French Bulldogs, more commonly known as Frenchies, are famous go-to dogs of city dwellers. They became a favorite of many pet owners because they thrive at small apartments and they have even disposition.
Both male and female Frenchies are irresistible, and it is quite hard to choose which among them should be brought home.
If you are one of those French Bulldog enthusiasts who are having trouble deciding between the two sexes, you’ll find this guide truly valuable.
In general, male French Bulldogs tend to be playful and assertive. They are also a bit difficult to train because they are more dominant. Female French Bulldogs, on the other hand, are sweet and affectionate. They reach maturity at an early age, so they are easier to train than their male counterparts.
For a more comprehensive review of the differences between the two sexes, I encourage you to continue reading this guide. I promise that you have pretty much decided on what gender is right for you at the end of this article.
Does Dog Gender Really Matter?
While it is true that gender is not the sole determinant of whether a dog will be a good family companion or not, we cannot disregard the fact that some biological differences actually affect a dog’s behavior.
A Professor Emeritus at the University of British Columbia, named Stanley Cohen, argues that male dogs are found to be more aggressive due to the male sex hormones.
They often challenge other dogs and animals to assert their dominance. Meanwhile, female dogs are more stubborn and territorial.
They may not be as aggressive as the male dogs, but when they decide to show their strength and status among other pets, it often leads to bloodshed.
To address these crucial differences between the two genders, puppies must be trained and socialized early. After all, their general behavior is usually down to their upbringing and living conditions.
Differences in Physical Features
Male French Bulldogs
Male French Bulldogs appear to be miniature versions of the English Bulldog. Their main trademark is their “bat ears,” which are large and erect. They have a more massive head than the females, and there are heavy wrinkles just above their short nose.
Another noticeable feature that sets apart the male Frenchie from the females is that they are more bully-looking. They have heavy bones and a roach back that make them appear compactly built.
Here are other specific descriptions of their appearance:
Their head is broad and square with nearly symmetrical wrinkles and folds.
Their eyes are set wide apart with dark or brown color.
Their muzzles are broad and deep.
They have a flat skull, but their forehead is slightly rounded.
Their chest is full, and their belly is tucked up.
Their coat is short and smooth, and their skin is loose and soft.
Their neck is short but powerful. It is slightly arched and broadens toward the shoulder.
Here’s a detailed rundown of their size:
Height: 13 inches (33 centimeters)
Weight: 28 to 30 pounds (13 to 15 kilograms)
Length: 12 inches (30 centimeters)
Width: 26 inches (66 centimeters)
Female French Bulldogs
Some female French Bulldogs can pass as males as long as you don’t look at their genitals. They also have a large and square head, loose skin on their throat, and perky bat ears.
Ideally, their head should be smaller than the males, but some pups do not meet this standard because of genetics.
Below is a comprehensive analysis of their appearance:
Their eyes are set wide apart.
Their muzzles are laid back and similar to that of the males.
Their skull is flat, and their forehead is noticeably rounder.
Their cheek muscles are well-developed.
They have a tucked-up belly and a deep, broad chest.
Their skin is soft, and their coat is smooth and soft to the touch.
Here are the specifics of their body size:
Height: 10 inches (25 centimeters)
Weight: 25 pounds (11 kilograms)
Length: 9 inches (23 centimeters)
Width: 22 inches (56 centimeters)
It is important to note that according to the breed standard of the American Kennel Club (AKC), French Bulldogs, whether male or female, are not recognized if they weigh 28 pounds and above.
If you plan to join them on conformation shows, you have to make sure that they adhere to the size requirements.
Differences in Temperament
Male French Bulldogs
The differences in temperament between the male and female French Bulldog are relatively modest, but some qualities may sway you towards one. Males are known to be more playful than their female counterparts, and they are also found to be bolder pets.
Here are some other behavioral characteristics of male Frenchies:
Male French Bulldogs are more mischievous as compared to females.
They are energetic and confident.
They are more likely to mark their territory and showcase an alpha attitude.
They have a stable mood.
They tend to be a bit nippier, but this can be corrected through training.
They have a short attention span as compared to the females, but they are very trainable.
They constantly seek their owner’s validation.
They are dependent on the presence of their owners.
They can become destructive if left alone at home.
They love to play and chew things or even engage you in a tug of war.
They are very affectionate.
Keep in mind that a big part of your male Frenchie’s behavior can be shaped through training. Even though they seem to be very active and naughty, obedience classes and socialization will make them ideal pets.
This temperament description is just a guide, so you know what to expect when you bring them home for the first time.
Another fact that you should be aware of is that male French Bulldog’s behavior can be a bit altered once they are neutered.
