French Bulldog Pitbull Mix (French Pitbull) Complete Guide

Just as the name implies, a French Pitbull Mix is a cross between the American Pitbull (American Staffordshire) Terrier and the French bulldog. It’s no secret that you’re probably wondering what to expect from this unusual blend, and as such, a boatload of questions is racing through your mind.

Are they aggressive? Are they susceptible to health problems? From their personality to their diet, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the American Pitbull French Bulldog mix. Read on!

French Pitbull Mix: Origin and History

Although the American Pitbull and French bulldog are as different as day and night, there’s no denying their traits perfectly complement each other. Despite the name, the French bulldog originates in England and was bred to be the toy-size variation of the well-known English bulldog, commonly used in the bull-baiting sport. After the outlaw of blood sports in 1835, bulldogs were bred into French bulldogs that are mostly companions.

Pitbulls are descents of the old English bulldogs. Moreover, to meet the need for more agile and faster dogs for fighting and ratting, an English bulldog was mixed with a Terrier. As a result, this cross birthed the first Pitbull Terrier. It wasn’t long after the Civil War that immigrants from the British Isles came to the US along with their Pitbulls and French Bulldogs. It was at this point that the Pitbull Terrier acquired the name, ‘American Pitbull Terrier.’

The origin of the French Pitbull emerged from the ‘designer dog’ trend. The mixing of two pure breeds gained traction in the 90s era right after the Labradoodle came about in 1989. Although there’s no known record of when the initial Pitbull French Bulldog mix was bred, one thing is certain. It was an attempt to diminish the level of fear towards Pitbulls by creating a cuter pup. The Pitbull French Bulldog mix gained traction as the French Pitbull and provided an alluring hybrid between these two breeds.

French Pitbull: Weight, Appearance, and Size

As a cross-breed, it’s no secret that French Pitbulls can have a gamut of appearances. They’re typically stocky but smaller than Pitbulls and have large bat ears that distinguish a French bulldog. At times, your Pitbull French Bulldog mix can take more of the ‘French’ origin, resulting in a small body frame. However, they have the same physical appearance as Pitbulls.

You may also end up with a large-eared, small-bodied pup with the unique and charming markings of a Pitbull. Nonetheless, you can expect the short coat of Pitbulls and French Bulldogs. It’s worth noting that the overall appearance varies significantly from one French Pitbull to another. After all, being a mutt means that this dog’s cross-breed puppies can look more like one parent over another.

How Big Is A French Pitbull?

Typically, a Pitbull French Bulldog mix is a medium-sized pup, depending on whether they take more Sire or Dam genes. You can expect a full-grown male French Pitbull to be anywhere between 15 and 18 inches while the female ranges from 14 to 16 inches.

A male Pitbull French Bulldog mix weighs 30lbs to 40lbs, whereas the female counterpart is between 30lbs and 37lbs.

French Pitbull: Personality and Temperament

With their upbeat and friendly temperament, there’s no denying that a Pitbull French Bulldog mix is the life of their household. They’re affectionate and loyal to their family but demand immense attention. Furthermore, their playful nature means you’ll need to have access to a backyard or nearby park where they can blow off steam.

The French Pitbull has an abundance of energy that can be challenging for inactive parents. Socializing for these pups at an early age will do them good as they develop anxiety in crowds of people.

Despite the negative stereotypes associated with Pitbulls, temperament reports on pups indicate that they rank at the top as one of the least aggressive, most tolerant, and affectionate. In a study done by the American Temperament Test Society, Pitbulls ranked 86.4% higher than beagles, golden retrievers, and corgis, among other popular breeds.

American Pitbull Terriers are generally known for their friendly nature, loyalty, and playful temperament. It’s, therefore, no surprise that a French Pitbull has the same personality. However, to curb unwanted behavior, ensure you provide the appropriate training.

Is A Pitbull French Bulldog Mix A Great Family Dog?

Yes! A French Pitbull can make an amazing family dog. As with other dog breeds, basic obedience lessons and consistent training are a requirement from the onset. A Pitbull French Bulldog Mix is just as loyal, devoted, and affectionate to humans as Pitbulls. These pups are great with children, which means your little ones will have no qualms about having fun and bonding with them.

While French Pitbulls aren’t aggressive with people, they’re certainly ‘less tolerant’ of other pups, so ensure your pup socializes with other dogs at an early age. Keep in mind, one of the setbacks of owning a Pitbull French Bulldog mix is that they require a boatload of exercises to prevent boredom from setting in and causing the unwanted behavior.

After all, both parents of this cross-breed are high to medium energy pups. For the most part, a French Pitbull is a good nature and upbeat pup, but there are a few things to consider before bringing them home.

• They’re moderate shedders
• They get along with small children
• They’re wary of other pooches
• They may have health issues associated with a brachycephalic dog breed
• They’re energetic, requiring frequent distraction, and play

If this doesn’t gel with your lifestyle, then a French Pitbull may not be a great fit for you.

French Pitbull: Health Risks

As a relatively new cross-breed, the health risks associated with the Pitbull French Bulldog mix are not well-documented. Nonetheless, these dogs may be vulnerable to the same issues that negatively impact the wellbeing of Pitbulls and French Bulldogs.

