Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

American Bulldog & French Bulldog Mix: Info, Pictures, Facts

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

American Bulldog & French Bulldog Mix

Height: 12–18 inches
Weight: 15–35 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, black
Suitable for: Active families, people who work from home, people who have other pets
Temperament: Affectionate, friendly, loyal, protective

Buying anything will take a lot of research and consideration, no matter what it is—but this is especially true when you are bringing a new pet into your home. All dog breeds are different, so you want to make sure that you are choosing one that’s best for your lifestyle and family.

American French Bulldogs are produced when an American Bulldog and a French Bulldog breed. They are known for being affectionate, friendly, protective, and loyal. If this mix appeals to you, we have created this guide to help you know what to expect with this adorable breed.

Divider 1

American French Bulldog Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

American French Bulldog puppies are rather expensive, so it’s a good idea to take enough time to look for the right puppy, which means researching the breeders as well. When you find a puppy, make sure you talk with the breeder about the parents of the puppy and meet the parents and see the kennel. Since these puppies aren’t very common, you don’t want to jump right in without doing the research. When you meet with the breeder, the kennels need to be clean and the dogs should be well cared for. You also should check the way that the parents are behaving, since this can give you an idea of how your puppy will behave.

American French Bulldog puppies are loyal, affectionate and enjoy the company of their families. If you’re able to spend a lot of time in the day with your pup, this breed might be a good idea. They tend to suffer from separation anxiety if they’re left by themselves for too long, so consider if you have enough time and energy for this adorable but sometimes stubborn dog.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American French Bulldog

1. French bulldogs came from England, and they are miniature versions of English Bulldogs.


2. French Bulldogs were taken to France by craftspeople who got driven from England due to the Industrial Revolution.


3. American Bulldogs have difficult pasts since they were used in things like bull-baiting for entertainment and gambling.

Parent Breeds of the American French Bulldog
Image Credit: (L) Mary Swift, Shutterstock | (R) Jumpstory

American French Bulldog Temperament & Intelligence 🧠

American French Bulldogs are gentle and caring dogs with a strong sense of devotion and loyalty to their family. They love being with their humans, and when they are apart it can cause separation anxiety.

They are trustworthy and reliable when around a young child, particularly when they are socialized young. As an owner, you need to be firm and strong, otherwise, you might wind up with an intolerant stubborn dog.

Are American French Bulldogs Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, they are great with kids. However, like any dog breed, they need proper training and socialization, and young children need to be taught how to handle these dogs respectfully. For the most part, they are playful, lovable dogs that provide endless fun for children.

Do American French Bulldogs Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

Yes, they are fine with other pets in general. These dogs are not known to be aggressive or dominant, but again, proper training and socialization are key. Make sure to make introductions to other pets slowly and calmly—this is best done while your American French Bulldog is still a puppy.

Divider 4

Things to Know When Owning an American French Bulldog:

Now that you have some basic information, we’re going to go through what you should expect as an American French Bulldog owner.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

When you have an American French Bulldog, you want to look for food that is high quality and that is made for active dogs. This is going to help your dog to be in good shape overall. Your dog should be fed two cups per day, total, if you opt for kibble. As long as it’s AAFCO-certified and complete and balanced, kibble is a great option for your pooch. Wet and raw foods are also great but can be a lot more expensive.

The typical price of food for your dog will be anywhere from $35–$45 each month, depending on the brand. You want to avoid overfeeding since this can lead to health issues in the future, so make sure to consult with your vet to make sure you’re feeding the correct amounts.

Exercise 🐕

American French Bulldogs enjoy going for walks each day and this will help them stay healthy and fit. When they are younger, they’ll love to run next to your bike, and when they are older, they will prefer walking.

They need a lot of mental stimulation. Otherwise, they will become bored and look for ways to entertain themselves, meaning they could get into mischief. They’re fairly active dogs, so they can be challenging when they are living in an apartment unless you take them out a lot.

They love being with people, so you don’t want to leave them alone or keep them in the yard all the time. A house that has a yard that’s fenced in will work best with them, just make sure that you are out there with them as much as possible.

Lastly, they do best in moderate climates since extreme cold or heat can cause them distress, especially while exercising.

Training 🦮

Even though they are intelligent, American French Bulldogs are often demanding and stubborn. It’s necessary that you have a firm, strong hand when you are training them, and that you are consistent.

Just like any other dog, these dogs respond best when you use positive reinforcement, so it’s important to offer praise when they’re doing well. These dogs love pleasing their owners and enjoy physical challenges. When they get a lot of exercise, they’re going to be much easier to train. Taking them to the park and other places will expose them to a lot of dogs and people and help greatly with socialization and training.

Grooming ✂️

American French Bulldogs have dense, short coats that don’t require a lot of grooming. Because they require minimal grooming and they’re easy to maintain, they’re a big hit with families. Even though they’re considered moderate shedders, brushing them weekly using a brush with firm bristles will help with minimizing shedding. They are clean dogs, and they only need to be bathed when they’ve rolled in something smelly or mud.

While you are brushing your dog, it’s a good idea to check their health. Look for things like cuts, lumps, or skin conditions that a vet should know about. If you are living somewhere that’s known for ticks and fleas, you also should look for them while brushing.

You also should check their eyes, teeth, ears, and nails to ensure they are healthy. Brushing their teeth early on will help you with caring for their teeth as they get older.

Health Conditions ❤️

Although the American French Bulldog does have a few health problems, they are generally healthy. However, the Franch Bulldog is known to have its fair share of genetic health issues, and these may be passed on to your pup.

Minor Conditions
  • Allergies
  • Cherry eye
  • Heat sensitivity
  • Skin issues
Serious Conditions
  • Kidney problems
  • Thyroid issues
  • Brachycephaly

Male vs Female

Since this is a mixed breed, there are very few (if any) physical differences between males and females. Males may be a little larger than females, but that’s about it. Also, their sweet and loving temperament will be apparent in both sexes, but males may tend to be a little more playful than females, and females are often slightly more independent than males.

However, with spaying and neutering, any differences in personality between the sexes will be largely mitigated.

Divider 3

Final Thoughts: American French Bulldog

American French Bulldogs are incredibly dedicated and loyal, and they love hanging out with humans. They will interact amazingly with kids and they make great family pets for active people. When you provide them with a lot of exercise and activity, it will prevent troublesome behavior—they love long walks and playing at dog parks.

If you’re looking for a small, playful, and easy-to-care-for pooch, the American French Bulldog may be an ideal choice.


Featured Image Credit: left: Rainer Fuhrmann, Shutterstock, right: sanjagrujic, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database