Featured Image Credit: @teddy.thefrenchiepitbull (IG)
Designer dogs are just as lovable as purebreds. If you are torn between getting a French Bulldog and Pitbull, why not get a mix of both?
The French Bulldog Pitbull mix is a unique hybrid dog that is recently gaining popularity in the canine world. Not only famous for their bat ears but French Pitbulls are also known for their gentle and patient nature.
However, in getting a designer breed such as the French Pitbull, you can’t help but be curious.
Will the dog be a cuter version of a Frenchie? Will it have more health issues? In this article, I’m going to give you detailed answers to these common questions.
What Is a French Bulldog Pitbull Mix? Can a Pitbull Mate With a French Bulldog?
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A French Bulldog Pitbull mix or French Pitbull is a crossbreed produced when a Pitbull breed, usually an American Pit Bull Terrier or American Staffordshire Terrier, mates with a French Bulldog. They are typically small dogs bearing the same powerful and muscular build as their parent breeds.
As a mixed breed, a French Bulldog and Pitbull mix is expected to have a combination of its parents’ temperaments. If you choose to have one as a pet, you can expect a pleasant dog with a playful side.
With the combined characteristics of the legendary Pitbull and sweet Frenchie, an American French Bull Terrier is the perfect companion dog for those who want to jump on the designer dog trend.
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix History and Origin: Where Does the French Pitbull Come From?
It’s hard to trace the exact history of French Pitbulls and pinpoint the first record of this crossbreed.
However, we can assume that many breeders experimented with mixing these breeds after French Bulldogs and Pitbulls became popular in the United States.
French Bulldogs were originally found in England and produced as toy versions of the English Bulldog. The breed later thrived in France and was owned by people of all levels in society.
With the influx of immigrants, the Frenchie’s charm finally made its way into the country’s shores in the 1890s.
Similarly, Pitbulls were first bred in England. However, these dogs have an unpleasant history.
Instead of being companion dogs, they were mainly used in dogfighting and bull baiting. They were also brought to the country through British immigrants during the 1870s.
With this information, we can hypothesize that French Pitbulls were first bred after people became hyped with French Bulldogs and Pitbulls and when dogfighting was finally outlawed.
Currently, French Bulldog Pitbull mixes are recognized by the Designer Dogs Kennel Club and not the AKC.
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Appearance: What Does a French Pitbull Look Like?
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All dog lovers know how adorable Frenchies are. The same can be said for Pitbulls, the lovable and playful giants.
Combining the genes of these dogs, you can expect a small to medium-sized dog with a muscular and stocky build.
French Pitbulls have distinguishable features such as their pointed bat ears, large square-like head, and short muzzle. Those with stronger Pitbull features have longer snouts which are more preferable.
A French Bulldog Pitbull mix also has well-defined cheekbones and wide-set eyes that can be blue, black, or brown.
The nose is wide and usually a dark color like black or brown. Their chest is wide and the jaws are strong while the legs are short but powerful.
The coat is fairly short and easy to groom. Most American French Bull Terriers come in white, fawn, and cream in color. However, due to their Pitbull genes, they can come in other color combinations and patterns.
If you haven’t seen a French Bulldog Pitbull mix in person, then you should watch this adorable video below:
French Bulldog Mix<a href="https://youtu.be/t7UqOcHWekI" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Ft7UqOcHWekI%2F0.jpg" alt="French Bulldog Mix" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Size and Weight: How Big Does a French Pitbull Get When Fully Grown?
As mentioned, the French Bulldog Pitbull mix is a small to medium-sized pup. When fully grown, male French Pitbulls can weigh around 30 to 40 pounds while females can weigh 30 to 37 pounds.
In terms of height, males are generally taller with 15 to 19 inches, while females are expectedly shorter with 14 to 16 inches.
However, some French Pitbulls are reported to be only around 28 pounds and grow only between 11 to 13 inches tall. Nevertheless, their size is very suitable for small apartments and for people who want a cute lap dog.
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Temperament: Do French Pitbulls Make Good Family Dogs?
Another common curiosity about the Pitbull French Bulldog mix is their temperament. Since both French Bulldogs and Pitbulls have a reputation for being aggressive breeds, many people want to find out if this crossbreed behaves similarly.
Contrary to the public’s perception about their parent breeds, French Pitbulls are the sweetest dogs you can ever have. Due to their loving nature, they usually make their owners the center of their attention.
These mixed breeds are also very playful because of their Pitbull heritage. Paired with their high energy, their playfulness can get quite chaotic.
However, with early training, both their active disposition and high prey drive can be toned down to avoid any destruction in the house.
A French Pitbull is also a great family dog since it can easily get along with people, especially children.
Despite their social adaptiveness, it’s still important to supervise kids during playtime. These dogs may be small but they are stronger than your little ones.
For future owners, early socialization is a must for these dogs. Not only will this help them be less wary of people but also teach them to be at ease with having other animals in the house.
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Lifespan and Health Issues: Are French Pitbulls Healthy Dogs?
