Frenchies and English Bulldogs are among the most popular and loved dog breeds worldwide.
Despite their similarities, these two dogs have distinct differences.
This guide looks at French vs. English Bulldogs to help determine which dog suits you.
Read on.
French vs. English Bulldog: A Quick Breed Comparison
While French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are related and have some similarities, there are significant differences between the two breeds. The table below gives a quick comparison of the two breeds.
| Characteristic | French Bulldog | English Bulldog |
| Height | 11-13 inches | 14-15 inches |
| Weight | 16-28 pounds | 40-60 pounds |
| Coat type | Short, fine, and smooth | Short, smooth, and slightly rough |
| Coat color | Brindle, fawn, white, and cream | Brindle, white, fawn, red, and gray |
| Temperament | Athletic, alert, playful, smart, and easy-going | Friendly, confident, sociable, and aggressive |
| Grooming needs | Low | Low |
| Energy level | Low to moderate | Low |
| Trainability | High, easy to train | High, easy to train |
| Health | Below average | Below average |
| Intelligence level | Moderate | Moderate |
| Family-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Dog-friendly | Yes | Yes |
| Life expectancy | 10-12 years | 8-10 years |
| Price | $1,500 and above | $1,500 plus more |
French vs. English Bulldog: What’s the Difference?
English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are very similar but have several differences. While the most distinguishing characteristic of the English Bulldog is its rolled skin that hangs on either side of its face, the tall, bat-like ears are what make French Bulldogs stand out.
Bulldog Breed History
French and English Bulldogs share a common ancestral origin. The French Bulldog is a descendant of the English Bulldog. However, their historical journeys became distinct when the French Bulldog moved from England to France.
English Bulldog
Originating from England in the 13th century, English Bulldogs were initially for Bullbaiting. This was a bloody sport that involved attacking and tormenting bulls for entertainment. The Bulldogs were trained to keep their heads close to the ground to avoid being caught and injured by the bull’s horns. This violent sport thus needed extremely powerful dogs, and English Bulldogs were a perfect choice due to their muscular build and wide strong jaws.
However, the breed’s purpose began to evolve following the illegalization of bull baiting in 1835. To subside their aggressive nature and convert the English Bulldogs from fighters to gentle companions, the breed’s enthusiasts began carefully breeding more docile dogs like terriers and pugs to achieve a gentle and sweeter temperament. Eventually, the once violent and aggressive dog became an affectionate, gentle, and loving dog that became popular among households.
French Bulldog
Despite what the name depicts, French Bulldogs are not from France but from England. This breed was particularly popular with the English lacemakers in Nottingham, England. When the lacemakers were forced to move to France following the industrial revolution, they took their small dogs. The dogs became an instant hit in France due to their small size and pleasant temperament.
Over time, these small dogs were crossed with local ratter dogs in France, giving rise to the bat-eared Frenchies we know today. The popularity of these bat-eared Frenchies continued to rise, especially among the affluent in Europe and US.
Appearance
The English Bulldog has a wider, meatier, square head supported by a sturdy, muscular neck. On the other hand, the French Bulldog has a smaller, rounder head that is held by a thinner and longer neck.
While the English Bulldog comes with droopy chunks of soft and loose skin that falls from the side of its nose and hangs on both sides of its jaws, the French Bulldog has much tighter skin with fewer folds situated just above the muzzle between the eyes and the nose.
Unlike the Frenchie’s tall and erect ears that resemble a bat, English Bulldogs have rose-shaped ears that are folded over at the top and hang down on the sides of their skulls. Additionally, the eyes of English Bulldogs are slightly smaller but set wider compared to the rounder eyes of French Bulldogs.
French Bulldogs have a more compact and muscular build compared to the larger and sturdy frame of the English Bulldog.
English Bulldog
Size
English Bulldogs are bigger than French Bulldogs. They stand between 14-15 inches in height at the shoulders and weigh between 40-60 pounds (18-25 kgs).
Coat Type
English Bulldogs come in a short, fine, thick coat that does not shed much. They have a double coat with a smooth undercoat and a slightly rough outer coat.
Colors
The most common coat colors for English Bulldogs are fawn, white, brindle, and a combination of these colors. They can also be gray or red.
