Fluffy Frenchie: Complete Guide to Long Hair French Bulldogs

Last Updated on February, 2025

French Bulldogs stand out as one of the most all-time beloved breeds and make great companions. 

Yet their fluffy counterparts, Fluffy Frenchies, are sparking a new trend in the Frenchie world.

If you are considering joining this trend and bringing a Fluffy Frenchie home, you must stop for a while and read this article.

Why? This article covers everything you need to know about this breed, including their unique traits, grooming needs, health considerations, and training tips.

After reading this article, you can decide whether this is the ideal companion for you.

Quick Summary

The Fluffy French Bulldog originated from the Toy Bulldog and was crossbred with a Terrier to make it less aggressive.

Grooming a Fluffy Frenchie is an easy task. You don’t have to brush the dog’s hair every day, and can instead brush them once a week. During shedding seasons, you may have to brush them more often.

Fluffy Frenchies are prone to the same health problems as French Bulldogs. Common health issues include brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome, temperature regulation issues, eye problems, skin problems, patella issues, spinal problems, and overweight.

History of the Fluffy French Bulldog

a fluffy frenchie looking at the camera

The Fluffy French Bulldog or the regular Frenchie for that matter originated from the Toy Bulldog. 

In the early 19th century in England, the Toy Bulldog was used in bull baiting. It’s a sport in which a dog is pitted against a bull. This sport didn’t go well for the dog, and it was outlawed in 1985.

After that, breeders tried to cross the Toy Bulldog with a Terrier to make them less aggressive. The result was a more miniature-sized Bulldog with erect ears. The English didn’t find this bat-eared dog to be attractive. So they sent it to France. 

Somehow, French elites found this dog adorable, which led to further Terrier breeding to develop and refine their characters. 

How did the long, fluffy hair come about?

The long, fluffy hair of the Fluffy Frenchie is due to a mutation in its genes. We’ll discuss this mutation in detail later.

French Bulldog Vs. Fluffy Frenchie

fluffy frenchie vs. french bulldog

Are you confused between French Bulldogs and Fluffy Frenchies? No worries. I’ll explain it all clearly. 

Fluffy Frenchies are French Bulldogs with a LH gene. Due to the LH gene, these dogs have longer and fluffier hair than French Bulldogs. 

About the LH Gene

The LH gene, also called the fibroblast growth factor, is a rare gene found in the French Bulldog population. This gene is responsible for the longer hair of the Fluffy Frenchie. 

The LH gene is recessive. Long hair is inherited if a dog carries two of these genes. French Bulldogs with one LH gene possess regular short hair, and are valuable for breeders.

Why?

Because there is a chance to get one by crossing two Bulldogs carrying one LH gene each, but the results are not guaranteed. Usually, breeders must cross two visual Fluffy French Bulldogs to get a Fluffy Frenchie. 

The rare nature of LH genes and the high demand for this dog makes the Fluffy French bulldog a highly sought-after breed. 

Main Characteristics of Fluffy Frenchies

Now, if you are considering owning one, I’m covering all you need to know about the breed in this article. So keep reading

Appearance

This is a small dog with an almost similar appearance to a regular French bulldog. The only difference is that this dog’s hair is slightly longer and fluffier than an average French Bulldog. 

Although this dog’s hair is usually described as long, they are not as long as that of some other dog breeds like Poodles. Medium length is a more accurate term, and the hair is fluffier in the chest, neck, and ears.

Below are the characteristic features:

  • Large, square-shaped head.
  • Unique erect bat ears.
  • Deep wrinkles.
  • Flat face.
  • Short, muscular body
  • Lots of fluffy fur.
  • Short legs.
  • Straight or screw-like short tail. 

Usually, male Frenchies are more muscular, solid, and stockier than female Frenchies. 

Color

These dogs come in a wide range of standard and unique colors.

Black, white, fawn and brindle are standard colors, and blue, lilac, tan, and merle are unique colors. 

Is there any difference between standard and unique colors?

Fluffy French Bulldogs with unique colors like blue, lilac, and blue merle are rare and expensive.

They are also not approved by AKC, so you can’t enter them in dog shows. 

Cream or cream and white with a dark nose and dark eyes is the most common color among Fluffy Frenchies. Brindle colored Frenchies are also quite common.

a fluffy frenchie laying on a dog bedding

They have a subtle stripe pattern mixed with white or large white splotches on the chest. 

Fawn-colored Frenchies vary from light tan to dark fawn with red highlights, black muzzle, and white splotches on the chest. Typically, the dark-colored dogs have dark-colored eyes, and the light-colored breeds have light-colored eyes.

Size

The average weights of fully grown male and female Fluffy Frenchies are:

  • Male- 20-28 pounds.
  • Female-17-24 pounds.