Even though their fundamental personality will still be the same, Embrace Pet Insurance shares that there will be observable changes in their temperament after neutering. They are as follows:
If they are showing signs of aggression, this will be diminished.
They won’t suddenly hump humans, objects, or animals.
Their level of activity will be significantly reduced.
They will have an increased appetite.
Female French Bulldogs
It is generally assumed that female French Bulldogs are easier to handle than males, and there is a bit of truth in this statement. Female Frenchies are indeed more shy and relaxed than their male counterparts.
Here’s a comprehensive assessment of their disposition and temperament:
Female French Bulldogs are observed to be aggressive when they are young, but they grow out of this behavior.
They become gentle dogs as they mature.
They are more docile than males. Lounging on the sofa with their owners is one of their favorite activities.
They are easier to potty train.
They grow to be more affectionate.
They are timider in front of other dogs and strangers.
They can be moodier.
They do not show alpha behavior like marking or humping.
They can be dominating when in heat.
They nip a lot, especially when excited.
They can’t be left alone for too long because they develop separation anxiety. This leads to destructive behavior.
Just like male French Bulldogs, female Frenchies will benefit from having their reproductive organs removed. Spaying helps balance their temperament because most of their unwanted behavior is related to their heat cycle.
Here are some changes they will undergo after being spayed:
They won’t get lost because they will lose their drive to roam around while in heat.
They won’t have a bloody discharge, and their frequent urination will be eliminated.
They won’t experience mood swings because they would no longer experience hormonal changes.
If they are previously aggressive, this will be greatly lessened.
I found this decent video created by a French Bulldog owner on YouTube. He explains some of the differences between a male and a female French Bulldog. You should check out the video if you’re still deciding which sex to choose.
Should I get a MALE or FEMALE PUPPY French Bulldog Gender Differences<a href="https://youtu.be/B8XZhMWeA2w" 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%2FB8XZhMWeA2w%2F0.jpg" alt="Should I get a MALE or FEMALE PUPPY French Bulldog Gender Differences" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
Differences in Dealing with Strangers
Male French Bulldogs
Male French Bulldogs are extreme social butterflies. They love being around people because they are originally bred to be companion dogs in England.
Although the body of research proving this particular behavior is not that vast, several anecdotal accounts confirm that they indeed thrive in the presence of others.
You would see them in parks playing and running with people they just met. It would even appear as if they are enjoying others’ company instead of their owner, which is perfectly normal.
Despite the male Frenchie’s ideal behavior towards strangers, they have a strong tendency to jump on people. You may tolerate these jumping tendencies because you are his owner. But I can assure you, other people don’t feel the same way, unless, of course, they are into pets.
To stop your male French Bulldog from jumping other people, try keeping your hands away until their front paws are in contact with the ground.
When their feet hit the floor, immediately pet and praise them for instilling to their minds that they won’t get the love and attention they need unless they keep their paws on the ground.
Female French Bulldogs
Similar to male Frenchies, females like interacting with strangers. They have too much love to give not only to their owners but to other people as well.
Many pet owners tag female French Bulldogs as “besties with everyone” because they simply are. You’ll have trouble having a peaceful walk in your neighborhood because they will try to befriend every pedestrian you’ll pass by.
What’s more, people stop in their tracks when they see this charming pup. Humans love interacting with them as much as they crave their attention.
Some female French Bulldogs are timider but they warm up after some time. Don’t worry if they do not approach your guests immediately because they are assessing whether they are threats to your safety or not.
Differences in Trainability
Male French Bulldogs
Male and female Frenchies have their own abilities and learning styles thanks to their genes. However, males are considered a bit harder to train because of their playfulness.
Unlike the female pups, they do not mature early, so many pet owners and breeders find them hard-headed and challenging to engage in obedience activities.
Another reason why they aren’t that easy to train is because of their dominant nature. They always wage a power competition with their new owners due to their alpha tendencies.
The key to successfully teaching them to be well-behaved pets is assuming a strict stance. You have to show them who is really the boss between the two of you by being firm on your commands.
In terms of housetraining, they also aren’t quick learners. They tend to soil their crate, and it is quite a tough job to clean up their mess.
You should look up some useful tips on how to train them or ask a professional for some advice so they’ll be able to hold their bladder while inside your home.
Female French Bulldogs
One of the advantages of owning a female French Bulldog is that they are a breeze to train. This is primarily because they mature earlier than their male counterparts.
The fact that they are more docile reflects on how they behave during training sessions, so they are more responsive and generally faster at learning new tricks.
If in case you are finding it hard to deal with your female Frenchie (because let’s be honest, every dog is unique), you might want to consider having them trained by a professional.