Eye colors
English Bulldogs usually have brown or dark brown eyes. However, they can also have blue-colored eyes.
Ear shape
English Bulldogs have rose-shaped eyes hanging on the sides of their head.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are smaller in size compared to English Bulldogs.
Size
Frenchies stand between 11-13 inches( 28-33 cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 16-28 pounds (7-12 kgs).
Coat Type
Frenchies have a short, smooth, and lustrous coat. They have a fine single coat that is closely knit to the body.
Colors
French Bulldogs come in various colors: black, cream, brindle, white, and cream. Frenchies can also come in multi-colored coats.
Eye colors
The usual eye color for French Bulldogs is brown or dark brown. However, these dogs can also have light-colored eyes like blue, green, or amber.
Ear shape
French Bulldogs have tall and erect bat-like ears, their most distinguishing trait.
Energy Levels
Both French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs have different energy levels. However, both are brachycephalic, meaning they don’t need a lot of exercise to remain active.
English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are generally lazy and less active dogs that require minimal exercise to stay healthy. They have low energy levels and do well with daily short walks and low-intensity outdoor activities.
French bulldog
Frenchies are more active, have higher energy levels, and require moderate exercise to remain healthy. These dogs enjoy running around, playing, and going for short walks. However, just like English Bulldogs, they have flat faces and are prone to breathing problems. Between 30-40 minutes of exercise is enough for these dogs.
Temperament and Personality Traits
French and English Bulldogs are friendly, loving, and affectionate dogs that get along with people, other dogs, and pets. They are social breeds that love spending time with their families, making them great companions. While these dogs have so many similarities in terms of temperament, they also have some differences.
English Bulldog
English Bulldogs are calmer and have a more laid-back personality. They are calm, amiable, and courageous. They are also more relaxed than Frenchies and prefer cuddling with their owners rather than going for walks.
French Bulldog
Frenchies are playful, adaptable, alert, and intelligent. They are energetic and fun-loving pups who constantly like to be the center of attention.
Health Care
Frenchies and English Bulldogs are prone to several health issues. Being brachycephalic breeds, both dogs have flat faces and short snouts, making them susceptible to breathing difficulties and other health issues. It’s important to be aware of these issues to know how to take care of them.
Nutrition
French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs need high-quality and completely balanced food high in natural proteins and free from artificial ingredients. It should also have sufficient fats and carbohydrates to meet their nutritional needs.
Both breeds love food and are prone to obesity. It’s thus crucial to control their food intake quantity to avoid health issues. French and English Bulldogs are also prone to allergies and skin issues. It’s thus important to be careful about the type of food you feed them.
English Bulldogs require a slightly higher amount of food compared to Frenchies. While English Bulldogs need about 2 cups of food daily, Frenchies need to eat up to 1 ½ cups of food per day.
Grooming
French and English Bulldogs have short, smooth coats that shed moderately. They thus have low grooming needs. Weekly coat brushing and occasional baths are sufficient to keep these dogs’ coats shiny and healthy. You will only need to wash Frenchies and English Bulldogs when they get too dirty or up to two to three times a month.
Although frequent bathing is unnecessary for both breeds, you must regularly clean their skin folds and wrinkles. These areas are good breeding places for bacteria, which can lead to skin infections if improperly cleaned. You can use a wet soft towel or baby wipes to wipe in between the dog’s wrinkles.
Both Frenchies and English Bulldogs have sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. You should therefore use gentle products to avoid any problems.
Exercise
English Bulldogs and Frenchies are both brachycephalic breeds with a flat facial structure and short snouts. This makes them unable to control their body temperatures and hence prone to breathing difficulties. This means that these dogs can’t stand high intensity or long hours of exercise as it can lead to over-exertion and, ultimately, breathing difficulties.
While they don’t need a lot of exercise, it’s important to keep these dogs active to avoid obesity. Essentially, both dogs need between 30-40 minutes of exercise daily. This can be through daily short walks and mild outdoor playtime. They also need lots of mental stimulation to keep them from being bored and engaging in undesirable behaviors. Puzzle toys and interactive toys are great ways to keep them mentally active.
Trainability
Frenchies and English Bulldogs have moderate intelligence levels and are thus easy to train. They are also eager to please their owners, making training them easy. However, both dogs have a stubborn streak which can make training challenging. You’ll need to be consistent and persistent with the training.
