French Bulldog Lifespan: How long do Frenchies live?

The average French Bulldog lifespan is 10-12 years. A healthy Frenchie will give a lifetime of love if it is bred responsibly by a breeder who cares about health above all else. Read on to find out why the breeder matters, and how to keep your French Bulldog healthy.

A Long French Bulldog Lifespan Starts with the Breeder

When you meet a Frenchie, you quickly discover why anyone would want this companion breed to have a long lifespan. The French Bulldog has the best personality! They are funny, cuddly, loyal, and intelligent. They figure out from a very young age how to capture the hearts of their humans.

Unfortunately, the soulful eyes and grey muzzle that identify an elderly dog are rarely seen on a Frenchie. Because of the breeds popularity, more puppies are being sold by people that are only concerned about financial gain. Most of these poorly bred animals are unhealthy from a puppy, or they develop health problems as a young adult. Many do not achieve old age. Because of this, choosing a responsible breeder who cares about the health of the French Bulldog is so important.

A responsible breeder who truly cares about the French Bulldogs lifespan will do everything possible to ensure that their puppies have the best chance at a long, healthy life. Here are a few things to look for when choosing a breeder who breeds for health above all else:

A. The breeder will perform extensive health testing on their parent dogs and be willing to show proof of testing results. There are two major testing methods available to breeders:

Genetic testing for a breed-specific disease panel is necessary to determine if the dog carries genetic markers that may affect their health or the health of their offspring. A sample of the dog’s DNA is sent to a lab for analysis and results are provided to the breeder.

OFA testing determines the physical health of the dog internally. Breeders submit radiographs and veterinarian exam results for the breeding dogs to the OFA (The Canine Health Information Center) for rating and collection. This database houses information about all breeds of dogs.

The information gained from both of these testing procedures is a tool to help breeders make ethical breeding decisions in an effort to reduce inherited disease in future generations.

B. The breeder will be selective and will only breed the highest quality dogs that are breed worthy.

As a breeder, one of the hardest parts is being objective about the dogs that are chosen to reproduce. For example, if the above health testing is performed and the results are less than favorable, the dog should be placed in a pet home and not bred. The dog should also have proper structure and good temperament. When a breeder has invested time, money, love and care into a dog with high hopes for the future, discovering that a dog is not breed worthy can be devastating.

A breeder must also be very careful not to breed dogs that are closely related. Inbreeding and line breeding are both methods used to achieve consistent visual results in puppies. However, breeding dogs that are closely related can mean devastating health consequences for the puppies produced. A method called outcrossing produces the healthiest, strongest litters of puppies. Outcrossing is defined as breeding parent dogs that are not related to each other for at least 4 generations.

C. The breeder will provide a solid Health Guarantee, lifetime support, and a rehoming guarantee.

Despite our best efforts as breeders, sometimes the puppies we produce will have health issues. Responsible breeders cannot possibly test for every disease or illness. But a good breeder will provide a health guarantee for such instances. The breeder will also be willing to provide support, and a home if necessary, for any puppy that is produced. A good breeder will do everything possible for the health and quality of life of each puppy.

Once the puppy goes home and is no longer in the breeders care, environmental forces beyond our control can also affect the health of the dog. That is why it is so important for the new family to be aware of the health issues of the French Bulldog. This will help the new owner(s) to provide proper care for optimal health.

New Owner Tips: How to Extend the French Bulldog Lifespan

The first step to properly caring for your Frenchie so that he/she has a long, healthy life is to educate yourself on the health issues that affect the French Bulldog. The 4 main health concerns are IVDD, BOAS, eye disease and joint disease. We’ve highlighted them below, but if you’d like to read a good article for more information, please click here.

IVDD Intervertebral Disc Disease occurs when the cushioning discs between the vertebrae bulge out or rupture, causing nerve damage and paralysis. This affects French Bulldogs more than some other breeds because Frenchies are a dwarfed breed. Because they have been bred selectively over generations to be a smaller size, the skeletal frame including the spine can have deformities and anomalies which can contribute to the disease. It can also be caused by injury as well as environmental factors.

BOAS Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome affects dogs with shortened muzzles and can lead to respiratory distress. Because the airway is compressed it can be harder for Frenchies to take in air if they are overheated or overexerted. Specifically, the airway can be compromised by narrow/closed nostrils, large tongue, elongated soft palate, and/or a narrow trachea.

Eye Disease Frenchies can suffer from juvenile cataracts and cherry eye, as well as entropion and ectropion. These conditions are usually inherited. French Bulldogs are also prone to corneal ulcers that normally are caused by injury.

Joint Disease Hip dysplasia and luxating patellas (kneecap) are the most common joint ailments of the French Bulldog. These conditions can be inherited, but they also can be caused by injury as well as environmental factors.

The second step to ensure that your Frenchie puppy has a long, healthy life is to buy from a breeder that is aware of the health issues that affect the French Bulldog, and breeds with purpose to improve the health of the breed. As breeders, we can selectively choose to mate dogs together in hopes that a known issue will be reduced or eliminated in the next generation. For example, a dog with narrow nostrils can be bred to a dog that has open nostrils. A dog with an average spine can be bred to a dog with a better than average spine. Each decision made should be in an effort to improve health.

As mentioned previously, OFA screenings can determine issues that contribute to IVDD, trachea size, and joint health. Genetic testing can determine propensity for cataracts. If the breeder is not testing, how will they know what potential underlying health issues may be affecting their puppies?

The third step towards a long, healthy life for your pet is to provide proper care. Because many illnesses and disease can be brought on or aggravated by environmental factors, it is imperative that the puppy’s new family is prepared to provide the optimal care possible for the longest lifespan. Some examples are:

A. Feed a proper diet and do not overfeed. Nutrition that contributes to strong bones and muscles is imperative, but a Frenchie should never be too fat. Even a pound or two of extra weight is hard on joints and spine. It can also make breathing more difficult.

B. Provide adequate exercise. Both too little and too much exercise can negatively affect the French Bulldog’s health. A daily short walk or a play session in the back yard are sufficient. Make sure that your Frenchie is not climbing a lot of stairs, frequently jumping up on and down from furniture, or running/playing on slick floors without traction.

C. Protect your pet! Outside activities during the summer or when it is excessively hot and humid are a no-no for French Bulldogs. Do not put them in a situation where they can become overexerted and have no way to cool themselves down. It is also advised that you do not leave a French Bulldog in a car alone. A lifejacket is also recommended anytime a Frenchie is near water. Some French Bulldogs can swim, but most cannot.

The Dream Team: Ethical Breeder and Excellent Owner

Working together, a breeder and owner can lengthen the French Bulldog lifespan which results in a happy, healthy Frenchie for life! At RickJenn Frenchies we do all that we can to provide healthy companions for their new families. We are here for the long run and are happy to help with any questions or concerns about French Bulldog health. Please check out our Breeder Page to learn more about us and how we raise our French Bulldog puppies.

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