The French Bulldog is the fourth most popular dog breed in the American Kennel Club’s 2019 list. Despite its popularity, there’s another breed that’s often mistaken for Frenchies: Frenchton. In this Frenchton vs French Bulldog post, I will discuss the difference between the two breeds and which one is the best pet for you. You might be surprised by the similarities between the two!
Frenchton vs French Bulldog: Similarities & Differences
Less wrinkly face
A little more active
More intelligent
Very affectionate to everyone
Drools a little
Less prone to obesity
Less intense energy level
Does not like being alone
Not tolerant of extreme weather
Can be sensitive at times
Wrinkly face
A bit more laidback
Can have stubborn streaks
Will observe first before approaching strangers
Does not drool; sheds very little
Large appetite; prone to obesity
Can be intense during playtime
Does not like being alone
Not tolerant of extreme weather
Can be sensitive at times
Background of the French Bulldog breed
French Bulldogs are the favorite pets of many because of their small size, friendly personality, and low-maintenance nature. They were bred to be a small version of Bulldogs and serve as companions for English lacemakers on their journey to France. This is also where this breed got its name.
After being companions to lacemakers, Frenchies became ratters. Soon enough, they retired from the job and became domesticated pets.
In the domesticated setting, French Bulldogs adapt pretty well. They thrive in apartments – the same reason why they became the most popular dog breed among NYC owners. Frenchies are also excellent for novice owners.
Physical attributes
Weight: 16 to 28 pounds
Height: Up to 13 inches
Lifespan: Up to 14 years
French Bulldogs have a low gait, deep chest, and flat nose. They also have very short tails that are almost non-existent. You will only see a stump on their rear where the tail should be. Some would have a very short, pointed tail.
Moreover, Frenchies have large ears and stocky bodies. They are non-sporting dogs and would prefer lounging on the couch.
They look like miniature versions of Bulldogs, but with bat ears that are always erect and alert. A Frenchie’s head is also large, with prominent wrinkles above its nose. There are also wrinkles on its forehead.
Despite its compact body, French Bulldogs have a short yet brilliant coat. They are quite muscular, too.
When it comes to colors, the AKC-accepted options are white, brindle, fawn, tan, brindle & white, cream, fawn & white, and fawn brindle.
Aside from that, AKC recognizes five different markings for the French Bulldog breed. These are black markings, black mask, piebald, brindle markings, and white markings. You may see ticked-marked Frenchies, but these are not AKC-listed.
Temperament and behavior
French Bulldogs are friendly canines. They are affectionate to almost everyone, including strangers. They can also live with other dogs at home, though the proper introduction is necessary.
Moreover, French Bulldogs are smart and loyal to their owners. However, they are always needy when it comes to companionship. This doggo isn’t for owners who are always out of the house. French Bulldogs get whiny and anxious when left alone for long periods. They can be sensitive too, which can lead to other behavioral problems if not trained well.
Nevertheless, Frenchies thrive well in training. They are highly food-driven, so getting their attention is pretty easy.
Health
Although French Bulldogs are charmers, they come with some health problems. If bred well, a Frenchie is less likely to develop any health issue. However, this deep-chested breed is prone to hip dysplasia, brachycephalic syndrome, and patellar luxation.
One of the most notorious health problems among Frenchies is allergies. Due to their short coat, they are prone to skin irritations. To be fair, this also happens to other Bulldog breeds, including Frenchtons.
As a brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breed, French Bulldogs can be born with an elongated soft palate. This happens when the roof of the mouth develops a soft extension. This can obstruct the dog’s airway and must be surgically removed.
Moreover, French Bulldogs are highly susceptible to obesity. This breed has a ravenous appetite, and they will keep on eating until you stop them. With this, portion control is necessary.
Grooming
When it comes to grooming, French Bulldogs are much easier to maintain than Frenchtons. Frenchies don’t drool, but they shed a little bit. Overall, this doggo requires minimal grooming on a daily basis. A quick brush should keep its coat healthy.
Intelligence and trainability
French Bulldogs are not the most intelligent in the canine bunch, but they are not dumb either. The problem with training is that Frenchies are quite stubborn and whiny. Nevertheless, the consolation here is that this dog doesn’t wander too much and not a fan of chasing squirrels.
Energy level
In terms of energy level, French Bulldogs are very manageable. They are not very energetic and only require minimal exercise. Still, this dog loves a lot of low-impact playtimes.
Background of the Frenchton breed
The Frenchton breed, on the other hand, is a cross-breed between a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier. It’s also called Faux Frenchbo, Frenchbo, or Froston. Since it’s a designer breed, Frenchtons are not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Sometimes, Frenchtons are 50-50 of the two breeds or 75% Frenchie and 25% Boston Terrier. This will highly affect the dog’s appearance and personality.
Nevertheless, this breed shares a lot of a French Bulldog’s attributes. It’s blended with the characteristics of a Boston Terrier too. This cross can both be an advantage and a disadvantage.
Like Frenchies, Frenchtons are excellent traveling companions. They are also sweet-natured, a trait that both its parents possess. Frenchtons are laidback and make a perfect family pet or an office dog.
Unfortunately, many mixed breeds like Frenchtons end up in shelters. If you want to get this breed, I suggest checking local shelters first before going to a breeder.