English Bulldogs and Frenchies are both sensitive dogs. Therefore, positive reinforcement training techniques such as using rewards and words of encouragement work best for them.
French vs. English Bulldog Health Issues
Both French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs have low health ratings. They are both prone to various genetic health issues. The biggest health concern for both breeds is brachycephalic airway syndrome which results from their flat facial and respiratory structures.
Due to the short muzzles and constrained nostrils, Frenchies and English Bulldogs are prone to breathing problems. This means they should always be kept in a cool place and remain well-hydrated. Restricting their exercise to early morning or late evening when cooler weather is best.
These breeds also suffer from allergies and other skin conditions, including dermatitis, demodectic mange, and yeast infections.
Other health issues for both breeds include hip dysplasia, eye infections, joint problems, luxating patella, and obesity.
French vs. English Bulldog Price
Frenchies and English Bulldogs are expensive compared to other dog breeds. However, the popularity of the French Bulldogs has sharply risen over the years compared to English Bulldogs. As a result, Frenchies are slightly more expensive than English Bulldogs.
While the exact price for both dogs depends on the color, breeder, and location, Frenchies come for $1800 and above, while you can expect to spend at least $1,500 for English Bulldogs. It’s also important to note that both breeds have huge costs in terms of veterinary care.
Puppy Price
Because Frenchies have increased in popularity quite significantly in the last few years compared to English Bulldogs, their prices are also slightly higher. Generally, you can expect to acquire a Frenchie puppy at an average price starting from $1,800, while the price of English Bulldog puppies starts from $1,500.
Lifespan
French Bulldogs have a longer lifespan than English Bulldogs. Frenchies are expected to live for 10-12 years, while English Bulldogs have a life expectancy of 8-10 years.
English Bulldog vs. American Bulldog
American Bulldogs are typically larger, bulkier, and more athletic than English Bulldogs. American Bulldogs have a stronger body and longer legs compared to the compact build and short legs of English Bulldogs. The English Bulldogs were bred for bullbaiting, while the American Bulldog was bred as a working farm dog.
While English Bulldogs stand between 14-15 inches in height, American Bulldogs have an average height of 22-28 inches. English Bulldogs weigh about 50-60 pounds compared to American Bulldogs’ weight of 70-125 pounds.
Are French Bulldogs healthier than English?
Yes, Frenchies are healthier than English Bulldogs. Frenchies are considered the healthiest Bulldog breed. However, they are still susceptible to several health problems compared to other breeds.
Which type of bulldog is best?
This depends on an individual’s preference, as both Bulldogs are highly affectionate, friendly, charming, and loyal, making them perfect family pets. The French Bulldog is playful and alert, while the English Bulldog is more laid-back and calmer.
Is an English or French Bulldog more expensive?
French Bulldogs are more popular than English Bulldogs, making them slightly more expensive. In contrast, Frenchies cost between $1800-$5000, and English Bulldogs cost between $1500-$ 3000.
Do French and English Bulldogs get along?
Yes, English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs get along pretty well. They are both social dogs that can tolerate other each other well.
French vs. English Bulldog – Which Is Right for You?
A Frenchie is probably right for you if…..
- You need a smaller dog that does not require a large living space.
- You want a playful dog, as Frenchies are livelier and more energetic than English Bulldogs.
- You are looking for a dog that requires lesser attention.
- You need a dog with lesser health problems.
- You want a dog that’s easier to train.
An English Bulldog is probably for you if…..
- You want a more laid-back and relaxed dog
- You are seeking a devoted, cuddly companion
- If you have a large living space
- If you don’t mind giving extra care and attention as they have more health issues
French Vs. English Bulldog: Final Thoughts
Frenchies and English Bulldogs are both adorable and charming dogs. They are loving, affectionate, and loyal to their families. They are also great with children and other dogs. As such, your choice will depend on individual preferences and lifestyle.
Frenchies are an excellent choice for an active lifestyle and a small living space, as they are compact and highly playful. On the other hand, English Bulldogs are ideal if you have a laid-back lifestyle and want a more relaxed dog or if you have a large space.
However, whichever pup you opt for, you are guaranteed to have an affectionate, fun-loving, and adorable canine companion that you will enjoy.
