🦴 Updated on August 30th, 2023
Frenchies have always been one of my all-time favorite dog breeds. Naturally, when I decided it was time to adopt my very first dog, it didn’t take long before I settled on getting one of these bat-eared goofballs.
Unlike many of my other favorite breeds, french bulldogs have an edge. They don’t require a huge space. I live in a small urban apartment, and the space is at a premium. I couldn’t very well make space for a pit bull, but a Frenchie was another story entirely.
It’s important to understand just how big your dog will get, even a relatively small dog like mine. That’s why I put together this french bulldog growth chart!
How Big Do French Bulldogs Get?
French bulldogs count as a dwarf breed of dog, meaning they are pretty small. Dwarf breeds are known for their short stubby legs and sausage-shaped bodies. Other dwarf breeds include pugs, Scottish terriers, welsh corgis, and dachshunds.
The average size of a french bulldog typically falls between 11 and 13 inches in height. The ideal weight for a Frenchie depends on several factors (such as sex and age), but a good rule of thumb is that adults of 1 year or more will weigh between 16 and 28 pounds.
French Bulldog Growth Stages
French bulldogs do most of their growing in the first year of their lives. In that time, they go from helpless 10-ounce neonates to fully mature adult dogs. That’s a big transition! If you are adopting a young Frenchie (especially if you are adopting a puppy), this section is for you.
This is a guide to a typical juvenile french bulldog’s development. Use it to identify the stages all Frenchies go through so you can prepare to nurture your new family member into a happy, healthy adult.
The Neonatal Stage (Birth to 2 Weeks Old)
When french bulldog puppies are born, they are deaf and blind. They rely heavily on their mothers for food and care. Like human infants, neonatal Frenchies spend most of their time nursing and sleeping.
The Transitional Stage (2 Weeks Old to 4 Weeks Old)
A puppy’s transitional stage is a rough equivalent to human toddlerhood. At this stage, french bulldog puppies will begin to open their eyes, develop their sense of hearing and smell, and start taking their first steps.
You can expect to see a puppy barking, wagging its tail, and walking by the end of this stage. They will also begin to grow their first set of teeth.
The Socialization Stage (3 Weeks Old to 12 Weeks Old)
The socialization stage is one of the big changes. This stage of development gets its name because it is when socializing becomes a critical part of a dog’s life.
At the beginning of the socialization stage, french bulldog puppies are still highly dependent on their mothers. Still, they will begin to engage in social behaviors with the creatures around them.
They will play, explore their surroundings, and start forming social attachments. Puppies cannot be safely separated from their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old, but the 4th week is the ideal stage for you to meet the puppy you intend to adopt.
By the end of this stage, a healthy french bulldog will have weaned off of its mother’s milk and started eating solid food. They will also become amenable to house training and learning simple commands.
You can take a French bulldog training course (like this one) as well at this time to make it go smoother. The six-week mark is also the best time for a puppy to get vaccinated.
The Ranking Stage (3 Months Old to 6 Months Old)
During this stage, you can expect to see a lot of developmental milestones. This stage gets its name because it is the period when a dog begins testing out their social “rank.” It is when they establish dynamics with you and the other animals in your household.
During the ranking stage, your puppy will lose its baby teeth and, as a result, begin teething. At this stage, french bulldog puppies typically reach sexual maturity. You should plan to have your dog spayed or neutered between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
The Adolescent Stage (9 Months Old to 12 Months Old)
Phew! That was a lot of changes in a concise time. During the adolescent stage, your Frenchie will continue to grow, but its growth will begin to slow. Most french bulldogs will reach their adult size by the time they are about one year old.
French Bulldog Size Chart
That was a lot of information all at once, right? Not to worry! Here is an outline of the average size of a french bulldog throughout its first year. Bear in mind that all bulldogs are different, and every puppy matures at different rates.
This French bulldog growth chart will give you a general trajectory for your dog’s climb to adulthood, so don’t worry if your new pet doesn’t match up exactly.
| FRENCH BULLDOG AGE | FRENCH BULLDOG HEIGHT | FRENCH BULLDOG WEIGHT |
| 8 weeks | 5 – 6 inches(12.7 – 15.2 cm) | 5 – 6.9 pounds(2.2 – 3.1 kg) |
| 3 months | 5 – 6 inches(12.7 – 15.2 cm) | 6.9 – 9 pounds(3.1 – 4.1 kg) |
| 6 months | 7 – 9 inches(17.8 – 22.9 cm) | 16 – 18 pounds(7.3 – 8.2 kg) |
| 9 months | 10 – 11 inches(24.5 – 27.9 cm) | 18 – 23 pounds(8.2 – 10.4 kg) |
| 1 year | 11 – 13 inches(28 – 33 cm) | 23 – 28 pounds(10.4 – 12.7 kg) |
Frenchie FAQ
Do you still have questions? Read on for some quick Q&A about french bulldogs’ height, weight, and general health.
What Is the Average Size of a French Bulldog?
An adult French bulldog’s height is usually somewhere between 11 and 13 inches tall. The average weight of a 1-year-old french bulldog ranges between 16 and 28 pounds. Any weight higher than that is considered obesity.
When Do French Bulldogs Stop Growing?
French bulldogs officially reach maturity at around 12 months of age. This is when most of them will reach their maximum size. However, some Frenchies will continue to grow for a month or two after that.
What Are Some Factors That Can Affect My Dog’s Growth?
Your Frenchie’s sex is a deciding factor when it comes to height and weight. On average, a male french bulldog is 1-2 inches taller than a female and 4-8 pounds heavier! Male Frenchies also tend to be stockier than females and often have bigger heads.
Health is another big factor when it comes to deciding your dog’s growth. Eating too much or too little, for example, can result in unhealthy weight loss or weight gain.
How Do I Keep My French Bulldog Healthy?
French bulldogs are notorious for having health issues. It’s important to pay close attention to your dog and strike a balance that suits its needs.
French bulldogs need up to 1 hour of exercise per day. If they don’t get enough exercise, they are likely to develop health problems such as obesity.
On the other hand, Frenchies have short flat faces, which results in lifelong respiratory difficulties. This means that their regular exercise should be light to not trigger breathing problems.
French bulldogs are also a dwarf breed. Their small, stocky bodies are prone to musculoskeletal problems. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends that french bulldog owners get their pups evaluated for problems with their patellas, hips, and cardiovascular systems.
Before you bring a new french bulldog into your home, ensure that you have access to high-quality veterinary care from a veterinarian who has experience working with flat-faced dogs and dwarf breeds.
French Bulldog Growth Chart – Final Thoughts
Well, that’s the long and short of it! Or rather, the short and stout of it.
Owning a french bulldog is a rewarding experience. These dogs are endlessly social, quirky, and sweet. The least we can do is reward their companionship with a nurturing environment, and we can’t do that unless we know what to expect as they grow up.
Before you rush out and adopt a pup on the spot, make sure to prepare for its arrival. With this french bulldog growth chart in hand, you are well on your way to carving out a space in your home for a new Frenchie!
