The Frenchton is a cross between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier. With the pointed ears of a Frenchie and the athletic build of a Boston Terrier, this mix inherits the best traits from both parents.
Also known as the Frenchbo and Froston, they are as playful as their name sounds! They have a mischievous side and quickly become the entertainer of any family.
Frenchtons make the perfect family-friendly breed. This mix is also great for first time owners thanks to their loving, easy-going nature. They are well known for becoming intensely loyal to their owners.
This mix does well in smaller spaces and is well suited to those living in flats or with small gardens. 30 minutes of daily exercise will be enough to keep them happy and healthy.
Keep on reading to learn everything you need to know about this breed. We share what it’s like to own one, their temperament, price, and much more…
Table of Contents
- What Is A Frenchton?
- Quick Facts
- History
- Frenchton Temperament
- Are They Good With Families?
- Are They Good With Pets?
- Appearance
- Color
- Size
- Do Frenchtons Shed?
- How Much Are Frenchton Puppies?
- Care
- Feeding
- Grooming
- Exercise
- Training
- Health Issues
- Frenchton vs French Bulldog Differences
- Summary
What Is A Frenchton?
The Frenchton is a mix between a Frenchie and Boston Terrier.
In some cases these dogs are a first generation hybrid. This means the parents of the puppy are a Boston Terrier and a French Bulldog. In this case the puppy is 50% each parent. Some breeders will produce a different type of Frenchton known as F1B. This results in a puppy which is 75% French Bulldog and 25% Boston Terrier.
This type of breeding is also used for Goldendoodles which is why you can also have F1 and F1b Goldendoodles.
The first Frenchton is thought to have been bred during the 1990s in the United States.
Their goal was to create a healthier alternative to the brachycephalic French Bulldog. However, they wanted to keep their famous big pointy ears, cute face and loving heart. They combined these traits with the athleticism and intelligence of the healthier Boston Terrier to get the best of both worlds.
Though its parents were both bred for bull baiting, this mix was bred for pure companionship. This trait truly comes in their bubbly and loyal personality.
Despite the French Bulldog being ranked the second most popular dog breed in 2021, this hybrid is still quite rare. They are yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club, but they are recognized by the International Designer Canine Registry and other breed registries.
A fun fact about Frenchtons is that they are known by more than six different names:
- Faux French Bulldog
- Bulldog Terrier
- Frenchie Terrier
- Boston Bulldog
- Froston
- Frenchbo
Overall they are an extremely loyal, affectionate mix well suited to family life.
Quick Facts
| Parents | French Bulldog and Boston Terrier |
|---|---|
| Size | 9 to 15 inches. |
| Weight | 15 to 25 pounds, males tend to be heavier than females. |
| Coat | Short, smooth/flat. |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Colors | Black, white and cream are common. Brindle, merle and blue are all rare. |
| Temperament | Loyal, loving, playful and intelligent. |
| Family Friendly | Yes |
| Barking | No |
| Training | Moderate to easy with positive reinforcement, but sometimes stubborn. |
| Walking | 30 minutes a day. |
| Grooming | Once a week. |
| Lifespan | 8 to 15 years. |
| Health | Respiratory issues, obesity, eye problems, patellar luxation and hip dysplasia. |
| Price | $500 to $3,000 |
History
The Frenchton is a mix between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier that was first bred in the 1990s.
French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are both historic working breeds.
The French Bulldog was developed in the north of France around the 1800s. They come from the English Toy Bulldog and the French Mastiff. They are loved for their upright ears, cute face and small size.
Boston Terriers were bred in New England in the 1890s. They were the first American breed ever recognized by the Kennel Club and were bred as a mix of multiple terrier and bulldogs, including the French Bulldog. They are famous for their black and white ‘tuxedo’ coats.
Frenchton Temperament
On the hunt for a clever, loving family pet that does not take itself too seriously? Look no further than this hybrid.
| Breed Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Family Friendly | ★★★★★(5) |
| Energy | ★★★★★(2) |
| Training | ★★★★★(4) |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★(5) |
| Barking | ★★★★★(2) |
You get all the best bits of the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier in a Frenchton.
Social, loveable, and eager to please are the words most often used to describe this mix.
Something to keep in mind is that thanks to their intelligent Boston Terrier parent they do have a stubborn side. But their eagerness to please normally means they are willing to do all sorts of exciting tricks. Here’s some fun tricks to get started!
Frenchtons love human company and enjoy giving and receiving attention.
This makes them extremely fun to be around, but also can lead to separation anxiety. Because of this they are best suited to a household where at least one person is home during most hours of the day. If not you can expect destructive behaviors like chewing cushions and excessive digging.
Are They Good With Families?
Frenchtons are ideal family dogs! Loving and loyal, they will slot right into any family setting with children of any age. Just be sure to teach kids how to approach dogs and always supervise them.
These dogs are very sociable and do not like to be left alone. A large family with lots going on would certainly suit them well. They enjoy regular cuddles and snoozes on a couch or their owner’s lap and are very eager to meet new people.
Are They Good With Pets?
In general Frenchtons will get along well with cats, rabbits and other pets. They can sometimes be unhappy with other dogs in the same house and some become a bit nippy with other dogs.
Care must always be taken during puppyhood to socialize them with other dogs. Introduced in the right way these dogs can accept a doggy sibling, but it is not ideal and they much prefer being the only dog in a house.
Appearance
No two Frenchton dogs will look the same.
In general you can expect a puppy to look more like their French Bulldog parent with the nose of a Boston Terrier.
This means they will have a large, square head with beautiful round eyes and ‘bat ears’. All of these traits combined make them irresistibly adorable. Their squarish head is similar to that of a French bulldog, but they usually have larger, more rounded eyes.
Their body often looks quite barrel-shaped and compact with stubby legs. Interestingly they normally inherit the short tail of a Boston Terrier.
Color
The most common colors are black, brown, white and cream. Some patterns such as brindle, merle and blue are rare, but sought after when in a ‘tuxedo’ pattern. Blue frenchtons are very popular, as are Blue French bulldogs. They have a silver-grey color that looks almost icy.
What color you get will depend on their parents as Frenchies come in over 25 different colors. Most pups have brown eyes, but blue and merle pups can have blue eyes.
Something to consider is that merle frenchtons have been linked to a variety of health issues. Merle is a unique pattern of black or colored patches on a white, cream or sometimes grey body.
Size
There is no set standard size for how big do frenchtons get because they are a mix, but one thing you can expect is a small dog. The average size of a full grown frenchton is between 9 to 15 inches. Due to their muscular bodies they can weigh 15 to 25 pounds which is heavy for their size.
Do Frenchtons Shed?
Frenchton dogs have short, dense and straight coats which means they should not shed too much.
Their fur is not hypoallergenic, but these dogs only shed seasonally and in moderate amounts. You may find some hairs around the house, especially in their favorite sleeping spot.
Short and shiny their coat requires brushing only once or twice each week.
They do not have a double coat which makes temperature regulation hard for them, especially in very cold or warm climates. Some individuals may need a doggy coat in the winter to keep warm. Others may have sensitive skin and require sun cream on sunny days.
How Much Are Frenchton Puppies?
You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $3,000 for a frenchton puppy. The higher price is often for puppies born via caesarean due to the narrow hips of French bulldogs. Puppies born to Frenchton mothers can get expensive as these females can only be bred through artificial insemination.
Litter sizes are often small at between three to four puppies.
A good sign when looking for a frenchton puppy is that the breeder is offering the puppy fully wormed and microchipped with vaccination certificates.
Finding a frenchton breeder can be a little difficult as they are a mixed breed.
The first sign of a good breeder is that you can take a look at both parents of your puppy. Find out if the parents have any health issues. Also find out how easy the parents are to train and their temperament. This may influence how easy your puppy might be to train.
You can also check their reviews beforehand and have a list of questions to ask, for instance:
- What type of hybrid are the puppies? They can either be a ‘F1 hybrid’ which is a boston terrier mixed with french bulldog. Some puppies can be a F1b hybrid which is a Frenchton French Bulldog mix.
- Can I see the health certificate of the parents?
- What is the mother’s breeding frequency? Breeding should not be less than every 12 months and she should not have had more than three litters.
- Have the puppies had their first vaccination and any flea or worming treatment?
French Bulldog puppies are usually quite small and Frenchton puppies are not much bigger. Their ears may be floppy at first and straighten up with age as the cartilage in the ear hardens.
It is important that puppies are socialized during their ‘critical period’ from three to ten weeks old. They must not be removed from their mother until they are at least eight weeks old. Socialization should be different smells, sounds and textures and be a gradual process.
Care
Feeding
Feeding a Frenchton is not very complicated. They do well on a good quality kibble. The best kibble will be a formula to suit small dogs. This diet will have all the nutrients and essential vitamins they need in it.
Be sure to stick to the feeding guide for their weight as changes in their diet can quickly cause weight gain. Most owners will feed 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of kibble each morning and evening. Aim to feed 20 calories per pound of body weight each day.
You can give your dog treats, but stick to feeding them during training.
