French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: What’s the Difference?

It’s hard to resist the adorable, wrinkly face of a bulldog. Two popular breeds are the classic Bulldog, commonly known as the English Bulldog, and the French Bulldog. While they share part of their breed names and are both popular dogs, there are distinct differences between the two.

Here’s what sets French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs apart—and what makes them similar.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: Appearance

Frenchies and English Bulldogs share similarities in their appearance, thanks to their flat faces and wrinkles. But there are certainly distinct traits between the two breeds, including their size.

• Body: French Bulldogs have a smaller, slimmer body and generally weigh less than 28 pounds. English Bulldogs have a stockier body and can weigh up to 50 pounds.

• Height: French Bulldogs are typically shorter, at a maximum height of 13 inches. The English Bulldog’s maximum height is 15 inches.

• Ears: French Bulldogs have large, bat-like ears that stand up straight, whereas an English Bulldog’s ears are smaller and folded over. 

• Head shape: Frenchies have a square head, while English Bulldogs have a rounder head with a broad forehead.

• Coat colors: Both Frenchies and English Bulldogs boast a wide array of coat colors. For the former, this includes white, cream, and fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn). Markings and patterns are typically brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, or white markings. For English Bulldogs, their coat is often red, fawn, white, or fallow. They can have patterns and markings in brindle, piebald, ticking, black masks, and black tipping.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: Health

French Bulldogs live an average of 10–12 years, while English Bulldogs have a typical lifespan of 8–10 years. Both breeds are susceptible to many serious health conditions, so pet insurance may be a smart investment if you’re looking to bring home one of these dogs.

Both dogs have a short snout and flat face, making them brachycephalic breeds. This means they’re susceptible to brachycephalic airway syndrome, a combination of abnormalities affecting the respiratory tract, such as narrow nasal openings, a long soft palate in the mouth, and a narrow windpipe.

Brachycephalic airway syndrome  can result in noisy, labored breathing. It’s important to keep both French and English Bulldogs out of extreme heat, which can worsen their breathing problems. Monitor your dog while exercising, too, to make sure they aren’t having trouble breathing.

Additionally, French Bulldogs are at risk for developing:

• Hip dysplasia

• Elbow dysplasia

• Patellar luxation

• Spinal problems

• Heart disease

• Hypothyroidism

English Bulldogs, on the other hand, are prone to:

• Skin fold pyoderma

• Allergies

• Hip dysplasia

• Entropion

• Obesity

There are breed-specific pet foods for both English and French Bulldogs that can help keep them healthy.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: Temperament

Both French and English Bulldogs have friendly, good-natured temperaments.

Frenchies are known to be fun-loving and outgoing with a strong personality. They are also playful pups who enjoy games, relish being the center of attention, and like to stick close to their human companions.  

English Bulldogs have a reputation for being lazy and are often more docile. While friendly toward those they know, they might be a little more reserved around new people at first.

Of course, personality and temperament can also be influenced by environment and training, so either breed can be socialized into loving, confident, well-behaved pets with the right care and attention.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: Exercise Needs

Frenchies love to play, while English Bulldogs can be more laid-back. But both benefit from daily exercise, just in slightly different amounts.

French Bulldogs typically need about 30 minutes to one hour of exercise each day. This can include short walks, fetch, tug-of-war, and even hide-and-seek games.  

English Bulldogs, on the other hand, need only about 15 to 40 minutes of daily exercise, especially to help keep off unwanted extra weight. They also enjoy shorts walks and tug-of-war.

Make sure to restrict exercise for both breeds when it’s hot and humid outside, as Frenchies and English Bulldogs are both highly susceptible to overheating, thanks to their flat faces.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: History

Unfortunately, English Bulldogs were first used as bull-baiters and butcher’s dogs, according to the Bulldog Club of America. When bull-baiting was outlawed in England in 1835, the English Bulldog almost went extinct. But since then, Bulldog-lovers have kept the breed going.

Around this same time, people began to crossbreed their English Bulldogs to create a “smaller, lighter toy bulldog,” according to the French Bulldog Club of America. This new type of bulldog became popular with English workers in the midlands, especially lacemakers.

The popularity of Frenchies has since skyrocketed, and they’re now the most popular dog breed in the U.S. English Bulldogs are also very popular dogs.

French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog: Price

It depends on the breeder and their location, but French and English Bulldogs can be similar in price and cost several thousand dollars. The average price in the U.S. for both breeds is between $1,500 and $5,000. This hefty price reflects their popularity as highly sought-after, easygoing, and apartment-friendly companions.

English and French Bulldog puppies also often need to be delivered via C-section because of the mother dog’s slender hips and the puppies’ large head. This procedure is expensive and contributes to their high cost.

You may find these dogs for adoption through rescues such as the Bulldog Club of America Rescue Network.

Considerations for Pet Parents

Both French Bulldogs and English Bulldogs make good-natured companions who love spending time with their humans. They require less daily exercise than some more active breeds, but both appreciate a short walk or a good game of tug-of-war.

Here are some other considerations before you bring one of these pups home:

1. Exercise should be short and sweet—especially when it’s hot. Your Frenchie or English Bulldog does not require an excessively long walk or hike. Because of their health issues, it’s best to keep daily exercise broken up into small intervals at a time. Neither are comfortable in extreme heat, so when the temps are particularly high, keep outings to the early morning or evening.

2. Consider their differing energy levels. English Bulldogs are typically more easygoing than French Bulldogs. But don’t let that fool you—they still appreciate training exercises and low-impact games like tug-of-war. Frenchies are typically more outgoing and down to play.

3. Watch out for unique health issues. Both English and French Bulldogs can develop many health issues, including breathing problems, joint conditions, and skin issues.

By researching each breed and working with a reputable breeder, you can make sure you bring home the perfect dog for your family.