The French Bulldog Chihuahua mix is an adorable, stocky and active dog breed, best-suited for the active family unit. Inheriting different parts of their character from both parent breeds. The French Bulldog and Chihuahua mix is the perfect choice for those seeking a smaller companion mix breed. Renowned for their stubbornness, independence, loving and gentle demeanor, the French Bullhuahua is perfect for those who like mixed-breed dogs.
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French Bulldog Chihuahua mix – At a glance
| Weight: | 10–30 pounds |
| Height: | 6–12 inches |
| Lifespan: | 12–18 years |
| Coat Colours: | Brindle, brown, tan, black, white, cream, merle. |
| Temperament: | Playful, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, loyal, loving, gentle. |
| Suitable for: | Active families, active single individuals, apartment dwellers, experienced owners. |
What does a French Bulldog Chihuahua mix look like?
Like most designer breeds, the French Bulldog Chihuahua mix will inherit different parts of it’s physical appearance from both parent breeds. It’s likely to have an elongated, muscular body, like the French Bulldog, perhaps with the curled tail of the Chihuahua.
Your French Bulldog Chihuahua might be a brachycephalic breed like the French Bulldog, with a shortened snout – this can lead to breathing problems down the road. It might also inherit the upright, triangular ears of the Chihuahua, along with their almond-shaped eyes. Other French Bulldog characteristics might be a rounded forehead.
It will have a shorter coat, like the Chihuahua, but can come in a variety of coat colours.
The History of the French Bulldog Chihuahua mix
The Chihuahua French Bulldog does not have an extensive history to glean from – it’s exact origins are unknown, but it is thought to have originated in the United States between 1990 and the early 2000s, when crossbreeding became popular throughout the United States.
To learn more about the French Bulldog Chihuahua mix, we’ll explore the history of both parent breeds – the English “French” Bulldog and the Mexican Chihuahua.
The History of the French Bulldog
Despite being called a “French” Bulldog, the French Bulldog was actually bred in England at the beginning of the 19th century. Bred alongside English Bulldogs and Boxers, the French Bulldog was a miniature version of the English Bulldog traditionally used in bull-baiting and dog fighting at the beginning of the 19th century.
During the breeding of this miniature bulldog, Nottingham was undergoing a transformation due to the Industrial Revolution, sending many lace workers in Nottingham to Paris, where they could continue to work in the industry. They brought their Bulldogs with them, where these dogs eventually became known as “Bouledogue Francais.”
In 1885, the first French Bulldogs were imported to the United States. They quickly became popular among America’s wealthy elite – including J.P Morgan and the Rockerfellers. The American Kennel Club first recognized the French Bulldog in 1898.
How Popular Are French Bulldog?
Since they arrived on American shores the French Bulldog has been popular among families – initially with America’s wealthiest and then finally spreading among the general population.
In 2021, French Bulldogs were one of America’s most popular dog breeds. They were the second most popular dog in the United States, behind only the Labrador Retriever!
Who Are French Bulldog a Good Dog For?
Given their size, the French Bulldog is favored among the elderly population and are often found among those who live in apartments. Their low-maintenance approach to life makes them a favorite among those seeking an easy-going pet.
They’re perfect for first-time dog owners seeking a low-energy level pet with a short coat type that’s easy to maintain. Though they still require activity, they prefer mental stimulation to exhaustive physical exercise.
How Did French Bulldog Come About?
French Bulldogs were originally bred in England during the early 19th century – originally participants in blood sports such as bull-baiting and dog fighting, they left England with many of Nottingham’s lace workers during the mid-19th century, as the Industrial Revolution forced the workers to find new lives in Paris.
Over time, the French Bulldog was crossed with French dogs to create a smaller breed standard with consistent features.
When Did First Cross-Breed The French Bulldog?
Since its inception, the French Bulldog has been one of the most popular small dog crossbreeds, especially during the 1990s and early 2000s, when crossbreeding became popular throughout the United States.
Several popular crossbreeds were created during this time, including the following:
- German Shepherd French Bulldog Mix (German Bulldog)
- Bernese Mountain Dog French Bulldog Mix (French Bernese)
- Corgi French Bulldog Mix (Corgi Bulldog)
- Labrador French Bulldog Mix (French Lab)
- Pug French Bulldog Mix (Frug)
The History of the Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is a relatively modern breed with an ancient lineage. First noted in the mid-19th century in Mexico, the Chihuahua was a popularly traded dog between Mexicans and visiting American tourists. This trading led to the Chihuahua being imported to the United States at the beginning of the 20th century.
Historically, the Chihuahua heralds from the Mexican state of Chihuahua, but it’s lineage stretches back to the 9th century, when an Aztec tribe called the Toltec Peoples kept a small, mute dog known as the Techichi. This dog has similar physical traits to the modern-day Chihuahua – short dog, long snout and curled tail, along with their small, wedge-shaped facial structure.
In 1904, the AKC recognized the Chihuahua as a breed, following them being sold to many American tourists in Mexican-American border towns.
The Chihuahua has always been a companion pet in the United States, and is popular among almost everyone!
How Popular Are Chihuahuas?
In 2021, Chihuahuas ranked as the 37th most-popular dog in the United States.
Who Are Chihuahuas a Good Dog For?
