If you are looking for a small dog that is strong and playful, the Frenchton might be the right breed for you. This fur baby is a Boston Terrier French Bulldog mix. This mixed breed has a lovely temperament and a sturdy build, just like its parents.
The Boston Terrier mixed with French Bulldog is also known as a Froston, Faux Frenchbo, and simply as Frenchbo. These little pups are charming and suitable for families, especially those that like to travel. Frenchtons do not enjoy being alone, but they do well in small apartments and homes.
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History of the Breeds
As an intentionally mixed breed, this dog is relatively new. Due to overbreeding, pure French Bulldogs have had health issues, so breeders developed the Boston Terrier French Bulldog mix. Breeders began intentionally mixing French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers in the 1990s.
French Bulldogs are actually British dogs, as breeders decided to create a smaller version of the English Bulldog. Both breeds became popular all over Europe and in the United States, where they joined the American Kennel Club in the late 1800s. The first reference to a Boston Terrier was in Boston, and they first joined the AKC in the late 1800s.
General Information About the Frenchton
The French Bulldog mixed with Boston Terrier has several unique qualities that make it a popular choice for people who like friendly dogs that require minimal care.
- They come in four colors: brown, black, white, cream, and brindle.
- Most have a combination of two colors.
- Grooming is easy as they have short, shiny coats.
- You can train them with positive reinforcement.
- Some Frenchtons can have stubborn tendencies.
- They like to go for walks; usually, one per day suffices.
- This breed is active but also likes to relax.
- Frenchtons like children.
- These dogs do not like to be alone. They get along with other pets.
Size
The Frenchton’s size is what makes the breed so popular. Because the mixed breed is relatively new, standards have not yet been established. Since the parents of the mix are small, they weigh between 15 and 25 pounds. They tend to stand between 11 and 14 inches from shoulder to the floor.
Appearance
Frenchtons tend to look more like their French Bulldog parent rather than the Boston Terrier parent. They have the erect bat ears of both breeds but the flat face and round head of the French Bulldog. They have short tails and straight legs. Their eyes look like the French Bulldog, so they do not bulge like the Boston Terrier’s eyes. They have flat faces.
Coat Care
Because their coats are so short, Frenchtons do better in moderate temperatures. Their coats are too short to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. In fact, this breed needs dog sunscreen to protect their fair skin from the sun. If you take your Frenchton out in the winter, you should put a coat on him.
To keep your Frenchton’s coat shiny, brush your fur baby once or twice per week. If your dog needs a bath, use a mild shampoo.
Ear and Eye Care
Frenchtons have erect bat-like ears, and those ears get dirty. They need regular cleaning, which you can do weekly with an ear-wash solution. These unique ears can pick up parasites and debris. To avoid infections, check your dog’s ears daily. Use a damp cloth each day to prevent build-up in the ear.
Even though Frenchtons do not have their Boston Terrier parent’s eyes, they still need to have discharge cleaned from around their eyes. If you don’t clean eye discharge, it can stain their muzzle.
Health
French Bulldogs are so overbred that they have common health issues, especially relating to their flat faces that cause respiratory problems. By adding the Boston Terrier into the genetics, the Frenchton is a relatively healthy dog. They do need veterinary care with regular checkups. Most Frenchtons live between 12 and 15 years.
Frenchtons can suffer from the same issues that French Bulldogs have, especially respiratory problems and breathing issues. Don’t be surprised if your Frenchton snores, as both parent breeds snore. Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs have eye problems, especially cataracts, so the Frenchton can have that problem, too. Deafness is another common problem.
Short-Skull Problems
Frenchtons and their parent breeds are brachycephalic, as they have short, broad skulls. This type of dog can have a respiratory issue called Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. The problem includes physical abnormalities that create breathing difficulties. The abnormalities include:
- Elongated soft palate – the soft palate is too long for the short mouth and muzzle.
- Hypoplastic trachea – the windpipe is too small.
- Stenotic nares – the nostrils are too small.
- Everted laryngeal saccules – small saccules make the airway smaller.
Another issue related to being Brachycephalic is the inability to regulate temperature. While there is nothing that can be done to fix this problem, Frenchton parents can keep their dogs comfortable by not taking them outside in extreme temperatures.
Watch for Growth Problems
Another unexpected problem in a dog that is already small is a form of dwarfism called achondroplasia. This problem shows itself with legs that do not grow to the correct proportions with the rest of the body.
Feeding Your Frenchton
Frenchtons are relatively easy to feed, as they enjoy wet and dry food. Choose a food mixture for small energetic dogs. If you adopt your Frenchton as a puppy, begin feeding your fur baby with a mix for puppies. Then, as your Frenchton ages, adjust to an adult formula. Work with your veterinarian to choose food that is appropriate for your baby’s individual needs.
Even though the Frenchton likes to play, they can become obese. To determine how much your fur baby should eat is to do a little math. Figure that your pup will eat 20 calories for every pound of body weight. So, your 15-pound Frenchton needs about 300 calories per day. By sticking to a set amount of calories per day, you can help your buddy avoid overeating.
