Are you thinking about getting a bulldog? If so, you might be wondering if an English or French Bulldog is the right breed for you. While there are some similarities between the two types of bulldogs, there are also some key differences. So which one is better for you?
French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs are two types of bulldogs. French Bulldogs are smaller and have a rounder head. The English Bulldog is bigger and more muscular. They also look different because the French Bulldog has floppy ears, and the English Bulldog doesn’t. They also have different colors. French Bulldogs are active, but the English Bulldog is a little less active.
Bulldogs are friendly, loving, and charming. They are also very stubborn and determined. French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs share similarities but also have some important differences. Before deciding which sort of Bulldog is ideal for your home, it is essential to grasp these distinctions.
Modern Bulldogs Have a Common Ancestry
All American, French, and English Bulldogs can be traced back to the Olde English Bulldog of the UK. The Olde English Bulldog was a type of dog that is now extinct. It came from ancient Molossers.
These Asiatic mastiffs have been present since 2500 BC. They were huge and very important in the civilizations of Greece and Rome. The old Bulldogs of England were born from a mix between Mastiffs and other breeds such as Alano Mastiffs, Bandogs, terriers, and Pugs. These Bulldogs were very fierce and had an athletic build.
Bulldogs were originally used to hold cattle. Additionally, they were used to guard property and battle dogs. But people began to select shorter, larger-jowled dogs that could control bulls by grabbing their noses. These faster, smaller dogs could avoid getting stepped on better and were more cost-effective than Mastiffs. Soon, these bulldogs became specialists at bullbaiting, working in pairs before a blood sporting crowd.
The different bulldogs and bull terriers were created in the 1830s due to a crackdown on an ancient animal cruelty statute.
English Bulldog
When bullbaiting was banned, the Olde English Bulldog became useless. However, people who liked the look of these dogs decided to create a new breed of Bulldogs. The exaggerated features made them look attractive, like large undershot jaws and short bowed legs. Breeders also selected docility over ferocity. Even though they lost their athleticism, the Bulldogs remained loyal and determined. A breed standard began to form with the foundation of the Bulldog Club of England in 1878.
The AKC accepted the Bulldog in the nonsporting group in 1886. The British Bulldog Club followed in 1892 and linked the breed to the UKC.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs, or Frenchies, are a type of dog originating from the English Bulldog. These Toy Bulldogs became popular in the mid-1850s as companion dogs. They were bred by crossing the Olde English Bulldog with Pugs, a popular thing to do among people who preferred smaller pets.
The Toy Bulldog was notably famous among Nottingham’s lacemakers. They were displaced to Normandy, France, during the Industrial Revolution. They brought their dogs with them and also imported miniature Bulldogs from England.
Some people bred the Toy Bulldog with local Rat Terriers to make it more popular. French workers liked these dogs, so they became French Bulldogs. People started noticing that they had bat ears, which became a trademark criterion. The AKC recognized these dogs in 1898.
The Appearance of French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
The differences between French and English Bulldog are evident at first glance. The main difference is size, but there are also other contrasts.
Dogs that look similar have large, square heads with round, wide-spaced eyes. They also have body and facial wrinkles, a short muzzle, a compact, muscular frame, and short tails.
Size
A French Bulldog is a small-medium breed of dog. It stands 11 to 13 inches tall and weighs 16 to 28 pounds. Males are usually heavier and more muscular than females. At the same time, English Bulldogs are medium dogs that are 12 to 16 inches tall and weigh 40 to 50 pounds.
Head
The Bulldog has a big head that looks large from every angle. His eyes will appear wider apart and smaller than those of the Frenchie. His upper lips or flews dangle conspicuously down on either side of his face, forming the iconic Bulldog chops.
His jaw is undershot, and the lower canines are visible when his mouth is closed. Because of their rounder cheeks that protrude well beyond the eye socket and cornered lips, bulldogs have a broad smile. The area of the dog’s head in front of the ears should be proportional to its height. The nose is tucked into a groove between the eyes, behind the muzzle. A fold surrounds a portion of the leather of the nose. The tops of Bulldogs’ ears are set wide to the sides and are rose or semi-prick. Their heads are smaller than their body than English Bulldogs. You can’t see their lower canines when their mouths are shut, and their cheeks are high and rounded. Their chops (the part of their face below their eyes) are prominent but not as much as English Bulldogs.
Although the Frenchie is smaller, both breeds feature upturned lips and a pushed-in snout with a characteristic skin roll. In contrast to the flat top of the skull, the French Bulldog has a distinctively rounded forehead. A Frenchie has fewer wrinkles and forehead furrows than an English Bulldog. French Bulldogs must have large bat-shaped ears at the base and taper to rounded tips. They are standing tall and staring forward.
Body
The French Bulldog’s neck is robust and arches well. The English Bulldog’s neck is significantly more extensive and profound, although it still arches well into the back. Each breed must possess a dewlap near the neck.
The Bulldogs have well-rounded bodies and wheel-backs. It means their spines rise from the lowest point just behind the shoulders to the hips and then dip suddenly to the tail. The Bulldogs are taller at their hips than their shoulders, which is different from most other breeds.
The French and English Bulldogs should have a tuck-up from the ribs to loins. The French Bulldog should have elbows set close to the body, while the English Bulldog’s elbows should be set further from her body.
The English Bulldog has looser skin and more wrinkles than its French counterpart. They also have a bowed appearance on their hindlegs, although their bones are not curved.
Colors
Cream, white, fawn, or brindle are all options. There are French Bulldogs. Additional colors include black, black-and-white, blue lilac, chocolate, and black-and-tan. Bulldogs can be piebald, brindle, fawn, or multicolored.
The Temperament of French Versus English Bulldog
These smaller Bulldogs have a similar temperament. They both like to clown around and be silly to get attention and affection from their owners and strangers. They are both loving and affectionate.
English Bulldogs are more protective and might bark more when people come to the house. But they are not good at being guard dogs. Additionally, they are kind and gentle with children. Neither dog is typically too energetic for young children, but each is sufficiently playful to be enjoyable. The smaller size makes the Frenchie less terrifying to young children and less prone to knock over toddlers. English Bulldogs can develop a protective nature toward children.
French Bulldogs are lively, alert, and even-tempered. They are adaptable and comfortable in their skin. Aggressive French Bulldogs are rare, and something likely went wrong during their training, socialization, or breeding. French Bulldogs are highly social animals and neither aggressive nor shy.
English Bulldogs appear to be more frightening than French Bulldogs. English Bulldogs, on the other hand, is quiet, undisturbed, friendly, and tranquil. They should appear respectful, despite their funny personalities. They have strong, brave characters with no indication of hostility.
Bulldogs, French, and English are breeds of dogs initially used for fighting. However, they are more likely to get along with other dogs and cats these days. French Bulldogs may be more likely to get along with cats than English Bulldogs, who can be a bit standoffish. French Bulldogs are also more likely to experience separation anxiety from their owners than English Bulldogs.
Training a French or English Bulldog is similar—both stubborn and independent dogs. As companion dogs, they are intelligent but slow to learn commands. They have more emotional intelligence than obedience.
Shedding and Grooming are Almost the Same
The French and English Bulldog have a double coat. The coat is made up of soft fur and coarser guard hairs. The French Bulldog’s hair is finer and softer to the touch than the English Bulldog’s. Some French Bulldogs have no undercoat at all. Neither breed has an undercoat that is dense or lengthy. They infrequently shed all year.
Once each week, you should brush your French or English Bulldog with a pin or slicker brush. Dogs with allergies or skin issues may need to be bathed more frequently, frequently with medicated shampoo. Trimming your dog’s claws every four to eight weeks would be best.
How long do French versus English Bulldogs live?
French Bulldogs typically live 10 to 12 years, while English Bulldogs usually only live 8 to 10 years. It is partly because English Bulldogs are more prominent but also have more severe health problems.
French Bulldog Health Challenges
- Small nostrils commonly accompany BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome). A narrower trachea, a longer-than-normal soft palate, and everted saccules are characteristics of this disorder (tissues around the voicebox, vacuumed out of position when your dog struggles to breathe).
- Hemivertebrae – Could be more associated with screw tails; Vertebrae develop only partly. It causes paralysis in some dogs while having no effect in others.
- Degenerative myopathy is a progressive neuromuscular illness that causes paralysis.
- The skin might become wet and weepy under the folds of the skin.
- IVDD – Dwarf breeds are more prone to herniated discs.
- Eye damage – A flat face increases their susceptibility; Conjunctivitis as well as corneal abrasions or ulcers
- Irritable stomach
- Ear infections – frequently caused by allergies
- Deafness – Particularly in white dogs
- Luxating patellas – Unstable kneecaps
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye color:
- Temperature intolerance
English Bulldog Health Problems
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Luxating patellas
- BOAS
- IVDD and spinal degeneration
- Degenerative myopathy
- Hypothyroidism
- Cardiomyopathy – Heart disease
- Cancer – High rate
- Cherry eye
- Eyelid abnormalities
- Allergies
- Idiopathic tremors – No known cause
- Skinfold pyoderma – Deep skin infections
- Obesity
- Heat sensitivity and exercise intolerance
- Degenerative myopathy
- Bladder stones
- Dental problems
Exercise for French Bulldog versus English Bulldog
French Bulldogs need about 40 to 60 minutes of exercise each day. They should do a mix of activities- some strenuous and some mild. English Bulldogs only need 30 to 45 minutes each day. Puppies don’t need as much exercise as adult dogs, but they still need some training and socialization. Be careful when exercising your dog, and make sure they are not overexerted. Also, be aware of the weather conditions when planning an outdoor activity.
Bulldogs cannot tolerate hot and humid conditions. They are never recommended to exercise outside when temperatures rise above 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You should also use caution with dogs suffering from heart problems or obesity.
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Frequently Asked Questions About French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
Both breeds of bulldogs may have a lot of health problems. English bulldogs may have issues with their hips, while French bulldogs might have a bleeding disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease.
The American Bulldog might be the best breed of Bulldog for you. Do you want to know what English Bulldogs looked like before they were bred to look a certain way? Many experts say that the American Bulldog is very close to the original English Bulldog.
The average lifespan of a dog is 10 to 13 years, but English Bulldogs only have a lifespan of 8-10 years. On the other hand, French Bulldogs can live up to 10 or 12 years, making them one of the longest-living dog breeds.
The giant English Bulldog is not the right size for your lap, but he might try to sit in your lap anyway. These breeds of dogs can be expensive. The AKC-registered breeders list both English bulldogs and French bulldogs for between $2,000 and $4,000.
