There are so many popular breeds today, like the Labrador Retriever, Husky, Golden Retriever, and the French Bulldog. The Frenchie took the world by storm. This breed became one of the most popular breeds in the world in a short time. But, there is one Frenchie that is a bit controversial, the Mini French Bulldog.
Now, we can understand why the French Bulldog is popular. After all, they are affectionate dogs with charming personalities. Also, their small bodies make them ideal for living in small rooms and apartments.
According to the American Kennel Club, this breed ranks sixth in popularity among all dog breeds in the United States. But, the number of people interested in a smaller version of the French Bulldog, or the Mini Frenchie, is growing too. Which might be a problem.
While you’re here read more about the French Bulldog colors:
- Cream French Bulldog: The golden-colored dog
- Fawn French Bulldog: The classic beauty
- White French Bulldog: What To Expect
- Brindle French Bulldog: The dog with tiger stripes
- Merle French Bulldog: The unusual Frenchie
- Blue Fawn French Bulldog and its health issues
- Lilac French Bulldog or the Isabella Frenchie
Mini French Bulldog – What you have to know
A mini French Bulldog is a purebred French Bulldog but much smaller. Mini Frenchie, isn’t their only name, some people call them Micro French Bulldog or even Teacup French Bulldog.
But, all of these terms have essentially the same meaning. A smaller version of the standard Frenchie dog we all know and love.
Now, we know, it sounds cute, but it’s actually very dangerous for the dog. Because there is nothing ethical about the way these poor dogs are bred.
Firstly, they can be born with many health problems, and secondly, they will probably have a shorter lifespan.
The standard French Bulldog has a lifespan of 11 to 13 years. Predicting the lifespan of a mini French Bulldog is hard but not impossible. Obviously, their lifespan depends on what health issues they are having regarding their genes and breeding history. But, generally speaking, their lifespan isfive to six years shorter compared to the French Bulldog.
It is very rare that a mini Frenchie lives as long as the normal French Bulldog.
Why the Teacup French Bulldog is a bad idea
No matter what you call a smaller version of a breed, mini, micro, or teacup French Bulldog, it’s all the same and it’s not natural. Breeders and unethical breeding methods are always behind it.
There are many ways to get a smaller version of a breed, but most of the time breeders will use the smallest and weakest puppy of a litter, or runts, for it. Now, breeders take two of these runts and pair them with one another.
Obviously, if you have two small dogs, the offspring will be smaller too.
Now, this might not sound alarming, but it is. It’s nothing new that every litter has a runt, it happens in all small breeds of dogs. But, every reputable breeder will tell you that they can’t breed two runts together because the risk of genetic mutations and diseases is too high.
In fact, the breeding of the smallest and weakest animals of a litter brings a whole range of problems. The mother can even have problems at birth. Let’s take a Pug, for example, the heads of the unborn puppies are often so thick that they don’t fit through the birth canal. So, breeders have to do a C-section on the poor mother.
After the complicated birth, follows a life full of pain and health problems.
Just because a breeder can shrink the body of a dog, it doesn’t mean they can manipulate all their organs such as the brain to stay small too.
It means that many dogs will suffer from a so-called water head. If this happens the fluid spaces in the brain are pathologically expanded and press on the skull bone. This is usually untreatable and leads to premature death.
Crossing with other breeds
Besides breeding two runts together, there are also other ways to get a Mini French Bulldog.
Another way breeders will deceive you is by mixing the French Bulldog with a smaller breed, a Chihuahua for example.
Crossing a French Bulldog with another, smaller breed of dog. Breeders will breed them over and over again until they get the real appearance of a French Bulldog, but that is smaller. They usually achieve this by the second or third generation.
Now, they will advertise and sell them as purebred mini French Bulldog, but a simple DNA test will show that the dog is not purebred.
After reading how breeders achieve the mini version of a Frenchie puppy you can make the decision for yourself if you think it’s ethical or not. We can only let you know how it’s done and that you should beware of these breeders.
These people are only out for your money. They will use the oldest trick in the book and tell you that these dogs are “rare” “exotic” or “teacup”. And all that to justify the high price tag for a dog that does not even meet AKC breed standards and will be sick.
So, what will a French Bulldog and Chihuahua mix look like? We don’t really know, nor do breeders know. The puppies can have traits of both parents.
Some puppies will look more like French Bulldogs, while others will look more like the Chihuahua parent. What is sure is that it will be a small dog that weighs anywhere from 7 pounds to 23 pounds.
They usually have a stocky, muscular body and the signature bat ears that Frenchies are famous for.
Conclusion – Mini French Bulldog
We can’t tell you what to do, but if you ask us we’d never get a mini version of a breed. There are so many risks connected to the breeding standards and methods used to get a mini version of a breed.
There are so many things that can go wrong, the biggest being that the puppies will have many health problems and die very early in their life.
While you’re here read more about French Bulldogs: