Bulldog vs French Bulldog
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Bulldog | French Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Medium |
| Adult weight | 18.1 to 22.7 kg | Up to 12.7 kg |
| In pounds | 40 to 50 lb | Up to 28 lb |
| Adult height | 36 to 38 cm | 28 to 33 cm |
| Energy | Moderate | Moderate |
| Grooming | Moderate | Low |
| Coat | Short smooth | Short smooth |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 8 to 10 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Good with children | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Usually good |
| Country of origin | Great Britain | France |
The main differences
- The Bulldog is the bigger dog: 18.1 to 22.7 kg against Up to 12.7 kg for the French Bulldog.
- Both have moderate energy in their published profiles.
- The Bulldog takes more grooming (moderate) than the French Bulldog (low).
- The French Bulldog usually lives longer: 10 to 12 years against 8 to 10 years.
- With children, the French Bulldog is rated reliably good and the Bulldog fine with supervision.
Temperament
Bulldog: Alert, bold, loyal, dependable and courageous, fierce in appearance but possessed of affectionate nature.
French Bulldog: Vivacious, deeply affectionate and intelligent, full of courage yet with clown-like qualities.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Bulldog
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Hyperuricosuria (HUU), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hereditary eye disease screened under the BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
French Bulldog
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), graded by a vet on an exercise tolerance test
- Hereditary cataract (HC-HSF4-2), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
- Skin fold and eye problems linked to the flat face, found on a routine veterinary skin and eye check
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Bulldog or the French Bulldog?
The Bulldog. Adults weigh 18.1 to 22.7 kg, against Up to 12.7 kg for the French Bulldog, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Bulldog or the French Bulldog?
The published life expectancy is 8 to 10 years for the Bulldog and 10 to 12 years for the French Bulldog. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Bulldog or the French Bulldog better with children?
The French Bulldog scores higher for children (3 against 5 out of 5). Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin