The Frenchton is the result of crossing a French Bulldog (Frenchie) and a Boston Terrier. This designer cross is an adorable small breed that makes for the perfect family pet. These pups are loyal and loving, wanting to give you cuddles and affection. They’re also energetic with a personality that’ll keep you on your toes!
Due to their small size, these dogs are great for those who live in cities or small apartments and can be great for busy households as well as individual homes with the elderly. If you’re interested in learning more about this cute little dog, read on below.
History Of The Frenchton
The Frenchton was originally bred to try to reduce some health issues that are known in the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier. In particular, they were bred to remove the respiratory issues in the French Bulldog.
This designer dog is actually a little difficult to breed, mainly because of the Frenchie parents small hips. French Bulldogs are often artificially inseminated and natural birthing is difficult, with a lot of puppies being born via caesarian section.
Because they are a crossbreed, Frenchtons are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Breed Origin
It can be difficult to know exactly where the Frenchton came from, so we can take a look at the origins of it’s parent breeds to understand.
The Boston Terrier came into existence in the late 1800s in Boston, Massachusetts. The breed was recognized by the AKC in 1893. The Boston Terrier was one of the first non-sporting dogs bred in the US and was the first of the 10 made-in-America breeds that are currently recognized by the AKC.
The French Bulldog originated in England and was created to be a toy-size version of the Bulldog. Later, they emigrated to France along with their owners which is how they got their name. The United States first saw the French Bulldog at the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1896.
It is thought that the Frenchton originated in The United States in the 1990s. They were then recognized by the International Designer Canine Association in 2009.
Characteristics Of The Frenchton
Like almost every mixed breed, it can be difficult to predict the exact characteristics of Frenchton puppies because we don’t know which parent breed they are going to take more traits from. However, we can make a general assumption based on past litters.
A Frenchton can cost anywhere between $500 – $3,500. This heavy price tag is due to the difficulty many breeders have when breeding because of the Frenchie parent. The litter sizes are also normally small, so this pushes the price up. Regardless, you should always make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Appearance
A small dog, the French Bulldog Boston Terrier Mix normally measures between 14-16” in height, and weighs between 15 to 25 pounds in weight, with males generally being heavier than females.
They normally have a longer snout than their French Bulldog parent, but they still retain the Frenchie’s bat ears. They have lost the bulging eyes from the Boston Terrier, which fortunately means they do not have as many eye problems. They have a round head and flat face with a snub nose which gives them an adorable look!
Coat
The Frenchton’s coat is short and smooth and does not shed very much. This means that they are a great dog for those who have allergies or those who do not want dog hair all over their house! This also means they do not have high grooming needs, although we will go into more detail about that later on.
Color
The Frenchton can come in a range of colors. The most common colors are black, brindle, black and white, brown, cream and golden.
Temperament
The Frenchton is an extremely loyal dog that loves people! They bond very quickly to their owners and remain affectionate and loving towards them for life. Unfortunately, their love for people does mean that they need human attention and don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and they can suffer from separation anxiety. This is something to think about before buying one of these pups.
An energetic little doggy with a big personality, the French Bulldog Boston Terrier Mix does not actually have many exercise needs but that doesn’t mean they don’t like to exercise! They can experience bursts of energy and will be happy running around and playing games. However, they will also be happy curling up next to you on the couch and having a snooze.
Frenchton’s do not bark which makes them a quiet dog to have around. This is perfect for those with neighbors in close proximity. However, they do snore — so be careful!
Lifespan
The Frenchton has an average life expectancy of between 8 and 15 years.
Known Health Issues
Although they were bred to eliminate health problems that their parent breeds are predisposed to, the Frenchton can still be susceptible to some issues. We have laid out the main health concerns below.
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome — this is a condition that is normally seen in dogs who have a short and flattened head and face. It can lead to breathing issues and loss of breath if they are overexerted.
- Obesity — the Frenchton can gain weight very easily. You must monitor their diet and ensure they get their daily exercise.
- Temperature regulation — due to their short coat, the Frenchton can find it difficult to regulate their own body temperature. This is something to be careful of if you live in very hot or cold climates.
Regular vet checkups and keeping an eye on your dog will ensure you keep your pup in the best condition.
Daily Life
Now that we know all about the traits and characteristics of the Frenchton, we can take a look at what daily life with one of these pups is actually like. We will cover their food and diet, their exercise requirements and their grooming needs.
Food And Diet
The French Bulldog Mix is not a very big dog and so their food needs are not that high. They require around 20 calories per pound of body weight a day. Of course, you should always double check the back of the food packet to see the exact amount of a certain food you should be feeding your dog based on their weight.
Ensure that the food you feed your Frenchton is high quality and nutritious. It should have the right amount of protein and fat to keep them healthy and energetic.
Remember, these dogs are prone to obesity, so monitoring how much they eat is very important. You should never allow them to free feed and do not give them too many treats. If they become overweight, this can cause other health issues and put their life in danger.
