No one can make a convincing argument against Huskies being the marathon runners of the canine world. And the French Bulldog would surely make most people's top five list for the cutest clown.
If you thought someone originally blended them out of curiosity about the peculiar and bizarre, you probably are partially correct.
However, it seems the Husky French Bulldog mix is here to stay, and it turns out to have many great qualities.
A French Bullsky is a Husky French Bulldog mix, most commonly involving the Siberian Husky. The outcome of the cross is a medium-sized dog with erect ears and an otherwise variable appearance.
Most dogs will have a white coat with patches of color or will be fawn. The coat will be short but dense, the body compact and slightly round, and the tail medium in length and curly.
If you acquire such a mix, she is likely to be friendly and outgoing with a healthy sense of humor, a good nature around kids, and no use as a guard dog.
As designer dogs become more popular, you can find such a mix as the French Bullsky more easily than ever.
This guide provides some information about the two breeds and comes up with a few projections about what the puppies will be like.
You can get an idea about whether a French Bulldog Husky mix is the right type of dog for you based on appearance, size, adaptability, activity level, talents, disposition, and health.
What was the purpose of creating the French Bullsky?
There is not much history written about the Siberian Husky French Bulldog mix. The designer dog craze branched from the love affair with the "Doodles," which has yet to have died down.
Much of the motivation behind crossing Frenchies is to improve their health by moderating a few of the exaggerated traits.
Many puppies are an even blend of their parents, but some are more like one or the other.
A few features, such as dwarfed legs, have become dominant over the generations and pass down consistently. But breathing abilities often improve.
Undoubtedly, the Husky Frenchie mix resulted partially from curiosity. Other goals were likely to improve the French Bulldog's athleticism, add unusual colors, and make the Siberian Husky less serious and intense.
Where did the parent breeds come from?
The Husky and French Bulldog arose from two continents.
Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies originated where their name says, Siberia. Natives, the Chukchis, developed the Husky in Southeastern Russia about 4,000 years ago to help them hunt reindeer.
Sled hauling only came as a result of a colder climate change and increased migrations of the reindeer. Hunters used dogs to haul their hunting supplies and essentials to follow the herds.
The domestication of reindeer led to them replacing Siberian Huskies for pulling heavy sleds. Huskies found use in light sledding at high speeds as well as herding. They also made good companions during recreational periods.
Exportation of the Siberian Husky to the US began in 1914. Leonhard Seppala proved the breed's sled racing supremacy when he won the All Alaska Sweepstake for three consecutive years.
Seppala also helped lead two teams to deliver life-saving serum across over 550 miles of harsh wintry conditions to save an Alaskan town from diphtheria. Seppala and his famous lead dog Togo had a large part in the start of the Iditarod tradition. The AKC accepted the Siberian Husky as a working dog in 1930.
French Bulldog
French Bulldogs originated in England rather than France. They were the result when fanciers miniaturized the Bulldog in the 1830s.
As the ring around bull-baiters in England tightened due to the enforcement of an animal cruelty ban, Bulldog breeders sought to expand into the pet market or the more clandestine rat and dogfighting pits.
Their aims eventually split the breed between Toy Bulldogs, strong and agile Bull and Terriers, and caricatured pet dogs with bowed legs and huge undershot jowls.
Aggressive crossbreeding eventually brought about the extinction of the Old English Bulldog.
The Industrial Revolution hastened the disappearance of the Toy Bulldog as well whom the English no longer desired. Most Miniature Bulldogs moved to France in the 1860s with their crafts working owners.
The working-class further refined the French Bulldog with local Rat Terrier and possibly Pug bloodlines. French Bulldogs exploded in popularity among restaurant maître d's and prostitutes.
Their arrival in the US met with overwhelming enthusiasm, and American fanciers would stamp the breed with its signature bat ears.
The AKC recognized the French Bulldog in 1898 in the nonsporting class. A rare sight in the 1940s, the Frenchie sprang to the second most popular dog in the US as of 2021.
How can you compare two vastly different breeds?
A table seems the clearest way to illustrate the differences and similarities between the Siberian Husky and French Bulldog.
