The Brindle French Bulldog is like a toy version of a regular Bulldog and makes for a charming friend. The beautiful, dark coat with specks of gold and brown in it, along with the pointy ears and square face, make this pocket-sized bulldog recognizable and unique.
This stalky breed is friendly, loyal, and makes for a great house pet.
What is a Brindle French Bulldog?
As the American Kennel Club (AKC) states, the Brindle French Bulldog is a miniature version of the regular Bulldog. The AKC recognized this breed as the breed standard in 1898 and as of 2020, it ranked 2nd in popularity on the list of most popular breeds.
This dog is one of the smaller breeds, with a height of about 11-13 inches and weight under 28 pounds. Like a regular Bulldog, its face has heavy rolls of wrinkles and a short nose. The coat is smooth, shiny, and typically dark with specks of brown, gold, or cream.
The AKC classifies the French Bulldog in the non-sporting group, making this dog a great watchdog or house pet. It will not compete in sports for you, but it will keep an eye out for threats.
For more on brindle dog breeds, stop by our Best Brindle Dog Breeds guide where we take a look at the most common brindle dogs and their characteristics.
Are Brindle French Bulldogs Purebred?
The Brindle French Bulldog is recognized as a purebred dog. The advantage of this is that any potential dog owner can expect certain predictable characteristics, like its size, abilities, and instincts.
Bulldogs were originally bred in the 1500s and used as bull-baiting dogs. From this breeding came the iconic English Bulldog. These dogs were wildly popular in the mid-1800s and gained popularity in English houses during the Industrial Revolution.
When workers relocated to France during the Industrial Revolution, they brought their English Bulldogs which became popular with French breeders who bred them to gain breed uniformity, creating the smaller French Bulldog.
The French citizens took a liking to this small, friendly breed of dogs and thus are now known as French Bulldogs.
Brindle French Bulldog Colors and Coat Types
The French Bulldog comes in 9 colors AKC recognized breed standard colors, 4 of which are brindle:
- Brindle
- Brindle & white
- Cream
- Fawn
- Fawn & White
- Fawn Brindle & White
- White
- White & Brindle
- White & Fawn
It’s also common to see this breed with the following markings:
- Ticked
- White markings
- Black markings
- Black mask
- Piebald
- Brindle markings
These two lists of colors and markings represent a myriad of colors and patterns that can be found on these adorable and elegant little Bulldogs.
The coat consists of smooth, short hair that sheds less than other breeds. We have no doubts about why the French came to love this dog so much and we agree with their sentiment.
How Much Does a Brindle French Bulldog Cost?
The Brindle French Bulldog is cute, small, and loving. Because of this, this breed is very popular and expensive. Pet Price List states that it’s very rare to see a dog of this breed be listed under $2,000, and it’s common to see the price range to be between $3,000 – $5,000. The exact price depends on the dog’s color and blood purity.
Aside from the initial costs of the French Bulldog, there are annual costs to consider. Pet Price List estimates that the first year alone will cost $1,000 – $1,500. This accounts for food, physical exams, traveling or shipping costs, and other essentials.
For the years going forward, it’s estimated that you’ll spend around $700 annually on food and physical exams. If for some reason your pup gets sick, that cost will increase.
Where to Find a Brindle French Bulldog
If you take the route of purchasing your Brindle French Bulldog, we recommend you begin by visiting the AKC Marketplace for Puppies to locate a registered breeder to ensure you are buying a purebred puppy.
It’s important that you interview the breeder and check references to ensure that their reputation for well-bred dogs is legitimate. While the AKC registration eliminates puppy mills, it doesn’t guarantee that the breeder is ethical, so we always recommend that you do your research before you buy.
If you’re on the market for a Brindle French Bulldog, we recommend you reference this breed standard set forth by the American Kennel Club. This will give you an idea of what to expect from breeders claiming that their puppies are purebred.
