Last Updated on September 20, 2023
Quick Summary: French Bulldogs go through several stages of growth from birth to about 18 months old. Understanding these stages and milestones is essential so your puppy is well-trained and healthy. Many people will use the puppy’s weight at 4 months old and multiply it by 4 to get an idea of how big their dog will be in adulthood. All in all, most adult Frenchies should not weigh more than 28 pounds and stand 11 to 13 inches tall.
French Bulldogs, also known as Frenchies are one of the most loved companion dogs in the country. You can recognize them by their large “bat” ears, muscular body, squished faces, and similarities to the larger English Bulldog.
Every dog is unique, so each one’s growth will be different. There are some general milestones and guidelines you should keep in mind as your puppy grows. This comprehensive guide walks you through the French Bulldog’s life cycle, from puppy to adult.
What Should You Expect?
French Bulldogs go through seven stages of growth, lasting from birth to about 18 months (about one and a half years) of age. It is important to understand the stages and milestones of French Bulldog development so that your puppy is well-trained and healthy.
Frenchies are stubborn and can cause problems during training. It is important to be familiar with the expected growth rate of your puppy so that you are prepared.
Important Reminders
Keep in mind that every puppy is unique. Every dog is unique. He can grow quickly at times and slow down at other times. This will fluctuate throughout his growth cycle.
The growth of your puppy is dependent on their diet, lifestyle, and physical activity. This is an average guideline of what you can expect. Your puppy might be smaller or larger. Talk to your vet if you have concerns about your puppy’s growth cycle.
Puppy Development: Timeline
Below is an estimate of the growth of your French Bulldog puppy along with a discussion about different developmental phases at each stage. Please note that each pet will develop at its own pace.
Normal puppy development will include growth spurts and lags. It is impossible to predict exactly how big a puppy would grow or what his personality will be like.
Males will generally be bigger than females. This information is intended to be a general guide. Always talk to your vet if you have any questions regarding your pet’s development and growth.
Birth to 2 Weeks Old
French Bulldog puppies at birth are deaf and blind. They can’t live without the support of their mother or a human replacement if they are unable to do so. Newborn Frenchies are able to touch and taste at birth. These senses help them find their mother’s warmth and milk.
Newborn puppies won’t do much other than sleep, nurse, and cuddle with their littermates for the first two weeks. At two weeks old, their eyes will open. These two senses will stimulate the puppy’s brain. Your puppy’s primary source of nutrition is their mother’s milk or a suitable substitute.
- Male: 1 to 3 pounds
- Female: 1 to 2 pounds
1 Month Old
At one month old, your Frenchie puppy should be able to use all of his senses. He will also begin to understand that different scents can belong to different entities. The puppy teeth will be growing in. Although puppies will soon be able to walk and take steps, they may not be able to stand straight up at first.
Socialization begins very early in your puppy’s life when he snuggles up with his littermates and mom. His sensory development takes place quickly at this time. His environment should be kept as calm and peaceful as possible. Although puppies can be adorable at this stage, it is important not to allow them to experience stimulation from outside or from other animals.
Puppy food can be introduced at around four weeks. At that point, the puppies will start to wean themselves from their mother’s milk. He is still unable to control his bowels or understand the signals. The first few weeks can be quite chaotic.
During the first few weeks of their lives, puppies should be as close as possible to their mother. He should feel loved, supported, and safe. These are his most impressionable days. His reactions to stimulation can be shaped for the rest of their lives. At this point, talk to your veterinarian about getting his puppy vaccinations.
- Male: 4 to 7 pounds
- Female: 3 to 6 pounds
2 Months Old
At two months old, your Frenchie should be able to stand on his own feet and start to show natural curiosity. Puppy will begin to sleep more at night and might start to understand how housetraining works.
Although your puppy may not be ready for training, he will learn more about how to control his urges and use the bathroom. You will notice a faster rate of weight growth if he eats puppy food all the time.
Your puppy will be energetic and full of energy but still requires a lot of tender loving care. He will become more independent, but you must be cautious not to let him get aggressive or assertive. It is crucial to control behavior like nipping at people or littermates as soon as it starts before becoming a bigger dog, which becomes routine behavior.
- Male: 8 to 12 pounds
- Female: 6 to 10 pounds
3 Months Old
This is the age when your puppy will begin to show independence. Your puppy will be curious about his surroundings and eager to learn more. This stage is very dangerous for him. He may become scared or feel threatened quickly. Be careful not to let him get caught in situations that could leave a lasting negative impression.
After three months, he is ready to start housetraining. Take time to be patient with him throughout the house-training process. This is a new process for him and you. He will need lots of positive reinforcement and modeling behavior in order to succeed.
It is not necessary to housetrain your dog in a set time frame. It will take several weeks for your pup to become housetrained. Be patient and keep your eyes open for the best. Your puppy will now be eating small meals several times per day.
- Male: 10 to 14 pounds
- Female: 8 to 12 pounds
4 Months Old
At four months old, your puppy will behave almost like a toddler. Your puppy will be very interested in learning about the world. He might also begin to evaluate his behavior and manners. He will start to show his stubborn side, even though his worst stubbornness lies ahead.
Around 4 months, your puppy will begin to lose his baby teeth. He will then get an entire set of adult canines. This process can go on for up to six months. This might not be the best experience for your French Bulldog due to his shorter muzzle.
Be aware of teething behavior, including biting and mouthing. He isn’t being aggressive, but he’s trying to soothe his pain. Your puppy will benefit from chewing on things, so be sure to give him a variety of chew toys as well as cold treats. This will reduce his discomfort and help prevent him from biting.
If your pup hasn’t learned how to play games yet, he is ready. You can teach your pup tug of war and fetch, as well as hide and seek and tug-of-war. You can take him on short walks around your neighborhood, but you should not take him to the dog park until he has been fully vaccinated.
- Male: 12 to 16 pounds
- Female: 10 to 15 pounds
5 Months Old
Your five-month-old French Bulldog will be a great source of love and laughter, and serve as a good friend. In the coming weeks, he will begin to notice hormonal changes. You may notice changes in his behavior as his hormones shift. Despite the fact that accidents are still possible, he should be able to housetrain well by this age.
Remember, he’s a puppy, so changes in his diet, routine, and overall development could sometimes cause setbacks when he’s house trained.
At 5 months old, he will be in the midst of his teething. Be attentive to his needs. He is growing quickly and maturing fast, but he is still young. Therefore, he will require regular training and guidance to instill good habits and behaviors for life.
- Male: 15 to 20 pounds
- Female: 11 to 17 pounds
6 Months Old
At six months old, your French Bulldog will enter puberty. You will now have the equivalent of a teenager. He can be quite the troublemaker.
Although he may be entering puberty and some information might suggest spaying or neutering, it is better to wait. Talk to your veterinarian about the best time to perform this procedure. Taking this step too early can lead to serious health problems later in life. Waiting too long can be dangerous.
At this age, he is still developing his immune system, personality, as well as his body, so interrupting this process with invasive surgery will not be a good idea for his overall health. He will see a slowing in his physical growth but will still gain weight over the next few months.
- Male: 15 to 22 pounds
- Female: 12 to 20 pounds
7 Months Old
Your puppy will be very active and curious at seven months. He will look more like a fully grown dog than a puppy. He should be able to eat with his adult teeth at this point and ready to explore the world. He should have all of his puppy shots completed and be ready to explore the world.
You can take him to dog parks or around other dogs, but be careful and watchful. You can’t expect him to be able to do the same thing in every situation. To help him learn the right behaviors, use positive reinforcement and patience.
- Male: 17 to 25 pounds
- Female: 14 to 21 pounds
8 Months Old
Your puppy is now in puberty. Now is the right time to start talking with your vet about spaying/neutering. Many vets prefer that your dog’s growth is complete before they start to perform spay/neuter procedures. They don’t want to stop musculoskeletal growth. French Bulldogs usually reach this stage in 9 months.
Your puppy is at the peak of his adolescence. He will require lots of socialization and exercise to keep him happy and healthy. Although his physical growth will slow down, he will still gain weight. French Bulldogs should eat two meals per day. It is important to give your French Bulldog high-quality, balanced dog food. Every breed is different and requires different types of food. If you have concerns about your dog’s weight gain, you can consult your veterinarian.
Continue to reinforce and practice your puppy’s training behavior. Your puppy will need to be outside with other dogs. You should supervise him at all times. It is best to keep your dog on a leash outdoors, especially if he’s not in your home or in a fenced area.
- Male: 19 to 25 pounds
- Female: 15 to 22 pounds
9 Months Old
Your puppy will still have some disestablished routines and behaviors at nine months old. Although he may appear fully trained, it is important to continue with obedience and behavior training. He is still a teenager and will test his limits.
He might be keen to establish his dominance over all other dogs, people, and pets in the home. Be ready to correct him if necessary. Talk to a trainer if your dog is showing aggression or destructive behavior. This behavior must be stopped as soon as possible. Although your puppy may be older, he is still developing and going through hormonal changes. This can have an impact on his behavior.
He needs to be active and take at least one daily walk. An unhappy puppy that has no energy or outlet will become destructive. Your puppy should not be trapped in a cycle of boredom or inactivity that leads to destructive behavior. This can lead to unruly behavior and even upset parents. It is better to correct any troublesome behavior immediately, even though it might take some time and repetition.
- Male: 20 to 28 pounds
- Female: 16 to 22 pounds
10 Months Old
Your puppy may start to get bored with his routine at around 10 months, and it might be a good idea to introduce some new stimulation. You can increase your dog’s walking time, give him new toys and offer new adventures.
French Bulldogs can be smaller than other dogs and may not be able to ride with you on long rides or walk for five miles. Choose activities that are gentle and do not cause stress to your dog. Your dog will sleep better if you give him more exercise each day. He should be working hard during the day and sleeping through the night.
- Male: 20 to 28 pounds
- Female: 17 to 24 pounds
11 Months Old
Your puppy is close to transitioning into adulthood and is almost there at 11 months old. He must be socialized and well-behaved and should know how to interact with other pets.
Although he will be able to manage his emotions well, emotional maturity is still not yet achieved. Your dog will have preferences for food, favourite games, and places to go.
It is time to schedule your dog’s one-year checkup. Also, make sure you ask any questions to your vet. Prepare to change him from puppy food to adult food.
- Male: 20 to 28 pounds
- Female: 17 to 24 pounds
1 Year Old
Both your dog and you made it to one year! It’s your birthday! Most French Bulldogs will be fully grown by now but will continue to put on muscle mass and fill out for up to 24 months (about two years). Females will gain a little more weight than males.
Puppy food is too high in fats and calories. An adult dog requires less than a puppy. Talk to your vet about the best food for your adult Frenchie. Also, exercising too much can cause problems with your dog’s weight and general health.
Every dog is unique. The guideline of one and a quarter cups of food divided into two meals is sufficient for him. Be wary of him stealing food scraps and other treats. This could lead to obesity or other health issues in his later years.
Your pup is now physically adult, but his maturity level is still not high enough. He will require regular training, gentle discipline, positive reinforcement, and regular supervision. He will continue learning new things even after he has reached adulthood.
- Male: 20 to 28 pounds
- Female: 17 to 26 pounds
18 to 24 Months Old
By 18 months, your French Bulldog will reach full maturity. If he isn’t being fed properly, he will not gain weight. Your adult Frenchie can be anxious about being separated from you because he is a very clingy dog. You should provide entertainment options for your Frenchie while you’re gone. He won’t like being left alone, so keep him busy.
Let’s say your dog still exhibits separation anxiety and clinging behaviours at this age. You might consider having someone watch your dog during the day or looking into professional dog walking or dog daycare services. Even as adults, Frenchies can be very selective listeners. To reinforce your dog’s good behavior, be firm but positive.
- Male: 28 pounds
- Female: 24 to 26 pounds
So, What’s Next?
Your French Bulldog’s mental and physical development will continue after the first year. If you are worried about your puppy missing milestones, consult your veterinarian. As long as your dog is well-behaved, gets enough exercise, and doesn’t eat too much, they should be fine.
Keep in mind that environmental factors, as well as genetic factors, come into play. Your pup still requires a lot of love and attention, and particular attention to his exercise and food needs.
Although he’s no longer growing rapidly like a puppy, he will still need to be trained on his socialization and emotional development as he enters adulthood. He will require training reminders throughout his lifetime and may learn tricks, work in therapy, etc.
Your Full-Grown French Bulldog
According to the American Kennel Club’s official standard for French Bulldogs, an adult Frenchie should not weigh more than 28 pounds and stand 11 to 13 inches tall shoulder to paw. Males and females both have large bodies and strong bones.
Although it is impossible to predict the size of your Frenchie, you can take a look at his parents’ measurements to get an idea. As a rough guide, many people will use the puppy’s weight at four months of age and multiply it by four to get an idea of how big their dog will grow at full-grown. Frenchies live on average 8 to 13 years.
Frenchie Weight Gain Chart
| Age | Male Weight (lbs. ) | Female Weight (lbs. ) |
|---|---|---|
| Birth – 2 Weeks | 1 – 3 | 1 – 2 |
| 1 Month | 4 – 7 | 3 – 6 |
| 2 Months | 8 – 12 | 6 – 10 |
| 3 Months | 10 – 14 | 8 – 12 |
| 4 Months | 12 – 16 | 10 – 15 |
| 5 Months | 15 – 20 | 11 – 17 |
| 6 Months | 15 – 22 | 12 – 20 |
| 7 Months | 17 – 25 | 14 – 21 |
| 8 Months | 19 – 25 | 15 – 22 |
| 9 Months | 20 – 28 | 16 – 22 |
| 10 Months | 20 – 28 | 17 – 24 |
| 11 Months | 20 – 28 | 17 – 24 |
| 1 Year | 20 – 28 | 17 – 26 |
| 18- 24 Months | 20 – 28 | 17 – 26 |
Important Factors to Consider
Understanding how these different factors affect your dog’s growth will allow you to better track his progress. Each dog is unique, and each dog will develop differently. These are all factors to consider when monitoring your puppy’s development and growth.
Genetics
As with all breeds of dogs, the genetic makeup of your French Bulldog will have a major impact on how big he will grow to be as an adult. Although there are certain breed standards, it is possible that your dog could have other breeds’ genes, which could affect his growth.
French Bulldogs can have a variety of genetic health issues. These conditions include hip dysplasia and luxating patella.
Physical Health
French Bulldogs can be prone to mobility problems. This can be genetic or develop over time. French Bulldogs may also be susceptible to a variety of respiratory issues. Brachycephalic syndrome is also responsible for their flat noses.
Brachycephalic Syndrome is a collection of abnormalities in the upper respiratory tract. Brachycephalic Syndrome is a condition that predisposes Frenchie dogs to breathing problems. Your dog should not be overworked. This could make breathing problems worse. To keep your dog healthy, it is important to engage in moderate and regular physical activity.
Proper growth and development are dependent on your physical health. Dogs who are unwell or in poor health will not thrive as much as puppies who receive proper care and love.
Don’t allow your French Bulldog too much exercise, but don’t stop him from doing enough. As a puppy, his overall health impacts his long-term health. Discuss breathing, growth, and other health concerns with your veterinarian. Regular checkups and vaccinations are important. All of these have an impact on his physical and mental health.
