French Bulldog Breed Standard: 7 Traits That Make Frenchies Beautiful

Reading time: 5 minutes

If you ask any Frenchie parent, they’ll proudly say their pup is the most beautiful in the world—and we absolutely agree! French Bulldogs are naturally charming with their unique features and lovable personalities. At the same time, while an owner might see their pup as pure perfection, kennel clubs and experienced breeders view dogs through a different lens, looking for specific traits that help maintain the breed’s health and beauty. In this article, we’ll explore the official AKC standards that define what a French Bulldog should look like and the key traits that, in our opinion, make a Frenchie truly stunning. Make sure to read until the end, because we’ll also share what our TomKings Frenchie Family members think makes their own Frenchies special!

What Are The Official Frenchie Breed Standards?

Before we dive into the specific breed standards for French Bulldogs, let’s first clarify what a “breed standard” actually is. The American Kennel Club (AKC) defines a breed standard as a description of the ideal dog for each recognized breed. It serves as the benchmark against which dogs are judged at shows and competitions. Originally outlined by the breed’s parent club, these standards are officially accepted by national and international bodies, ensuring each breed’s unique qualities are preserved.

Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the main features the AKC expects in a French Bulldog. If you’re curious about the full description of the French Bulldog breed standard, you can read it here. 

General Appearance

French Bulldogs are known for their compact, muscular build. They have a small size and must remain under 28 pounds in weight. The hallmarks of the breed include their square head, distinctive “bat ears,” and a unique roach back, all of which contribute to their instantly recognizable look. Their bodies are well-balanced, with no single feature standing out too much. Overall, a Frenchie’s appearance gives the impression of an active, curious, and playful dog.

Head

The head is one of the most defining features of a Frenchie. It should be large, square-shaped, and well-proportioned. Their eyes are dark and set wide apart, giving them a sweet, alert expression. Bat ears are a must—they should be broad at the base, rounded at the top, and always carried upright. The muzzle should be short and broad, with well-defined wrinkles that add to their character.

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Neck, Topline, and Body

French Bulldogs have a thick, well-arched neck that supports their strong head. Their back, known as a “roach back,” slopes gently from the shoulders to the rear, giving them their distinctive shape. The body is compact, with a broad chest and a well-rounded ribcage, creating a balanced and muscular appearance.

Forequarters and Hindquarters

A Frenchie’s legs should be muscular and sturdy, giving them the strength and stability they need despite their small size. Their front legs are shorter than the hind legs, which should be strong and slightly longer, creating a slight rise in the back. The paws are compact, with toes that are well-arched and firm, supporting their stocky frame.

Coat and Colors

The coat should be short, smooth, and shiny—showing off their muscular build. Accepted colors include fawn, cream, and various shades of brindle. 

Disqualifications

The AKC also outlines certain traits that officially disqualify a dog from participating in shows and competitions. Here are the key disqualifications to look out for:

• Over 28 pounds in weight.
• Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green.
• Other than bat ears.
• Nose other than black, except in the case of cream or fawn colored dogs without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.
• Coats other than short and smooth.
• All coat colors other than those specifically described

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Standard Colors and When Are They Important

French Bulldogs come in a wide range of colors and patterns, from classic standards to more rare and exotic shades. Here at TomKings, we have Frenchies in all these beautiful colors, whether you’re looking for the more traditional look or something a bit unique and different. However, if you’re planning to enter your Frenchie in shows or competitions, sticking to the AKC-recognized standard colors is a must, as all other colors, markings or patterns like blue, lilac, Isabella, merle or tan are a disqualification. 

So, what are the standard colors? According to the AKC, these include:

• Brindle
• Brindle & White
• Cream
• Fawn
• Fawn & White
• Fawn Brindle
• White
• White & Brindle
• White & Fawn

7 Traits That We Think Make Frenchies Stunning

At TomKings, our mission is not only to raise the healthiest Frenchies, but also the most beautiful ones. When selecting Frenchies for our breeding program, we focus on their health, temperament, and how well they represent the essence of the breed. For us, true beauty comes from balance—where health, structure, and charm all meet. In this section, we’ll walk you through seven key traits that, as breeders, we believe make French Bulldogs truly beautiful and irresistible.

1. Perfect Proportions and Harmony

One of the most important aspects of a Frenchie’s beauty is balance. Their bodies are compact and well-proportioned, with no feature overpowering the others. Whether they’re on the smaller or larger side, the body length is slightly greater than the height at the shoulders, creating that classic Frenchie silhouette.

2. Strong, Square Head

French Bulldogs have an unmistakable head shape—square and powerful. From the broad, square muzzle to the perfectly placed wrinkles, their heads are expressive and well-structured, giving them a signature look that’s hard to resist.

3. Healthy, Short Nose

Known for their short noses, Frenchies should also have good respiratory health. A well-bred Frenchie has a short muzzle that allows proper breathing without compromising the breed’s characteristic look. The nose is in harmony with the face—short, but not overly extreme.

4. Signature Bat Ears

No Frenchie would be complete without their iconic bat ears. Medium in size and rounded at the tips, these ears stand tall, giving them an alert and curious expression. 

5. Short, Muscular Neck

The neck of a French Bulldog is short, strong, and well-muscled, adding to their sturdy, robust build. This feature provides strong support for their broad head and contributes to their overall balanced structure.

6. Compact, Muscular Body

Despite their smaller size, Frenchies are muscular and wide-bodied, which gives them a sense of strength. Their broad chest and well-developed muscles create a full, rounded appearance, making them look strong yet compact.

7. Naturally Short Tail

Finally, the Frenchie’s tail is naturally short and low-set, complementing their compact, muscular frame.

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What TomKings Family Members Love About Their Frenchies’ Looks

The traits we’ve mentioned above are just a few of the things we look for when selecting Frenchies for our breeding program. But that doesn’t mean a Frenchie that doesn’t match these standards isn’t just as beautiful. Whether it’s their personality, a quirky feature, or just that adorable expression they give you, every Frenchie has something that makes them completely irresistible. 

We were curious about our TomKings Frenchie Family members’ thoughts so we’ve asked them what they love most about their own Frenchies’ looks. We’ve included some of their comments below, click here if you’d like to read them all!

“My babies, Finnegan (blue pied) and Pudge. ♥️ My favorite things about Finn are his eyes and the heart shaped spots he has on his back (pictures below in replies to this comment). My favorite things about Pudge are his ears and his wrinkly forehead.” (Heather)

“I love the way. SKYE looks at me as soon as I walk in the house or if I leave the room, those eyes go right to the soul she knows I’m her person, but I’m also MICKIE’s person. I love how she could be so gentle and sweet, but also can be so feisty.” (Victoria)

“My daughter has stunning fur. It is soft and has sparkles in it.” (Jackie)

“I love Frankie’s little mouth when his teefies or his tongue stick out. He is just the sweetest guy and I love him so much!” (Lynn)

“What I love most about my Frenchie Kero is his big, expressive eyes and his cute little bat ears that perk up whenever he’s excited. 😍 kero is playful yet affectionate personality melts our hearts every day!💗” (Ana)

“Those potato bodies, smoosh faces, wrinkles, and sticky up ears. 🥰 🥰 ”(Ronée)

“I love Louie’s ears and facial expressions especially when you say “treat” or “wanna go for a car ride?” ❤️❤️” (Nicole)

“I love how I melt every time CJ looks up at me like this” (Evan)

If you can’t get enough of our Frenchies, join our Facebook group to see our puppies in their forever homes!

The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 15 years. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies, or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.