Frenchton Breed: Your Complete Guide
What do you get when you breed a French bulldog and a Boston terrier? A Frenchton, of course! This adorable breed is friendly, outgoing, and even a little silly. They’ve captured the hearts of many, and are a great option for those looking for a family pet.
If you want to learn more about the Frenchton and see if it is the right breed for you, then you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we will be answering many common questions people have about the Frenchton breed. You will learn about the breed’s history, size, temperament, intelligence level, energy level, grooming needs, health problems, feeding requirements, and more.
Quick Look at the Frenchton
Below, we’ve provided a chart that provides a quick overview of the Frenchton. Here, you can easily learn about this breed’s size, temperament, lifespan, and more.
| Weight/Height | 15-25lbs, 11-16in. |
| Coat Type | Short, straight, smooth or coarse |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding | |
| Temperament | Friendly, affectionate, playful, curious, outgoing |
| Good With Kids |  |
| Good With Other Animals |  |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
What Is the History of Frenchtons?
Frenchtons are a mix between French bulldogs and Boston terriers. It is believed that the two breeds were mixed in an attempt to not only bring the positive traits of both breeds together but also to lessen the occurrence of the health problems faced by French bulldogs, especially.
The Frenchton is a relatively new breed having first been bred around the mid 1990s. Its parent breeds, however, are not new at all. The French bulldog’s history dates all the way back to the 1800s in England. Back then, it wasn’t the Frenchie we know today, but it was known as a mascot for Nottingham’s lace makers.
After decades of being crossed with other breeds, the French bulldog found its way to Paris where it became popular, especially among affluent individuals who enjoyed cafes and nightlife. In the early 1900s, Americans solidified the bat ear as the correct ear type for a purebred Frenchie, which is now iconic to them today.
As for the Boston terrier, it traces its roots back to a specific dog that existed in the late 1860s named Judge. Judge was a mix between a bulldog and a white English terrier (now an extinct breed).
Judge was sold a couple of times until he finally ended up with Robert C. Hooper, who lived in Boston. Hooper bred Judge with other dogs in Boston, and those dogs bred with others, until eventually, today’s Boston terrier came into existence.
Today’s Bostons are much smaller, sweeter, and less muscular than Judge was, but they make better companion dogs than their ancestors, who were originally bred during a time when dog fighting was at its peak in popularity.
What Do Frenchtons Look Like?
Since Frenchtons are a mixed breed, we can look to the parent breeds to get a sense of what color a Frenchton might be. The main colors that make up the parent breeds’ coats include white, black, seal (a shade of brown), fawn, brindle, and cream.
Though French bulldogs can be solid colors, they are often a mix of two colors. Boston terriers are always a mix of two colors. Between the two breeds, these colors include brindle and white, white and brindle, fawn and white, white and fawn, black and white, seal and white, black brindle and white, seal brindle and white, and fawn brindle and white.French bulldogs can also have a number of different markings, such as black markings, white markings, brindle markings, and black masks. They can also be piebald or ticked. Frenchtons could be born as any of the colors we’ve listed and they could also be born with any of the aforementioned markings.
What Size Is a Frenchton?
Frenchtons are typically small dogs. They tend to weigh between 15 and 25 pounds and stand between 11 and 16 inches tall.
What Is a Frenchton’s Coat Type and Length?
The Frenchton’s coat is made up of short, straight hair. French bulldogs are known for having somewhat coarse hair, whereas Boston terriers usually have a sleek coat. As such, the texture of the Frenchton’s coat could take after either.
What Is a Frenchton’s Temperament?
Frenchton’s have lovely personalities. They tend to be playful, friendly, happy-go-lucky, and affectionate. They are laid back in the sense that they can get along with just about anyone, whether that be people or dogs.
Are Frenchtons Good With Kids?
Frenchtons are good with children, including young children. However, because the breed is relatively small, kids need to be gentle lest they accidentally hurt the dog. Parents should always supervise play between children and dogs to ensure that both parties are playing safely.
Are Frenchtons Good With Other Animals?
