Breed comparison
Bulldog vs French Bulldog
Bulldog or French Bulldog? They share a wrinkled face, a flat nose and a love of the couch, so shoppers often wonder whether one is just a smaller version of the other. The short answer: the French Bulldog is the smaller, livelier and longer-lived dog, while the Bulldog is heavier, slower and droolier, with some of the highest veterinary needs of any breed. Both overheat easily and can have serious breathing trouble, so a careful breeder and a cool home matter for either dog.
Photo: Pleple2000 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev (Specious) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Bulldog | French Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Small |
| Height | 14–15 in (36–38 cm) | 11–13 in (28–33 cm) |
| Weight | 40–50 lb (18–23 kg) | 16–28 lb (7–13 kg) |
| Life span | 8–10 years | 10–12 years |
| Group | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting |
| Coat | Short, smooth, fine coat | Short, smooth, fine single coat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Bulldog is the bigger dog, at 14 to 15 in (36 to 38 cm) and 40 to 50 lb (18 to 23 kg). The French Bulldog stands 11 to 13 in (28 to 33 cm) and weighs 16 to 28 lb (7 to 13 kg), so it is roughly half the weight. That shows up when you need to lift your dog into a car or carry it upstairs. Both suit apartments, though the Frenchie scores 5 out of 5 for apartment living and the Bulldog 4.
Energy and exercise
Neither is an athlete. The Bulldog scores 1 out of 5 for energy and 2 for exercise, while the Frenchie scores 2 on both. PetMD suggests several short, leashed walks of 10 to 15 minutes in a cool setting for Bulldogs with breathing issues, and VCA says Frenchies do best with indoor games when it is hot. Both score 1 out of 5 for heat tolerance, so exercise early or late in the day.
Coat and grooming
Both have short, smooth coats that shed moderately (3 out of 5) and need a weekly brush. The skin folds are the real chore, and PetMD advises cleaning and thoroughly drying a Bulldog's face, neck and tail wrinkles every day. The Bulldog scores 3 out of 5 for grooming and the Frenchie 2. Drool separates them more: the Bulldog scores 4 out of 5 and the Frenchie 2.
Temperament and training
Both are devoted (5 out of 5 for affection), but the Frenchie is livelier, scoring 4 out of 5 for playfulness against 3 for the Bulldog. Bulldogs are calm and docile, and PetMD calls them friendly, loyal and generally good with children and other pets. They also train more slowly, scoring 2 out of 5 against the Frenchie's 3, so keep sessions short and food-driven. The Bulldog barks less (1 versus 2) and copes with time alone a little better (3 versus 2).
Health and life span
This is the widest gap. Bulldogs typically live 8 to 10 years and score 1 out of 5 for health, while Frenchies typically live 10 to 12 years and score 2. PetMD lists brachycephalic airway syndrome, skin fold infections, allergies, hip dysplasia, entropion, obesity and bladder stones among the Bulldog's concerns. VCA calls the Frenchie extremely prone to overheating and notes a tendency to gain weight and to injure its back in rough play.
Cost and care
Plan for both to be expensive to keep healthy. Bulldogs are likelier to need ongoing vet care for skin, eyes and breathing, so pet insurance and an emergency fund matter. Frenchies cost less to feed because they are smaller, but the same airway, skin and back risks apply. Air conditioning is close to a necessity for either dog in a warm climate.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the French Bulldog if you want a smaller, livelier flat-faced dog that is easier to lift, travel with and train, and that typically lives a couple of years longer. Choose the Bulldog if you want the calmest, most easygoing couch companion, you are comfortable with heavy drool and daily wrinkle cleaning, and you are prepared for higher veterinary needs. For either dog, keep your home cool, use a harness instead of a collar, keep your dog lean and buy only from a breeder who health tests the parents. A frank talk with your vet before you commit is worth it.
Bulldog profile French Bulldog profile
Frequently asked questions
Is a Bulldog bigger than a French Bulldog?
Yes, roughly twice as heavy. Bulldogs weigh 40 to 50 lb (18 to 23 kg) and Frenchies 16 to 28 lb (7 to 13 kg).
Which lives longer, a Bulldog or a French Bulldog?
Our profiles list 10 to 12 years for Frenchies and 8 to 10 for Bulldogs. Both are flat-faced breeds, so weight control and prompt vet care matter.
Which drools more, a Bulldog or a Frenchie?
The Bulldog, at 4 out of 5 on our drooling meter versus 2 for the Frenchie.
