French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. With their charming personalities and expressive eyes, it’s no surprise why. But before you bring a French Bulldog into your family, you might be wondering how long they typically live.
In this blog post, barksinthepark.co will discuss exactly that – how long do French Bulldogs live? We’ll also delve into some things you can do to best ensure that your French Bulldog lives a long and healthy life.
If you want to be an expert on the life expectancy of this breed, read on!
Table of Contents
The Average French Bulldog Lifespan
So, how long do French Bulldogs live? The average lifespan of a French Bulldog, according to the American Kennel Club, is approximately between 10 and 12 years. Unfortunately, many French Bulldogs only last until the age of five or six due to their breathing issues.
However, this number can vary depending on the dog’s diet, exercise, and overall health. Their lifespans can also be affected by genetics. This is one of the reasons it’s vital that you buy your pooch from a reputable breeder. A good breeder will carry out genetic health checks on your Frenchie to give it the best chance of leading a healthy life.
Some French Bulldogs have been known to live up to 15 years or more with proper care!
With such short lifespans being fairly common, you may be asking yourself, ‘what were French Bulldogs bred for?’ The answer is that, amongst other things, they were bred to have adorable faces. Sadly, that cute little nose is why Frenchies have such bad breathing problems.
Factors affecting a Frenchie’s lifespan
While there are certain health concerns that commonly affect this breed (more on those later), these factors are out of your control and just come with the breed:
Genetics
The mother and father of a dog both contribute to its genetic makeup. Even personalities and behaviors are shaped by their parents‘ genes. Hip dysplasia and luxating patellas can both be caused by genetics, so choose a good breeder who doesn’t breed from parent dogs with these issues.
Breed
This breed has health problems (such as BOAS) due to its facial structure, which is an uncontrollable factor. Their flat faces and short snouts lead to issues with breathing and sleeping.
How To Extend A French Bulldog’s Lifespan
To extend the lifespan of a French Bulldog, it’s important to provide them with proper nutrition, exercise, and veterinary care.
This will ensure that they live happy lives. Below are a few easy steps you can follow to give your Frenchie the best chance of living a long life. Remember, genetics play a big role in the lifespan of a French Bulldog, too.
Diet
A healthy diet for a French Bulldog should include high-quality protein, moderate fat (keep the fat content low), and complex carbohydrates. When buying dog food, avoid any brands that contain by-products.
French Bulldog owners need to look for wholesome ingredients like whole-grain rice and lean proteins like fish and chicken. A well-balanced diet is key to a long and happy life.
A raw meat diet can also be super beneficial for French Bulldogs.
Overweight French Bulldogs can develop diabetes, joint problems, and heart disease. Make sure you ask your veterinarian to weigh your dog if you feel they are starting to gain too much weight.
The same should be done if you feel your dog is underweight, as this could be a sign of some serious health problems like parasites, thyroid disease, and even cancer. This is why regular health checks are crucial.
The average healthy weight for an adult Frenchie is around 16-28 pounds.
Physical activity
Exercise is essential for any dog, but the Frenchie is a non-sporting breed, so keep walk lengths limited. Short walks are best for French Bulldogs, but walks do still need to be frequent.
Getting regular physical activity will help French Bulldogs stay at a healthy weight, decrease the risk of health issues and improve their overall life expectancy.
As mentioned, French Bulldogs suffer from breathing issues, which tend to get triggered when exercising. So keep this in mind when taking them for a walk.
Ideas for physical activities include playing a game of fetch, going to the beach or going for a walk in the park.
Veterinarian visits
It’s important to take your French Bulldog to the veterinarian for regular check-ups and vaccinations. This means taking your pooch to the vet at least once a year. Of course, if you notice any changes in your dog’s behavior or appearance, you’ll need to take them to get checked more often.
Look after their teeth
Brush those teeth!
First, wet the toothbrush and put a pea size amount of dog toothpaste on the brush. You don’t have to use a lot of toothpaste as their mouths are very small.
Brush in circular motions, making sure you reach every spot. If this is your dog’s first time, reward them for good behavior.
Pay attention to those back teeth as that’s where the plaque build-up often happens.
Take care of their mental health
Dog toys provide mental stimulation. A French Bulldog puppy will need buckets of chew toys to keep them from getting bored! Toys help with separation anxiety and are great for releasing pent-up energy – mental well-being also contributes to your dog’s lifespan.
A good balance of activity, chewing toys, and a well-balanced diet will help take care of dogs’ mental health. However, all these steps are nothing without a little TLC.
You need to spend time with your dog (not that this will be a chore with a lovable Frenchie by your side!) and give it a lot of one-on-one attention.
You can take care of their mental health by:
- Giving them a good massage
- Giving them space when they need it
- Finding out what they love (using trial and error with different toys and activities) and giving them plenty of it!
Common Health Problems for Frenchies That Can Shorten Their Lifespan
Like all breeds, French Bulldogs are prone to certain health conditions. Some health problems to be aware of include:
Upper respiratory tract disorders
Kennel Cough
There are a number of different upper respiratory tract disorders that can affect French Bulldogs. The most common of these is kennel cough, which is a form of bronchitis. It can cause a severe hacking cough and can sometimes lead to pneumonia.
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a condition in which the trachea collapses inward, causing difficulty breathing. It is often caused by obesity and is common in brachycephalic breeds (such as Bulldogs and Pugs).
Intervertebral Disc Disease
Some people refer to this as IVDD, and it’s a spinal disease that usually occurs around the age of two or three.
Heart failure
Heart failure is a condition in which the heart fails to pump blood around the body properly.
Heart failure can lead to a build-up of fluid in the lungs (pulmonary edema) and other organs and can be life-threatening.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a condition that can affect dogs of any age, breed, or size. It is a congenital defect in the hip joint that can lead to pain, lameness, and arthritis.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome
Yes…some French Bulldogs will get breathing problems due to their flat faces. Symptoms include snoring, collapsing due to breathing problems, and overheating quickly.
Abnormalities that can affect French Bulldogs’ breathing are stenotic nares, elongated soft palate (there are treatment options available to surgically correct the problem), hypoplastic trachea, and laryngeal collapse.
What Is The Longest A French Bulldog Has Ever Lived?
The longest a French Bulldog has ever lived is 18 years and three months, according to the Guinness World Records. The dog, named Popeye, eventually died in 2021 of cancer.
Another French Bulldog called Ollie lived until he was almost 17 years old. Check out our tips next and you never know, your Frenchie might be the next record-breaker!
Do Female Frenchies Live Longer?
There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that female Frenchies live longer than male Frenchies. Instead, your dog’s life expectancy will depend on its genes and how well it’s taken care of.
The only difference between the female French Bulldog and the male French Bulldog is the price. A female French Bulldog puppy is usually a little more expensive because she can be used for breeding.
FAQs
Is 10 old for a French Bulldog?
Yes, 10 is fairly old for French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs have an average lifespan of 10-12 years. So, while 10 is technically old for a French Bulldog, it is not unusual for them to live to this age.
What is the most common illness in French Bulldogs?
The most common illnesses are respiratory system disorders such as brachycephalic airway syndrome.
Can French Bulldogs live 20 years?
It’s very, very unlikely. The oldest French Bulldog on record lived to 18 years. A French Bulldog’s lifespan is around 10-12 years.
What is the main cause of death in French Bulldogs?
Spinal and brain disorders are the two most common causes of death in French Bulldogs.
Do all Frenchies have health issues?
No, not all French Bulldogs have health problems, although a large majority do. Studies show that 72.4% of French Bulldogs have one of the health issues they are prone to.