What is the average life expectancy of my French bulldog?

In this research you will know the answer to the query “What is the average life expectancy of my French bulldog?“.

The best way to care for a French bulldog whether you are on the lookout to adopt one or already own one is to find out how best to do it.

Additionally you’ll want to know what you can do to make her life as happy healthy and as long as possible. 

The first thing you should know if you are going to be a French bulldog owner (or aspiring owner) is that Frenchies are vibrant and cute companions. The second is that they are not cheap to take care of!

It goes without saying that owning a dog comes with its fair share of responsibilities. However when it comes to Frenchies the bar is set a little higher because this breed has a long list of genetic health issues. 

In spite of this Frenchies are still among the healthiest bulldog breeds. As a result of this guide you’ll know how long you’ll have your Frenchie around and how to care for her as she ages.

1. What is the average life expectancy of a French bulldog?

A dogs lifespan varies greatly between different breeds but is generally between 10 and 15 years. Dogs of small breeds often have the longest lifespans and some can live as long as 18 years. 

A French bulldog is a small breed dog but unfortunately they do not have the longest lifespan. Their lifespan is only average compared to other small breeds. It is estimated that French bulldogs have a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years according to the American Kennel Club. 

According to the UK Kennel Club the average lifespan of a French bulldog is about ten years while a 25-pound dog can live up to thirteen years. The average Frenchie puppy will live from 9 to 12 years old and anything beyond that is something to be grateful for. 

These statistics do not suggest that your French bulldogs cannot live much longer; they suggest that you can help your Frenchie live a healthy and long life. The following tips can help you increase the lifespan of your Frenchie while keeping your expectations in check.

It is important to know that French bulldogs are a small breed of dog with a flat head and a short nose. While these characteristics may be cute they come with tons of health issues which is one of the reasons your Frenchie may need special care. 

The vet will have to see your Frenchie on a regular basis since he definitely needs it. Regular diagnostic tests blood tests and flea treatments will be necessary for her or as often as the vet recommends. At least three times a year she needs to see the vet.  

The Frenchie isnot a kennel dog; hes extremely energetic and likes to play so he’ll need a lot of room to explore and feel like a dog. Although she may be drawn to the swimming pool and like to splash around you should never leave her alone near water since Frenchies are not able to swim.

Due to the fact that their bodies are not designed for swimming they can sink and drown very easily. Whenever your Frenchie swims make sure she is wearing a vest and that you are watching. 

The flat faces and short noses of these cuties make them prone to breathing problems. Thus you need to be aware of this since knowing how to deal with an episode breathing problem will come in handy in an emergency.

Creating a healthy lifestyle for your dog is also important. Eating healthily maintaining ideal body weight and exercising regularly can all lead to a longer happier and healthier life. 

2. What do Frenchies usually die from?

The average lifespan of a French bulldog is about ten years. Do they always live that long? No of course not! 

The average age of French bulldogs studied in 2013 was 3.6 years and the study recorded 98 deaths among 2200 dogs. Only a few Frenchies actually live to ripe old age and most die at an early age.

Unfortunately this is very true!  Health problems (some of them can be life-threatening) are common in French Bulldogs which significantly reduces their lifespan.

Life expectancy is also shortened by factors such as anxiety and stress. Frenchies have a much higher probability of having health conditions compared to other small dog breeds but are stronger than other bulldogs. 

The UK Kennel Club conducted a health survey in 2004 that revealed cancer to be the most common cause of death in French bulldogs. A total of 71 French bulldogs died in this survey and the average age of death was 9 years. 

About 38% of these deaths were caused by cancer the most common types of cancer being brain tumors and lymphomas (cancers that affect the immune system). Only 8.5% of the population died of old age and the oldest was 14 years and 8 months old.

3. Five most common French Bulldog problems

Despite their adorable appearance and high energy level French bulldogs are prone to a variety of health problems.

A flat face a short nose and some anatomical abnormalities account for the majority of these health problems. Frenchies are most susceptible to the following health problems:

1. Respiratory Problems:

With their flat faces and short noses French Bulldogs usually struggle with breathing problems like snoring sleep apnea and Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS). A few of these problems are life-threatening. The French bulldog is also susceptible to mast cell cancer as are all brachycephalic dogs like Boston Terriers Pugs Boxers and Shar-Peis – they are known as brachycephalic dogs due to their short noses and flat faces.