The combination of home training and obedience classes facilitated by an expert will make your pup even more stable.
You can also have them spayed if you aren’t planning to breed them because this helps balance their temper. With fewer hormones, they will be more obedient and better-behaved.
Differences in Children Engagement
Male French Bulldogs
Some breeders and pet owners compare the temperament of male Frenchies to kids. They are inherently playful and mischievous, and it seems like clowning around is one of their expertise.
The reason behind this behavior is that they do not have much parental instinct, unlike the females. They view children as potential playmates rather than someone they need to protect.
It is crucial that you introduce your male Frenchie to young children inside your home at the earliest possible time. This will help develop their bond and prevent your pup from getting irritated once the child starts teasing them by pulling their tails and ears.
In addition, you should also remind your child not to be intimidated by your male pup because this will give your dog an idea that they are on the top of the pack ladder.
Remember that male Frenchies are alpha-dogs. They may start bullying your child or be aggressive towards them if your child shows signs of fear.
Female French Bulldogs
Female French Bulldogs are very child-friendly due to their maternal instinct. They are not as active as the male Frenchies, so there is a very slim chance that they would accidentally hurt your child while they are running and goofing around.
When introducing your child to a female French Bulldog, you can consider the following tips:
Have your child calmly approach your pup but leave enough space so your dog can meet him on their own terms.
Once the dog approaches, tell your child to close his fist and offer it for the pup to sniff.
If you feel like your female Frenchie is already comfortable with your child’s presence, allow your child to stroke her head and neck. Just make sure that he won’t accidentally touch the dog’s ears, feet, stomach, and tail because those are sensitive parts.
Another critical thing to remember when letting your child and female French Bulldog play is that your pup cannot regulate their temperature during a hot climate because of their short noses.
Remind your child not to play outside with your female Frenchie for an extended period of time to prevent them from overheating. This applies to male French Bulldogs as well.
Differences in Relationship with Other Dogs and Pets
Male French Bulldogs
Male French Bulldogs are known to be very dominant dogs even after they are neutered. They love asserting their power over other puppies, so it’s best not to adopt or bring home another French Bulldog with the same gender.
The reason behind this odd behavior is that historically speaking, dogs live in packs before they were domesticated. Only one male and female dogs are allowed to breed; thus, they are hostile towards the same sex.
Unfortunately, male Frenchies did not outgrow this behavior, so they still possess this alpha dog instinct.
In terms of their relationship with other animals, they don’t have much of a problem. In fact, they are more accepting of cats and other household pets than female French Bulldogs.
Female French Bulldogs
While it is totally fine to have a male and a female French Bulldog inside your home, adopting two female Frenchies is a horrible idea. Here are some of the reasons why:
Two female French Bulldogs who are close in age compete a lot. They may fight over sleeping areas, toys, treats, and other simple things while their owner is present. You may view this as a simple canine issue, but this can actually escalate and lead to injuries.
Having two female dogs that are far in age is also high risk. The newer pup may see the older dog as weak and therefore try to take over her.
Hormonal changes on a female pup’s body, as well as their heat cycle and pheromones, have an impact on their aggressiveness.
Female pups love fighting for their owner’s attention to the point that it already leads to death. This is not an exaggeration.
Two females and one male mean competition on breeding rights, which creates a huge problem.
Some female French Bulldogs get along well with another female, but this is very rare. If you plan to adopt two puppies of the same gender, consider the consequences of doing so.
Differences in Guarding Skills
Male French Bulldogs
In most cases, male French Bulldogs are more territorial than their female counterparts. They like to pee and mark their walking paths even if it is inside the house.
This characteristic directly affects their guarding behavior, but unfortunately, they do not have enough aggressiveness to become excellent protectors.
They may bark and alert you that someone is approaching your vicinity, but that’s the end of their guarding skills. They can’t deter a criminal because they are more likely to solicit petting from an intruder. They are perfect watchdogs, nonetheless.
Female French Bulldogs
When female French Bulldogs are still young, they aren’t as territorial as the males. You’ll only see them lounging around the house, utterly aloof to strangers.
However, as they age, they surpass the territorial tendencies of male French Bulldogs, and they start to be more protective of your property.
This behavior is considered favorable by many, but you probably need to retrain your female pup once it already goes out of hand. Here are some useful pieces of advice:
In troubleshooting your dog’s behavior, get back to basics. Do a refresher on obedience training to remind her about basic commands.
Practice your dog’s recall skills or coming when called. This will keep her out of trouble.
Give her rewards for obeying you.
Reduce your dog’s anxiety by keeping her away from potential triggers.
Desensitize her with her primary triggers once she is well-behaved and ready.
