Mini French Bulldog, Teacup Frenchies, Micro Frenchies – A Comprehensive Guide!

What is a Mini French Bulldog? 

The Miniature or Mini French Bulldog, also known as the Teacup Frenchie, is a smaller version of the famous French Bulldog breed. These pint-sized pups are known for their prominent personalities and adorable appearance, and they make great companion pets.

Bulldogs were so popular in London in the 1850s that they were being crossed with terriers and pugs to create miniatures that weighed around 16-27 lbs.

Teacup Frenchies are not an official breed, but they are becoming increasingly popular as people search for smaller dogs that can fit easily into their homes and lifestyles. These Micro Frenchies rarely go over 18 lbs (8 kg). According to one of the leading breeders of Micro French Bulldogs, their average is between 12 – 22 lbs (5.4 – 9.9 kg). They typically stand no taller than 11 inches at the shoulder. However, there is no classification for mini French Bulldogs by the AKC so there is no standard weight. Therefore, we are going to classify a micro Frenchie as any full grown French Bulldog under 20 lbs (9 kg).

While they may be small, Teacup Frenchies have all the same great personality traits as their larger counterparts. They are intelligent, playful, and loving dogs that enjoy spending time with their families. They are also relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming and exercise needs.

If you are considering adding a Mini French Bulldog to your family, be sure to do your research to find a reputable breeder. These dogs are in high demand; so many unscrupulous breeders out there are looking to make a quick buck. Make sure you find a breeder that health tests their dogs and provides a written health guarantee.

Mini Frenchie – Basic Statistics 

1. Lifespan: 10-14 years
2. Height: <11 inches 
3. Weight: <22 pounds 
4. Colors: Standard and Rare Color French Bulldogs
5. Cost: $3,000-$20,000+
6. Temperament: Lively, Playful, Easygoing, Smart
7. Suitable for: Families and kids, Apartment living
8. AKC Registration: Not recognized 

What Does A Mini French Bulldog Look Like

The Teacup Frenchie – 7 Things You Must Know Before Buying!

1. Price Range

Micro French Bulldogs can range in price from $3,000 to $20,000+. The price will depend on the breeder, the Frenchie’s color and DNA, and whether the dog is show/breeding quality. For example, a breeder may charge more for a Frenchie carrying Testable Chocolate (Rojo) or they are long haired (Fluffy French Bulldogs).

2. Appearance/Structure

Mini Frenchies have a muscular build and a short, stocky stature. Their coats are short and smooth and come in various colors, including brindle, fawn, cream, and white. They have a short snout and large, round eyes that give them a cute, expressive faces.

3. Food Requirements 

As a Mini French bulldog, you will need a diet high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates, as these are prone to obesity. It means that you should avoid processed foods and stick to a diet of lean meats, vegetables, and healthy, high-quality commercial food. You will also need to ensure that you get enough water, as minis French Bulldogs are prone to dehydration. Offer treats and table scraps sparingly to your Teacup French Bulldog.

4. Grooming

Miniature French Bulldogs are low-maintenance dogs when it comes to grooming. Mini Frenchies have short and smooth coats. They require weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush to properly distribute skin oil and grow new coat hair. Micro Frenchies’ nails should be trimmed regularly, and their ears should be cleaned to prevent infection. In addition, mini French Bulldogs’ facial folds should be cleaned regularly.

5. Temperament & Personality

Teacup French Bulldogs are known for their friendly and affectionate personalities. They are great companions and make excellent family pets. They are also relatively easy to train and are generally good-natured and good-tempered. However, like all dogs, they can have moments of mischief and be quite stubborn sometimes. Overall, Teacup French Bulldogs make great pets for families and individuals alike.

6. Exercise and Mental Stimulation

Mini French Bulldogs are a medium-energy dog breed that needs a good walk for 15-30 minutes to stay healthy and happy. An excellent way to give them mental stimulation is to give them toys they have to figure out how to use, such as Kong’s stuffed with treats. You can also give them puzzle toys to keep their minds active.

7. Health Issues

Due to micro Frenchies’ flat faces; they are more prone to respiratory issues, so they cannot bear hot and humid environments. One of the owners’ most common health issues with their pets is obesity. A miniature version of Bulldogs has a big head, short pelvis, and bone abnormalities. Excess weight gain can lead to other health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. Miniature pups may also have allergies, ear infections, and skin conditions such as flea dermatitis or yeast infection in their ears.

