French Bulldog Growth Chart: What to Expect As Your Frenchie Grows Up

The Frenchie is a confident, sturdy, smart dog with a huge fan following among celebrities and regular dog owners alike.

Part of the reason is that the French Bulldog has a much bigger personality than this dog's size might indicate. They are like a big dog in a little dog body, making the French Bulldog a perfect fit in small spaces that lack a yard.

But when it comes to the brief but vital puppy months, knowing what to expect is critical to your new puppy's adult health and wellbeing.

In this article, we take you on a tour of the French Bulldog growth chart from puppyhood to adulthood so you know what to watch for and what to expect as your dog grows up.

French Bulldog Growth Chart

As Huskerland Bulldogs breeder explains, a French Bulldog puppy might start outweighing little more than a pound.

By the age of one year old, this tiny puppy may weigh nearly 30 pounds!

With so much growth in such a short time span, it is critically important to know what to expect during each week of your dog's puppyhood.

Watch a Tiny French Bulldog Puppy Grow Up

In this cute YouTube video, you can watch a tiny French Bulldog puppy grow up.

These dogs don't get very big, but they start out in life very small. This means there is a lot going on during a Frenchie's first critical year of life!

Now we will walk you through the French Bulldog growth chart step by step so you understand the major changes your puppy will go through on the way to adulthood.

Why It is So Important to Learn About French Bulldog Puppy Growth

As the American Kennel Club (AKC) so rightly points out, learning about the various stages of French Bulldog growth from puppyhood to adulthood isn't just important for health reasons.

It is also very important for puppy training. This includes potty training as well as obedience training and socialization training.

French Bulldog puppies do have a reputation for being stubborn and obstinate – this is just part of their natural breed personality and temperament.

But Frenchies also love to please their people. So starting the right type of training at the right time and in the right way can go a long way towards easing any power struggles that may crop up between you and your pup.

French Bulldog Puppy Stages of Growth

So let's take a look at the major French Bulldog puppy stages of growth from birth through one and a half years of age.

NOTE: What you are about to read is a general outline of puppy growth. As Bluegrass Frenchies breeder explains, each puppy may go through each stage a little earlier or later.

This doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong. However, when in doubt always consult with your canine veterinarian for specific guidance.

First Stage: Birth to Three Weeks

When your French Bulldog puppy is whelped, your dog will be blind and deaf and literally unable to stay warm without the mother dog's help.

A newborn puppy's only useful senses are touch and taste, which is how they find their mother's nipples to nurse.

Around the age of two weeks old, your puppy's eyes will start to open. The ears will open soon after that. Suddenly the world opens up and your puppy starts their sensory exploration of the world around them.

Second Stage: Three to Four Weeks

Starting around week three, your Frenchie puppy begins to put faces to scents, learns what their tail is for (to wag, of course!), and starts to wobble and then walk around.

These early weeks are critical ones in terms of providing the young puppy with a safe and stable, positive environment.

This is also one of the most critical early socialization periods for your puppy, when they learn about appropriate socialization with other dogs, including play, bite inhibition, manners, and the start of weaning.

Third Stage: Four to Seven Weeks

Starting around the age of four weeks old, the Frenchie puppy will begin transitioning to puppy food and away from their mother's milk.

It is vitally important that a young puppy be permitted to stay with their mom and siblings for at least the full seven weeks. Many breeders insist on nine weeks before releasing puppies to their new forever homes.

Fourth Stage: Eight to 12 Weeks

When your puppy enters the eighth week of life, the first "fear factor" period begins. This is a time when fearful or threatening experiences may imprint your puppy for life.

At the same time, the Frenchie puppy is starting to get a basic sense of controlling their eliminations and is able to sleep for longer periods of time without "accidents" at night.

Fifth Stage: 12 to 16 Weeks

This fifth stage of puppyhood is often likened to that of a human toddler – a two-year-old child.

This is when all puppies will start to push the boundaries of discipline and manners a little or a lot. This means the fact that French Bulldogs can be a bit stubborn by nature doesn't really factor in here, even though it will later on.

Sixth Stage: 16 Weeks to Six Months

Start around the age of 16 weeks or four months old, the puppy will lose the baby teeth and begin to get its full set of adult teeth.

This process can be especially challenging for brachycephalic (short muzzle) dog breeds like the French Bulldog.

If the baby teeth do not completely fall out as the adult teeth grow in, severe tooth overcrowding and bite problems can happen.

Even if your Frenchie does not experience these problems, you can still expect a lot of teething, mouthing, and biting as your dog tries to ease the aches and pains caused by teeth falling out and teeth growing in.

You will need to be very patient and do your best to provide your puppy with chew toys and icy treats to relieve their discomfort.

Closer to six months old, your puppy will hit puberty with all the hormonal changes this entails. This can bring up additional behavioral problems that might tempt you to schedule an early neutering or spaying procedure.

But as the Ethical Frenchie breeder explains, having your puppy fixed too early in life can lead to serious health issues later in life.

It can be difficult to wait 18 to 24 months before having your dog neutered or spayed. But this may be the best choice for immune system health that will keep your Frenchie with you for longer.

Seventh Stage: Six to 18 Months

A six-month-old French Bulldog is loads of fun. At this stage of life, the puppy has their full set of adult teeth and all its faculties and is keen to explore life and the world with you.

French Bulldogs typically look nearly full growth by this stage and yet they are still puppies on the inside. It is important to continue to provide your teenage dog with steady, positive training sessions and firm yet loving corrective discipline as needed.

If you want to participate in canine athletics with your dog, now is a great time to get started on that as well.

Special Training Opportunities for a Growing French Bulldog

As your puppy is growing up and going through all of the physical, emotional, mental, and relational changes you just read about, you will also need to teach your dog about the unique nature of the human/canine bond.

For example, your dog will need to learn how to go potty on the lawn, walk on a leash, respond to common commands, stay quietly in a crate for nap time and evening sleep and behave appropriately when visitors or guests come to your home.

As well, because of the short muzzle and wrinkly skin that characterize the French Bulldog, there will be certain health maintenance tasks your dog will need you to do for them so that they stay healthy throughout life.

These typically include routine ear cleaning, nail trimming, tooth brushing, wrinkle/facial folds and eye/tear stain cleaning, bathing, and brushing/grooming.

As the American Kennel Club (AKC) points out, you will want to get your young French Bulldog puppy used to these activities right from day one.

You want your puppy to get used to having their ears, paws, and tail area touched and groomed, and cleaned. You want to be able to reach into and examine your dog's mouth and teeth without any resistance.

Starting with gentleness and lots of praise and pats, you can teach your dog that these activities are safe and fun and a great time to bond with you.

Your Canine Veterinarian Is Your Best Resource

As your French Bulldog puppy grows up, always contact your veterinarian with any questions