Physical attributes
Weight: 15 to 25 pounds
Height: Up to 14 inches
Lifespan: Up to 12 years
Like the two breeds where it came from. Frenchtos are stocky and small dogs. They have a low gait, deep chest, and a flat-nosed appearance.
However, Frenchtons don’t have as many wrinkles as Frenchies do. This breed got most of its facial features from its Boston Terrier parent.
It has the circular and vibrant eyes of a Boston Terrier. Also, Frenchtons have a dignified look and slightly shorter body. You will also notice its larger ears than a French Bulldog, which are always erect.
When it comes to color, Frenchtons are available in cream, brown, white, and black. Most of the time, they will have a combination of the two colors, which is similar to the black and white combination of Boston Terriers.
However, this is a designer breed so expect new Frenchton colors to come out in the coming years.
Temperament and behavior
When it comes to its personality, French Bulldogs are very adaptable like French Bulldogs. They suit new owners, too. But just like French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, Frenchtons don’t tolerate long hours of isolation.
On the other hand, Frenchtons are total sweethearts. They don’t mind being around strangers or other pets. This breed is also a great option for a family pet, even those with young children.
However, you must watch out because Frenchtons can have a stubborn streak. They are both active and laidback but avoid giving this pooch too much exercise since it’s small and prone to overheating.
Health
Since Frenchtons are a cross-breed, they are likely to inherit both its French Bulldog and Boston Terrier parents’ health predispositions. As a flat-nosed canine, respiratory problems can occur to Frenchtons.
Since Frenchtons inherited the large eyes of Boston Terriers, they are also prone to eye problems. With this, Frenchtons have a higher risk of developing corneal ulcers and similar conditions.
In general, Bulldog breeds are notorious for their sensitive stomachs. Frenchtons are no exemptions here. A proper diet and regular vet checks should keep your Frenchton healthy.
Grooming
Grooming a Frenchton is a bit more challenging than a French Bulldog. First of all, Frenchtons drool, which is a characteristic it inherited from its Boston Terrier parent. It also sheds more than a Frenchie, so extra effort is needed to keep this breed well-maintained. But overall, this doggo isn’t high-maintenance.
Like French Bulldogs, Frenchtons need regular brushing to keep their coat healthy. Also, you must check its ears routinely to remove any accumulated dirt. You should also pay attention to Frenchton’s eyes since it’s large and can easily harbor tear stains and eye boogers.
Intelligence and trainability
When it comes to brilliance, Frenchtons got the brains of Boston Terriers. This breed tends to be easier to train than French Bulldog, but this varies on each dog.
The good thing about Frenchtons is that they are not mouthy dogs. They’re not interested in hunting or barking or even wandering off.
Still, you have to be patient with training a Frenchton because this dog can be stubborn, just like its French Bulldog parent.
Energy level
Compared to French Bulldogs, Frenchtons are a bit more active. However, their intensity is much less, and they are easier to manage. But just like its parents, Frenchtons are always up for playtime.
Frenchton vs French Bulldog: Which is the best pet?
Both Frenchton and French Bulldog breeds make great family pets. For the untrained eye, it’s difficult to spot the difference between the two. The same goes for general personality and behavior.
In the end, serious pet owners will not solely base on the dog’s look when it comes to their choice. You must compare the personality, behavior, temperament, and overall package. Only you can decide whether a Frenchton or French Bulldog suits your family.
Overall, these two dogs are not for those looking for an independent canine. They are bred for companionship, so being alone is their weakness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Frenchtons aggressive?
A: Frenchtons are friendly and very sociable dogs. They are suitable for large families with children since they can tolerate roughhousing pretty well. They also get along well with other pets or dogs. Still, proper training is necessary to raise a well-rounded Frenchton at home.
Q: Are Frenchtons easy to train?
A: You should know that both Frenchtons and French Bulldogs are big personalities in small packages. They can be a handful during training due to their stubborn streaks. Patience and consistency are necessary to increase your success rate when training a Frenchton, or any dog for that matter. When in doubt, you can always ask the help of a professional dog trainer.
Q: Are Frenchtons healthier than French Bulldogs?
A: Frenchtons are known to have slightly less risk of developing respiratory problems than French Bulldogs. However, Frenchtons are more likely to suffer from eye problems than a Frenchie. Overall, both breeds are generally healthy and have predispositions to different possible conditions.
Q: Are Frenchtons born with tails?
A: Like Boston Terriers and most French Bulldogs, Frenchtons don’t have a prominent tail. They have a stump on their rear where their tail should be. But just like its French Bulldog bloodline, Frenchtons can have a very short and straight tail.
Q: What two dog breeds make a French Bulldog?
A: While French Bulldogs are now recognized as pure breeds, it actually descended from two different dogs back in the 1800s. They are the product of Tony Bulldogs that were imported from England and local ratters found in Paris. But over the years, breeders have mastered this breed and produced what are now recognized as purebreds.
Final words
Both Frenchton and French Bulldogs are wonderful pets. Although they are two different dogs, they share similar traits as their bloodlines overlap. No matter what your choice is, I highly encourage you to check on local shelters for these dogs. Many of them end up being surrendered and are looking for their forever homes.
What do you think of this Frenchton vs French Bulldog post? Do you have anything to add? Let us know in the comment section!
