The french bulldog lab mix is one of the many designer dog breeds to emerge. This hybridization of a French Bulldog and Labrador Retriever is a wonderful mixture that brings out the best of each breed.
This dog combines two of America's most popular breeds into one friendly four-legged best friend.
The Frenchie Labrador is a great designer dog breed for the urban environment for somewhat active people that are social.
This dog is friendly with everyone it meets, wonderful with children, and its medium size fits well in almost any living condition. Just give them some time outside to have some fun, and they will be your snuggle buddy.
If you are curious about getting a dog, no matter the breed, doing research on the dog you are interested in is always a good idea. By understanding the general traits, you can prepare yourself and your family for what is ahead of you.
Each individual dog has its own personality, but general temperaments, health concerns, training, and other issues should be known ahead of time.
Too often families fall in love with a puppy and realize too late that they cannot handle it because they are not able to fulfill its needs.
Since designer breeds are relatively new, designer breed standards are still being developed. Your research should be done in two ways.
1- Learn about the purebred parent breeds. Your designer dog's traits are going to be a combination of these two dogs. Having the ability to recognize parent traits in your dog will help you fulfill your dog's needs.
2- Find out what information is out there about your designer dog to understand how different they are from their parent breeds. Having all of this information seems like a lot, but when you are working with your dog, you will be better equipped to meet their needs and keep them happy.
To help you get started, here are some quick videos from Animal Planet's Dogs 101 on the French Bulldog and the Labrador Retriever.
What Is The Difference Between A Mutt and A Designer Breed Dog?
If you walk through any shelter, you can find dogs of all shapes and sizes. Some may have characteristics of certain breeds, others may not.
You could find one that looks like a brindle whippet with pitbull muscles that melts your heart with her eyes and an ear that folds over her head.
With a mutt at a shelter, the best you could find out is having a DNA test completed to find out what breeds make up your dog.
Based on that test, you could do your research on each of those breeds to gain a general understanding of what your dog's temperament, health, and other traits will be like as they grow up.
With a designer breed, you would get your dog with documentation about the bloodlines of each parent dog, the breed of each parent, and may have an opportunity to meet the parent dogs. This is similar to getting a purebred dog.
Designing Designer Breeds
In The United States, PetMD tells us that the idea of "designer dogs" started in the 1970s with the Cockapoo, but really did not take off until the 1990s. Families in the '90s wanted dogs that were primarily more hypoallergenic and easier to train.
As the years progressed, more designer breeds began to appear. One of the top registries to appear, The American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), was developed to keep track of these new hybrids.
One of the many reasons for the registry was to maintain the integrity of breeds and to help breeders set standards for the dogs.
The process itself is based on how purebred dogs are created. If a breeder wants to create a french bulldog lab mix, they will first want to do their research to determine what the existing standards are among the other breeders.
They will look at appearance, temperament, and other characteristics that the designer breed must-have.
Once they know what to look for, they will breed their purebred parents. When the puppies are born, they will watch the puppies as they grow.
Since each puppy will get its own unique mix of French Bulldog and Labrador traits, the breeder will look for the one or two puppies that are closest to the standard.
Those that are not close to the standard will find loving homes for them. The one or two closest to the standards will then be bred with either a purebred Frenchy or Labrador to strengthen desired traits. This will go on for multiple generations until the resulting puppies meet the recognized standards.
As an adopter, you will receive paperwork showing your puppies bloodlines, genetic health issues that have been recorded, and other important information. You will also learn if one of your puppy's ancestors was an American Kennel Club or Westminster winner.
It's Because Of Lace And Fish
I May Be English, But Viva La France!
The Bouledogues Français (Bulldog of France) gained its name on the streets of Paris and Normandy among the people during the Industrial Revolution.
His name may be French, his motto may be "Viva La France," but he was developed in England (just do not mention that when The French Rugby Team plays England…it will not end well).
According to the French Bulldog Club of America, in the early 1800s, The English People designed a blood-sport called bull-baiting, where they would send bulldogs against bulls, boars, and other animals.
They developed various different bulldogs that we know today: The Pit Bull, The English Bulldog, The French Bulldog, and others.
After the sport was banned, and some of the industrial shops moved to France, the Frenchy moved with the workers. The People of France loved these little ones as companion dogs and kept their shops free of rats. It was a match made for the City of Romance.
Soon after, the nobility of France and Wealthy American travelers took notice of these little dogs. By 1896, they were recognized and shown at the Westminster Kennel Club Competitions.
Most of their breed standards were set, except for one thing: their ears. At that point, Frenchies came in either the erect bat ears that we know today, or the floppy rose ears. It was a heated debate that separated the Westminster and American Kennel Clubs.