Though today’s French bulldogs and Boston terriers were not bred to hunt, some of their ancestors likely were. Many owners of Frenchies and Boston terriers have shared experiences of their dogs trying to chase animals such as squirrels, rabbits, chipmunks, and even lizards.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be a surprise for a Frenchton to exhibit a similar prey drive. That said, this doesn’t mean you cannot have any other types of pets in the house.
Frenchtons can often get along with cats, and with proper socialization will also leave other types of pets alone, even prey animals. Just make sure to always supervise a Frenchton around other animals, and keep them separate when you’re not available to do so.
Are Frenchtons Aggressive?
Frenchtons are not known for being aggressive. However, it is important to note that any breed of dog can become aggressive if they are not properly socialized while they are a puppy. Make sure to expose Frenchton puppies to various people, animals, sights, sounds, and experiences so that they can be confident and friendly as grown-ups.
Do Frenchtons Bark?
Neither the French bulldog nor the Boston terrier are known for being barkers. This means that the Frenchton, too, will likely be a relatively quiet breed. This isn’t to say that they will never bark, but rather that they will only bark if they feel it is necessary, such as to alert you to the presence of a visitor.
Are Frenchtons Affectionate?
Frenchtons tend to be affectionate dogs who enjoy spending time with their owners. Some of them do enjoy cuddling, whereas others aren’t as keen on being lap dogs. However, they may show affection in other ways such as curling up to sleep next to you or insisting they share the bed. Frenchtons are quite friendly and tend to warm up to strangers quickly.
Are Frenchtons Intelligent?
Both French bulldogs and Boston terriers are considered to be smart and good learners. Boston terriers tend to be more curious, and both breeds tend to be alert. So, Frenchtons will likely be a dog with average intelligence – they aren’t quite as smart as breeds like the border collie, but they aren’t slow, either.
Are Frenchtons Energetic?
Frenchtons have a fair amount of energy. They enjoy running and playing and will require a brisk walk once or twice per day. The great thing about Frenchtons is that they have enough energy to help you stay active, but, being small, their energy level is not unmanageable.
Are Frenchtons Easy to Train?
Frenchtons are smart dogs and are eager to please for the most part. However, French bulldogs are known to be stubborn at times, and this could carry over to the Frenchton. Similarly, Boston terriers can be quite sensitive, so Frenchtons may be, too. Be sure to only use gentle training techniques like positive reinforcement with the Frenchton.
Frenchtons are capable of becoming very well-trained dogs and can even learn complex tricks like play dead or putting away their toys. Unfortunately, they’re not a good fit for dog sports like agility. This isn’t because they don’t have the intelligence, but more so because they are a flat-faced breed prone to breathing problems.
Are Frenchtons Good Watchdogs?
Frenchtons have a friendly personality and tend to warm up to strangers quickly. In this sense, they would not make good guard dogs. However, they are alert and will bark when someone is at the door or on the property, so they could be good watchdogs.
Are Frenchtons Good Service Dogs?
Almost any breed of dog could make a good service dog: realistically, it is up to the individual dog’s temperament. Since Frenchtons are smart, don’t bark a lot, and can learn complex tricks, they could possibly be good service dogs. This includes psychiatric service dogs.
Because they are good with kids and strangers, Frenchtons could also make great therapy dogs. Since they are affectionate and energetic, they could also benefit someone as an emotional support animal.
The only thing to keep in mind with Frenchtons as support animals is their health. Frenchtons who are predisposed to breathing issues may struggle to keep up with an active lifestyle.
How to Care for a Frenchton?
Frenchtons are a relatively low-maintenance breed that doesn’t require a lot of grooming. Brushing once per week to remove any loose hair or debris is enough. If the Frenchton has face wrinkles, they will need to be kept clean and dry. Teeth should be brushed daily and nails trimmed as needed.
Finally, if the Frenchton has prominent eyes like the Boston terrier, they will need to be checked for redness and irritation daily. Regularly flushing the eyes out with saline drops can help prevent eye problems.
Do You Need to Groom a Frenchton?