A French Bulldog Pitbull mix can live for around 12 to 14 years. However, you need to watch out for potential health problems that these dogs can suffer from.
Because of their genetics, they can inherit conditions common to both their parent breeds:
Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome: Due to their short muzzles, a Pitbull French Bulldog mix can have breathing problems caused by brachycephalic airway syndrome. This refers to a set of upper airway complications including stenotic nares, extended nasopharyngeal turbinates, an elongated soft palate, laryngeal collapse, a hypoplastic trachea, and everted laryngeal saccules.
Skin Diseases: Because of the wrinkly folds on their face skin, these dogs can develop skin conditions like eczema or allergic dermatitis, and bacterial infections. They can also develop tumors and even skin cancer.
Eye Problems: Problems involving vision can also affect older French Pitbulls. Eye conditions such as cherry eye or prolapse of the third eyelid and cataracts are common to these dogs. The latter is caused by excessive buildup of protein in the body.
Heart Disease: Another common health problem of this breed is heart disease including mitral valve disease which can cause heart murmurs and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is the thinning of the heart muscles. Both can lead to heart dysfunction when left undetected.
Hip Dysplasia: Larger Pitbull French Bulldog mix dogs can inherit hip dysplasia. As these dogs mature, their hip joints might not grow at the correct rate. This can cause pain, lameness, and difficulty in movement. In some cases, it can develop into osteoarthritis.
With these health problems in mind, you can better choose a breeder that can ensure that the French Pitbull puppy you get is free of serious diseases and will not develop them as they get older.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Breeding Pitbulls and French Bulldogs Together
Crossbreeding is not a new practice. However, it’s still a heavily debated topic whether it causes more harm than good to these designer dogs.
In this section, you’ll find out the pros and cons of breeding Pitbulls and French Bulldogs together.
Here are some of the advantages of breeding an American French Bull Terrier:
Unique appearance: A cross between a Pitbull and a French Bulldog can produce a dog breed with the combined features from both parents. Sometimes, the dog will inherit the traits of the more dominant gene but in many cases, it will have an interesting look that will make people look twice.
Better temperament: Pitbulls are known for their high energy level and goofy personality. On the flip side, French Bulldogs are more reserved but equally affectionate. Because their temperaments compliment each other so well, you can expect an even-tempered companion dog.
Lowered risk for congenital diseases: The risk for inheriting congenital diseases is higher for purebred dogs. This probability decreases with careful crossbreeding. Reputable breeders conduct genetic tests to know if the parent is a carrier of the gene for a specific condition.
Before you decide if a French Pitbull is right for you, consider the following disadvantages of crossbreeding:
Hard to predict size: The American Pit Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Bull Terrier are normally larger than a Frenchie. Their cross will result in a slightly smaller version. However, some dogs will grow up to the full size of a Pitbull so it’s really hard to predict their final size.
High-risk deliveries: French Bulldogs are small breeds. Because of their narrow hips, it might be difficult for them to deliver puppies naturally. In many cases, a C-section needs to be performed for the safe delivery of the litter.
High-cost of breeding: Designer breeds like the Pitbull French Bulldog mix tend to be more expensive than regular purebred dogs. Breeders often spend more on veterinary consultations and health screening for this breed. The cost of expenses is added to the final price of the puppy.
Like purebreds and other mixes, owning a French Pitbull has its own benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to evaluate these aspects and decide if it’s worth it.
READ NEXT: Male vs. Female Pitbull: Which Is Better?
How to Take Care of Your French Bulldog Pitbull Mix?
Dogs are lifelong friends whether they are purebred or mixed breed. As owners, they rely on you to provide food, care, and attention.
If you want to know how you can properly take care of French Pitbull, follow the guidelines discussed in this section.
Feeding and Diet
A French Bulldog Pitbull mix requires a combination of essential nutrients like protein, fat, carbohydrates, and minerals in their diet.
Make sure to check the ingredients to know if your pup will get these nutrients. Also, look for dog food that helps with eyesight, supports bone growth, and promotes skin health.
As medium-sized dogs, French Pitbulls need to be fed at least two to three cups of food per day divided into different meals. Consult your vet for the proper calorie intake and food ratio needed by your dog.
Gaining extra weight is problematic for these breeds so it’s important to give them the appropriate amount of food when they are puppies and especially when they mature.
Cleaning and Grooming
Like other dog breeds, your Pitbull French Bulldog mix needs to be cleaned and groomed regularly to look and feel great.
Despite having short coats, French Pitbulls still shed throughout the year but will shed more during the spring and fall.
You can remove loose hairs by brushing them using a bristle brush at least once a week. You can also use a deshedding tool during the mentioned seasons.
To reduce even more hair inside the house, bathe your French Bulldog Pit Bull mix at least once a month. Since they have a short coat, they won’t pick up as much dirt as other long-haired breeds.
When giving them a bath, remember to wash in between their face folds to prevent skin infection.
Because these dogs are prone to skin irritation, use a vet-approved shampoo for sensitive skin. Using dry shampoo is also acceptable.
Purchase a good-quality nail trimmer to cut your pet’s nails. This should be done every two to three months. Weekly cleaning of the ears should also be performed to prevent infections and wax buildup.