How Do Breeders Create Mini French Bulldogs?

At this point, it is essential to note that the French bulldog has no official miniature size. There are breeds with toy versions, like Poodles and Harlequin Spaniels, but French Bulldogs do not belong to this group of dogs. Instead, breeders use three methods to achieve their micro size, and unfortunately, all of them are pretty controversial, and some even have their rational share of risks attached to them. So let’s see what these methods are.

Breeding the runts of the litter

Some breeders will deliberately choose the most miniature puppies from a litter to breed to create miniature French Bulldogs. It involves selecting the runts of the litter – the most miniature, most underdeveloped puppies – and breeding them together.

While this may seem inhumane to create animals, it is pretty standard in dog breeding. In many cases, the runts of the litter are healthier and more demanding than their larger counterparts and can produce healthier offspring.

Breeders must first select two small Frenchie parents to create a miniature French bulldog. They then use “selective breeding” to breed the two dogs together. Selective breeding is a process where the breeder chooses which dogs to breed together based on specific desired characteristics. In this case, the desired characteristic is small size.

The breeder will continue to breed the smaller dogs together until they consistently produce small puppies. Once the breeder has a line of mini French Bulldogs, they can start calling them “Teacup”, “Miniature”, or “Micro” French Bulldogs. This process is quite risky, and the offspring may have a lot of genetic issues.

Crossing a French Bulldog with a Smaller Dog Breed

To create a Micro Frenchies, breeders typically cross a French Bulldog with a smaller dog breed, such as a Toy Poodle or a Chihuahua. This process is known as “crossbreeding.”

Crossbreeding can result in a dog smaller than a French Bulldog but still has the breed’s characteristic features, such as a large, round head and short snout. The size of a miniature French Bulldog will depend on the other dog breed used in the crossbreeding process—it is the safest process to produce Mini Frenchies.

Miniature French Bulldogs are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), but dog organizations recognize the other toy breeds of dogs.

Breeding Frenchies with Dwarfism

Breeders create miniature French Bulldogs by breeding dogs with dwarfism. French Bulldogs with dwarfism are bred by selecting parent dogs who carry the gene for this condition. By carefully selecting which dogs to breed together, breeders can produce litters of miniature French Bulldogs. This process is called “line breeding.” 

The resulting Micro Frenchies have a lot of health issues, weak bones, and a short life span. However, some believe these miniature French Bulldogs are cute and have unique appearances.

Is the Mini Frenchie Ethically Bred?

The Mini Frenchie is not an ethical breed. It is because they are often bred in unethical ways, such as inbreeding, which can lead to health problems. They are also often bred for their looks rather than their health or temperament. It means there may be better choices for a family pet.

The Pros and Cons of Having a Mini French Bulldog

Pros

• Miniature French Bulldogs don’t need as much exercise as bigger dogs.
• Mini French Bulldogs are better suited for apartment living than their larger counterparts.
• They make fabulous pets because they are cute, cuddly, and love being around family members.
• They also have a great coat that needs little to no grooming.

Cons

• Although Mini French Bulldogs are tiny and adorable, they can be stubborn.
• Micro-Frenchies are prone to obesity and bone problems.
• Additionally, their short noses can make them prone to respiratory problems.

Is Mini French Bulldog Good for Families? 

Mini French Bulldogs are a very trendy choice for families. They are small dogs and, therefore, ideal for those with limited space in their homes or apartments. They can be easily handled, don’t need much exercise, and make great companions. They are small enough to fit in a car, easy to take on walks and fun to play with. Mini Frenchies are also easy to train and make great pets for children.

Is Mini French Bulldog Good with Other Pets?

Mini French bulldog is good with other pets. However, it is best to keep them in separate rooms or take them for long walks to avoid any issues. Mini French Bulldogs will get along with other animals as well as children. They are also good with cats and dogs.

Final Verdict – Is a Mini French Bulldog The Right Breed For Me?

Having a Mini French Bulldog is beautiful, but some factors must be considered. The most important thing to consider is the size of your dog. It might be the right breed for you if you have a small apartment and cannot handle a big dog. Also, teacup Frenchies have specific medical issues that come with them, and if you do not know what these are, it could be dangerous for you and your pet. So you should get one that is bred by a reputable breeder and is less prone to health issues. Make sure you research these issues before choosing which would suit your lifestyle best to avoid any problems down the road. Also, it is important to research which pet insurance companies will cover some of these potential health concerns because they can be costly paying for out of pocket.