — When Do Dogs Stop Growing?https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/when-do-dogs-stop-growing
  2. S11AAHA — 2019 AAHA Canine Life Stage Guidelines — Canine life stage definitionshttps://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/canine-life-stage-definitions/
  3. S14Dogs Trust (UK) — Caring for an older doghttps://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/life-with-your-dog/at-home/looking-after-an-older-dog
  4. S15Dogs Trust (UK) — Longevity of UK dog breeds — research (summary of McMillan et al. 2024, Sci Rep, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w)https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/about-us/research-expertise/longevity-dog-breeds
  5. S18ASPCA — General Dog Carehttps://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/general-dog-care
  6. S19VCA Animal Hospitals (2025-02-21) — Feeding Times and Frequency for Your Doghttps://vcahospitals.com/pets-first/know-your-pet/feeding-times-and-frequency-for-your-dog
  7. S21The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Puppy feeding tipshttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/health-and-dog-care/health-dog-care/health/health-and-care/a-z-of-health-and-care-issues/puppy-feeding-tips
  8. S24Purdue University Canine Welfare Science (content: Pet Leadership Council 2019, bedogsmart.com) — Dog Fitness and Exercise (PDF)https://caninewelfare.centers.purdue.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Dog-Fitness-and-Exercise.pdf
  9. S35Wikipedia — The Intelligence of Dogshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs
  10. S45British Journal of Sports Medicine (2018) — Tudor-Locke C. et al. How fast is fast enough? Walking cadence (steps/min) as a practical estimate of intensity in adults. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2017-097628https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6029645
  11. S54Scientific Reports (LJMU repository copy) — Author Correction: Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death (McMillan et al. 2024, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-50458-w) (PDF)https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/22506/8/Author%20Correction%20Longevity.pdf
  12. S76FCI — FCI-Standard N° 101 — French Bulldog (EN; official valid standard published 10.08.2023)https://www.fci.be/Nomenclature/Standards/101g09-en.pdf
  13. S77FCI — Breeds nomenclature — French Bulldog (101)https://www.fci.be/EN/nomenclature/FRENCH-BULLDOG-101.html
  14. S78The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breeds A–Z: French Bulldoghttps://www.royalkennelclub.com/search/breeds-a-to-z/breeds/utility/french-bulldog
  15. S79The Royal Kennel Club (UK) — Breed standard: French Bulldog (last updated 1 August 2025)https://www.royalkennelclub.com/breed-standards/utility/french-bulldog
  16. S81PDSA (UK veterinary charity) — French Bulldog breed informationhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/small-dogs/french-bulldog
  17. S82Woodgreen Pets Charity (UK) — Ask Woodgreen pet explorer — French Bulldoghttps://ask.woodgreen.org.uk/pet-explorer/results/french-bulldog
  18. S83Canine Genetics and Epidemiology 5:3 (2018) (RVC repository copy) — O'Neill D. G., Baral L., Church D. B., Brodbelt D. C., Packer R. M. A. Demography and disorders of the French Bulldog population under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2013. doi:10.1186/s40575-018-0057-9https://rvc-repository.worktribe.com/OutputFile/1387400
  19. S84Canine Medicine and Genetics 8:13 (2021) (publisher page, link.springer.com) — O'Neill D. G., Packer R. M. A., Francis P., Church D. B., Brodbelt D. C., Pegram C. French Bulldogs differ to other dogs in the UK in propensity for many common disorders: a VetCompass study. doi:10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3
  20. S86Scientific Reports 10:9128 (2020) — Hall E. J., Carter A. J., O'Neill D. G. Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-66015-8https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-66015-8
  21. K1PDSA — Getting a puppyhttps://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/looking-after-your-pet/puppies-dogs/getting-a-puppy
  22. K2RSPCA — Buying a puppyhttps://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy
  23. K7FCI (copy hosted by Norsk Kennel Klub) — International Breeding Rules of the FCIhttps://nkk2023.stage22.coretrek.no/getfile.php/131987377-1520848467/Dokumenter/Registrering/FCIs%20avlsregler%202013.pdf
  24. K9British Veterinary Association — What should you consider when buying a puppy?https://www.bva.co.uk/news-and-blog/blog-article/what-should-you-consider-when-buying-a-puppy/
  25. K10FOUR PAWS UK — Questions to ask when buying a puppyhttps://www.four-paws.org.uk/our-stories/publications-guides/questions-to-ask-when-buying-a-puppy

PetPrep is a simulation for families. This page is not veterinary advice — for a real animal, ask a vet or the breed club.

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