French Bulldogs started to be recognized in the 1800s. It was a mix between Bulldogs and Terriers. In the 1900s, French Bulldog is no longer considered as a mixed breed as it is now recognized as a modern-day dog breed.
Is it still possible to mix a French Bulldog with another breed like the English Bulldog? Would it produce another sweet, loving, and cute pet?
Indeed! There is a hybrid mix between a French Bulldog and an English Bulldog. It is called a Free-lance Bulldog.
Fans of Bulldogs love this hybrid mixture because it allows them to get all the best from both breeds. The Happy Puppy Site warned pet owners though to be aware of the dangers of having a dog with a flat face.
What Does Hybrid Means
The Free-lance Bulldog or the French Bulldog-English Bulldog Mix is considered as a hybrid mix. It means a combination of two crossbreeds. Pet owners love hybrids because it allows them to take advantage of the hybrid vigor they get from each breed.
Hybrid vigor refers to the reduced inherited disease of a certain breed. With breeding, these genetic diseases are reduced and controlled to minimize genetic defects of the new breed. Still, according to thehappysite.com, the answer on whether genetic engineering or making a hybrid is a good or a bad one remains to be a good issue for debates.
When Did French Bulldog-English Bulldog Mix Start?
There is no exact date as to when the mixture of Free-lance Bulldog was engineered. The hybrid scene was on hype in the early 1900s hence it is greatly assumed that this hybrid appeared as early as 1900s.
Regular breeding of French Bulldog and English Bulldog is an easy one. Both are bulldogs and they have the same genetic markers. Be aware though of the genetic diseases that most Bulldog suffers before you get a mix of these two breeds.
How to Breed a French Bulldog?
A French Bulldog is a great pet as described by Bully Girl. It is loving, friendly, playful, alert, and cute. Well, that is if you love a flat and big face kind of dog.
If you are planning to breed it with an English Bulldog, you can do so. Here are the things that you need to consider though.
- Make sure you that both female French Bulldog and male English Bulldog are in great health, with great health histories
- Make sure that each breed are not close or related in any way
- Get both dogs tested for genetic and infectious diseases
- If the breeding is a success, watch the pregnancy closely, French Bulldogs are prone to C-section
- Check with your Frenchie's vet regularly during pregnancy
- Do not interfere with the birthing process unless necessary. WikiHow strongly suggests professional assistance during birthing to ensure safe deliveries of the puppies and for your Frenchie's safety
What Does a Free-lance Bulldog Looks Like?
The Free-lance Bulldog looks like your regular Bulldog. It comes with a flat face, a pronounce jowls, and undershot jaw. It is small that stands 14 to 15 inches tall.
It weighs up to 28 pounds (normal weight). An adult male Free-lance Bulldog can weigh up to 50 pounds (and you need to watch your Frenchie at this point for some health issues).
Most Free-lance Bulldog comes with well-muscled body, wide shoulders, and sturdy limbs. They are mostly covered with a short single coat that varies in colors and patterns.
The most unique characteristic of a Free-lance Bulldog is its oversized head that is almost square. It also comes with a short muzzle and floppy ears.
What Do You Need to Know Before Getting a French Bulldog English Bulldog Mix?
Bulldogs are prone to being brachycephalic because of the shape of their head or skull. Frenchies are can suffer from brachycephalic airway syndrome or inefficient breathing. This can lead to a high risk of developing heatstroke.
With this condition, you should exercise your pet child. A 30-minute walk every day can help. However, you need to monitor your dog closely especially during summer. Extreme hot weather can affect them greatly.
Do not leave your French Bulldog English Bulldog mix under the sun without water. Keep them hydrated. However, do not leave it on a pool.
This breed cannot swim just like any most Bulldog breeds. Their short legs make it hard for them to swim and their flat nose makes it hard for them to breathe.
And yes, it is a Bulldog so it is small and sinks in the water easily because it has a bulky built!
The Intelligence and Behavior of a French Bulldog and English Bulldog Mix
The French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix are known for being stubborn. It is active and playful though they get tired easily. This hybrid is not for first-time dog owners according to Doggie Designer. Smoky Mountains Frenchies and Bulldogs agrees with this as this breed needs a dominant owner.
The good news about this breed is that they are teachable. They can be taught with new tricks and are trainable. They can do new tricks to make their pet parents happy.
The French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix breed is an intelligent breed. Their behavior can be reinforced with treats. However, be aware of when giving them treats. Always give it in moderation especially if you are giving sweet treats.
The Maintenance of a Free-Lance Bulldog
Just like a French Bulldog, this breed doesn't need to take a regular or daily bath. A brush once a week is enough to keep its coat shiny and clean. Wag Walking added that this hybrid is not hypoallergenic and sheds naturally over the years.
Because of its flat face, Free-Lance Bulldogs tend to drool. Watch out for it and keep its face clean. Because it is a normal Bulldog face with folds, it can harbor bacteria when it becomes moist for some time.