The height of a fully grown Fluffy Frenchie is 11-13 inches for both males and females. These dogs are considered fully grown at the age of 12-14 months. Still, they put on muscle till they reach two years. 

Remember, size is not only based on genetics but also lifestyle, including diet and physical activities. So, maintain a healthy lifestyle to raise a perfect-sized Fluffy Frenchie.

Life Span

Many Frenchies live for 11- 14 years. The life span depends on diet, exercise, and health issues. 

Usually, Frenchies with screw tails have shorter lifespans as they are prone to spine-related problems. 

Temperament 

Apart from the cute look, they have outstanding personalities. 

They are incredibly affectionate and loyal, which makes them excellent companion dogs.

They also make good emotional support animals and therapy dogs. 

Fluffy French Bulldogs are outgoing and friendly.

So they’ll get along with kids and other animals quickly if you start to socialize them from the puppy phase.

a black fluffy frenchie laying on a couch and looking at the camera

These dogs are people-oriented. So they seek their owner’s company often. Like other dogs, these dogs also face separation anxiety if left alone for an extended period. You must gradually train them to be alone.

They have an average intelligence. So they’ll learn most commands quickly. They are also a bit stubborn, and you may have to be firm and consistent while training them. 

These dogs also have a mild temperament and are ideal for people who want pets that don’t do a lot of jumping and running. 

They are not noisy and rarely bark. Sometimes, they won’t alert you even if they see something suspicious. Hence, they are not a good fit if you are looking for a watchdog.

Are they energetic?

Fluffy Frenchie puppies are energetic like all other puppies. They become calmer while growing out of the puppy phase. They like to chew on things even as an adult. Having said all that, these little clowns will never fail to put a smile on your face.

How Much Does the Fluffy French Bulldog Cost?

A fluffy Frenchie standing on a couch

These are a rare breed. On top of that, all dog owners are head over heels in love with these adorable dogs, making them a desirable breed. Therefore, Fluffy Frenchies are much more expensive than other breeds.

The price of a French Bulldog breed can vary from $3500 to $7000 depending on the age, color and gender. 

Usually the unique-colored Frenchies cost more than the standard colors. The average price of a quality Frenchie from a reputable breeder is around $5300. 

However, all that is nothing when compared to the price of the Fluffy Frenchie. You are looking at a breed that could cost up to a whopping $30000.

Yes, it’s that expensive, but you can find most of them for around $10000 minimum, which is not cheap either. 

That said, if you are ready to splash out the cash and get a Fluffy Frenchie, make sure to do so from reputable breeders, as you are going to spend quite a lot of money.

How to Groom a Fluffy Frenchie?

Grooming these dogs is an easy task. 

They have slightly long hair, but not as long as Poodles and Collies. So the hair doesn’t get tangled. Hence, you don’t need to brush the dog’s hair every day; once a week is enough.

Frenchies shed at certain times of the year. During these periods, you may have to brush them often to prevent loose hair from falling all over your house. 

You don’t have to bathe your Frenchie regularly, but clean its face daily. You can wash him if he is smelly or gets dirty. 

Another point to note is that moisture can be retained within the wrinkles of the Frenchie, leading to bacterial and fungal infections. Hence, wipe your dog and keep the skin dry. 

Exercise Needs of Fluffy French Bulldogs

A fluffy Frenchie seated on the floor and looking at the camera

Exercise is crucial to raising healthy Fluffy French Bulldogs, but they only need a little exercise. 

Young puppies under 12 months old require short, light walks at short intervals. Don’t over-exercise the puppies, as it will harm their joints and affect mobility. 

Exercising must increase as they age, but you must not tire them. Every dog is unique. So set your own pace and give rest if you notice any signs of fatigue. Ensure that you keep them from staying out in the hot weather for long periods.

Play is also essential for Fluffy Frenchies. As I said earlier, they like to spend time with their owners, which gives them physical and mental stimulation. You can also provide them with brain-stimulating toys to play with. 

How about taking them to a pool?

Taking your Fluffy French Bulldog to a pool is not a good idea. While your pet will love to jump into the pool when he sees one, he can only stay in the water for a short time. 

Why? 

The Fluffy French Bulldog has relatively short legs and a heavy body, which makes it challenging to swim for long periods of time. 

Additionally, it’s difficult for him to keep his nose above water due to his flat face, which makes swimming even more challenging. 

So, supervise your dog if you let him in the pool.

Diet of a Fluffy French Bulldog

Feeding a Fluffy Frenchie is not a challenging task, but there are some essential points to consider:

  • Firstly, the diet should consist of natural foods and easily digestible meat such as chicken, fish, and sliced beef. 
  • Second, include some fibers in the diet to make digestion easy.
  • Lastly, make sure to feed the right amount of food. You must provide more food for puppies and gradually decrease the amount for adult dogs. 