Given their small size, Chihuahuas are among the most popular pets for the elderly – though their exercise requirements may prohibit ownership for some of the elderly population.
However, Chihuahuas are the perfect example of a Napoleon complex in a dog – they’re known for their shrill bark, which actually makes them compelling guard dogs. Chihuahuas aren’t always suitable for those with younger children as they can sometimes “nip”.
How Did Chihuahuas Come About?
Chihuahua’s exact origins are unknown. However, we know they’re descendants of the Techichi – a small, mute dog kept by the Toltec Peoples of Aztec Mexico in the 9th century.
When Did First Cross-Breed The Chihuahua?
The Chihuahua has become a very popular mixed-breed pup over the last twenty or thirty years and is usually bred with dogs of similar size to it. Several popular Chihuahua mixes created during the 1990s and early 2000s include:
- Chihuahua Border Collie Mix (Border Chi)
- Chihuahua Greyhound Mix (Grey Chi)
- Chihuahua Cocker Spaniel Mix (Cocker Chi)
- Chihuahua German Shepherd Mix (German Chi)
- Chihuahua Bernese Mountain Dog Mix (Bernese Chi)
How Important Is a Dog’s Temperament to Your Family?
One of the most important aspects of buying or adopting a dog is familiarizing yourself with the possible temperament that it’s likely to have – particularly for mixed-breed dogs – this could mean that you avoid aggressive or potentially aggressive breeds, if you have children.
Similarly, if you’re an active family, you’ll likely want an active dog breed to keep you fit! Or, if you’re more laid-back, you’ll want a lapdog that doesn’t favor extreme exercise.
What is the Temperament of the French Bulldog Chihuahua mix?
The Chihuahua French Bulldog mix is a friendly and affectionate dog with those it knows, but may be reserved and even guarded towards strangers – prepare for excessive barking if a stranger comes to the door!
You can also expect your Chihuahua French Bulldog to be independent when it’s outside. It might want nothing to do with you – but fear not, it still loves you and will quite happily be a lapdog once the day is over.
As with many designer breeds, the French Bulldog Chihuahua will inherit a great mixture of both parent breeds’ temperaments.
Is The Chihuahua mixed French Bulldog Friendly?
In general, you can expect your Chihuahua French Bulldog mix to be a friendly dog once it gets to know people. But it might be standoffish with strangers.
Is The Chihuahua mixed French Bulldog Easy to Train?
The French Bulldog Chihuahua mix will inherit the stubborn streak of both parent breeds, this may require extra training and persistence. Positive reinforcement is a fantastic training method for stubborn dogs.
How Much Can A French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix Weigh?
The average weight of a Chihuahua Bulldog is between 10 and 30 pounds.
How tall can a Chihuahua mixed with French Bulldog get?
The average height of a Chihuahua Bulldog mix is between 6 and 12 inches tall.
Similar-Sized Breeds
There are a few similar-sized breeds to the Chihuahua French Bulldog mix. These include:
- Border Terrier
- English Bulldog
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Dachshund
Does the French Bulldog and Chihuahua Mix Shed?
As a short-haired dog, the Chihuahua French Bulldog won’t suffer from much hair loss and will be a low-shedding breed. They will still require regular grooming, and their coats will require proper care.
How Much Exercise Does A Chihuahua mixed French Bulldog Require?
Generally, you can expect your Chihuahua French Bulldog mix to be a friendly and affectionate breed, though they may be standoffish around strangers.
How Long Can a French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix Live?
The average lifespan of a Chihuahua French Bulldog is between 12 and 18 years.
What Health Conditions Could the French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix have?
- Pulmonic Stenosis (Heart Condition)
- Cherry Eye
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) (Causes breathing difficulties)
- Patellar Luxation (Kneecap dislocation)
How Can You Find a French Bulldog and Chihuahua Mix Puppy For Sale?
Before you start searching for a Chihuahua French Bulldog mix puppy, try searching for one to adopt instead of purchasing one. Many Chihuahua French Bulldog mixes turn up in animal shelters or vet clinics across the United States, as a result of accidental mating.
Finding a reputable designer breeder can be a challenge. To assist you, we’ve created this handy guide to help you find a good one.
How Much Does a French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix Puppy Cost?
The average cost of a Chihuahua French Bulldog mix puppy is between $300 and $700. However, adoption costs a fraction of that cost – another reason to consider it over purchasing from a reputable breeder.
To search for a Chihuahua French Bulldog mix adopt, search on AdoptAPet.com.
Is the French Bulldog Chihuahua Mix the Right Breed For You?
The Chihuahua French Bulldog mix might be the perfect dog for you if you’ve been searching for a small, low-energy breed that’s easy to maintain and makes an excellent companion for family pets or the elderly. Their desire for shorter walks and minimal grooming requirements make them perfect for those looking for a low-maintenance pet.
If you’re certain that the Chihuahua French Bulldog isn’t the right breed for you, consider reading our other breed guides to find your perfect mixed-breed pup!
Sources:
- https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/patellar-luxations
- https://www.kingsdale.com/brachycephalic-obstructive-airway-syndrome-in-dogs-boas
- https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/cherry-eye-in-dogs
- https://www.vet.cornell.edu/hospitals/companion-animal-hospital/cardiology/pulmonic-stenosis-dogs
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/most-popular-dog-breeds-of-2021/