Male vs. Female french bulldog - Which is best for you?

French bulldogs were ranked the second most popular dog breed by the American kennel club in 2021. 

Their small stature and larger-than-life personalities strike a chord with dog enthusiasts wherever they're met. 

And who could resist those adorable faces? Small eyes set wide apart at the base of a short stout and pointy bat ears are enough to make anyone's heart melt. 

So, you’re thinking of adopting a Frenchie of your own?

Of course, the gender of your pup alone doesn’t determine whether or not it’ll fit into your family unit and make a good companion. However, there are a few differences between male and female Frenchies that might sway you one way or the other.

Let’s consider just a few.

Male French bulldogs 

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Generally larger than their female counterparts, male Frenchies usually weigh between 20 and 28 pounds.

Note! According to the American Kennel Club breed standards, a Frenchie must not weigh above 28 pounds, or it is not recognized as a french bulldog.

Frenchies are considered a small dog breed, with males standing about 13 inches tall.

They are sometimes described as miniature English bulldogs because of similar physical features, such as a short muzzle with deep wrinkles above the nose and a stocky build.

Trainability

Male french bulldogs can be quite challenging to train.

Not because they’re unintelligent but because they’re strong-willed and stubborn. Training has to start from a very early age before their inherent personality traits really take over and make them nearly impossible to train.

While they’re still puppies, male Frenchies need to be house-trained, or they’ll leave pee puddles everywhere. Show them where you want them to wee or defecate until they associate that place with all things toilet related and you’ll be just fine.

Compared to females, male french bulldogs can be harder to train due to them maturing slower than females.

So, if you’re thinking of opting for a male, be patient with them, especially when doing obedience-focused training. 

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No, your male Frenchie isn’t going to learn award-winning tricks any time soon. But then again, that’s probably not why you’d choose to own one.

If you’re not a person known for their patience, consider taking your dog to a professional to do the training for you.

Temperament

Male Frenchies can be pretty mischievous, getting themselves into trouble easier than getting themselves out of it.

They’re a curious breed that likes to explore their surroundings. 

Male Frenchies are quite assertive and dominate other pets and their owners. They have a real alpha gene and try to take the lead at home.

These adorable pups play well with kids and even have similar energy levels. They can keep up a fast-paced game of fetch for an hour or two max before needing a shady spot to re-energize.  

Overall Compatibility

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Male French bulldogs are great pets for extroverted people that love being active.

Many pet owners love their alpha mentality and choose them because of their social drive. They love being introduced to new people and other dogs.

Frenchies are very compatible with families with energetic children who would love a pet to play with for hours.

It’s best to adopt a puppy instead of an older dog if you have young kids. This will help them form a strong bond as they grow up together.

As your male french bulldog grows up and starts showing his natural alpha mentality, you want him to display enough patience with your children and not be aggressive toward them.

It’s also not unheard of to see them running and playing in parks with people they’ve never met. They love stopping to greet people on walks, making them a great way to meet like-minded dog lovers.

Female french bulldogs

As with most other breeds, female french bulldogs are the smaller gender.

They generally weigh between 20 and 25 pounds and stand 10 inches tall. 

One of the noticeable physical differences between the two breeds is the presence of genitalia that are very visible in male french bulldogs, and females tend to have swollen nipples after giving birth to their first litter of puppies.

They’re feisty companions who attach themselves to their owners and often suffer from separation anxiety. Nonetheless, female Frenchies are awesome companions.

Unlike males, female french bulldogs tend to hold back from showing attention to new people. They sus out whether or not someone is a friend or foe before befriending them.

Trainability

Female french bulldogs are easier to train than their male counterparts. That’s largely due to them maturing at an earlier age than males would.

They’re also more submissive to their trainers or owners and follow instructions more easily. 

A huge benefit to training french bulldogs is that they don’t need their senses stimulated as much as other dog breeds as part of their training program.

They follow simple, clear commands well and can adapt to almost any environment.

A female Frenchie will also respond better to being housetrained, understanding what is expected of them way quicker than males. So they’re less likely to chew on furniture and cause havoc inside the home.

Temperament

Female Frenchies are considered easier to live with than their male counterparts for a few reasons.

Firstly, like fine wine, they age better. By that, I mean that they grow more affectionate towards their owners and gentler as they mature.

