If you live in a smaller space but still want a dog, you’ll find dozens of smaller breeds available to choose from. However, if you’re looking for a small dog that’s playful, affectionate, occasionally hyperactive, and adorable, we recommend the French Bull Rat Terrier. This hybrid dog breed has only been around for a few years, so they are a bit on the rarer side, but they make loyal, steadfast companions for the right people.

Before you adopt any dog, though, you should know as much as possible about the breed to know exactly what you’re getting into. Below, you’ll find all the information you should know about the French Bull Rat Terrier to determine whether this is the breed for you and your family.

Breed Overview

The French Bull Rat Terrier is a mixed breed created from the crossbreeding of a French Bulldog and a Rat Terrier. The result is a small canine with bat ears and a smushy face, making this breed cute as a button. The French Bull Rat Terrier also inherits personality traits from their parent breeds, which makes them a delightful mix of calm and energetic that brings a lot of fun to any home!

French Bull Rat Terrier Characteristics

French Bull Rat Terrier Puppies

The French Bull Rat Terrier is a mixed breed dog that isn’t in high demand, so there aren’t many out there. There also aren’t many breeders for this canine, so if you want a French Bull Rat Terrier puppy, you may have a bit of a hunt on your hands. While there is a slight chance you could stumble upon one of these pups in a shelter, you most likely will need to find a breeder to acquire one of these dogs. When going with a breeder, always research and ensure the breeder is ethical and responsible.

When you manage to find a French Bull Rat Terrier, be prepared to deal with a sweet, playful pup who will want your full attention!

French Bull Rat Terrier Origin & History

This mixed breed is fairly new, but the origins of the French Bull Rat Terrier are unknown. It’s thought the breed was created in the United States sometime in the early 2000s, though. However, we do know the history and origins of this breed’s parent breeds.

The French Bulldog originated in England, not France, from toy Bulldogs. However, they were then crossbred with breeds from France, and these dogs made a splash in Paris in the mid-19th century. The French Bulldog’s popularity rose quickly, and these dogs soon became the favored pups of everyone from lace workers to famous artists like Degas.

The Rat Terrier is an American dog bred to catch rats on farms (though this breed is related to the European hunting dog breed known as Feists). This breed was most popular between 1920 and 1930, but nowadays, they’re considered a rarer breed.

Temperament & Intelligence of the French Bull Rat Terrier 🧠

As a mixed breed dog, the French Bull Rat Terrier inherits personality traits from both parent breeds. Therefore, personalities can vary minutely between French Bull Rat Terriers, as some dogs take after one parent more than the other. Overall, though, these dogs are delightful. This breed is outgoing and friendly with the people they know and love (though they can sometimes be a bit wary of strangers at first!).

An affectionate breed, the French Bull Rat Terrier will quickly form strong bonds with their family, and as a breed that loves to play and tends to have quite a bit of energy, they’ll always be on the go and ready for some fun. Don’t let the size of the French Bull Rat Terrier fool you into thinking they have less exuberant personalities, either; these canines have big personalities, are fearless, and sometimes have a willful streak that can pose a challenge. They’re also incredibly curious about the world around them, so you might find your dog getting into things they shouldn’t!

With one of these dogs in your home, you’ll have a sweet, silly companion who’s up for cuddles or playtime at any given moment.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

This breed is generally good with children, although early socialization is key to dogs and tiny humans living harmoniously. Due to their small size, these pups may do best in homes with older children, as younger children could be a bit too exuberant and accidentally hurt these dogs during play. However, this breed should be fine if you have well-behaved younger children who know how to handle canines properly.

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The French Bull Rat Terrier can get along with other dogs and even cats as long as they are properly socialized and introduced to other animals. However, these dogs shouldn’t be around small animals, as this breed may inherit the prey drive of the Rat Terrier (who, as you may recall, was bred to hunt mice). So, if you have hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, or anything like that, we wouldn’t recommend adding one of these dogs to the mix.

Things to Know When Owning a French Bull Rat Terrier

You should know plenty more about this dog breed before you adopt one of these pups, so here’s a look at what health concerns may arise with these dogs, how much exercise they need daily, and more!

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The French Bull Rat Terrier will do best on dog food designed with smaller breeds in mind. However, because these pups can be energetic and athletic, you want to ensure any dog food you get is high enough in protein to meet their energy needs. As for how much to feed your pup daily, speak with your dog’s vet. How much food a canine needs depends on their age, activity level, and more, so your vet can determine how much your pet should eat.

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Exercise 🐕

This breed is a reasonably high-energy pup who loves to be active and play. As such, you should aim for around 45 minutes of exercise a day for them (on top of playtime). You can split this into two or three short walks a day to help keep your pup healthy and happy.

Because of this breed’s natural athleticism, you might also consider training them for doggie sports. You can easily set up an agility course in your backyard for them to run through, which will keep them not only physically stimulated but mentally stimulated, as well.

Training 🎾

The French Bull Rat Terrier is an intelligent breed and, for the most part, eager to please, which makes training them fairly easy. However, their willful streak will occasionally appear in the form of stubbornness, so you may have a few challenges while training your dog. With positive reinforcement, a set training routine, and plenty of consistency, though, you shouldn’t have too much trouble training your pup. If, for some reason, you run into issues with training, you should reach out to a professional trainer for help, as training a dog isn’t something you can skip out on.

Grooming ✂️

French Bull Rat Terriers are incredibly low maintenance when it comes to grooming. Your dog will require weekly brushing to remove dead fur and a bath about once a month. This breed may inherit sensitive skin, so be sure you don’t over-bathe them and stick to shampoos and conditioners that are gentle on the skin when you do. Your pet will also need their teeth brushed regularly and nails trimmed as needed. Finally, check your dog’s ears on a weekly basis for dirt and debris and clean them out if necessary.

Health and Conditions ❤️

This breed is new enough that we’re still figuring out which health conditions they’re most prone to. We do know they’re prone to certain health conditions that they’ve inherited from their parent breeds. Here are a few of the possible health issues you might face with one of these pups.

Male vs Female

This breed has little difference in temperament when it comes to males versus females. The only significant difference you’ll find between the sexes of this breed will be in their size, as females will be a bit smaller than males. Which sex is right for your family will depend on personal preference and whether you want to pay less to have your pup fixed.

3 Little-Known Facts About the French Bull Rat Terrier

1. This breed may make good watchdogs.

The French Bull Rat Terrier will almost always alert you when someone is approaching your home by barking so they can make good watchdogs. However, if you’re living somewhere in close quarters with others (like an apartment complex), their barking may cause issues with the neighbors, so you’ll want to try to curb that tendency during puppyhood.

2. French Bull Rat Terriers are an interesting mix of hyper and calm.

If you’re concerned about this breed being overly playful and hyperactive, you can rest easy. While this dog does inherit a bit of the overly energetic nature of the Rat Terrier, that hyperness is tempered by the calmness of the French Bulldog, which makes for an interesting combination!

3. This breed is only recognized by two organizations.

Mixed breeds like this one aren’t typically recognized by the American Kennel Club or similar organizations, so the only organizations that recognize the French Bull Rat Terrier are the Dog Registry of America of America (DRA) and the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC).

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been looking for an adorable, playful pup on the smaller side, the French Bull Rat Terrier may be the right breed for you! These canines are affectionate lap dogs and energetic playmates who make steadfast companions. Because of their small size, they’re suitable for apartment life and home life. Just watch out for their tendency to bark if living near others!

Featured Image Credit: (L) Eric Isselee, Shutterstock | (R) Lars Christensen, Shutterstock