French Bulldogs are love-filled little couch potatoes – what’s not to like about that perfect mix?
Some people feel that’s not enough and look for mini Frenchies.
Unfortunately, that causes countless problems for French Bulldogs! Miniature Frenchies are unhealthy and used by unethical breeders to make money.
I have two wonderful Frenchies. I want the best for them, so I can’t fathom why anyone would want to promote anything wrong within the
Here are 13 reasons why you shouldn’t look for a mini Frenchie!
Table of Contents
1. Miniature Frenchies Don’t (Really) Exist!
Mini French Bulldogs are French Bulldogs with (at least) one health ailment. Nothing more, nothing less! They’re not a different type of Frenchie like a Fluffy Frenchie is.
That’s right: a teacup or miniature
So, there’s no such thing as a mini Frenchie – only a Frenchie with a genetic condition.
Here’s a small comparison between Mini Frenchies and Regular Frenchies:
| Type | Regular | Mini |
| Weight | Between 9 to 13 kg | Up to 9 kg |
| Height | Between 24 to 35 cm | Up to 24 cm |
| Life Expectancy | 12 years | 10 years |
| Price | $2,000 to $15,000 or more | Up to $10,000 |
| AKC or FBDCA Recognition | Some but not all | No recognition |
2. Mini French Bulldogs Are Often Half Frenchie, Half Something Else
Most French Bulldogs are purebred dogs. In fact, there’s little crossbreeding in
One of those reasons is that (contrary to popular belief) crossbred dogs tend to have more issues than purebred dogs.
Some unethical breeders crossbreed Frenchies and Pugs to have a litter of half-bred Black French Bulldogs (and market them as purebred Black Frenchies – a common scam), for example.
Other unethical breeders may crossbreed Frenchies with smaller breeds (such as pocket dogs) to have a litter of mini French Bulldogs.
Unfortunately, this may cause countless health issues for that litter.
3. A Teacup French Bulldog Is Born Out Of Terrible Practices
Let’s talk about purebred miniature Frenchies. They can either happen in one or two ways.
The first one is dwarfism. It’s a genetic condition that decreases growth hormone production. That’s why dogs with this condition look more petite than others.
Unfortunately, Dwarf teacup French Bulldogs tend to suffer from:
- Arthritis
- Bowed limbs
- Cataracts
- Dental problems
- Spinal issues
And since these dogs suffer from a genetic disorder, people looking to breed them will actively spread regressive genes in the
4. Buying Mini Frenchies Promotes Bad Genetics (And Poor Frenchie Health)
Another (terrible) way of breeding mini French Bulldogs is to pick the weakest dogs from a littler (often called the runt of the litter) and breed them, so you get even more fragile and smaller Frenchies from them.
It’s highly unethical for several reasons. It’s playing fast and loose with genetics – and the life of future Frenchies!
Why is that? Because these breeders won’t single out weak Frenchies to give them proper care. They want them weak so they can make more small Frenchies to sell!
That means feeding Frenchies the wrong food and making sure they don’t have enough nutrients. That way, they stay small to be marketed as miniature Frenchies.
It makes me angry to think about it!
5. Most Miniature French Bulldogs Are Fragile
Mini French Bulldogs are a byproduct of different lousy breeding practices. However, the result is always the same: a fragile Frenchie.
Take a Frenchie who suffered from malnutrition during their puppy years, for example.
Lack of nutrients in dogs often leads to:
- Coat issues
- Depression
- Digestive trouble
- Mental health decline
Dogs with dwarfism suffer from similar issues since this condition is caused by decreased growth hormone production (which leads to multiple other problems, such as limb and joint ailments).
Overall, it doesn’t matter how a miniature Frenchie came to be. The problem is that they have weak joints, weak bones, and an overall weak body.
6. Mini French Bulldogs Have A Hard Time With Other People And Pets
Frenchies are born couch potatoes – but they also have incredible bursts of energy that make them zoom from here to there at lightning speed!
They are also very affectionate dogs. My Frenchies can’t go one day without kissing everyone they meet.
That attitude may result in playing a little rougher than usual – but it’s no problem because most Frenchies can handle that.
And you probably know why I’m saying most Frenchies: The sad truth is teacup French Bulldogs can’t have that same careless attitude that most Frenchies have.
For example, most vets recommend people with small children not to adopt a mini Frenchie because kids tend to injure these dogs. Larger pets can also harm them without intending to.
7. Mini French Bulldogs Have A Poor Life Expectancy
One of the saddest things I’ve learned about mini French Bulldogs is that they tend to live less than normal Frenchies.
And it pains me to say Frenchies tend to have a shorter life expectancy than other breeds. Veterinary care advances by leaps and bounds, so adult Frenchies today may have a longer life than their older cousins.
However, it’s difficult to prolong the life of ill dogs. Mini Frenchies often suffer from dwarfism or are the byproduct of stunted growth – and these two things will jeopardize their lives.