This makes them a perfect option for owners who just need a companion dog.

Another reason is that they seem to potty train quickly. Female Frenchies don’t instinctively leave territorial markings on furniture and places around the house, making them a favorite for many families.

On the downside, they’ve been known to suffer from mood swings. Female french bulldogs will nip at their owners when in heat.

Overall Compatibility

Female Frenchies fit in very well with families that live in smaller apartments. They aren't as active as males and so need less physical stimulation.

They are extremely obedient and thrive when receiving a lot of love and affection from their owners. Their small size makes them a perfect lap dog.

Similarities between the genders

As you can see, there are several differences you need to consider when thinking of adopting a new puppy. But what are some of the common issues that the two genders face?

Have a look at a few.

Spaying and neutering

As we’ve mentioned, this breed can be quite moody.

Males have been known to dominate other pets and even try to assert that leader-of-the-pack mentality with their owners from time to time. Females, on the other hand, often show aggression when in heat.

These issues have made many potential dog owners weary of them. 

But a large part of this problem can be neutralized by neutering your male or spaying your female bulldog. After the medical procedure, you can expect your pet to have a more placid personality.

Of course, removing a male's testes also brings hormonal changes, which stops males from mounting anything and everything in the house.

The procedure also has excellent health benefits, preventing prostate and testicular diseases for males and reducing or even eliminating the risk of certain cancers in female dogs.

Health issues

Whether you adopt a male or female french bulldog, know that the breed generally comes with quite a few known health problems.

This is because of their genetic makeup and is often unavoidable. Health issues occur when they reach the age of 2 and up. Let’s have a look at a few struggles your pup could face.

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Ear infections

Frenchies are known for large, pointed bat ears. Combine this with narrow ear canals and you have the perfect storm for ear infections.

Their large, open ears often act as a funnel, allowing bacteria and debris to enter their ears. Naturally, their immune system tries to fight this infection by allowing the ear glands to swell up. 

This, in turn, can lead to the overproduction of ear tissue and cause even further infections.

Diarrhea

Unfortunately, Frenchies are quite prone to stomach issues. A parasite or infection usually brings on an upset stomach, so keep a close watch on their diet. Make sure to check their stool regularly and if you notice a particularly pungent smell or blood in their stool, seek veterinary advice.

Skin problems

French bulldogs suffer from two different skin-related health issues - Skin Fold Dermatitis and Pyoderma. 

Skin fold dermatitis occurs in areas where the skin folds over itself. And Frenchies are known for wrinkles above their muzzle and on the back of their necks in older dogs.

Signs to look out for include biting and scratching the infected area, as it causes severe itching. Try to prevent this issue by keeping the skin folds dry and clean and doing a regular inspection to catch dermatitis in the early stages.

The second skin problem that French bulldogs often encounter is Pyoderma. Another way of describing it is bacterial infections on their skin. Again, keep an eye out for any scratching or biting of their skin, indicating irritation.

Breathing problems

Like other breeds with short snouts, French bulldogs often suffer from breathing problems.

That’s because they have a shorter airway that often gets infected and clogged up with mucus. This makes it challenging to regulate their heat and limits the amount of exercise they can comfortably do.

Lifespan 

The lifespan of french bulldogs isn't characterized by gender but rather by overall health, care and inherited genes.

When they’re part of a loving family unit where they enjoy a good diet and have regular vet checkups, they can live for anything between 10 and 16 years.

The key to enjoying your pup for a long time is firstly getting them from a reputable breeder that knows about its history and bloodline.

Conclusion

Both male and female Frenchies are wonderful pets and great indoor dogs. They form a strong bond with their owners and remain loyal companions for their entire life.

So don’t allow the difficulties and drawbacks of the breed to dissuade you from getting one of your own.Their small stature makes them the perfect fit for life mostly indoors and they adapt extremely well to different environments.

But your dog's overall happiness is generally determined by the amount of love and care you give it. Make sure to socialize them from a young age and keep them active. Stimulate your pup's mental health by doing house and obedience training and care for their physical needs at each stage of their development.

Caring dog owners want to spend as much time with their dogs as possible, so treat them to regular walks and play dates in the local park.

Sparkpaws is a company that has a range of leashes and harnesses to fit various sizes of dogs, from small to large.