French Bulldog Average Weight: The Ultimate Guide

Are you curious about your French Bulldog’s weight journey? Understanding the average weight of these delightful companions is key to ensuring their health and happiness. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the details of the French Bulldog average weight, from their playful puppy days to their mature years. We’ll explore growth charts, factors influencing weight, health risks linked to improper weight, nutritional needs, and when it’s crucial to seek your vet’s guidance.

Growth and Weight Chart for French Bulldogs

If you’re a Frenchie parent, it’s crucial that you understand the growth process of your French Bulldog from puppyhood to adulthood. Knowing the milestones they need to hit at certain ages will allow you to notice if your furry friend is a bit behind when it comes to gaining weight, or on the contrary, they are a bit too chubby and need to shred a pound or two.

Below we’ll include a detailed weight chart providing insights into Frenchies’ developmental stages. Keep in mind that individual variations among puppies are natural, so these numbers should be taken as general guidelines rather than strict rules.

How Much Do Male Frenchies Weigh?

Age	Weight
1 month	4 – 7 lbs
2 months	9 -12 lbs
3 months	10 – 14 lbs
4 months	12 – 16 lbs
5 months	15 – 20 lbs
6 months	17 – 22 lbs
7 months	18 – 25 lbs
8 months	19 – 27 lbs
9 months	20 – 28 lbs
10 months	20 – 28 lbs
11 months	20 – 28 lbs
1 year	20 – 30 lbs
+1 year (adult weight)	20 – ~35 lbs

How Much Do Female Frenchies Weigh?

When Do French Bulldogs Stop Growing?

French Bulldogs go through several growth stages, and their growth plates may close at different times. Most Frenchies will reach their near-final size within the first eight months of life, but they might continue to fill out and gain muscle mass until they are about one year old. However, when it comes to weight, French Bulldogs continue to develop for a bit longer. Most Frenchies reach their full weight potential at around 12 to 14 months of age.

As for appearance, distinct characteristics define male and female Frenchies. Males tend to exhibit a more robust build, boasting larger heads and broader chests. In contrast, female Frenchies often display a slightly smaller, less muscular physique.

On average, females weigh approximately 5 lbs less than males, with adult females hovering around 25 lbs while males can reach up to 30 lbs. If you’re curious about the differences between male and female Frenchies read this blog.

Factors Influencing French Bulldog Weight

Genetics

A key factor in determining a Frenchie’s size and build is genetics. Whether your future puppy will be bigger or smaller largely depends on the size of the parents, that’s why you should always ask for photos of your puppy’ parents along with their weight information. This way you can get a good idea of what your fur baby will look like as an adult.

Exercise

Exercise directly impacts their weight. Regular physical activity not only aids in weight control but also stimulates their minds and fosters overall well-being. Activities like brisk walks, engaging play sessions, and moderate exercises are ideal for Frenchies.

Diet

Unsurprisingly, a balanced, nutritious diet plays the most important role in a Frenchie’s weight management. It is crucial to tailor their meals to meet their specific needs at different life stages, so let’s see how you can maintain a healthy weight, whether you have a puppy, adult or senior Frenchie.

How to Maintain a Healthy Weight Through Different Life Stages

During their early days as puppies, meeting their high calorie needs with a high-quality puppy food is essential for healthy growth. Around the age of 5 month, you should start transitioning from three meals to two. However, if your Frenchie is on the leaner side during the 5th month, you can stick to three meals daily until the 8th month, if necessary.

Once your pup reaches adulthood, a shift to adult dog food becomes key. This diet contains the essential nutrients and calories to sustain their adult weight. Tailoring calorie intake to their activity level is crucial—active dogs require more calories while more sedentary ones might need less.

Neutered dogs have slightly different nutritional needs. They typically require fewer calories post-surgery to avoid potential weight gain. Opting for a diet with lower carbohydrates and high-quality lean protein can be beneficial.

Senior dogs thrive on highly digestible foods and omega fatty acids to support their joints. Their protein requirements may vary based on kidney function and body condition, so personalized care is vital.

Nutritional Needs for Optimal Weight Maintenance

A well-balanced Frenchie diet should contain the correct amounts of macronutrients: water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. As a general guideline, adult French Bulldogs require 25-30 calories per pound of body weight (or approximately 60 cal/kg). However, as we have detailed in the previous section, the necessary amounts may vary based on your dog’s life stage and activity level. Read this article to learn more about tracking calories.

When selecting the right food for your Frenchie, you should keep in mind that every dog is different and what works for one puppy may unfortunately cause problems for the other. It usually takes a lot of experimenting and changing the food on multiple occasions until you find what works best for your Frenchie’s digestive system. In our article about the The Best Food For French Bulldog we share detailed guidelines that can help you find the right food for your pup, too.

Health Risks Associated with Improper Weight

Maintaining an appropriate weight for your French Bulldog isn’t just about the looks; it profoundly impacts their overall health. Let’s see what are some of the potential risks associated with excess or insufficient weight in Frenchies.

Health Risks Related to Being Overweight

Carrying excess weight heightens the likelihood of several health conditions in Frenchies:

Increased Risk of Diseases: Fat French Bulldogs face an elevated risk of various types of cancer, diabetes mellitus, or heart disease, diminishing their overall quality of life.

Joint and Mobility Issues: Obesity puts tremendous pressure on a Frenchie’s joints, leading to osteoarthritis. This not only impairs their mobility but also inflicts considerable pain and discomfort.

Heat Intolerance: The burden of obesity extends to decreased tolerance to heat, leading to complications in warmer months.

Health Risks Related to Being Underweight

Just as carrying excess weight can pose health hazards, being underweight also presents its own set of risks for Frenchies:

Weak Immunity: Underweight Frenchies are susceptible to nutritional deficiencies, which can compromise their immune system and make them more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

Potential Underlying Health Issues: An underweight Frenchie could signal broader health concerns, including the presence of parasites or serious illnesses like kidney or gastrointestinal diseases.

Signs of an overweight and underweight Frenchie

As a pet parent, it’s important to recognize the signs that your French Bulldog may be overweight or underweight.

Signs that your Frenchie might be overweight:

• Excessive Panting: If your Frenchie pants heavily, even in cool conditions or without exertion, it may indicate excess weight.
• Difficulty Moving: Struggles with climbing stairs or jumping onto furniture could signal an overweight condition.
• Round Belly: An overly rounded belly that sways when walking is a visual cue of carrying too much weight.
• Loss of Waistline: The absence of a visible waistline or an inability to feel ribs suggests excess weight.
• Low Energy: Lethargy or disinterest in physical activity may be linked to carrying too much weight.

Signs that your Frenchie might be underweight:

• Visible Ribs and Spine: Easily visible ribs and spine could indicate being underweight.
• Lack of Muscle Mass: A lack of muscle tone and mass is a visual sign of insufficient weight.
• Dull Coat: A dry coat may point towards nutritional deficiencies and underweight concerns.
• Low Energy: Similar to overweight indicators, lack of enthusiasm for physical activity may signal being underweight.

When to consult a veterinarian?

If your French Bulldog’s growth seems abnormal or you notice unexpected weight changes, consulting a veterinarian is crucial. Your vet can conduct thorough examinations, assessing growth patterns and conducting necessary tests to detect any underlying health issues impacting your Frenchie’s development. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet if you suspect any problems, as early intervention is key in ensuring your Frenchie’s optimal health and well-being.

If you’d like to learn more about Frenchies, join our Facebook group called TomKings Frenchie Family to read our Frenchie parents’ experiences.

The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. 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.