Siberian Husky vs. French Bulldog
| Husky | Frenchie | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Siberia | England |
| Origin | 1980s BC | 1800s |
| Purpose | Hunting, herding, guarding, sledding | Companion |
| Height | 18 to 24 inches | 11 to 13 inches |
| Weight | 35 to 65 pounds | 16 to 28 pounds |
| Traits | Wedge-shaped head, upright ears, lithe compact frame, curled tail | Squarehead round on top, flat face, bat ears, round squat body, short variable tail |
| Coat | Short to medium dense double coat | Short, smooth, thin undercoat |
| Colors | Any, commonly black or red with white, white with patches, black and tan | Fawn, cream, white, or brindle; nonstandard include chocolate, lilac, blue, and others |
| Eyes | Almond-shaped; brown, blue, or any mix | Round, wide-set; dark brown, dilute coats either amber or blue eyes |
| Disposition | Friendly, extroverted, smart, alert, intense | Affectionate, playful, alert, social |
| Strangers | Friendly, sometimes aloof at first | Friendly wants attention |
| Guard Dog | No | No |
| Prey Drive | High | Low |
| Vocal Tendency | High | Moderate |
| Children | Best w/ older kids; very rambunctious | Great; precautions against injury or suffocation |
| Other Dogs | Great; caution with tiny dogs | Good; caution with large dogs |
| Grooming | Brush multiple times weekly | Soft brush weekly |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 14 years |
| Health | Hip dysplasia, eye problems, zinc deficiency | Skin and ear infections, IVDD, breathing problems, knee issues, heat sensitivity |
| Training | Headstrong, independent | Stubborn, lack of focus |
| Intelligence Ranking | No. 45/79 | No. 58/79 |
| Activity | High | Moderate to high, maybe exercise intolerant |
| Daily Exercise | 2 hours plus | 45 min to 1 hour |
| Handles the Cold | Yes; subzero temperatures if active, acclimated, and not prolonged exposure | No; approaching freezing levels needs clothing |
| Handles the Heat | Yes; 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity below 15 to 20% | No; Prone to heat exhaustion, stress, and stroke above 80 degrees Fahrenheit |
What does a Husky French Bulldog look like?
Your French Bullsky will probably be 12 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh from 25 to 60 pounds.
A French Bulldog Husky's body will be compact and sturdy, and she will have strong slightly shortened legs. Her head will appear relatively large and rather square with a medium-short broad muzzle. She will also have a broad chest that is not extremely deep.
The Husky French Bulldog cross has ears that are upright and relatively wide without quite the bat shape of the Frenchie's nor the neat triangle of a Husky's. The tail will be medium in length and curl over the back.
a French Bullsky's coat will be short and smooth with moderately thick underfur. Her most common colors are white with black or brindle patches, fawn with white markings, blue fawn, blue brindle, brindle, or tricolor (brown, black, and white).
Regardless of the color of their coats, most Husky Frenchie crosses except dark brindles and black dogs have striking black markings on their faces. Many have a broad white blaze that runs down the center of their face from the forehead to the nose.
French Bullskies have oval to round eyes that give them an open expression. Their eyes can be brown or various shades of blue or a mix. Either the eyes can each be a different color, or you can see two colors in various patterns in one eye.
Also read: What Is A Husky Bulldog Mix Called
Video Example of Appearance
This is not a far cry from how many Husky French Bulldogs will look. The basic color appears fawn with a black trace on the back. The "dirty" coloring on the lower legs may indicate some brindling. Without seeing the body, it is impossible to tell if this puppy may have minimal brindle striping.
Features of note are the hint of an undershot jaw, subtle shortening of the black muzzle, and a pronounced dip in the face, all hints of the French Bulldog heritage.
Without knowing the pup's age, it is uncertain whether the ice blue eyes will remain that color, but the shade certainly suggests they will.
The ears are rather broad and so resemble German Shepherd ears rather than Husky ears. The floppiness of the one ear is normal for a young puppy.
Notice the Husky-like tail and the striking and unique dark markings on the forehead heading towards the eyes.
What can you expect of the temperament?
Your mixed dog will be active, alert, bright, and outgoing.
Likely to love everyone who visits you, your French Bullsky make or may not bark a warning or greeting.
It is difficult to predict whether your dog will inherit the high singing voice of a Husky or the baby-like squawk of the Frenchie. Regardless, you should prepare to have a vocal dog that likes to talk to you and howl.
Puppies are extremely lively and downright boisterous during adolescence. Socialization is crucial because some Huskies can be shy without exposure to enough people.
Unsocialized French Bulldogs can develop inappropriate body language and behavior around other dogs. A shy French Bullsky may become snappy and aggressive.
Children
French Bullskies are exceptionally good with children of various ages. Rambunctious when young, they tend to develop a sense of gentleness as they mature.
Without the exaggerated short muzzle of a purebred Bulldog, they have excellent stamina and the temperament to play for hours. You will probably need to monitor play periods in case your dog does not understand his limits.
