For those seeking a stocky, well-built, gentle, affectionate dog with ‘bat ears’, look no further than the French Pitbull! The French Bulldog Pitbull mix is a great dog for all types of family units and those with children don’t have to worry about aggression or potential harm being done by the dog, as the French Pitbull is an affectionate and loving animal with a gentle, but playful side.
Image credit: teddy.thefrenchiepitbull
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix – At a Glance
| Weight: | 30–40 pounds |
| Height: | 15–19 inches tall |
| Lifespan: | 12–14 years |
| Coat colours: | White, fawn and cream-coloured. |
| Temperament: | Energetic, playful, affectionate, loyal and loving. |
| Suitable for: | Families with or without children, single individuals and the elderly. |
What Does a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Look Like?
You can expect the French Bulldog Pitbull mix to borrow a decent amount of its look from both genetic partners. It will be a short and stocky dog with a broad neck and shoulders. They’re distinguishable by their pointy bat-like ears and shorter muzzles. However, those with more dominant Pitbull genetics may have longer snouts. You can expect a wide-eyed dog with either blue, brown or black eyes.
Photo: @buffythepit
The History of the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix
As the French Bulldog Pitbull mix is a fairly new breed of dog, there aren’t that many records of its history. However, we can assume that many breeders have experimented with mixing the French Bulldog and the Pitbull since interbreeding took off in popularity in the 1960s in the United States.
French Bulldog History
The French Bulldog is a smaller ‘toy’ version of the English Bulldog – it appeared in Paris in the mid-19th century, and was the result of crossbreeding an English bulldog with a Parisian “Ratter” – a type of small terrier, bred for catch rats. The French Bulldog gained great popularity in France and appeared across all levels of French society at the time.
There is some dispute about whether the French Bulldog is an English creation or a French one.
How Popular Are French Bulldogs?
Today, in the United States, the French Bulldog is one of the country’s most popular dogs. Ranking 2nd overall in the 2021 rankings, scored by the American Kennel Club.
Who Are French Bulldogs a Good Dog For?
French Bulldogs are great dogs for most owners. Their short coat and even-tempered nature make them the perfect family dog. They don’t require obscene amounts of exercise, are OK to be left alone for relatively short periods, are generally friendly with strangers and are good with kids! Their strength may make them a prohibitive dog for some elderly people, however.
How Did French Bulldogs Come About?
French Bulldogs were produced in England as companion ‘toy’ dogs in the mid-19th-century. This quickly garnered the attention of the French – and later, because of their astute size and stature, they quickly gained popularity among all levels of French society, from the peasantry to the royalty.
When Did First Cross-Breed French Bulldogs?
There is little available history about the crossbreeding history of the French Bulldog, though, given their significant history of over 150 years as a breed, it would be unsurprising to learn that the French Bulldog was cross-bred with multiple different types of dogs before the 1960s when crossbreeding of dogs became more popular in the United States.
Pitbull History
Unfortunately, the Pitbull does not have as nice a history as the French Bulldog. Originally bred as “bull baiting” and fighting dogs in England, they herald from Old English Bulldogs, and originated in England in the early 19th century. This cruel history of bloodsport and fighting has led to them being banned in multiple countries, including Canada and unrecognized by the American Kennel Club. They’re also banned in some US states.
How Popular Are Pitbulls?
Despite their bans in multiple American states, the Pitbull remains a highly popular dog – according to some statistics, they account for roughly 20% of ‘strong dog’ ownership in the United States.
Who Are Pitbulls A Good Dog For?
Despite its history of bloodsport and aggression, not to mention the apparent societal attitudes towards Pitbulls in the ten American states where their ownership is banned outright – they remain great companion dogs. Fiercely loyal and protective animals, despite their rough-and-tumble past, Pitbulls are mostly gentle animals with loving hearts.
How Did Pitbulls Come About?
Pitbulls were originally bred for bloodsports like dog fighting in England in the 19th century. This unfortunate history lead to many deaths among Pitbulls and other dogs in the UK, who would fight against them. This has led to Pitbulls having a reputation for being aggressive and dangerous, which has led to their outright banning in multiple American States and countries around the world.
When Did First Cross-Breed Pitbulls?
The crossbreeding history of Pitbulls is almost non-existent due to their complicated legal status in many countries around the world, though many different crosses of Pitbulls do exist and thus we can surmise that their popularity as a crossbreed took off around the same time as the rest: sometime during the 1960s, but peaked ten or twenty years ago.
What is the Temperament of the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix?
The French Bulldog is known for its docile nature, meanwhile, the Pitbull can be a somewhat hyperactive dog – thus, the two temperaments complement each other by producing an even-tempered, loving dog that is good with strangers and children.
Are French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Friendly?
Yes, in general, the French Bulldog Pitbull mix is quite a friendly dog.
Are French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Easy to Train?
In general, the French Bulldog Pitbull mix is quite easy to train, though it may be stubborn initially – this is part of the Pitbull temperament and can be trained out with time and patience.
How Much Can French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Weigh?
The French Bulldog Pitbull mix can weigh between 30 and 40 pounds.
How Tall Can French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Get?
The French Bulldog Pitbull mix can reach between 13 and 19 inches in height.
Similar Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the French Bulldog Pitbull mix, these include the Brussels Griffon, the Boston Terrier, West Highland Terrier and a Cane Corso, among others!
Does a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Shed?
No! Luckily, the French Bulldog Pitbull mix doesn’t shed very much, due to their very short coat. Though they’re not hypoallergenic dogs.
How Much Exercise Does a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Need?
For those who don’t have the energy or time to exercise regularly, the French Bulldog Pitbull mix might be just up your alley. They don’t require a ton of exercise, but appreciate 45 minutes to an hour of exercise per day – but you don’t necessarily have to worry about them needing hours of running time throughout the week.
How Long Does a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Live?
The lifespan of the French Bulldog is between 10-14 years, while the Pitbull is between 8-15 years.
Therefore we can assume the life expectancy of the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix is anywhere between 12-14 years.
Like with any dog, there are a number of factors that will determine the number of years your specific French Bulldog Pitbull mix lives like diet and exercise.
What Health Conditions Could the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Have?
- Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
- Lymphoma
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
- Aortic Stenosis
- Diabetes
- Sensitivity to Anaesthesia
How Can You Find a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix For Sale?
Before you search for a French Pitbull for sale, we recommend that you first check out local adoption options. These can include your local vets or animal shelter, or you can try out online options like https://www.petfinder.com/ that let you search for local adoptees from your area.
That aside, if you really want to buy rather than adopt, we suggest you check out the AKC’s advice on finding a proper breeder.
How Much Does a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Cost?
A French Bulldog Pitbull mix is one of the most expensive breeds in the country, with puppies costing you between $1000 and $4000 USD, depending on the breeder, location, etc. Yet another reason to seek adoption.
Is the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix the Right Breed For You?
If you love smaller dogs and can handle the physicality that comes with owning any Pitbull cross – the French Bulldog is hardly a weakling – then you’ll receive a loving and caring animal in the French Bulldog/Pittie mix. Prepare to open up your heart to the possibility of owning a breed that others might shy away from.
We hope that our guide has helped you to make a decision on whether or not to adopt this small and loving dog, whether you’ve been seeking more information, or have been on the fence about it – every dog deserves a loving home!