How Big Do French Bulldogs Get? French Bulldog Size Guide

The French Bulldog is a small and loyal pup that can bring so much love and joy into any home! Despite their small size, these dogs are surprisingly strong and agile. So one question people often ask themselves is “How big do French Bulldogs get?”.

On average, you can expect an adult French Bulldog to reach a height of 11-12 inches, with their weight ranging from 16-28 pounds. They may be little in size but they certainly have big personalities!

If you are considering getting one, you may need to consider the various sizes available. Let’s dive into our French Bulldog size guide.

French Bulldog Sizes From Birth To Fully Grown

No creature is identical to another, and the same applies to French Bulldogs. They may be a highly specified breed, but you will still find variations within the species. 

Even within similar dogs of the breed, there is a difference in size between male and female French Bulldogs. Females are normally smaller and lighter than males.

How Big Does A Male French Bulldog Get?

Male French Bulldogs are the bigger of the species. At maturity, they can weigh between sixteen and twenty-eight pounds. Large male Frenchies can measure up to thirteen inches tall at the shoulder.

While these measurements are at the top of the scale, it is something to keep in mind as you envision your future life with your furry companion.

Are French Bulldogs A Small Or Medium Breed?

The French Bulldog is classed as a small to medium dog. Small dogs are classified as weighing twenty-two pounds or less and standing ten inches tall or less. 

Medium-sized dogs are classified as weighing twenty to sixty pounds and can stand between eight and twenty-seven inches high.

Since the average weight of a Frenchie is about sixteen to eighteen pounds, and they measure around thirteen inches tall, they fit snuggly between the two sizes of dogs.

How big do French Bulldogs get?

The size of your French Bulldog will vary depending on a few criteria, but there is a general size guide we can follow from birth to fully grown. Let us look at what you can expect from the average Frenchie over the months.

French Bulldogs are adorably tiny at birth, weighing between eight and ten ounces. Pups born in large litters tend to be smaller, and those with only one or two siblings are generally larger at birth.

On their day of birth, puppies lose weight, but within two or three days, they begin to pick it all back up and grow steadily from there.

French Bulldogs do most of their growth in their first year. Their development can be divided into five main sections:

  1. Neonatal stage
  2. Transitional stage
  3. Socialization stage
  4. Ranking stage
  5. Adolescent stage

Let us dive into each stage and the size and weight you can expect your French Bulldog puppy to be during each. Having an idea of the size to expect will help you prepare for your new furry family member in the best possible way.

Neonatal Stage

The neonatal stage is the time from birth to two weeks old. These tiny pups weigh between eight and ten ounces and are deaf and blind.

Within their first twenty-four hours, they lose a fair amount of their birth weight as they release fluids no longer needed. Do not fret, though, as they pick it back up, and then some, within the next few days.

By the time they conclude the neonatal stage, French Bulldog pups weigh about 1.5 pounds and have grown enough to fit in an average woman’s hand.

Transitional Stage

The transitional stage lasts from when the puppy is two to four weeks old. A lot happens in this stage, as they grow teeth, take their first steps, wag their tail and even try barking.

During this stage, they go from weighing around 1.5 pounds to a maximum of four. Females are typically a little lighter and smaller than males.

Socialization Stage

This stage takes Frenchie pups from three to twelve weeks old. It is a busy period for puppies as they are growing and changing.

At about three months old, French Bulldogs ween from their mothers and begin eating solid food exclusively. They socialize more and start learning commands.

During this stage, your French Bulldog puppy should be around five or six inches tall and weigh between five and nine pounds.

Ranking Stage

This stage takes your puppy from three to six months old. During this time, French Bulldog puppies test their rank with you, other animals, and their environment. They lose their baby teeth during this time and tend to chew on everything as their adult teeth grow.

From three to six months, French Bulldogs grow from around six to nine inches high. They can weigh between nine and eighteen pounds.

Adolescent Stage

The adolescent stage is from nine to twelve months old and is French Bulldogs’ last primary growth stage. Although they will continue to fill out until around two years old, they will likely not grow much taller after a year.