How to Adopt a Brindle French Bulldog
Though Brindle French Bulldogs are expensive, we recommend checking your local animal shelter to see if one is up for adoption. Look up an animal shelter near you to see a list of available dogs. Let your animal shelter know that you’re looking for a French Bulldog, and they’ll be happy to contact you if they have one for adoption.
We also recommend that you check with breed-specific rescue groups and national foster care and adoption networks to see if there are any Brindle French Bulldogs near you that need foster care or a forever family. Even the AKC has a network of rescue organizations that they recommend.
Health, Wellness, and Lifespan
The life expectancy of a French Bulldog is 10-12 years in total. Lifespan can be maximized through regular exercise, healthy food, and regular veterinary checkups.
The flat face structure usually contributes to breathing problems. This breed of dogs doesn’t do well in hot or humid weather because it inflames their airways. They must be kept in an air-conditioned shelter during hot weather so they can breathe.
Here’s a list of other occasional health issues to expect with time:
- Eye conditions – cherry eye, juvenile cataracts or entropion
- Skin allergies
- Autoimmune skin disorders
- Heatstroke
- Abnormal vertebrae
- Hip dysplasia
Because of these issues, the AKC recommends that your beloved pet gets the following exams:
- Patella evaluation
- Cardiac exam
- Hip evaluation
- Ophthalmologist evaluation
Brindle French Bulldog Exercise Needs
French bulldogs aren’t the most active breed of dogs. A brisk walk through the neighborhood or a small game of fetch should be sufficient to keep them healthy.
WARNING: Breathing will be challenging if they are exerted too much, so they must be given ample rest.
In addition, swimming isn’t an exercise recommended for French bulldogs. Because of their heavy and short faces, they can’t swim well and should never be left around water without supervision.
Brindle French Bulldog Grooming Needs
Though not as strenuous as long-haired breeds, grooming is still a must for the proper care of your pup. It’s important to brush the pup’s coat weekly to keep it shiny and remove loose hair. Unless your Frenchie gets dirty, bathing is only needed every couple of months.
Teeth brushing and trimming of nails is also important to prevent gum and teeth problems and to keep up with general hygiene. We highly recommend consulting your veterinarian for guidance on these vital grooming rituals.
What Kind of Temperament Do Brindle French Bulldogs Have?
One of the reasons people love this breed of dogs so much is their loving and affectionate temperament. If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, this dog is for you because they absolutely love cuddles.
They’re also incredibly loyal and friendly. They’re great around other pets because of their typically non-aggressive disposition.
Are French Bulldogs Good With Children?
French bulldogs do exceptionally well around children. Because of their loving and warm temperament, they warm up quickly to everyone in the house, children included.
Do French Bulldogs Make Good Pets for First-Time Pet Owners?
The French Bulldog is overall an easy dog to manage. Their friendly disposition and calm demeanor make them a good breed to break in any new dog owner into the responsibilities of a pet parent. If you’re a homebody, we believe this companion will be especially perfect for you.
They do develop health issues with time, but this is to be expected, especially in the later years. With the proper health care and regular visits to a vet, those health issues will be manageable.
If you’re a first-time dog owner considering welcoming a French Bulldog, we encourage you to take the plunge! If you’re still unsure of your decision, we invite you to check out another article we wrote on the 20 Best Dogs For First-Time Owners.
Brindle French Bulldog Facts at a Glance
In summary, here’s a quick glance at the main facts to reference as you decide if this is the breed you want to welcome into your life.
| Life Span | 10-12 years |
| Height | 11-13 inches |
| Weight | 28 pounds maximum |
| Suitable For | Singles, couples, children |
| Grooming requirements | Weekly brushing, bathing every few months, teeth brushing, nail trimming |
| Health Concerns | Breathing problems, eye conditions, autoimmune diseases, skin conditions, cardiac issues, allergies |
| Temperament | Loving, cuddly, warm |
Overall, we believe that the lucky owner of a Brindle French Bulldog will be extremely happy with their choice of a furry friend. The cute, tiny pup with a loving, cuddly personality – what’s not to love?