Frenchtons are very easy to care for as they require minimal grooming. You will never need to take them to a professional groomer unless you prefer to have someone else bathe your dog. Otherwise, their short coats are low maintenance.
A quick brush once a week can remove any loose hair and keep the coat looking sleek. Do note that if your Frenchton happens to take after the French bulldog more and has face wrinkles, you will need to clean between the folds to prevent any gunk from building up.
Do Frenchtons Shed?
Frenchtons do not shed a ton, but they do shed consistently year-round and are considered a moderate-shedding breed. Because of this, they cannot be considered hypoallergenic.
What Health Problems Do Frenchtons Have?
Although it is theorized that mixed breeds are healthier, the Frenchton is still at risk for all of the same health problems as their parent breeds. These issues include:
- Breathing problems
- Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
- Patellar luxation
- Eye problems such as cherry eye, juvenile cataracts, or entropion
- Skin allergies and autoimmune skin disorders
- Hip dysplasia
- Higher risk with anesthesia
- Dental disease
- Heart disease
- Congenital deafness
- Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD)
- Reproductive problems
It should be noted that it is common for all flat-faced dogs to have breathing problems, regardless of the breed. For this reason, we would not recommend that Frenchtons be kept in hot climates. The skeletal structure of their heads may make panting difficult and stressful for them, which means heatstroke is a serious danger to them.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the parent breeds, especially French bulldogs, often have breeding problems due to the structure of their bodies. It is difficult for Frenchies to breed naturally. A French bulldog would struggle to impregnate a Boston terrier, though a Boston terrier would have an easier time impregnating a Frenchie as Bostons are a bit taller.
Still, it is important to think about your personal ethics when considering the Frenchton mixed breed. Many people feel that the breeding of French bulldogs and Boston terriers is unethical because their skeletal structures cause breathing problems and both breeds tend to require C-sections to give birth.
The Frenchton will not magically overcome these problems – it may be a mixed breed, but it is still a mix of two dwarfed animals with poor skeletal structures. In order to truly overcome these issues, the Frenchie or the Boston would need to be bred with a non-flat-faced breed with a better overall skeletal structure.
The Frenchton is a fantastic dog in terms of temperament, but again, the ethics of breeding these dogs are contested. It will be up to you to decide where you fall on this matter. Furthermore, if you do feel comfortable bringing home a Frenchton, you should be prepared to spend more on vet bills for this breed.
Some Frenchtons will be perfectly healthy dogs despite their less-than-ideal skeletal structures, whereas others will absolutely fall victim to the issues we’ve mentioned. Therefore, you must be ready and willing to care for a dog with such issues; otherwise, the Frenchton is not for you.
How Long Do Frenchtons Live?
Frenchtons live approximately 12 to 15 years. A balanced diet and the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation for your pup will help them live a long, happy life.
What Should a Frenchton Eat?
A Frenchton should eat the highest quality dog food you can afford. You can read the back of the package to determine the proper serving, or you can calculate your Frenchton’s daily caloric needs yourself.
Don’t forget to factor treats into your dog’s daily servings of food. We like to leave out 200-300 calories from their meals to be given as treats. Be sure to keep an eye on your pup’s weight and adjust the amount of food given as needed.
Remember that obesity increases your dog’s risk for issues like diabetes, pancreatitis, heart disease, arthritis, and even cancer. Feeding your dog the right amount of food and remembering to factor treats or table scraps into their daily calorie limit will help you prevent obesity.
Is a Frenchton the Right Dog for Me?
The Frenchton is a great option for someone who is looking for a small companion animal with a moderate amount of energy. They are playful, friendly, and affectionate dogs who are great with both strangers and children and would make great family pets.
They don’t bark a lot and are just the right size for apartment living. Because of their friendly nature, they would do well as therapy dogs.
Frenchtons may not do well in hot, humid climates as this can exacerbate any breathing problems they may have inherited from the French bulldog or Boston terrier. For this reason, we would not suggest this breed to those living in extreme climates.
Prospective Frenchton owners should also be financially stable as this breed is prone to a number of health issues. Though some Frenchtons remain perfectly healthy their entire lives, others may incur expensive vet bills.