Mini French Bulldogs: should you adopt one?

People seem to be obsessed with miniature dogs, so it’s no surprise that mini French Bulldogs have also entered the scene in recent years. What are they exactly and is it worth adopting one of these cute-looking dogs? We’ve gathered the most important information in this article.

What is a mini French Bulldog?

Miniature dog breeds are quite popular these days and it’s easy to see why. In today’s fast-paced world, people are looking for a dog that is easy to keep in small apartments, one they can take anywhere they go. So, the smaller the dog the better. It was only a matter of time for this trend to reach our favorite French Bulldog as well, which is already considered a small dog breed and is currently first on AKC’s list of most popular dog breeds. 

A Mini French Bulldog, also known as a Teacup French Bulldog, is exactly what the name suggests: a miniature version of the French Bulldog that was bred to be smaller than the standard size. So, while a normal Frenchie will grow up to 11-13 inches tall and weigh 28-30 lbs as an adult, a mini Frenchie will be less than 11 inches tall and weigh considerably less than 28 pounds. The exact size may vary a lot depending on the breeding practice, more about that in the next section.

At TomKings, we occasionally have French Bulldogs that are smaller than the average size. These “mini” Frenchies, however, are not teacup-sized but are expected to weigh around 17 lbs as adults, compared to the standard 25-30 lbs. We achieve this by pairing two smaller-sized French Bulldog parents, ensuring that the puppies are naturally petite yet healthy. Based on our experience, we strongly believe that breeding French Bulldogs to weigh less than 15 lbs significantly increases the risk of health issues. For this reason, we do not breed teacup-sized Frenchies.

How do breeders create Teacup French Bulldogs?

At this point it’s important to mention that officially there is no such breed as a mini or teacup French Bulldog. There are dog breeds that have toy versions like the Poodle or the Havanese, but Frenchies don’t belong to this group. Breeders use three methods to achieve the miniature size and unfortunately all of them are quite controversial and some even have their fair share of risks as well. Let’s see what these are. 

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Crossing a French Bulldog with a smaller dog breed

The first and most obvious way of creating mini French Bulldogs is by crossbreeding a standard Frenchie with another small dog breed like a Yorkie or a Toy Poodle. Naturally, the pups will be mixes of the two breeds, so the breeding needs to be repeated across several generations until the puppies have all the physical traits of a Frenchie and retain only the small size of the other breed. Breeders usually achieve this around the third generation.

Crossbreeding is not a new practice although it is quite a controversial one. However, it is still considered to be the safest method to produce a mini French Bulldog, and the simple reason for that is the health of the puppies. A crossbreed mini Frenchie is less likely to suffer from any of the health issues that their parents may be predisposed to. 

Breeding the runts of the litter

Another method that some breeders use to create mini Frenchies is breeding runts. If you’re not familiar with the term “runt”, it refers to the smallest animal in a litter. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the weakest and suffer from health issues but they do have a higher tendency. Constantly breeding such puppies with the aim to pass down the small-size trait not only involves possible health risks but it also takes multiple generations to achieve the desired miniature size.

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Breeding Frenchies with dwarfism

The last and by far the worst method is purposefully breeding Frenchies with the dwarfism mutation gene to create puppies with shorter bodies and legs. Canine dwarfism is a condition where the growth hormone’s production is decreased. Unfortunately it comes with a number of health issues for Frenchies who already have a delicate bone structure: it may not only cause a lot of pain for them in the legs, back, and hips but also significantly reduce their lifespan.

The pros and cons of having a Mini French Bulldog

You have already seen that there’s a lot to consider when buying a mini French Bulldog, especially how they are bred. Now let’s see what are some of the pros and cons of having one of these cute miniature dogs.

Pros

• Mini Frenchies are a great choice for city dwellers who live in small apartments with little space.
• Their smaller size makes them an excellent choice for people who travel frequently and like to take their dog everywhere they go. Whether it’s a car ride, a flight, or just a day out in the city, a petite Frenchie is much easier to manage on the go.
• Due to their small size, mini Frenchies require less food and exercise. Of course, they still need a high quality dog food as well as daily playtime and walks.
• Mini Frenchies have all the best personality traits that we adore in French Bulldogs: they are funny, affectionate and extremely friendly.
• As they stay small forever, you’ll always feel like you have a pup even if they get older.
• Their adorable look is hard to resist!

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Cons

Do this before getting a mini French Bulldog

If you have your heart set on a miniature Frenchie, it’s essential to only purchase from experienced and ethical French Bulldog breeders who prioritize the well-being and health of their dogs above all else. Unethical breeding practices can lead to serious health issues and heartache for you and your future pup.

We encourage you to do some thorough research beforehand; for example, you can start by reading our Ultimate Guide to Adopting a French Bulldog Puppy for valuable tips. Don’t forget to ask plenty of questions about breeding practices and expect clear, satisfying answers! Remember, you are not just buying a dog, but welcoming a new family member, so it’s worth taking the time to ensure you make the best decision.

At TomKings, our smaller-sized “mini” Frenchies are an excellent alternative to the riskier teacup-sized French Bulldogs. These naturally petite Frenchies are available only a few times a year, and we ensure that every puppy undergoes the strictest health checks to guarantee their long-term well-being. By focusing on ethical breeding practices and maintaining the highest standards, we provide families with healthy, happy French Bulldogs that thrive as cherished companions.

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 15 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.

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