How to Identify a French Bulldog

The French bulldog, one of the most popular dog breeds in the world,[1] is a non-sporting breed. Known for their "bat ears" and other key traits, they can be distinguished from other dog breeds as long as you know what to look for. By understanding the breed's general appearance and temperament, you can get a better idea of whether or not a dog is a French bulldog.

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Looking at Body Structure

  1. Notice the dog's size. French bulldogs are fairly small, having a height of about .[2] They typically weigh under .[3]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 1 Version 2.jpg
  2. Check for "bat ears". French bulldogs have recognizable perked ears with wide bases and rounded tips.[4] The ears are not too close together and rest high atop the dog's head.[5] A purebred French bulldog will almost certainly have bat ears.
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 2.jpg
  3. Look at the eyes. Brown eyes are a common trait in French bulldogs, especially dark, almost black eyes. These are most desirable, though a French bulldog may also have light, brown eyes.[6]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 3.jpg
  4. See if the dog has a short tail. French bulldogs are seen with short tails that can be straight or screwed.[7] Their tails are thick at the base but have fine tips.[8] They hang low below the back.
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 4.jpg
  5. Pay attention to the dog's overall build. The build of a French bulldog is fairly muscular. They have short, well-rounded bodies.[9] Their gait is described as being vigorous and unrestrained.[10]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 5.jpg

[Edit]Checking the Coat

  1. Check for short fur. The coat of a French bulldog is short and smooth.[11] Their skin is loose and soft, which oftentimes can form wrinkles on the dog, especially around the head and shoulders.[12]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 6.jpg
  2. Look at the color of the coat. French bulldogs typically have light coat base colors. Their base color can be white, fawn, or cream, including any combinations of these colors.[13]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 7.jpg
  3. Know common coat patterns. Though the base is usually white, fawn, or cream, French bulldogs can have other colors seen in pattern form. Coat patterns seen in French bulldogs include brindle, piebald, black masks, black shading, and white markings.[14]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 8.jpg
    • French bulldogs commonly have brindle coats. This brindle pattern can range from "sparse but clearly defined" to "such heavy concentration" that the base color is almost completely hidden.[15]

[Edit]Identifying Temperament

  1. Watch for affection. French bulldogs are highly affectionate. They tend to show much loving towards people. Because of this, they can make great family pets.[16]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 9.jpg
  2. See if the dog is alert. French bulldogs are commonly very alert dogs. They can show attentiveness, though they aren't overly energetic.[17]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 10.jpg
  3. Check for patience. Unlike many dog breeds, French bulldogs demonstrate fine levels of patience. Even as puppies, they tend to be calmer, which can ease the training process.[18]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 11.jpg
  4. Look at the dog's social levels. French bulldogs are typically welcoming toward strangers. They are well-behaved around new animals and people, being fairly adaptable.[19]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 12.jpg
  5. Notice if the dog is easygoing. French bulldogs are overall quite easygoing. They aren't overly excited and can have fine energy levels. They may even appear calm.[20]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 13.jpg

[Edit]Distinguishing Between Similar Breeds

There are several dog breeds that have similar appearances to French bulldogs. However, if you know how to spot the differences, it may be easier to tell whether a dog is a French bulldog.

  1. Spot differences between French bulldogs and English bulldogs. Both types of bulldogs, French bulldogs and English bulldogs naturally have many similarities. Both are fairly muscular and have short fur and wrinkles. However, English bulldogs tend to be the bigger of the two, weighing as much as .[21] English bulldogs do not have bat ears; their ears slightly fold down.
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 14.jpg
  2. See how French bulldogs and Boston terriers differ. Boston terriers and French bulldogs are commonly confused for one another due to their strikingly similar appearances. However, there are a couple differences between the breeds. Boston terriers are taller than French bulldogs, being , though French bulldogs weigh more.[22] French bulldogs are seen in white, fawn, cream, brindle, and piebald, while Boston terriers may be brindle, seal, or black.[23]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 15.jpg
  3. Differentiate between French bulldogs and pugs. Pugs and French bulldogs are both wrinkly, fairly small breeds. Pugs, however, are toy breeds and smaller than French bulldogs. They are roughly .[24] Pugs have folded ears rather than bat ears and are seen with curly tails rather than short tails.
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 16.jpg
  4. Tell how French bulldogs and pitbulls differ. American Pit Bull Terriers are a common "pitbull" breed and have some things in common with French bulldogs. Pit Bull Terriers can weigh as much as , however, and are larger than French bulldogs.[25] Both breeds have fine coats, though Pit Bull Terriers can be seen in blue, gray, white, tan, brown, red, yellow, or black.[26]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 18.jpg
  5. Understand differences between French bulldogs and bull terriers. Bull terriers and French bulldogs have some similarities between them, such as having perked ears. Bull terriers, however, are much larger than French bulldogs, being as much as .[27] Bull terriers can be seen with brown, white, brindle, tricolor, or black coats that are smooth and dense.[28]
    Identify a French Bulldog Step 17.jpg

[Edit]Tips

  • If you're wondering whether the dog you own is a French bulldog, consider using a DNA test. Doing so will confirm your dog's breed.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

[Edit]References

  1. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/
  2. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/
  3. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/
  4. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  5. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  6. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  7. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  8. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  9. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  10. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  11. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  12. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  13. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  14. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  15. http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/French_Bulldog-6-18.pdf
  16. https://www.dogtemperament.com/french-bulldog-temperament/
  17. https://www.dogtemperament.com/french-bulldog-temperament/
  18. https://www.dogtemperament.com/french-bulldog-temperament/
  19. https://www.dogtemperament.com/french-bulldog-temperament/
  20. https://www.dogtemperament.com/french-bulldog-temperament/
  21. https://dogsnet.com/french-bulldog-vs-english-bulldog/
  22. https://dogsnet.com/boston-terrier-vs-french-bulldog/
  23. https://dogsnet.com/boston-terrier-vs-french-bulldog/
  24. https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/pug-vs-french-bulldog
  25. https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/french-bulldog-vs-american-pit-bull-terrier
  26. https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/french-bulldog-vs-american-pit-bull-terrier
  27. https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/french-bulldog-vs-bull-terrier-vs-shiba-inu
  28. https://dogell.com/en/compare-dog-breeds/french-bulldog-vs-bull-terrier-vs-shiba-inu

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