Growth Spurts And Plateaus
Your puppy will experience growth spurts and plateaus during his first year. He might grow quickly for a few weeks, then slow down for one month.
Although it is impossible to predict when a growth spurt will occur, don’t be alarmed if one does. Your dog is growing at an appropriate pace for his health.
You can support your dog’s healthy development by providing a safe home, regular exercise, nutritious food, and excellent veterinary care.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s growth, it is best to call your vet to make an appointment. These guidelines are only a guideline. It is not possible to give a precise time frame for your puppy’s growth milestones.
Neutering And Spaying
Spaying or neutering your French Bulldog early enough has not been proven to slow growth. This does not mean it is wrong to do so in order to manage behavior. Doing this too early could have a negative impact on your dog’s adult health. This can lead to joint problems later in life and other diseases for some dogs.
Some veterinarians recommend taking this step when your French Bulldog is around nine months of age, and others recommend waiting until 18 or 24 months if possible. Ask your veterinarian any questions you may have and keep an eye on your dog’s behavior and growth to help you make the right decision.
Nutrition
Your dog’s diet is a key factor in his development. Your Frenchie will be happy with high-quality dog food that is appropriate for his age. His mother’s milk will provide most of his nutrition from birth through three to four months. Talk to your veterinarian if you are unable to provide this. French Bulldogs need a diet that includes protein from poultry, meat, or fish. They don’t need a special diet. However, this breed does best on a low fat, moderate calorie diet with regular lean protein sources.
As a puppy, your dog’s dietary requirements will be different from an adult. Consult with your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog’s weight and learn what additional supplements he might need to maintain good health.
FAQs
Are French Bulldogs Too Expensive?
French Bulldogs are a pricier breed. They range from about $1,000 to over $4,000 for a purebred puppy from a responsible breeder. The price of top-quality purebred dogs is significantly higher. Frenchies can be found in rescues or shelters for a fraction of the cost.
Are French Bulldogs Challenging To Train?
Frenchies are stubborn and can make training difficult. If they are not properly trained, they can be very destructive. This breed is energetic and easy to please so positive reinforcement and praises are very effective.
Where Do French Bulldogs Come from?
French Bulldogs were born in Nottingham, England. They are a smaller breed of English Bulldog. They have flat muzzles and distinctive bat ears from crossbreeding with terriers.
Did You Know?
Most Frenchies are born via C-section. Because of the size of the puppy’s head, it can be fatal for both mother and puppy. Also, because of its awkward hip shape, this breed is not able to reproduce naturally. Artificial insemination is used for all breeding.
French Bulldogs can’t swim because of the combination of their head and body shapes. Their flat faces make it difficult for them to breathe in the water. They can’t float because their bodies are more muscular than fat – so they sink. Do not allow your French Bulldog to swim unsupervised. Don’t try to teach him how to swim. It is simply not his natural ability to swim.
French Bulldogs fart a lot. Because of their flat faces, they eat very quickly. Excess air can be ingested, and this leads to excessive farting. There are many books written inspired by the farting Frenchie and also special dog foods that may help with this smelly issue.
Conclusion
French Bulldogs make a great companion and family dog. They are a great choice for apartments and small homes because of their small size. They are friendly, playful, and affectionate dogs who get along well with their family and other pets in the household.
They can be clingy or develop separation anxiety. They are susceptible to certain diseases and have a shorter lifespan than other small breeds.
There are many factors that can affect the growth of your French Bulldog. Knowing the breed and what to look out for can help you be a better dog parent and make your dog live a happier life.
It is both a privilege and a huge responsibility to ensure our pets are happy from the first moment we meet them. It is important to take the time to understand the breed and their specific needs so that you can give your dog the best possible care. To ensure that your pet is healthy and to monitor his growth, you can always visit your veterinarian.