During this stage, your French Bulldog will continue to learn and adapt to your home and family. Their growth will slow until the year mark, when it will stop.

How Long Before A French Bulldog Is Fully Grown?

If you are waiting to see how big your French Bulldog will be as an adult, you will need to wait until they are about a year old. 

Frenchies typically reach their total body height at about twelve months old. They can still gain weight and muscle until around two years old, as they bulk up and get that toned physique we know so well.

When Does A French Bulldog Stop Growing?

Frenchies can grow from around ten to thirteen inches high from nine to twelve months. Their weight can shoot up from eighteen to about twenty-eight pounds.

These loveable creatures are typically fully grown by twelve months, although they can continue to bulk up until around two years old.

Let us look at a summary of the height and weight of a French Bulldog, from birth to a year old: (source)

  • Birth: weight: 8-10 ounces            
  • 1 week: weight: 14-17 ounces           
  • 2 weeks: weight: about 1.5 pounds      
  • 4 weeks: weight: 3 pounds               
  • 6 weeks: weight: about 4.5 pounds      
  • 8 weeks: weight: 6.5-7.5 pounds height: 3-4 inches
  • 3 months: weight: 8.5-12.5 pounds height: 5-6 inches
  • 6 months: weight: 15.5-23.5 pounds height: 7-9 inches
  • 12 months: weight: 19.5-28 pounds height: 11-13 inches

Although French Bulldogs stop growing at around twelve months, do not be surprised if they grow for longer than that or if they get steadily heavier until about twenty-four months. (source)

Different Sizes Of French Bulldog

Did you know that there are three main types of French Bulldog? Each has its own size guide to consider, so it is vital to learn about them before you decide which to bring home.

The three types of Frenchie are:

  1. French Bulldog
  2. Mini French Bulldog
  3. Teacup French Bulldog

While regular French Bulldogs are recognized by the American Kennel Club, the mini and teacup varieties are not since they do not meet many of the criteria for a breed standard.

How Big Does A Mini French Bulldog Get?

Mini French Bulldogs, also called Micro French Bulldogs, weigh between five and fourteen pounds, and reach a maximum height of about twelve inches.

Taking it even further, Teacup French Bulldogs grow between six and eleven inches high and weigh between fifteen and twenty-five pounds.

The mini and teacup variations of the French Bulldog are bred by mixing French Bulldogs with other, smaller breeds. Alternatively, breeders use the runts of different litters for breeding smaller dogs. The latter practice is not necessarily the best since runts are typically weaker and smaller, so the miniature versions that are produced are likely not strong.

French Bulldog Adult Height

When considering the average height of adult French Bulldogs, it is best to consider the type of French Bulldog and if they are male or female.

Let us look at the average height for French Bulldogs in the male and female variations.

Maximum Standard French Bulldog Height: Male: thirteen inches. Female: eleven inches

Maximum Mini French Bulldog Height: Male: twelve inches. Female: eleven inches

Maximum Teacup French Bulldog Height: Male: eleven inches. Female: ten inches

Why Is My French Bulldog So Small?

French Bulldogs are small to medium breeds, but if you notice they are smaller than expected or appear underweight, there are a few possible reasons.

Digestive Issues

Frenchies are prone to having digestive issues. (source) Your pup could be infected with E. Coli, parasites, or viruses. If your French Bulldog has loose stools, or their poop is runny, extremely smelly, or contains blood, it may be time to contact your vet.

The Breed

French Bulldogs come in a range of appearances and sizes. Look into your pup’s lineage to see if their parents were both on the smaller end of the spectrum.

Lack Of Protein

Your Frenchie may not have health issues, but they might be longing for more protein in their diet. Check with your vet, and consider adding more protein daily.

Conclusion

French Bulldogs are a small to medium size breed that grows to their full size by a year old. Variants include the standard, mini, and teacup. These are smaller versions of the French Bulldog recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Mature French Bulldogs can reach a height of thirteen inches and a weight of twenty-eight pounds. Their size can be predicted by tripling the size of a three-month-old puppy.

Emily Andrews