Best Dog Food For The Frenchton
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Blue Buffalo has millions of fans who love the brand’s formulas such as this dry dog food. The Life Protection formula is suitable for adult dogs that need a little extra help. It comes in a 30-pound bag to cover multiple feedings and uses a chicken and brown rice recipe. Thanks to the real chicken used in the formula, your dog gets the protein that it needs to build and maintain healthy muscles. The formula also uses fruits and garden vegetables along with whole grains.
Unlike other dog food that uses lots of grains and fillers with a small amount of protein, Blue Buffalo gives your dog a nice dose of protein with just the right amount of grains and no fillers. This food is also suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs and other problems as it is free from soy and wheat along with preservatives and corn.
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Exercise
While these dogs are small and do not have high exercise needs, it doesn’t mean they don’t like to be outside having fun! They love to go for a daily walk in the park and enjoy playing games such as “fetch” with you, too. While they have a lot of energy, they will also love to relax when you get home!
We have touched on this above, but remember that the Frenchton struggles to regulate their own body temperature. It is important for you to keep them cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather, especially when you are out and about.
An excitable dog, it is a good idea to keep the Frenchton on the leash when you are out in public. They are inquisitive and may go and investigate other people and dogs if you are not careful.
Family Compatibility
The Boston Terrier Mix makes an excellent family dog due to their love of people. They are also a great dog for individuals, couples and the elderly who want a fun little personality in their life who also makes a good cuddle companion.
Because of their small size, the Frenchton can live anywhere, even in apartments. This is great for those who don’t have the space for a bigger dog. Their small exercise needs also mean that you don’t need to have a back yard for them to run around in — you’ll just need to be able to take them for a walk every day to let off their energy.
Frenchton’s do not like to be left alone and separation anxiety can be an issue. If you are going to be out for hours at time regularly, then this dog might not be for you. You also may need employ a dog walker or sitter to look after your pup while you are out.
The Frenchton gets on very well with children and will be the perfect playmate. Their intelligence means that the kids can get in on helping to train your new dog, too. With other animals in the home, the Frenchton will need socialization from the minute they are brought home. They can sometimes be snappy with dogs they don’t know.
Training
The Frenchton is an intelligent breed and therefore training is not difficult. Like all dogs, they respond best to positive reinforcement and reward based training. This includes verbal praise as well as treats. Sometimes, the Frenchton can inherit a stubborn streak from their Frenchie parent. You will need to persevere with them, but they will understand eventually!
You should never get angry or frustrated with your dog when training. They may not understand what is happening and this will cause them to not want to learn. You should ignore negative behavior and praise positive behavior so they learn which is more desirable.
Socializing
Frenchton’s love people, but this doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be socialized from a young age. They should especially be socialized with other animals that live at the house from a young age, so they learn there is nothing to be afraid of.
Introduce them to new sights, sounds, places, smells, people and animals in a safe and controlled way and they will grow up to be a well-rounded pup!
Grooming
Due to their short and smooth coats, the French Bulldog Boston Terrier Mix does not actually require much grooming. You will need to brush them once or twice a week with a grooming mitt to remove dead hair and can be bathed when needed.
Even though the Frenchton does not have bulging eyes like their Boston Terrier parent, they can still suffer from tear staining and may need to be washed with a gentle eye cleaner. Their ears need to be kept clean too — use an anti-bacterial ear wash solution at least weekly with cotton pads.
Try to clip their nails as and when is needed and keep on top of teeth cleaning. Regular teeth brushing will help prevent dental decay and disease.
Frenchton FAQ’s
How much does a Frenchton cost?
A Frenchton dog can set you back anywhere between $500 – $3,500, depending on the breeder. Because of their small size, they can be difficult to breed and the litter sizes can also be small. This is the reason for their heavy price tag.
If this price tag is too far out of your range, then you can always check your local shelter. You may find a Frenchton who is looking for their forever home!
Is a purebred dog better than a crossbreed dog?
There has been a rise in crossbreeding in recent years. This is because there is a desire to breed dogs with certain characteristics and to get rid of unwanted characteristics within dog breeds. With crossbreeding you can get designer breeds, although some worry that they are more susceptible to health problems.
In fact, in a recent study, there was no indication that mixed dogs were more prone to health issues that purebred dogs. The most important thing to look for in your dog is the breeder. They should be a reputable breeder and both the breed parents should be healthy.
Summary
The Frenchton is an adorable little dog that absolutely loves humans and makes an excellent family dog. These pups do not have high exercise needs but have a lot of energy, loving spending time with you outside on walks and playing games. They’ll happily curl up on the couch next to you, too, and are a loyal and affectionate breed. Unfortunately, they don’t like to be left alone and can suffer from separation anxiety, but as long as you’re around to give them lots of attention, they’ll love you!