Other Dogs
Siberian Huskies come from extremely social backgrounds, renowned for their ability to cooperate with a huge number of dogs on a team.
Frenchies are innately social. If you do not neglect socializing with your puppy, your dog will be a great playmate for other dogs.
Your dog needs plenty of exercises
You should exercise your Husky French Bulldog cross for 60 to 90 minutes every day. Your dog will benefit most if you split activities between two or more sessions.
If your pet has inherited a particularly short muzzle, use caution in the duration of your exercises, especially if the weather is warm.
French Bullskies are athletic, and you should consider a variety of activities to engage their minds and keep them active.
- Agility
- Flyball
- Disc
- Possible light sledding – Depends on the dog's conformation
French Bulldog Husky hybrids are healthy
Your new pet is likely to live until the age of 12 to 16 years old. The most likely health issues are orthopedic and eye challenges, but your dog may also encounter breathing difficulties, hypothyroidism, allergies, and skin infections.
- Skinfold dermatitis – Your Bullsky will likely have fewer folds than a purebred Frenchie, so this is an uncommon problem
- Allergies – Can involve food or environmental allergies
- Luxating patella (Frenchie) – Kneecap comes out of position intermittently
- Hypothyroidism (both) – Low thyroid activity
- Progressive retinal atrophy (Husky) – Common in dogs with different genes involved according to the breed; Dogs begin with night blindness which progresses to complete vision loss
- Juvenile cataracts (Husky) – Appear at 3 to 6 months of age
- Corneal dystrophy (Husky)
- Degenerative myopathy (Frenchie) – Progressive loss of muscular function eventually leading to paralysis
- IVDD or slipped disc (Frenchie) – Painful back condition that can also cause paralysis
- Deafness (Both) – Often associated with a lot of white on the face
- Corneal dystrophy (Husky) – Opacity caused by fat deposits in the outer layer of the eye; Does not affect vision but can cause increased light sensitivity
When you search for a litter of Husky Frenchie crosses, the breeder will ideally have a history of certifications on the parents. Recommended tests are hip and eye certifications on both contributing breeds as well as heart and knee evaluations on French Bulldogs.
Puppies can obtain ophthalmological examinations at a young age. Once you acquire your pup, you should have her eyes examined every year.
How difficult is training?
Your French Bullsky will be intelligent but not the most obedient or trainable dog. Whether ranked out of 80 breeds or 138, the Husky and Frenchie score only fair and below average in working intelligence, respectively.
It is fair to assume that training your mixed dog will be like working with a Boston Terrier, Welsh Terrier, or Akita.
You need to be self-assured, patient, and firm because you will get arguments out of your dog during training.
You will find yourself repeating commands over and over. Your pet will not respond to harshness or force.
Use regular feeding routines
You have no doubt heard feeding advice again and again. Provide fresh, clean water always and feed good-quality dog food.
What does quality mean? The question can be complex for dogs as they can subsist on proteins that come from sources other than meat.
However, experts tend to agree that the more abundant the meat in dog food the higher it is quality and the less you need to feed. More named meats also contribute to a higher premium diet.
Of additional importance for dogs are essential vitamins and minerals that may not be in proper quantities in the ingredients. Chelated minerals help your dog absorb them more efficiently.
Your 50-pound French Bullsky will need 600 to 900 calories every day according to activity level, health, and age.
Puppies may require twice the amount as adults and nursing and pregnant mothers three times the calories of relatively sedentary dogs. Working dogs also require considerably more than your typical pet.
Keep in mind, both French Bulldogs and Siberian Huskies tend to become overweight. As active as Siberian Huskies are, evolution and artificial selection have given them surprisingly low metabolic requirements.
Grooming is fairly easy
Your French Bullsky will have a thinner, softer, and smoother coat than a Husky. You need to brush it with a pin or wire brush and a polishing brush every few days.
Your dog will require a bath with a mild shampoo every one to three months. Wipe any folds around the face every other day or more.
Trim the nails once a month and brush the teeth twice weekly. Check the ears biweekly at least, looking for scabs, redness, or abnormal discharge.
All aspects of the grooming process will be easier if you establish a routine and accustom your pet to it at a young age.
French Bullskies shed moderately the entire year. You may notice an increase in shedding in the fall and spring when the undercoat is traded out.
Increasing your brushing and rinsing during these times will decrease the number of loose hairs all over your home.
Keep reading: Meet the Bullypit – Pitbull and American Bulldog Mix
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.
