French Bulldogs are affectionate, funny, adaptable and easy to live with in a small space. They also come with more health problems than most breeds, struggle in heat, and cost a lot to buy and keep. Whether that makes one a good pet depends on whether the second list is something you can take on. I wouldn’t trade mine for anything, but I went in knowing both.

A little history

The breed’s ancestors were small bulldogs kept by lace workers in Nottingham. When the lace trade moved to Normandy in the 1800s, the workers and their dogs went too, and the dogs were developed in France into the breed we know. American fanciers later championed the upright bat ear that became its trademark (AKC).

They were bred as companions from the start, and it shows. Today the French Bulldog is the most popular breed in the United States, a position it has held for four years running (AKC).

The case for a French Bulldog

Temperament

Frenchies are sociable, affectionate and generally easygoing. Most are as happy on your lap as they are playing, and they bond closely with their people.

A woman kissing Charlie as a puppy, in his teal harness beside a lake

Size

At up to 28 pounds under the breed standard, a Frenchie is easy to pick up, travel with and fit into a small home. They suit apartment living well, as long as the apartment stays cool in summer.

Grooming

The short, smooth coat is simple to care for: a weekly brush, regular cleaning of the skin folds, nails and ears, and a bath when needed. Frenchies do shed, moderately and year-round; our shedding guide covers what to expect, and our bathing guide covers how often to bathe.

Fairly quiet

Most Frenchies aren’t big barkers, though they will let you know when someone’s at the door.

Modest exercise needs

A couple of short walks in the cool part of the day and some indoor play are enough. That’s partly a benefit and partly a warning: their breathing limits how much they can do. Our guide to walking a French Bulldog explains how far is too far.

Good with families and other pets

Well-socialized Frenchies usually do well with children and other animals. As with any dog, supervise young children, teach them how to handle a small dog gently, and introduce new pets gradually.

Trainable, with the right approach

Frenchies have a reputation for stubbornness, but most of what looks like stubbornness is a dog that isn’t motivated or is tired. Short, reward-based sessions work well. Our guides to training a French Bulldog and dealing with stubbornness cover the details.

Charlie sitting in grass beside water wearing a teal harness

The case against

Health

This is the big one. In the UK’s large VetCompass study, French Bulldogs had higher odds than other dogs for 20 of 43 common disorders, led by narrow nostrils, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), ear discharge and skin fold infections (O’Neill and colleagues, 2021). The researchers linked many of these directly to the breed’s flat face and compact body.

Allergies, cherry eye, kneecap problems and spinal disease are also common. Our health issues guide covers each, and it’s worth reading before you commit. A careful breeder improves the odds but can’t guarantee a healthy dog, so arrange pet insurance early.

Heat

French Bulldogs overheat easily. In a UK study of dogs under veterinary care, they had 6.49 times the odds of heat-related illness compared with Labrador Retrievers (Hall and colleagues, 2020). If you live somewhere hot, you need air conditioning and a willingness to plan walks around the weather.

Lifespan

The largest UK study of breed longevity found a median lifespan of 9.8 years for French Bulldogs, among the shortest of any breed (McMillan and colleagues, 2024). Many live longer, but you should go in expecting a shorter life than you would with many other small dogs.

Being left alone

Frenchies are companion dogs and many don’t cope well with long periods alone. If you work long hours away from home, plan for that, and read our guide to separation anxiety before problems start.

Gas

Frenchies are known for flatulence. Much of it comes from air swallowed while eating, which a flat face makes worse, so feeding smaller meals from a slow feeder bowl often helps. Diet plays a part too; change foods gradually rather than all at once, and talk to your vet if gas comes with diarrhea, weight loss or itchy skin.

Cost

Frenchies are expensive to buy, largely because more than 80% of litters are delivered by caesarean section (Evans and Adams, 2010) and responsible breeders pay for health testing. Advertised prices vary widely. They are also expensive to keep, because of their health problems.

Be wary of “rare” colors sold at a premium. Blue, lilac and merle are disqualifications under the breed standard, and a high price is not evidence of good breeding; our colors guide explains why. Our price guide covers advertised prices, rescue fees and ongoing costs, and rescue is a good route to consider.

So, are French Bulldogs good pets?

For the right home, yes. They suit people who want a close companion, live somewhere they can keep a dog cool, are home a good part of the day, and can afford veterinary care that may be substantial. They are a harder fit for anyone who wants an active outdoor dog, lives somewhere hot without air conditioning, or would struggle with large vet bills.

If you go ahead, choose the breeder carefully. Ask about BOAS grading and health testing, watch how the parents breathe at rest, and prefer moderate features over extreme ones. Or consider rescue: plenty of Frenchies need homes.