Check its body for wrinkles and make sure that it remains dry. Folds and wrinkles in a French Bulldog body can become a haven for bacteria that can cause infections. This includes its ears and paws.
The Life Expectancy of a French Bulldog and English Bulldog Mix
Doggie Designer says that this hybrid has a life expectancy of up to 13 years. This life expectancy depends on a lot of factors though.
For a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix to live long, you should consider the following:
- The food you give
- The weather condition
- Your dog's physical activities
- Your dog's genetics
- The way you treat your dog
Grooming a French Bulldog and English Bulldog Mix
Having a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix requires low maintenance. Keeping them clean and smelling fresh all day is easy. They are active dogs but they don't play on muds.
The Happy Puppy doesn't recommend a regular bath for Free-lance Bulldogs. You don't even have to brush their coat every day. Their coat is short and thin. You only have to brush it once a week to keep it smooth and shiny.
You can bath your hybrid Frenchie at least once a month or once in every six weeks. Because their face and body have wrinkles and folds, you need to keep them dry. Always check for any moist inside its wrinkles and folds to prevent bacteria from thriving in.
Feeding a French Bulldog and English Bulldog Mix
French Bulldogs loves eating, so is a hybrid French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix. Bulldogs are known for their love of food. Give foods that are appropriate to your dog only. Avoid giving table scraps and sweet fruits.
Bulldogs can eat fruits and veggies. However, watch out their calorie intake. Do not feed them with fruits that are high in sugar. A treat like sweets is okay if given in moderation.
Dogs cannot break down sugar easily once they consume it. Be mindful of this and avoid giving your bulldog some sweets like chocolates or cheese-based foods.
How to Know If Your Frenchie is Eating Well?
It might sound odd but you can check if your Frenchie is eating well through its poop. The happypuppysite.com says the texture and size of your puppy's poop says a lot about what it is eating.
A soft poop can mean an upset digestive system. It can also mean that your dog is having too much to eat.
To know that your Frenchie is eating well, its poop must be firm and well-formed. The size should be normal and not too big for your dog's size.
For the best information regarding your pet child's eating habit, you can consult your vet. Ask for food recommendations that suit your dog's age.
Accessorizing a French Bulldog and English Bulldog Mix
Accessorizing a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix is easy. With the popularity of French Bulldogs, a lot of pet stores now offer special accessories for Bulldogs.
The first must-have accessory for your pet child is a vest. Frenchies cannot swim. During summer where bulldogs are more prone to heatstroke, you can bring your Frenchie to a pool. However, do not leave it alone and without a vest. Their flat face makes it hard for them to breathe when in waters.
You should also pick chew toys for your Frenchie. They love playing and biting and nibbling. A chew toy can keep them busy and happy for hours while sitting next to you.
While still young, you can also get a harness for your free-lance bulldog. A harness will teach it to walk obediently next to you. Once it gets older, you can remove the harness and you can see how obedient it is.
Aside from these accessories, don't forget to get your French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix its sticker brush, comb, and nail clipper according to Wag Walking. Giving its bath towel is also important especially if you have other dogs in the house.
What Are The Pros of Getting a Free-Lance Bulldog?
As pet parents of this breed describe it – it is a great companion dog and more. It is more because this breed is:
- Loyal
- Requires low maintenance for a pet
- Sweet as it loves staying next or close to its owner
- Requires few physical activities
- Loves a laid-back lifestyle
Because free-lance dogs are active, they love moving around. It seems like they are not aware of their bod's capability and limitations.
They move around even when it's scorching hot and they are prone to heatstroke. They love the waters even if they cannot swim. This is one reason why you should always have 100% attention towards your Frenchie.
Being alert is another positive trait of Free-Lance Bulldogs. They are alert against rabbits or rats that might get into your couch or the couch where they play and lay.
Overall, this type of pet can stay next to you while you are sipping a cup of coffee or watching your favorite Netflix series all day.
What Are The Cons of Getting a Free-Lance Bulldog?
Dog-Learn believes that a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix can be a great pet however it comes with cons as well. You might want to consider these things before getting your French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix.
- They are messy because of their folds and wrinkles
- It is hard to find especially if you are not living in Europe
- It can bark a lot especially when playing
- It is stubborn
- They suffer from separation anxiety when left for a period of time
- It comes with breathing problems because of its head size and flat face
- It suffers greatly when the weather is extremely cold or hot
Owning a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix is not easy. You have to consider a lot of things if you want to make their life easier and longer. Remember that a Frenchie's life span is just 13 years but if you will neglect it, it can be reduced significantly.
However, a single look at a French Bulldog and English Bulldog mix will surely make your day brighter. Imagine going home every day to a barking and playful Frenchie! That would be a taste of heaven, isn't it?
As a freelance pet writer and blogger, Shannon is passionate about crafting knowledge-based, science-supported articles that foster healthy bonds of love and respect between people and animals. But her first and very most important job is as a dog auntie and cockatiel, tortoise, and box turtle mama.