Chew treats like pigs’ ears can be a great way to keep them entertained, but they must only use them under supervision.
Grooming
The Frenchton does not need too much grooming as it is a short-haired dog.
RELATED: Fluffy Frenchie: Long-Haired French Bulldog Breed Information
Brushing once a week with a bristle brush should be more than enough. It is also a great way of bonding with your dog and checking them over for anything abnormal on their body.
When you are grooming use a pet wipe or a warm flannel to clean between their face folds, especially around the muzzle. Dirt can easily build up in these little folds.
Frequent bathing is not recommended as this can lead to skin conditions. Instead you should use a warm flannel to wipe areas of the skin that have become dirty.
Care should be taken to ensure their nails do not get too long, especially if they mostly walk on soft or uneven surfaces. Nail clipping is usually done once a month.
Exercise
The Frenchton does not need too much exercise and will be happy with a 30 minute walk every day. Owners should make sure their exercise is not too intense, especially during hot or humid weather.
Taking different routes and varying walk times is a good idea to prevent boredom. They are intelligent dogs so keeping them entertained throughout the day with games, training, and playing with toys will help keep them happy.
Frenchtons cannot swim and should never be left unattended near a pool or lake.
Even though these dogs are energetic and lively, they love a good snooze and can be asleep for up to 14 hours a day.
Training
Most Frenchtons are easy to train and do not require experienced owners.
The best approach to training these little guys is positive reinforcement. This involves rewarding your dog when they display good behavior and ignoring bad behaviors. Treats and verbal praise are great rewards for them.
Some have a slightly stubborn streak and will require more patience and dedication to train. Consistency is key, they will learn eventually!
Health Issues
The average frenchton lifespan is between 10 and 12 years, though some can live up to 15. Proper care, regular exercise as well as annual health checks are recommended to keep them healthy.
One of the goals for breeding this french bulldog boston terrier mix was to reduce the health issues seen in french bulldogs. But this does not mean the Frenchton does not have health problems. They are still a brachycephalic breed which means they are ‘short-nosed’ or ‘flat-faced’.
Their main health issues are:
- Respiratory conditions
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Obesity
Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome is a respiratory condition that can lead to breathing difficulties in short-nosed dogs. It can also make exercise difficult for them and cause sleep apnea.
Mild cases can be managed by reducing exercise in hot temperatures and avoiding excess weight gain. Severe cases require specialist surgery.
Another health issue to be aware of is their intolerance for extreme temperatures. Their short coats and little bodies make them sensitive to very hot or cold climates, they prefer mild weather.
Intervertebral disc disease is a slipped disc that can put pressure on the spinal cord and cause pain and/or neurological issues like paralysis.
Many Frenchtons are food-lovers and are quite prone to becoming overweight. Obesity puts extra strain on their small bodies and compresses their already tiny airways. Correct diet and exercise are very important for this dog’s overall health.
Some slightly less common conditions include eye diseases such as corneal ulcers and cherry eye, and hereditary orthopedic disorders such as hip dysplasia and patellar luxation.
Frenchton vs French Bulldog Differences
| Frenchton | French Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Genetics | Fewer genetic health issues because of their Boston Terrier parent. | Many genetic health issues as a result of high levels of inbreeding. |
| Appearance | Has a longer muzzle and less bulging of the eyes. | Similar head and ear size as both dogs have large ‘bat’ ears. |
| Personality | Family-friendly, loving and a little more intelligent. | Playful and affectionate with a tendency to be stubborn and more independent. |
| Coat | Short, straight hair which sheds a moderate amount. | Short hair which sheds only in small amounts. |
| Size | Most Frenchtons are slightly taller and heavier. | Tends to be smaller and weigh less. |
| Health | Slightly larger skulls which reduces their chances of developing health problems. | A higher chance of developing breathing problems and chronic skin infections. |
| Energy levels | Slightly more active, but they still do well with a single short walk each day. | Short, high intensity bursts or ‘zoomies’, rather than intense exercise. |
| Price | Between $500 to $3,000 but they are very rare. | On average they cost more at $1,500 to $4,500. |
Summary
Frenchtons are a great family dog with a loving and loyal nature. Eager to please and intelligent, they can be easy to train with a little bit of time and patience. They make great pets and are loving beyond compare.
Since they only need 30 minutes of walks each day they suit a busy family. Just make sure at least one person is home most of the day. They do not like being alone for too long!
Frenchtons are slightly taller and more athletic than their French Bulldog parent. They also have fewer health issues and normally cost less.
If you decide to adopt a frenchton puppy you can expect them to be strongly affectionate towards you and immediately fit right into any family setting with ease and love.