Differences in Family Companionship
Both the male and female French Bulldogs are great family companions, so I won’t be dividing this section to compare them. Instead, I’ll be presenting you with some of the reasons why owning them is probably one of the best decisions of your life:
Their exercise requirements are not that demanding, so they are perfect if you live in an apartment. They are even tagged as the top-ranked dog breed in San Francisco, Los Angeles, West Palm Beach, and New York City, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).
They love being cuddled and pampered by their owner and other family members.
They continuously beg for people’s attention since they are very sociable.
You can bring them for a walk or even when you go shopping because they know how to behave themselves.
They are not excessive barkers, so they won’t scare away your visitors.
They are mischievous and full of humor. You’ll find them very entertaining to be around.
Differences in Health Issues
Male French Bulldogs
In general, French Bulldogs are predisposed to a range of health issues like any other dog, including conjunctivitis, externa, diarrhea, and otitis.
However, a study conducted by the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) headed by Dr. Dan O’Neill revealed that male Frenchies experience more health conditions than females.
After analyzing the health records of over 2,000 French Bulldogs located in Wales, Scotland, and England, RVC found out that male French Bulldogs are more likely to acquire 8 out of 26 common diseases of their breed.
This is a significant consideration when choosing between the sex of the pup that you are going to bring home.
Female French Bulldogs
As you might have deducted from my previous description of the male French Bulldog’s health, female Frenchies are believed to be healthier than their counterparts.
In fact, based on the results of the same research conducted by RVC, out of the 26 health issues that French Bulldogs obtain, females are not likely to get any of them.
Dr. O’Neill clarified that this is possible due to the two genders’ different body sizes and hormonal profiles. These sex-associated differences in health issues are also reported on Border Terriers, German Shepherd Dogs, and Rottweilers.
Differences in Puppy Price
Male French Bulldogs
Male French Bulldogs are less expensive than females, with an average cost of $1,500 to $3,000. This varies depending on their coloring, location, and some other factors.
If you are looking for male Frenchies from top quality breed lines, it will cost you around $5,500 to $10,000. This is exclusive of all other initial amounts you have to shed off when you bring them home.
Female French Bulldogs
Female Frenchies are way more expensive than the males, with an average price of $5,000 to $15,000. This is because of two main reasons:
Female French Bulldogs can reproduce if their owners choose not to spay them. This means that they can give birth to puppies, which then can be sold.
Breeding them is expensive because they require artificial insemination and cesarean section.
If you are waiting for me to retract what I said, say that this is all a joke and French Bulldogs only cost $800 to $1,000, you’ll get disappointed.
The reality is, whether it is a male or female Frenchie you are looking for, you really have to spend tons of money buying them. In fact, some consider them the dog of the elite because they are that expensive.
Which Gender Is Right for You?
Let me recap some of the most important points I have discussed in this guide to help weigh your options. I don’t want you to close this tab still undecided, so here’s how you can easily figure out which gender is more suited for your lifestyle:
Male French Bulldogs are suitable for:
Those who live in small apartments.
Those who are living in the city.
Those who want pups that have a stable mood.
Those who are willing to play with an energetic and mischievous dog.
Those who want pets who constantly seek attention.
Female French Bulldogs are suitable for:
Those who live in small apartments.
Those who are living in the city.
Those who want a more docile dog.
Those who wish to own a pup that is easy to potty train.
Those who prefer dogs that do not manifest an alpha behavior.
Those who love affectionate puppies.
Related Questions
Do Male and Female French Bulldogs Get Along?
Male and female French Bulldogs get along fine. The laid back behavior of females balances the dominant tendencies of males. However, adding another pup to the family will definitely cause chaos because they don’t do well with dogs of the same sex.
Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot? Do They Make Other Noises?
French Bulldogs are not excessive barkers, but they can be excellent watchdogs because they are alert when they see strangers. They also make odd noises like snorts, grunts, and yips, which are very typical for their breed.
Can French Bulldogs Swim?
Unfortunately, French Bulldogs, whether male or female, don’t have the ability to swim even though they love the water. They have a front-heavy structure, so they find it hard to float. They shouldn’t be left in a pool, a tub, or any body of water unattended.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the difference between male and female French Bulldogs is not that significant compared to other dog breeds like Dobermans and Pitbulls.
However, there may be some physical and behavioral characteristics that you might prefer over the other, so you should still be knowledgeable about both genders.
If you are having difficulties choosing, remember that despite differing dispositions, French Bulldogs are very much trainable, so there isn’t a temperament issue that can’t be fixed with early obedience training and socialization.
There are also several ways to retrain them, so whether you bring home a male or a female pup, you will be able to handle them. That is, of course, if you bought your dog from a reputable breeder.
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