Lastly, brush your Pitbull French Bulldog mix at least three to four times a week and provide dental chews for optimal oral health.
Training and Exercise
A French Pitbull is quite an intelligent breed so you will have no trouble training them.
As you may know, a puppy is easier to train than an adult dog so you should train them early. Start with basic commands and slowly start teaching them other tricks.
Since one of their Pitbull ancestors was once used as a farm dog, they are very much willing to please their owners. They may display stubbornness but this can easily be managed by an assertive and patient trainer.
As for exercise requirements, your French Bulldog Pit Bull mix needs around 30 to 60 minutes of walking and playtime each day.
If you are still dealing with a puppy, you may want to reduce the time to 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how young they are.
Aside from a normal game of fetch, you can teach your dog to play agility sports such as frisbee to promote an even healthier lifestyle.
French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Puppy Prices & Expenses: How Much Do French Pitbulls Cost?
Photo by @murph_meister.2020 (IG)
The price of a French Pitbull puppy in the United States ranges from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on the breeder. Their price tag is also affected by many factors including location, demand, and the dog’s bloodline.
Most breeders charge higher for this designer dog because of their selective breeding process. If you find a cheap offer for a French Bulldog Pitbull mix, then it might not have purebred parents.
You also need to prepare your budget for dog supplies and items that your French Pittie will need as it grows up and start a new life:
After this initial cost, you need to prepare your finances for other expenses like vet bills and pet insurance.
You can keep your budget to a minimum for your dog’s ongoing expenses by finding a good but affordable vet and by getting good deals at your local pet shop.
Places to Find French Bulldog Pitbull Mix Puppies for Sale or Adoption
Now that you are equipped with fair knowledge about French Pitbulls, you should know how you can have one as your new companion dog.
To obtain a healthy puppy, you should consider buying from a reputable breeder. However, if you’re looking for a more affordable option, adoption is your number one option.
Note, though, that there are very limited breeders that specialize in this hybrid. Thus, you can only check out breeders of its parent breeds or puppy advertising websites.
Here are some places where you may find French Bulldog Pitbull mix puppies for sale:
Magnum French Bulldogs – This is a French Bulldog breeder based in Spirit Lake, Idaho. Even though they only focus on breeding French Bulldogs, they may produce a litter of French Pitbulls from time to time. You can contact them directly through their website for reservations.
Lancaster Puppies – This is an advertising website with hundreds of listings for different mixed breeds including the French Bulldog Pitbull mix. Most of the sellers are located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, New York, and other states. You can contact the seller directly for inquiries and payment settlement.
Greenfield Puppies – This is another advertising website where you can find French Pitbull breeders. If you buy a puppy from Pennsylvania, you get an instant 30-day health guarantee for your pup as well as vaccinations and deworming.
To make sure that you get a healthy puppy, please do not purchase from backyard breeders or non-registered individuals that have no experience in breeding designer dogs.
For those looking for places to adopt this designer breed, refer to the list of directories and rescue groups below:
Adopt a Pit Rescue, Inc. – This is the largest Pitbull rescue in Miami Valley which started in 2013. Since then, they were able to rescue and rehome over 2,600 dogs, including French Pitbulls. They mainly take in dogs that are considered unadoptable by shelters due to their behavior and health condition.
Out of the Pits – Operating since 1994, this rescue is dedicated to finding loving families for Pitbull breeds and mixes. For applicants with children, they require them to be at least 5 years old. They allow adoptions within a two-mile radius of Albany, New York.
Petfinder – This is an online database of animals in need of permanent homes. Over 11,000 shelters and rescue organizations are registered on this website so you can expect to find your French Bulldog Pitbull mix in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo by @teddy.thefrenchiepitbull (IG)
Do French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Shed?
Yes, French Bulldog Pitbull mixes shed their coats throughout the year. The main shedding seasons are spring and fall. You can significantly reduce shedding by brushing their coats regularly.
Are French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes Aggressive?
French Pitbulls are not aggressive dogs. Most people will associate their behavior with their parent breed’s past reputation for being used for bull-baiting and dogfighting.
However, it has been proven that both French Bulldogs and American Pit Bull Terriers are well-tempered breeds.
Are French Bulldog Pitbull Mixes High Maintenance?
Due to their short coat, French Bulldog Pitbull mixes are not considered high maintenance. They require fewer baths but owners need to be cautious about what bath products to use because of their sensitive skin.
Final Thoughts: Is the French Bulldog Pitbull Mix the Right Dog for You?
French Bulldog Pitbull mix is probably one of the most overlooked designer breeds. If you are looking for a hybrid dog with a unique appearance and friendly temperament, getting one might be the perfect move.
These dogs are highly trainable and can get along with children and other animals at home.
They can be prone to several health problems but this can easily be prevented by purchasing from a reliable breeder that offers health guarantees for congenital diseases.
Other than this concern, there is no other reason why you shouldn’t become a French Pitbull owner. Taking care of them is as easy as any other low-maintenance pure breed.
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