Energetic Frenchtons need about 5% of their calories from fat and about 20% from protein. They love to eat fresh fruit and watch for allergies, as they are common in both parent breeds.
Get Your Frenchton Moving
Despite the small size, Frenchtons enjoy walking and exercising. If the weather is pleasant, take your Frenchton for a walk around the block. If it’s too hot or cold, get your fur baby moving in the house. They enjoy playing games, so find something your pup loves to do and do it together. They usually need at least 30 minutes of active time each day.
When you are exercising your Frenchton, pay attention to its breathing. Dogs with flat faces can have respiratory issues, especially when over-exercising. Some Frenchtons will struggle to breathe when it’s hot outside, as they cannot naturally cool themselves down in the heat. Overly cold weather can also cause breathing problems.
If you take your Frenchton for a walk outside, use a leash. Frenchtons can be strong-willed, like the bulldog parent. So, they can wander off or ignore a command. With a leash, you remain in control.
Because Frenchtons are a mix of French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, they might have various playtime attitudes. French Bulldogs are relatively lazy and like to relax inside. Boston Terriers want to play.
If your dog has a French Bulldog temperament, you might have to work harder to get your Frenchton to go for a walk. If your Frenchton takes after its Boston Terrier parent, then you might want to learn some indoor games to keep your pup happy. Fortunately, many Frenchtons do enjoy playing tug-o-war with their human family members.
Keep Your Frenchton Healthy
The best source for information about your Frenchton’s health is your vet. Work together to build a daily and weekly care routine for your fur baby.
- Pay attention to smells, as they could be signs of infections.
- Trim your Frenchton’s nails once or twice each month.
- To avoid problems with tartar, brush your dog’s teeth every few days.
- Frenchtons that drag their bottom need anal care from a vet or groomer.
Temperament
Frenchtons are like their parents, friendly and a bit headstrong. That stubborn streak makes them highly loveable because it doesn’t quite fit with their petite size and generally sweetness. Some Frenchtons show their stubbornness during training sessions, but they eventually get the message with patience and persistence.
Boston Terriers are athletic dogs, and the Frenchtons tend to take on that trait. Pairing athleticism with the French Bulldog’s muscular build, and it’s easy to see why this mixed breed enjoys being active.
Sociability
The sociable Frenchton likes to be around people and other pets. If you are frequently away, then the Frenchton probably isn’t the right breed for you. They like children and are gentle and loving around them. Even though Frenchtons are good family dogs, they are also ideal for singles who love to have a companion dog at home.
Frenchtons are the perfect size for being around children. They won’t knock over children, and they are sturdy enough, so children don’t hurt them, either. Parents should teach their children how to interact with and touch dogs, especially not to bother them while sleeping or eating.
Train with Treats
French Bulldogs can be stubbornly difficult to train, and some Frenchtons pick up this trait from the Bulldog parent. The best trainers use positive reinforcement in the form of visible treats to get their Frenchtons to follow directions. Holding a treat near the Frenchton’s nose, give your dog specific directions. As soon as it responds positively, give it the snack. Repeat until trained.
Because the Frenchton is so smart, it picks up bad habits quickly. If you notice irritating behaviors, you should train them out as soon as you see them. A young Frenchton can be easier to train than a mature one that is set in its ways.
Shake
Frenchtons can learn to shake their paws with a human. The small dog finds this trick amusing. When your Frenchton is sitting, take its paw in your hand – like it’s giving you “five” – and give a command like “shake” or “paw.” Give your Frenchton a treat if it leaves its paw there when you give the command. Then give the treat each time the Frenchton follows through on the trick.
Roll Over
Frenchtons also like to roll over, and you can teach that trick. First, your Frenchton needs to learn the command to lay down. After laying down, put a treat by your fur baby’s nose, then move it toward one shoulder. Continue moving the treat until your pup rolls over. Then, give the treat. Add the command, and repeat the process until your dog can do it on demand.
Barking
Boston Terriers are barking dogs, but French Bulldogs don’t bark much, if at all. So there is a chance that your Frenchton could bark. If your dog does bark, it could be from anxiety, which happens when the dog is left alone. Dog parents who are gone frequently can cause anxiety to build in their sociable Frenchtons. They get distressed and bark to show it.
Is the Frenchton the Right Dog For You?
The best Frenchton parents are those who love to be around their cuddly pets. If you aren’t home often and can’t bring your dog to work or play, then the Boston Terrier French Bulldog mix is not the best fit for you. Despite being a low-maintenance dog, the Frenchton loves to be around its human family. To get
Frenchtons are easy dogs. They have minimal grooming needs. They don’t eat much, and they only need about 30 minutes of exercise time per day. Because of their simplicity, they can be misunderstood. Their most significant need is attention, or they can become anxious and destructive.
It is always important to remember that all dogs are an investment, both in time and care. As Frenchtons are a mixture of French Bulldog and Boston Terrier, they can have expensive health care problems.