Mini French Bulldog vs Frenchie: Differences & Similarities
Alex Vicente • Updated on August 1, 2023
- This review contains affiliate links. Read more here.
- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
With their big, expressive eyes, adorable squished snouts, and short, stubby legs, Mini French Bulldogs can melt even the coldest of hearts.
They’re just as cute as standard French Bulldogs, except half as big.
Frenchies are already small, to begin with, so just imagine how tiny Mini Frenchies are!
In this Mini French Bulldog vs French Bulldog comparison guide, we discuss the major differences and similarities between the two French Bulldog breeds.
By the end of this article, you’ll hopefully come to a conclusion as to what breed you should go for!
Table of Contents
What Are Mini French Bulldogs?
Mini French Bulldogs, also known as Miniature French Bulldogs or simply Mini Frenchies, are a breed of French Bulldog that is created in one of three ways: crossbreeding a standard English Bulldog and a Pug or Terrier, selectively breeding with French Bulldog runts, and introducing dwarfism.
Like standard French Bulldogs, Mini Frenchies originated in Nottingham in the 1800s by lacemakers.
They’re a direct descendant from Toy Bulldogs, which were used as lapdogs during the revolution in England.
Since Mini Frenchies are a mix of two breeds, they’re not accepted by the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Europe Kennel Club (EKC), or any other club of that kind. Still, Mini Frenchies are almost as popular as French Bulldogs, the second-most popular breed of dog in the US.
Mini French Bulldog vs French Bulldog: Similarities and Differences
Mini French Bulldogs aren’t just miniature versions of standard French Bulldogs.
They have their own unique personalities and traits that make them stand out.
Here are the biggest similarities and differences between the two to help you decide which one you should get:
Size
Let’s start with the most obvious difference between the two breeds: size.
As you might expect, Mini French Bulldogs are about half the size of standard French Bulldogs.
They stand at a height of fewer than 11 inches and weigh anywhere between 5 to 14 pounds.
In comparison, French Bulldogs are around 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 28 pounds.
The size and weight of Mini French Bulldogs depend on the dominant genes of their parents.
Since they aren’t listed in the AKC, they don’t come with stringent height and weight parameters.
Coat Color and Type
French Bulldogs have a single-layer coat with short, smooth fur.
They don’t require much maintenance; you don’t even have to clip or fluff them!
Simply brush them once or twice a week to prevent them from shedding too much.
Mini French Bulldogs are much the same, except they have a tougher coat with a more closely-knit texture.
They should be brushed once or twice a week with a soft bristle brush to keep them looking prim and proper.
French Bulldogs and Mini French Bulldogs also share the same coat colors, with the most common being brindle, fawn, cream, white, or a variation of these colors.
However, Mini French Bulldogs frequently appear in other unique shades such as blueish sable, sable, chocolate brindle, Isabella, and pure black.
You’ll also find French Bulldogs in these colors, but it’s extremely rare.
This is mainly because it’s difficult to find two purebred French Bulldogs with a diluted gene (a rare mutation of the MLPH locus).
It’s much easier to breed rare-colored Mini Frenchies because breeders don’t have to stick with purebred parents.
Temperament
Mini French Bulldogs share the same temperament as Standard French Bulldogs: affectionate, sociable, and even-tempered.
They can be stubborn sometimes, but nothing too destructive.
Overall, both French Bulldog breeds are fun-loving freethinkers who thrive on human attention.
It’s no wonder, then, that they’re the second-most popular dog breed in the US; they’re suited for almost every family!
Mini French Bulldogs are excellent companions for small children and other animals, not only because they’re much easier to handle but also because of their kid-friendly dispositions.
Plus, Mini Frenchies can’t knock them over because they’re super tiny.
Energy Level
French Bulldogs aren’t as hyper as other brachycephalic breeds.
They’re no couch potatoes but they won’t zoom around for hours, either.
The same can’t be said for Mini French Bulldogs.
Because they’re so tiny, Mini French Bulldogs tend to have an overabundance of energy.
But as long as you play with them for about an hour every day, their restlessness shouldn’t be a problem.
You don’t even have to take them out in the park; you can simply play with them in your living room until they get tired.
They’re a big bundle of energy, but they tire out quite quickly.
Intelligence
Mini French Bulldogs are just as intelligent as Standard French Bulldogs.
They’re no Border Collie, but they pick up commands fast—especially when trained at a young age.
Like Standard Frenchies, Mini Frenchies can be a bit difficult to potty train.
But once you get past that small hurdle, training your Mini shouldn’t pose much of an issue.
That said, both French Bulldog breeds are ritualistic, meaning they follow a certain schedule every day.
As such, persistence and consistency are key when training Frenchies of any breed.
You may also want to read:
How to Potty Train a French Bulldog: Full Guide
Health Issues
If appropriately bred, Mini French Bulldogs can live as long as Standard French Bulldogs.
Usually, this is between 12 to 14 years.
Unfortunately, Mini French Bulldogs tend to experience a lot of health problems because of how they’re bred.
Breeders usually select the smallest runt from one litter and breed it with the smallest runt from another litter.
Runts are often weak and in poor condition, so this way of breeding takes a lot of risks.
With proper care and puppy selection, the union between two small dogs may produce a pup with serious health issues in the future and a shorter lifespan.
Another unfortunate method of breeding is mating two dwarf French Bulldogs with each other.
Mating dwarf French Bulldogs almost always guarantees a Mini French Bulldog litter, which is why unreliable breeders do it.
However, Mini French Bulldogs with dwarf parents often suffer from chronic pains in their hips, back, and joints, as well as life-threatening breathing issues.
They’re much more susceptible to the health condition than Minis with “normal” parents or runt parents.
Final Thoughts
Mini French Bulldogs are about half the size of Standard French Bulldogs.
They’re less than 11 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh between 5 to 14 pounds, while French Bulldogs stand at around 13 to 16 inches and weigh up to 28 pounds.
About Alex Vicente
Dog Lover, Founder & Chief Editor at Paws Insider
I’ve been rescuing dogs since a very early age. I got my first dog when I was 9 years old and I remember how he, out of a litter of 6 puppies, started running towards me. He’d just chosen me. Ever since then, my love for dogs only grows stronger and I want what’s best for them. My mission is to let our readers know about the best products in the market for our best friends, as well as providing guides and tips on how we can take better care of them.
