Many different types of Bulldogs exist but people usually compare French Bulldogs to English Bulldogs. Though both make adorable pets, French Bulldogs are very different from their English cousins.
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In this article, you’ll come to know about all the similarities and differences between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog. Towards the end, you’ll be in a better position to decide which type will suit you best.
French Bulldog vs English Bulldog
The main difference between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog is their appearance. Although both descend from the same ancestors, they have certain differences in their temperament and physique, making each type unique.
Origin
The history of the English Bulldog dates back to the 13th century. Back in the day, the English Bulldog was used for the brutal sport of bull baiting. Due to this, the English Bulldog developed a body and temperament that suited the cruel sport. They had strong stocky bodies and a violent temperament. But in the 1800s Bull baiting was made illegal in England and English Bulldogs suddenly became useless. However, to save the breed from extinction breeders turned the English Bulldog into a more gentle and lovable dog breed that could be kept as pets.
Contrary to the name, French Bulldogs were actually bred in the United Kingdom and brought to France by lace workers. They became very popular among the French elite. Soon French Bulldog trading business skyrocketed in France and more and more were imported from England. Over the years they were crossed with other breeds like pugs and terriers and slowly transformed into the iconic bat-eared French Bulldog that we see today.
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Physical Traits
Visually French Bulldogs are strikingly different from English Bulldogs and can be differentiated at a glance.
Size
The most notable feature that sets the French Bulldog apart from the English Bulldogs is its overall size. English Bulldogs are taller and weigh much more than their French cousins. A typical English Bulldog weighs around 50-55 pounds as compared to the much lighter-weighted French Bulldog that weighs around 16-28 pounds. Moreover, an English Bulldog is typically 11- 12 inches tall while a French Bull is much shorter in comparison, averaging around 16-17 inches.
General Appearance
English Bulldogs tend to be muscular and broad in appearance. They have wide bodies and large meaty heads supported by strong and sturdy necks. Their wrinkly faces and tiny spaced eyes are one of their distinct features. They have drooping, rose-shaped ears set wide apart on their head. English Bulldogs sport a curly tail that resembles that of a pig.
In terms of appearance, French Bulldogs are considered much more good-looking than their English counterparts. Their bodies are more toned and streamlined as compared to the stocky English Bulldogs. Their face is less meaty and has fewer folds and their eyes are much rounder. Perhaps the most characteristic feature of a French Bulldog is its pointed bat-shaped ears.
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Coats
An English Bulldog’s coat is short but slightly rough in texture with deep folds. Their coat colors vary from brindle, white, and fawn to red and gray.
French Bulldogs have short and smoothed-haired coats with fewer folds. The most common coat colors are white, fawn, and cream with brindle or black markings.
Temperament
As far as temperament is concerned both breeds are pretty much similar. Both are friendly sociable dogs that are great for families with kids. They are equally stubborn from time to time and no matter what you do they won’t budge. Both are highly affectionate towards their owner and have a high tendency to follow them around. They have an eager-to-please attitude and crave attention from the owner. This also makes them suffer from separation anxiety if left alone by their owners.
Despite these similarities, there are a few minor differences in the temperament of both breeds. French Bulldogs are sometimes a tad bit aggressive in comparison with their joyful English cousin. This makes them slightly untrustworthy to leave alone with children. But with early socialization and training, they turn out to be extremely gentle and harmless.
Despite both breeds showing a slight degree of stubbornness, the English Bulldogs are one step ahead in this regard and this makes them a bit difficult to tackle if not trained in time.
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Also, English Bulldogs are more sociable than Frenchies and win the heart of the entire family within no time. Frenchies on the other hand are a bit more reserved and if not exposed to people from an early age they will lack proper socialization skills. As a result, they will turn out to be attached to one particular person and avoid other people making them less people-friendly. However, with proper early-age socialization, this is not a problem.
Health Issues
Although both English Bulldogs and French Bulldogs are susceptible to similar types of health issues, English Bulldogs have a slightly greater tendency to suffer from health-related problems. French Bulldogs have an average lifespan of 10-12 years while English Bulldogs have a bit shorter lifespan averaging at about 8-10 years.
French Bulldogs, because of their more exposed bat-like ears are prone to ear infections. This is because dust particles and bacteria easily enter their ears. On the other hand, English Bulldogs are more prone to head tumors.
Although obesity is a problem for both breeds, English Bulldogs are more likely to suffer from its effects. The more disproportionate weight distribution in English Bulldogs causes hip and joint problems.
French Bulldogs have a greater tendency to suffer from eye problems like cherry eye and cataracts.
Apart from this both types of Bulldogs are susceptible to Brachycephalic syndrome. This is related to their respiratory system and causes breathing difficulty and overheating. Also, both breeds are quite notorious for their susceptibility to skin allergies like yeast infections.
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So you must keep in mind that both French and English Bulldogs are known to suffer from a long list of diseases. This is important to know before you plan to get either of these breeds.
Grooming
In terms of grooming requirements, the French Bulldog is fairly easy to maintain. They don’t shed a lot and brushing once a week keeps their short hair coat clean and smooth. Also because they are relatively less wrinkled they don’t require vigorous fold-cleaning sessions.
English Bulldogs shed more and require 2-3 times brushing per week. Due to their wrinkly faces, they need to be cleaned properly otherwise they get easily infected.
Other than this they are generally low-maintenance dogs and don’t need a lot of washing or bathing.
Trainability
English Bulldogs give their owners a tough time with training. This is due to their stubborn and lazy nature. But with positive reinforcement techniques and regular training, they turn out pretty well.
French Bulldogs are easy to train and have a generally higher level of intelligence than their English counterparts parts. They are quick to learn and adapt and are less stubborn. This wins them a higher point in terms of trainability.
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Exercise Needs
Both French and English Bulldogs are similar in terms of exercise needs. Both have low energy levels and prefer lazing around at home then going for a walk. But considering their tendency to put on weight it is extremely important for them to have a fair share of exercise each day.
Average Price
Considering the rising popularity of french Bulldogs as compared to English Bulldogs, Frenchies are more highly-priced. This is because they are slightly more compatible in terms of temperament, less prone to health issues, and more desirable in terms of looks. French Bulldogs are priced above $1800 while English Bulldogs have their price range starting from $1500. However, the prices generally fluctuate around these averages and vary with the characteristics of each breed.
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Which One Is Better For You?
If you are looking for a Bulldog for your family then a French Bulldog is a fairly better option. This is because they are smaller in size and easy to keep in small apartments. They are naturally less stubborn and easy to train and less prone to health issues. English Bulldogs have their own set of qualities that make them unique and are really great with families. However, due to their susceptibility to health problems and slightly stubborn attitude, French Bulldogs seem a better choice.