French Bulldog Growth Stages: A Comprehensive Guide

French Bulldogs are a popular breed known for their playful and affectionate personalities.

They have a unique appearance with large ears and flat faces, a common trait of the Brachycephalic breed.

As French Bulldogs mature from puppies to adults, they go through several growth and developmental stages.

The developmental stages of a French Bulldog include the neonatal stage, transitional stage, socialization stage, juvenile stage, adolescence stage, and adult stage.

Understanding these stages can help owners provide appropriate care and training for their pups at each stage of their life.

By providing proper care and socialization, owners can help ensure that their French Bulldog grows up to be a well-adjusted and happy adult dog.

French Bulldog Growth Stages

French Bulldogs go through different growth stages from birth to adulthood. Each stage has its own unique characteristics and milestones.

It is essential to understand these stages to ensure that your Frenchie is healthy and on track with their growth and development.

#1 – The Neonatal Stage – “Newborn” (Birth to 2 Weeks)

The neonatal stage is the first stage of a French Bulldog’s life, which begins at birth and lasts for the first two weeks.

During this stage:

Puppies are blind, deaf, and toothless.
Touch and taste are immediately present after birth.
Their mother has the most influence over the puppy. She will feed them and keep them warm too.
Puppies will mostly nurse and sleep during this stage.

#2 – The Transitional Stage – “Baby” (2 to 4 Weeks)

The transitional stage is the period when French Bulldog puppies start to become more aware of their surroundings.

During this stage:

Their sense of hearing and smell will develop.
Their eyes will open and will develop.
Puppies teeth will begin to appear.
Also, puppies will start to move. They begin to stand, take their first steps, wag their tail, and even bark.
A puppy’s behaviour will be influenced by the mom and littermates.

#3 – The Socialization Stage (3 to 12 Weeks)

The socialization stage is a key period for a French Bulldog’s socialization and is the period when a puppy goes through rapid development.

During this stage:

From 3 to 5 weeks, play becomes important as puppies become aware of their surroundings.
From weeks 3 to 4, pups develop control over their bladder and bowel movements. This is when they start learning to leave their sleeping area before relieving themselves.
From 4 to 6 weeks, puppies start learning dog social skills such as play, interaction with littermates, the inhibited bite, etc. Pups also explore their social boundaries, how to communicate effectively with other dogs and improve physical coordination.
From the 4th week, puppies begin forming emotional attachments and bonds with the people around them.
By 5 to 7 weeks, a puppy needs positive human interaction as he or she develops curiosity and explores new experiences.
Between 6 to 8 weeks, puppies should start receiving vaccinations.
By week 8, puppies are fully weaned off their mother’s milk and eat solid food.
By 7 to 9 weeks, puppies can begin to be housetrained, including potty training.
At 9 to 12 weeks, puppies can start learning basic commands as they start focusing on people.

#4 – The Ranking Stage – “Teenage” (3 to 6 Months)

The ranking stage is the period when French Bulldog puppies start to lose their baby teeth and develop their adult teeth. During this stage:

French Bulldogs start teething. It will last for several months.
You are the main influencer for your pup.
They become more active and playful, and their energy levels increase.
This is a good time to start more advanced obedience training and socialization.

#5 – The Adolescence Stage – “Young Adult” (6 to 18 Months)

The adolescence stage is when French Bulldogs become sexually mature and start to develop their adult personalities. During this stage:

Between 6 to 9 months of age, puppies reach sexual maturity.
Between 9 to 12 months of age, your puppy’s growth slows down. Usually, French Bulldogs reach adulthood between 9 to 12 months of age.
At 1 year old, French Bulldogs reach their full height and weight.
They may become more independent and stubborn, and it’s important to continue training and socialization to help them become well-behaved adult dogs.
They may also experience a growth spurt during this time.

#6 – The Adult Stage (1 to 7 Years)

The adult stage is when a French Bulldog reaches full maturity and has developed their adult personalities. During this stage:

Frenchies continue to grow and develop, but at a slower rate than they did during their puppyhood.
They may become less active and playful than when they were puppies, but they still require regular exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy.
It’s important to monitor their health and take them for regular veterinary check-ups to ensure they are in good health.

Understanding the different growth stages of a French Bulldog is crucial in ensuring that they grow up healthy and happy. Pet parents should provide their Frenchie with proper nutrition, exercise, and attention at each stage of their development to ensure they reach their full

Senior French Bulldog Stage

The senior stage of French Bulldogs is not considered a developmental stage, but rather a stage of aging and gradual decline in physical and cognitive abilities.

