French Bulldogs, commonly known as Frenchies, are one of America’s favorite breeds. So imagine if you could have everything people love about them in a miniature size.
The Mini French Bulldog is a loving, sociable and playful breed. Because of their tiny size, they are super easy to carry around and take with you, and because of their big hearts, they will quickly become your best friend.
However, there is a lot of controversy surrounding this tiny dog. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know and whether you should consider getting one…
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All About Mini French Bulldogs
The Mini French Bulldog is a purebred Frenchie, they are just smaller than usual!
They have all the same charming qualities of the original Frenchie, the only difference is that they have shorter legs and weigh less. Miniatures are 1-2 inches shorter and anywhere from 1-16 pounds lighter.
To be considered a real mini French Bulldog they must be less than 11 inches tall!
Miniature Frenchies love spending time with people.
They are very adaptable and make natural socialites that want all of the attention.
These dogs will thrive with all kinds of people.
For the elderly, the Mini Frenchie is an excellent choice because they are easy to carry and do not need lots of exercise. Families with children will just adore having this goofy and sweet little puppy to play around with.
History
French Bulldogs descend from toy-sized Bulldogs that were brought into France by lace workers that emigrated from England during the Industrial Revolution.
In France these dogs became very popular and were crossbred with breeds such as Terriers and Pugs. This is how the original French Bulldog developed their characteristic bat ears.
The miniature version of the Frenchie is a relatively new breed.
They came about because of the designer dog breed movement in the US over the past 20 years. During this time lots of different breeds have been miniaturized by breeders so that they can be pocket size.
Today this breed is registered with the Designer Breed Kennel Club.
Size and Appearance
Mini French Bulldogs are like tiny bulldogs, but instead of flopped ears, they have bat-like ears. Their faces are wrinkled; their body is compact and muscular; and their tail is short and stands up on their body.
Compared to other French Bulldogs, the legs of the mini are shorter, and they have a slightly smaller body too. Otherwise they are the same as French Bulldogs.
Their coat is sleek and smooth and comes in various colors.
Those accepted by the standard are white, cream, light fawn, red fawn, fawn, chocolate, lilac, brindle or any combination of these. They can also have markings, such as white markings, black markings, a mask, brindle markings or piebald.
Other possible non-standard colors include: blue, solid black, black and tan, blue fawn, and merle.
The most common colors are fawn, cream, brindle and piebald.
Size and Growth Chart
To be considered a mini French Bulldog they must measure less than 11 inches tall and weigh between 12 and 22 pounds.
The following chart is an estimate of the size of a Miniature French Bulldog puppy as it grows.
| Age | Weight |
|---|---|
| 1 month | 2-4.2 lbs |
| 2 months | 5.0-6.9 lbs |
| 3 months | 6.2-9.0 lbs |
| 4 months | 9.0-12.0 lbs |
| 5 months | 12.0-16.0 lbs |
| 6 months | 12.0-18.0 lbs |
| 8 months | 12.0-20.0 lbs |
| 12 months | 12.0-22.0 lbs |
During their first week of life a Mini French Bulldog will weigh 1.2-2.2lbs. By the first month they can grow to 2.0-4.2lbs.
Minis tend to stop growing sooner than the regular sized Frenchie since they are shorter. A fully grown Miniature French Bulldog will stop growing at 12 months old.
Temperament
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Family Friendly | ★★★★★(4) |
| Energy Levels | ★★★★★(2) |
| Ease of Training | ★★★★★(4) |
| Shedding Frequency | ★★★★★(1) |
| Price | ★★★★★(5) |
This breed is well known for their charming personality.
A mini French Bulldog is a sweet, caring and playful dog that will brighten any room they walk into. They are full of life and love, and will want to spend every moment with you. Although they are very expressive and playful, they are not an active dog.
They adore spending time with children. Just make sure that they are gentle with your pup. Rowdy and small children should not be allowed to play with them because they are very delicate.