Remember, Fluffy French Bulldog gains weight quickly, which is unhealthy for them.

Common Health Issues Faced By Fluffy Frenchies

A fluffy Frenchie laying on a glass table

These dogs are prone to the same health problems as the French Bulldogs. However, they don’t have as many health issues as certain other dog breeds.

Most of the health issues faced by Fluffy Frenchies are due to their genes that are inherited during selective breeding. 

Usually, breeders test for these conditions in the dogs before using them for breeding, so get your puppy from a reputable breeder and take them for regular checkups. 

Let’s look at some of the common health problems faced by Fluffy Frenchies. 

Brachycephalic Airway Obstruction Syndrome

This condition affects all French Bulldogs. The Fluffy French Bulldogs’ facial structure makes it difficult for the dogs to breathe. 

An elongated, narrow soft palate, small nostrils, and extra-large tonsils characterize airway obstruction syndrome. These features lead to snoring, loud breathing, and difficulty in exercising. 

Some new owners leave their Frenchie in hot weather for an extended period or over-exercise them, which can lead to severe exhaustion and death. 

You can however treat this condition. Treatment involves taking out a portion of the dog’s soft palate so the amount of air reaching the lungs increases. This surgery is expensive, and it is not done unless the dog has experienced severe complications. 

It would be best to take special care of your Frenchie during hot weather. They should have access to shade and plenty of cool water at all times. Don’t over-exert them.

Temperature Regulation

Fluffy French Bulldogs face difficulty in regulating their body temperature effectively. Their coats are not long enough to keep them warm during winter. 

In summer, they are prone to heat stroke and exhaustion. Keep your dog indoors with air conditioning most of the time. 

Eye Problems

A fluffy Frenchie carried in the hands of its owner

Fluffy Frenchies are prone to eye problems due to their facial structure. 

Cherry eye is a common aesthetic condition that causes the dog’s third eyelid to slide up into its eye. This condition can lead to irritation and infection if the dog’s eye gets injured. Other than that, it is harmless.

Cataracts, corneal ulcers, and glaucoma are other common eye problems among Fluffy French Bulldogs. 

Skin Problems 

The French Bulldog is prone to skin problems due to its skin folds. Moisture can retain within the skin wrinkles, leading to bacterial infections. So always keep your Frenchie dry and clean.

Patella Issues

Some Fluffy Frenchies face patella issues, where their kneecaps dislocate. If you don’t treat it on time, it can lead to ligament and bone damage. 

Spinal Problems

Fluffy Frenchies face various spine conditions. Butterfly vertebrae and spinal cord compression are the most common. 

They can be diagnosed with x-rays or CT scans. Dogs with screw tails are likelier to have spinal conditions than straight-tailed dogs. Many breeders are moving away from screw tails due to this reason. 

Overweight

French Bulldogs tend to put on weight quickly. You can control the weight easily by giving them proper exercise and a balanced diet. 

Pros and Cons of Owning a Fluffy Frenchie 

Now you know everything that you should know if you are planning to own a Fluffy French Bulldog. 

I’ll give you a summary of the pros and cons to help you make a better decision.

Pros

Great companion dog.
Friendly with kids and other pets.
Calm temperament.
Easily trainable. 
Good for keeping in apartments. 
Fairly easy to train.
Minimal grooming needs.

Cons

Expensive.
Hard to find.
Prone to respiratory and spinal health conditions. 

Other guides and tools you might need when training your dog:

FAQs

Yes, Fluffy Frenchies do shed more than Short-haired French Bulldogs, but not as much as breeds like Golden Retrievers and Huskies.

Yes, Fluffy Frenchies are purebred French Bulldogs with a mutation in their genes that gives them long hair.

Frenchies are expensive due to their rarity and popularity among dog lovers; their long hair gene is rare, making them a sought-after breed.

Fluffy Frenchies are rare because they have a long hair gene (fibroblast growth factor) which is not common, making them unique.

Are You Ready to Add a Fluffy Frenchie to Your Family?

Fluffy French Bulldog is a variant of the purebred French Bulldog. It has long hair and erect ears resulting from the LH gene. 

Fluffy Frenchies make great companion dogs. They are loyal, affectionate, and have an adorable look. They come in a range of colors and can be quite expensive. 

Frenchies require minimal grooming, light exercise, and a proper diet. It’s easy to train them. 

They are prone to various health conditions. You can minimize the health issues by getting your dog from a reputable breeder and taking care of them properly. 

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Author
Laura Vinzy
Laura Vinzy is one of our contributors. She is also a certified professional dog trainer & currently lives in San Francisco with her husband and her two rescue dogs.

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