The health problems specific to an American Pitbull Terrier are:

• Heart disease that encompasses irregular heartbeat and valve malformations
• Allergy sensitivity
• Diabetes
• Kneecap dislocation
• Cataracts
• Degenerative myelopathy
• Aortic stenosis

The health issues specific to a French bulldog are:

• Anesthesia sensitivity
• Lymphoma (cancer)
• Skin Allergies
• Eye conditions such as juvenile cataracts, cherry eye, and entropion
• Joint and bone disease
• Autoimmune skin disorders
• Breathing problems such as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome that is prevalent in flat-faced pooches

It’s less likely that French Pitbulls develop their purebred parent’s health issues. Studies claim that hybrid pooches are usually healthier than the purebred counterparts. They also have a longer lifespan as a result of stronger genetic diversity.

A study was conducted at the School of Veterinary Medicine, the University of California-Davis. More than 27,000 pups were analyzed in response to 24 hereditary disorders in mixed and purebred dogs. It revealed that purebreds were more susceptible to 10 out of 24 genetic disorders.

Nonetheless, frequent vet checkups are necessary during which they may recommend periodic oral, skin, dental, and eye examinations.

French Pitbull: Calorie Requirement

Typically, a Pitbull French Bulldog mix should consume a certain number of calories based on their weight. For instance, a pup weighing 35lbs requires 892 calories per day. As you feed them treats, ensure you abide by the 10% rule.

Therefore, the treats should amount to 10% (89 calories), with the food being 90% (802 calories). You’ll need to divide the total number of daily calories your pooch requires by the different meals and treats throughout the day.

Pitbull French bulldog Mix: Nutrition and Food

The ideal nutrition of a French Pitbull revolves around their activity level, health issues, age, weight, and size. Therefore, your main focus is to ensure your pup receives the six essential nutrients that Pets Web MD recommends, as discussed below.

Protein

Sources of this macronutrient are fish, cooked eggs, beef, yogurt, lamb, chicken, and turkey. Incorporating protein into your pup’s diet promotes healthier skin and hair while repairing and building enzymes, hormones, muscles, other body tissues.

Carbohydrates

Rich sources of carbohydrates include potatoes, brown rice, whole wheat, and oats. These supply your French Pitbull with the much-needed glucose for the optimal functioning of critical organs such as the brain and nervous system.

Fats

Derived from meats and oils such as fish, olive, canola, and sunflower, fats are responsible for providing quality energy to your pup. Furthermore, they’re a necessity in the optimal function and development of body cells, nerves, tissues, and muscles.

Minerals

Zinc, potassium, iron, calcium, magnesium, sodium, and other mineral sources promote muscle and nerve function, oxygen transportation in the bloodstream, fluid balance regulation, cartilage and bone formation, and the production of hormones.

Water

Much like human beings, hydration is crucial for the wellbeing of a Pitbull French Bulldog mix and other pooches. A pup that loses anywhere between 10% and 15% of the water in its body can get critically ill and die of dehydration. To avoid this, ensure they have constant access to plenty of water throughout the day.

Vitamins

K, C, A, E, D, and B are the vitamins required to provide a French Pitbull with the overall energy required to function, strong teeth and bones, and a healthy coat and skin.

Typically, a Pitbull French Bulldog mix thrives on a diet for a medium-sized pup. To select the most ideal dog food, factor in their potential health problems and energetic nature. Ideally, it’s a formula that can promote eye health, stronger joints and bones, curb allergies, and keep their skin and coat in tiptop condition.

French Pitbull: Exercise Requirements

A Pitbull French Bulldog mix has moderate to high energy levels. After all, they’re muscular pups that must remain healthy and trained. Therefore, anywhere between 30 and 60 minutes of daily exercise that includes playtime and walks are crucial in keeping health and behavioral problems at bay. Exercise also ensures your pooch is knackered by nightfall, ushering in a good night’s rest.

Practicing Frisbee and other agile dog sports is a great way of promoting a fun yet healthy lifestyle for your pet. However, as with everything else in life, moderation is important. With a French Pitbull susceptible to breathing issues, avoid over-exercising them.

Your dog exhibiting unwanted behavior means boredom may have set it, or they may need to blow off steam. As such, you can increase the exercise duration to determine if it gets rid of the pent up energy. For instance, an additional 10 minutes of playing fetch in your backyard every morning or evening can make all the difference.

As you exercise your pooch’s body, don’t forget to stimulate their brain. Like other breeds, a Pitbull French Bulldog mix can benefit from brain exercises such as dog puzzles and toys to keep their mind sharp.

French Pitbull: Care and Grooming

If you’re wondering how to keep your Pitbull French Bulldog mix feeling and looking great, here are a few tips on proper grooming and care.

Brushing Frequency

While French Pitbulls have a short coat, they are moderate shedders. To keep the coat tidy and clean, consider using a bristle brush once or twice a week.

De-Shedding Frequency

A Pitbull French Bulldog mix sheds more than usual, bi-annually, in the fall and spring. When these times roll around, a de-shedding brush is your saving grace to help the process along and keep your home hair-free.

Bathing Frequency

The short hair of a French Pitbull means they won’t pick up as much dirt and unpleasant smells as long-haired pups. Bathing them once a week will keep them spick-and-span, and as you do so, ensure you thoroughly wash between the folds of their face to curb infection. Avoid over-bathing your dog as they’re prone to skin irritation that damages not only their coat but also triggers skin allergies.

Ear and Nail Cleaning Frequency

Your Pitbull French Bulldog mix requires full grooming every two or three months that entails taking them to the groomer for nail clipping, ear cleaning, and a haircut.

Conclusion

French Pitbulls are incredibly rewarding and loving pups in every aspect. Remember, they demand early training, keeping their health in tiptop shape, and providing the immense care and attention they require.

Nevertheless, they’ll bring you happy memories for years on end if you understand how to raise them properly. Armed with this information, if you still believe they’re an ideal fit for you, get yours today!