It would not be until the 1950's that this debate would be settled. During the first half of the 1900s, the World Wars, the American Depression, and various other problems going on in Europe, the population of the Frenchy diminished.
It was a breeder from Detroit, Michigan, Amanda West, who repopularized the breed with her cream or fawn-colored Frenchies that would dominate the Kennel Clubs with their bat ears that finally ended the debate.
An Identity And Tax Crisis
According to AnythingLabrador, The Labrador Retriever (a.k.a. The Labrador or The Lab) originally hails from an island off of Canada's Atlantic Coast, Newfoundland. This dog is thought to be the culmination of the Newfoundland Dog and the now extinct St. John's Dog (maybe).
Historically, The Lab would help their human masters in the 1700s catch the fish that escaped the fishing nets and tow-in fishing lines. English travelers were so impressed with the working capabilities of the dog, some would bring them back to England.
In the 1830s, The Second Earl of Malmesbury (In Southern England between London and Cardiff) brought a few of these dogs to his estate to serve as hunting dogs.
At this point in time, Labs were referred to as St. John Dogs. It was The Third Earl of Malmesbury who first referred to these dogs as Labradors.
It is unclear whether the St. John Dog and The Labrador were the same breeds. According to Dog Breed Info, the last two St. John Dogs died of old age in the 1980s in Canada.
By the 1880s, The Lab was going extinct in Canada. The Newfoundland Government placed heavy taxes and restrictions on their citizens.
They were not allowed to own more than one dog, and owning a female was taxed higher. As a result, this decimated the Lab population.
The modern-day Labrador owes its survival to England. The breed was recognized by Westminster in 1903. Once they started to be imported to the United States, they would join the American Kennel Club in 1917.
What Makes The French Bulldog Lab Mix?
The physical appearance of the french bulldog lab mix merges the French Bulldog and Labrador traits very well. The French Bulldog genetics brings the size of the dog down to a medium-size similar to the measurements of a Beagle.
Its coat can come in Black, Yellow, or Chocolate from its Labrador parent. It could also gain the coloring of its Frenchy parent of Cream, Fawn, or Brindle.
For those of you want the Frenchy bat ears, you are in luck. Some puppies retain them. Others will have The Lab semi-pricked ears high on the head.
Hello, I Love You, Won't You Tell Me Your Name
The French Bulldog is generally a low energy dog that prefers to snuggle up to its family. The Labrador Retriever is one of the friendliest breeds out there. It is an active dog that needs to expel its energy. Once done, laying with its people is the only place it wants to be.
That being said, The Frenchie Labrador generally keeps the friendliness and loyalty to its family from both parent breeds.
According to Wag Walking, this dog is extremely social and enjoys playing with children, meeting strangers, but is also loyal to its family. When the day is done, they will never miss the opportunity for snuggle time.
(by the way, if you do not know what song title this subheading this refers to, ask your parents)
How Do You Do Good Sir? I Shake Paws With You
According to Doggie Designer, they are very intelligent and do very well with obedience training. It is recommended that you start training and socialization early for a number of reasons.
Labrador puppies like to chew on everything. They also will run up to new people and instantly want to play. French Bulldogs are known to be good watchdogs when new people come around.
Since you will not immediately know which direction your dog may take, teaching your dog proper behavior in the human world is a must.
Most people do not appreciate excited welcomes, and we are sure you will not appreciate them treating your couch the same way they treat their toys.
For tips and advice, always seek guidance from a certified trainer in your area. They can teach you many different positive training techniques that will help you, your family, and your dog.
Your 401k May Not Be In Danger For Vet Bills
The Labrador is a hardier breed of dog, that can have the usual conditions that larger dogs are prone to. The French Bulldog suffers from many health issues due to its brachycephalic muzzle, weak joints, hips, and spine.
According to DoggieDesigner, With this designer mix, they have a medical history of:
- Epilepsy
- Gastric Torsion or Bloat
- Joint Conditions
- Brachycephalic Syndrome (breathing issues that come with having a short muzzle)
- Pulmonic Stenosis (narrow arteries within the heart)
- Skin Conditions
- Eye Conditions
Many of these conditions are manageable or avoidable through proper diet and exercise. Speak with your veterinarian about diet and exercise regimen to keep your dog in their best shape.
Those daily walks can get you and your dog ready for those skinny jeans you have been wanting to fit into.
A Designer Breed For The Modern Family
The Frenchie Labrador is a great designer breed that makes a great dog for our modern family life. Its friendliness and size make it an ideal pet for a somewhat active family.
This dog will enjoy taking its daily walk or game of fetch outside, but cannot wait to snuggle up on the couch next to you when the day is done.
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.