It’s also why they’re prone to health ailments, as stated above.
A small note: some sites may claim mini Frenchies live longer than regular Frenchies. A quick scan will show you the people saying so are the ones selling these miniature dogs. Beware of that!
8. Mini Frenchies Need A Lot Of Care, Love, and Money
Unfortunately, French Bulldogs tend to suffer from many health issues. That’s not to say yours won’t live a long, happy life!
Frenchies need love and attention – perhaps more than the average dog.
For example, Manny, one of my Frenchies, developed a rash not too long ago. The vet explained it had to do with a cleaning product I was using, so I had to figure out which one was doing harm.
So, yes, Frenchies need extra care, but nothing you can’t handle.
Mini French Bulldogs are downright fragile, meaning you’ll have to spend a lot of money on vet bills: these little dogs are more injury-prone than their healthy siblings.
9. Paying For Mini French Bulldog Gives Money To Unethical Breeders
You already know that breeders who sell mini Frenchies promote dwarfism, purposely breed weak dogs, and even stunt the growth of healthy Frenchies for profit.
So, what happens when you pay an unethical breeder for a mini
It’s never a one-and-done kind of thing. These breeders will use the money you gave them to breed more Frenchies, putting more dogs in harm’s way.
At the same time, your purchase swings the
When you see someone selling these Frenchies, you need to turn around and look for a better breeder!
10. Miniature Frenchies Have A Big Price Tag
Every
That’s right: French Bulldogs are expensive. Their prices range from a couple thousand dollars to over $15,000. You can learn more about
Breeders will not do you any favors when selling you a Mini Frenchie. In fact, they will charge a premium for them!
Why are mini Frenchies so expensive? Because breeders know they have a significant demand for these dogs. They feel they can charge you extra for that reason.
I’ve seen mini French Bulldogs with a price tag of nearly $10,000!
11. No Organization Will Recognize Your Mini French Bulldog (And Rightly So!)
I have talked about the American Kennel Club and the French Bull Dog Club of America before. They share a set of standards regarding what a valid Frenchie is.
If you’ve read a few of my articles before, you know I don’t agree with many of their decisions, especially when considering specific colors (such as Black or Blue Fawn) as a disqualifying trait.
In this case, it’s important to note that Mini French Bulldogs don’t make the cut – and I have to agree!
The reason why a standard exists is to prevent poor breeding practices. That way, you ensure every
12. Plenty Of Other Options For Those Who Want A Miniature Dog
Do you know what a teacup dog is? They’re also called pocket or toy dogs.
It’s a six-breed club that includes:
- Chihuahuas
- Malteses
- Pomeranians
- Poodles
- Shih Tzus
- Yorkshire Terriers
We all know Chihuahuas tend to have a bit of an attitude, and every Yorkshire Terrier I’ve met has a bit of sass! I also know Frenchies are not made to be the size of a teacup dog – for many reasons.
Their head is one of them. Frenchies are brachycephalic dogs, meaning they have shorter heads than other dogs. It makes them have difficulty breathing occasionally (that’s why they snore so much).
When breeders work to make Frenchies even more minuscule, their brachycephalic syndrome worsens.
So, let Frenchies be Frenchies, and teacup dogs be teacup dogs! You can choose one or the other or both – but let’s not mix the two.
13. The Average Frenchie Is Already Small (And Lovely)
I own a Pied French Bulldog and a Brindle French Bulldog.
Manny, the Brindle, is close to his second birthday, while Luzy, the Piebald, is less than a year old. Manny is already big and grown; Luzy is a little smaller – but they’re both equally lovely!
I’m talking about two mean kissing machines (with powerful hind legs to jump to your face if you don’t want to bend over). If you’ve ever seen a Frenchie, you know they’re on the smaller side of things.
Why would anyone want to make them even smaller? They’re perfect as is!
I’m biased because I love my two French Bulldogs – but I’m no stranger to teacup dogs, which are lovely and plenty. That’s the point I made above: look for a teacup pup if you want one!
What Should You Do Instead Of Buying A Mini French Bulldog ?
The best thing you can do is get a
They will offer you different choices (a wide range of colors). They will ensure your future best friend is thoroughly tested to screen for any health issues or similar problems.
Look for someone selling healthy French Bulldogs so no animals are harmed.
In contrast, someone selling miniature or teacup French Bulldogs is probably cross-breeding or promoting dwarfism in dogs. Nobody who puts puppies over profit would do that!
That’s not to say you should stay away from Frenchies, who are smaller than usual. Take them home if you spot one for adoption or rescue. They deserve all the love they can get!
Never pay for them, though.
What You Should Know
Mini French Bulldogs are not a particular type or breed but rather a product of unethical breeding practices. Breeders promote crossbreeding, dwarfism, and other terrible things when looking to get a litter of mini Frenchies. Therefore, it’s always better to refrain from doing business with breeders selling these French Bulldogs. You can always adopt or buy a healthy, normal Frenchie to get a new best friend!