This dog will tire out very easily, so you can have fun with your little pup without it ever being excessive. Although they tire out quickly, this tiny pup does crave a lot of attention – sometimes maybe a bit too much.
They need to be in the spotlight all the time and have everyone adore them, whether they are family, friends or strangers.
This need for constant attention means you cannot leave them for extended periods. It also means that they do not like other pets in the house. They can get jealous, so if you do bring a mini French Bulldog into a household with other pets, it is important that you socialize them from a very young age.
They are never aggressive toward people, but they have been known to be protective of their owners.
Who Should Keep Them?
The Mini French Bulldog is the perfect breed for lots of different people.
For the elderly, this is the perfect pup as they can live a quiet life with them. They are very easy to maintain because of their low exercise and grooming needs, and anyone can easily carry this pup because of how light they are.
With families, this lovable and playful dog is ready to spend time with kids. Playtime is a must, but your kids will never be overwhelmed as this bulldog can only play for 20-30 minutes a day. Your kids can even help care for them too because they are so low maintenance.
For the busy traveler, the Mini French Bulldog won’t have a problem staying in small hotel rooms or being carried around in planes. You also do not have to worry too much about exercising this breed either if they are constantly on the move.
But if you are the type of person that has a more active lifestyle or needs a guard dog then this is not the breed for you. You cannot take this pup on long runs because it is not good for their health. Also, this tiny pup will not be able to protect you and they rarely bark.
What the Miniature French Bulldog needs is a relaxed lifestyle and a home where it can get lots of attention and be with people.
Where To Buy A Mini French Bulldog
When looking for your Mini French Bulldog puppy, the most important thing you can do is research the breeder.
There is a lot of controversy behind breeding miniature versions.
The right kind of breeder will breed a litter of puppies by crossing healthy French Bulldogs that are simply small. Natural variation causes some Frenchies to be smaller than others.
But the wrong kind of breeder will continually cross the runts of the litter.
Runts are puppies that are small because they are not healthy. These sickly dogs are then bred, which creates puppies that will have more severe health issues. These issues can include immunologic deficiency, cardiovascular anomalies, congenital abnormalities, hypothermia and malnourishment.
Some breeders might also try to trick you into thinking you are getting a purebred Frenchie, when in reality this mini version is a crossbreed between a French Bulldog and a tiny dog like a Chihuahua. This kind of French Bulldog may appear miniaturized but it is really a mixed breed – like the Fluffy Frenchie.
To breed a Mini French Bulldog ethically is not easy and takes time.
This is why healthy puppies are expensive and can cost you anywhere between $2,500 and $10,000. Just like regular French Bulldog prices, they are expensive.
They are so expensive because French Bulldogs often need C-sections to give birth. Also the mom is not big enough to produce more than 2-3 puppies at a time.
Other factors also affect their price.
The coat color is one of the most important factors.
More common colors, like fawn or brindle, can cost $2,500-$3,500, but rarer colors like blue or chocolate will cost $3,500-$5,000. If you are looking for the elusive merle or lilac colors, the price jumps even more, ranging from $5,000-$10,000.
If you are looking for a very rare color then be prepared to sit on a waitlist for some time and pay a premium price for these puppies.
Are Mini French Bulldogs Rare?
Mini French Bulldogs are very rare.
There are different methods for achieving this small-sized puppy, some of which are not ethical, like crossing the runts of the litter. Many breeders try to avoid getting into ethical dilemmas and prefer to not to breed mini French Bulldogs.
Sometimes some breeders will have Frenchies that can be considered as miniature just because of natural variation. Some miniatures are just smaller in a litter and are perfectly normal.
These breeders will breed their dogs in an appropriate manner and in accordance with the standards set by the Designer Kennel Club. In fact, if the breeder is registered with this kennel, that is a very good sign that you can trust the breeder.
Puppies from such breeders are bred from parents registered with the AKC and are DNA tested. They get tiny puppies by breeding healthy French Bulldogs that tend to be smaller naturally.