2. Ear Infection:

It is very common for bulldogs including Frenchies to suffer from bulldog ear disease or bulldog otitis externa. Its probably because this breed has abnormally narrow ear canals and irregular ear wax movement plus they’re allergic to a lot of things. Bulldog ear disease is characterized by swelling redness strange odor itching and rubbing discharge and pain. 

3. Diarrhea:

Additionally Frenchies are prone to food allergies and frequently suffer from diarrhea and IBS. Usually diarrhea in Frenchies is caused by a food allergy but it can also be caused by parasites or gastrointestinal problems especially chronic diarrhea.

4. Conjunctivitis and Cherry Eyes:

The condition is known as pinkeye and is characterized by swelling and redness in the eyeball due to an inflammation of the eyeball tissue. It can be brought on by an allergen or a bacterial infection. A cherry eye appears as a protruding third eyelid. It is caused by air allergens and can lead to a serious eye infection if untreated. 

5. Skin Dermatitis:

Ticks mites fleas and other parasites can lead to an inflammation of the skin. Redness itching crusts hot spots and sores are all signs of French bulldog dermatitis.

4. What is the oldest Frenchie to ever live?

The average life expectancy of a French bulldog is 10-12 years but do we know the oldest one that ever lived? A French bulldog named Hank belonged to Denise Richards an American actress.

The longevity of Hank one of the first documented longest-living French bulldogs is currently 13 years old. The oldest Frenchie reported to have lived for 14 years and 8 months by the UK Kennel Club in 2004 was also 14 years and 8 months old. 

Some owners of French bulldogs have recently claimed that their dogs have lived for 15-16 years and some are still alive.

A Frenchie owner reported that her dog lived for 17 years and 4 months though the claims remain unverified they may not be untrue. 

5. Is the life expectancy of a Bulldog or Boston terrier any longer?

There is no evidence that Bulldogs or Boston terriers live longer than Frenchies. The lifespan of English bulldogs is between 10 and 11 years which is lower than the lifespan of French bulldogs.

Similarly Boston Terriers do not live as long as French bulldogs. The average life expectancy of a French bulldog is 10-13 years while that of a Boston terrier is 11-13 years.  

6. Four tips for caring for an elderly French Bulldog

You should be very grateful for your French bulldog if she/he is older than 10 years old. In general as Frenchies age they become less active and frailer.

There is a good chance she will lose some of that boisterous energy and sharpness.  As she gets older her sense of smell hearing and sight will also dim but this should not stop you from helping her enjoy a happy healthy and long life.

The following tips will help you better care for your senior Frenchies;

1. Your old Frenchie needs a high-quality diet:

Making sure your Frenchies meals meet all her nutritional needs is one of the easiest ways to keep her healthy. In addition an old French bulldog has different nutritional requirements than a puppy or a young adult. Get professional advice from your veterinarian to determine the appropriate diet for your bulldog.   

2. Your old Frenchie needs regular veterinarian visits:

You should not assume your Frenchie is fine just because she looks healthy. Regardless of her appearance you should thoroughly examine your Frenchies at least once a year or every six months because older dogs are more susceptible to all kinds of diseases. Regular health checks can detect any diseases and infections early. 

3. Your old Frenchie needs to maintain healthy body weight:

You can easily lose sight of this and allow your Frenchie to gain more weight than is healthy. To keep your buddys weight under control you should always remember that her overall health is affected by her weight. A person who is overweight has a greater chance of getting some serious and life-threatening diseases such as cancer heart disease or diabetes. 

4. Your old Frenchie needs regular exercise:

Old Frenchies still need exercise and this can be achieved by regular exercise. Keeping her joints and muscles healthy through regular exercise will help her stay trim and maintain a healthy weight. She can also participate in fun neighborhood activities with other pets.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that lifestyle and diet are the major factors that affect the lifespan of dogs you can help your Frenchie live a long and happy life!

In order for her to thrive she needs all the love she can get and fortunately thats exactly why you adopted her in the first place. As playful companion dogs Frenchies enjoy being petted and spoiled. Her life is devoted to returning the gesture; in fact this is what makes her happy. Thats what makes her happy! 

If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.

What is the average life expectancy of my French bulldog? (Watch Video)