Technically, the micro French Bulldog breed doesn’t actually exist. The AKC doesn’t recognize these tiny dogs, which were usually bred by breeding very small runts together. Simply put, these dogs are a smaller version of the regular French Bulldog, which is already quite small. However, what exactly counts as a micro–French Bulldog and what doesn’t varies widely.
Breed Overview
Height:
Small to medium (11 – 12 inches)
Weight:
20 – 28 pounds for males, 16-24 pounds for females
Lifespan:
10 – 12 years
Colors:
Fawn, fawn and white, fawn brindle, brindle, brindle and white, cream, white and brindle, white and fawn
Suitable for:
Families looking for a playful, easy-to-groom lapdogs that do not require a lot of space.
Temperament:
Easygoing, sociable, gentle, friendly, playful, affectionate
There is no singular authority that determines where the line is drawn.
This breed’s history is interwoven with the French Bulldog, as micro versions were only produced recently.
French Bulldog Characteristics
The Earliest Records of the Micro French Bulldog in History
The micro French Bulldog was only developed less than a decade ago. However, the French Bulldog has been around for a lot longer. Originally, this breed originated from the bull-fighting dogs in England. In 1835, these sports were outlawed, which suddenly left the “Bulldogs” without anything to do. At the time, these dogs weighed up to 25 pounds, so they were a lot different from the micro French Bulldogs we know today.
Around the same time, many lace workers and other traditional workers in England were displaced by the Industrial Revolution. Many of these workers fled to France, where the revolution had yet to occur. These workers often brought their dogs with them, which included some Bulldogs.
At the same time, in England, the larger Bulldogs were favored. Therefore, when Frenchmen requested Bulldogs from England (thanks to seeing the displaced workers with them), they were often given smaller dogs, which wouldn’t sell in England. Therefore, breeders developed a practice of selling the bigger dogs in England and the smaller dogs in France.
As time went on, two different breeds developed because of this practice. The English Bulldog developed in England, and the French Bulldog developed in France.
How the Micro French Bulldog Gained Popularity
The French Bulldog quickly became popular in France. The dog was considered stylish and often sought after by creatives and society ladies. In this way, the breed quickly flourished in France before it spread throughout the rest of the world.
However, there were no records kept of the breed at this time. Unlike other breeds, it was not a working animal. Therefore, the need to keep records of its bloodline wasn’t significant to breeders at the time.
Therefore, we don’t know if other dogs were mixed into the French Bulldog to make it smaller or give it other qualities like its upright ears. These traits may have been recessive genes that began to thrive in this smaller population, or they may have been introduced via another breed.
It is expected that at least some terrier stock was introduced to give this breed its upright ears.
Today, this breed is still popular because of its smaller size. It is a companion animal, through and through. Therefore, it often meets the needs of those looking for a companion animal. The micro–French Bulldog has become popular for similar reasons. However, this time, the dog is even smaller. With more and more people living in apartments and smaller spaces, this is to be expected.
However, many people don’t realize that these dogs often have more health problems. When you shove dogs into smaller packages, you’re bound to end up with some problems.
Formal Recognition of the Micro French Bulldog
Bulldogs have always been quite popular. Therefore, Americans have been importing these dogs for quite a while. However, it wasn’t until the 1880s that a breeding program in the states was developed. At the time, many French Bulldogs were still bred by society ladies. Therefore, they were quite expensive, which they continue to be today.
It took a while for the breed standard to be written. A breed club wasn’t formed until much later, which is the first instance of a standard being written. Before then, there was a lot of debate on the specific characteristics of a French Bulldog, such as their ear shape.
However, by 2014, the French Bulldog became the 10th most popular dog breed in the United States. This rise was huge compared to the breed’s place at 54th the decade before. In 2017, they were the 4th most popular.
The micro French Bulldog is a development of this popularity. As this dog became more popular, many breeders started to make the dogs smaller and smaller, as that is what’s typically popular. In this way, the teacup French Bulldog was developed.
However, this breed is not currently recognized by any major kennel clubs and likely won’t be in the future. Most clubs are not very fond of breeders making dogs smaller, as it often leads to health problems.
Top 5 Unique Facts About the Micro French Bulldog
While the mini French Bulldog is becoming more and more popular, there are some things you should know before you purchase one.
1. They are not an official breed
Despite how some breeders make it out, this breed isn’t actually official. Instead, they are a smaller version of the French Bulldog that isn’t recognized by any major kennel club. Therefore, what counts as a mini French Bulldog varies widely.
2. They have a lot of health problems
These dogs are prone to many health problems. Frenchies are already unhealthy. When you shove them into a smaller body, the odds of having a problem are even higher.
3. You shouldn’t have them around children
These dogs are so small that they can easily be injured by children and other animals. Therefore, it is vital that you consider your living situation before adopting one.
4. Grooming is essential
While grooming these dogs is easy, it is vital for their health. Otherwise, they may develop skin infections and similar issues.
5. Temperature and climate are vital considerations
These dogs don’t do well in heat due to their small size and squished faces. Therefore, you should do your best to keep them inside in air conditioning. They may not be suited for warmer climates at all.
Do Micro French Bulldogs Make Good Pets?
These dogs can make wonderful pets for the right person. They were bred to be companion animals. Therefore, they are typically very companionable and friendly. However, they are also prone to many health issues and their smaller size can cause countless problems.
Because they are so small, they’re prone to be injured by pets and children. Therefore, they are best suited for adults with no large pets. (Cats are fine, but larger dogs would not be).
Furthermore, they tend to have more health issues. When planning vet expenses, keep this in mind. Pet insurance tends to be more expensive for this reason, as well.
However, the equipment and food for these dogs are relatively cheap. They don’t require huge amounts of food, which makes feeding them very cheap.
Summary
Micro French Bulldogs aren’t actually their own breed. However, several breeders have started to breed French Bulldogs smaller to fulfill popular demand. As people live in smaller and smaller spaces, smaller dogs are becoming more popular.
While these dogs are adorable, they are relatively new. Plus, they are prone to many health problems. Frenchies tend to have more health problems, to begin with. However, when you make these dogs even smaller, they become prone to several more. Therefore, their vet bills can be pricy.
Therefore, be sure you can afford these dogs before you adopt one. They are expensive upfront, though their day-to-day costs can be quite high.
See Also:
- 9 Common French Bulldog Colors (With Pictures)
- Are French Bulldogs Hypoallergenic? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
Featured Image Credit: Andi Berger, Shutterstock