Establishing a good bloodline of Mini French Bulldogs can take several generations, and this is why puppies are not cheap.
Sometimes these breeders advertise them under different names such as:
- Micro Frenchies
- Teacup Frenchies
- Pocket French Bulldogs
- Toy Frenchies
All these names just refer to the Mini French Bulldog and do not mean anything else special.
Care Guide
Nutrition
This breed loves to eat and they are highly prone to obesity.
Just remember that they do not need a lot of food.
They should only be given 1 cup of food per day as an adult. This should be spread out in at least three meals as they can easily become Hypoglycemic.
Make sure to feed them a high-quality dry kibble diet that is low in fat and carbs. The feed should also be supplemented with things that help support joint health as this breed is prone to patellar luxation and hip dysplasia.
Grooming
The great thing about this breed is that they do not need lots of grooming.
Their smooth, sleek coat sheds very little. Brushing them once a week with a medium-bristle brush is enough to maintain their coat. It is important that you brush them once a week, as it helps remove dead hairs and redistributes the oils of the skin on the coat.
The only other grooming task with a Mini French Bulldog is face cleaning.
You should clean in-between their wrinkles to avoid bacteria growth.
Exercise
This mini bulldog needs daily exercise.
A short walk around the neighborhood or park, or a single play session with toys will be enough to tire out this breed. At most they should get 20 minutes of low to medium level activity each day.
They should not be overexerted as they can easily have trouble breathing.
Overheating can also be dangerous as they cannot regulate their body heat through panting as efficiently as other dogs can. You should not take them outside if the temperature is 84°F or higher.
Training
These dogs are actually very smart.
They are also eager to please, which makes them very trainable.
Mini French Bulldogs are highly food motivated and are attention seekers. You should use positive reinforcement and be gentle when they make mistakes. They can be a little stubborn sometimes, but you should never be critical. Only reward their good behavior. With time and patience you can train them into a very obedient little dog.
Early socialization is also important for them.
Health Issues
One of the main concerns with mini French Bulldogs is their health.
French Bulldogs in general are known for inheriting genetic health issues. Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is the most common problem.
Because of their flattened face all Frenchies are affected, but the severity of it depends on their face – the shorter their face the bigger the problem. According to one study, about 70-75% of French Bulldogs need to visit a veterinarian at some point because of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.
Other common hereditary issues include hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, eye problems, and heart problems. These dogs are also known to be affected by autoimmune disorders and skin allergies.
FAQs
Do Mini French Bulldogs exist?
Yes, Mini French Bulldogs actually exist.
Although they are not accepted by the AKC, they are becoming increasingly accepted as their own distinct designer breed.
What is the smallest French Bulldog?
The smallest French Bulldog in the world is a pooch called Roach
He only weighs 7.9 pounds, and although he is tiny, he is in perfect health and proportionally built.
Are Mini French Bulldogs healthy?
When bred properly, the Mini French Bulldog is just as healthy as any other French Bulldog.
It is inbreeding and poor breeding practices that cause them to have health problems. Some breeders try to make their Miniature French Bulldogs even smaller than 12 pounds, and these are the kinds you want to avoid. These Micro Bulldogs are more likely to be unhealthy and suffer from dwarfism.
Summary
Now you know why the Frenchie is the second most popular dog in the US.
There is so much to love about this breed, from their cute little wrinkled faces to their bat ears to their dazzling and lively personality.
Although there are no official size variation guides the Mini French Bulldog is a true purebred.
When ethically bred, they can be a wonderful tiny companion.
This adorable tiny pup is best suited for families, travelers and elders.
They are very adaptable and can live anywhere, from tiny apartments to big houses, or on the road hopping from one hotel room to the next. As long as the Mini French Bulldog is with you, it will be happy to accompany you anywhere.
Their flexibility, low maintenance, and ability to be carried is what makes them so popular. Maybe this also convinces you that the Mini Frenchie is right for you!