This stage typically occurs around 7-8 years of age, but can vary depending on the individual dog and their overall health.

During the senior stage, French Bulldogs may experience age-related health issues such as arthritis, vision or hearing loss, and cognitive decline.

It is important for dog parents of senior French Bulldogs to provide them with appropriate care and attention to help them stay healthy and comfortable.

Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial during this stage to catch any health issues early on.

A healthy and balanced diet is also important, as obesity can exacerbate health issues in senior dogs.

Regular exercise is beneficial for maintaining muscle mass and joint health, but should be tailored to the dog’s individual needs and limitations.

Senior French Bulldogs may also experience skin problems, ear infections, and diarrhea, so it is important to monitor their overall wellbeing and address any issues promptly.

Additionally, French Bulldogs are prone to brachycephalic syndrome and disc disease, which can be exacerbated in senior dogs.

In conclusion, the senior stage of French Bulldogs is a time of aging and gradual decline in physical and cognitive abilities.

With proper care and attention, senior French Bulldogs can still enjoy a good quality of life.

Regular veterinary check-ups, a healthy diet, regular exercise, and accommodations for any age-related issues are essential for maintaining the health and wellbeing of senior French Bulldogs.

French Bulldog Growth Chart

French Bulldogs are a small breed that grows relatively quickly.

This growth chart provides a guideline for what to expect in terms of height and weight as your French Bulldog puppy develops.

FRENCH BULLDOG AGE	FRENCH BULLDOG HEIGHT	FRENCH BULLDOG WEIGHT
8 weeks	–	5 – 6.9 pounds (2.2 – 3.1 kg)
3 months	5 – 6 inches (12.7 – 15.2 cm)	6.9 – 9 pounds (3.1 – 4.1 kg)
6 months	7 – 9 inches (17.8 – 22.9 cm)	16 – 18 pounds (7.3 – 8.2 kg)
9 months	10 – 11 inches (24.5 – 27.9 cm)	18 – 23 pounds (8.2 – 10.4 kg)
1 year	11 – 13 inches (28 – 33 cm)	23 – 28 pounds (10.4 – 12.7 kg)

It is important to note that there is a range in both height and weight, and that this chart is based on breed standards.

Use the lighter weights for smaller Frenchies and females, and the heavier weights for males and bigger pups.

However, it is also important to keep in mind that French Bulldogs can vary in size and shape, and that there are Frenchies that fall outside of this standard.

If you have a half-bred French Bulldog or cross-breed (known as a Frenchton), your doggy’s size will be determined by both parents’ breed traits.

Teacup or mini French Bulldogs are the result of breeding small-sized French Bulldogs.

It is important to note that while these dogs may be cute, they are often prone to health problems due to their small size.

Adult French Bulldog Size

French Bulldogs are small dogs that are known for their playful and affectionate personalities. As with any dog breed, it is important to know what to expect in terms of their size and growth.

Here is what you need to know about the adult size of French Bulldogs.

When Is a French Bulldog Full Grown?

French Bulldogs reach adulthood by the time they are 1 year old. On average, French Bulldogs are fully grown by the age of 12 months.

However, a bigger sized French Bulldog can continue to grow until 14 months of age. Most French Bulldogs will grow to their maximum height in their first 12 months.

However, their weight will increase from 12 months for up to 24 months as they bulk out.

Even once your French Bulldog is as tall as he/she is going to get, your french will still gain weight in the form of muscle mass.

The rate of your French Bulldog’s growth can vary depending on your dog’s diet, genetics, exercise, and overall health.

French Bulldog Adult Weight and Height

A purebred adult French Bulldog weighs between 18 and 28 pounds (10.4 – 12.7 kg) and is 11 to 13 inches tall (28 – 33 cm).

Measuring a French Bulldog’s Weight, a female French Bulldog typically weighs less than a male because females have smaller heads and less muscle.

According to the AKC breed standard, both male and female French Bulldogs shouldn’t exceed 28 lb (12.7 kg).

French Bulldogs above this weight may be classed overweight. Check with your vet to get an accurate diagnosis since more athletic dogs will have bigger muscles and will weigh more.

French Bulldogs are usually at their full height when they are about 9 to 12 months old.

Adult French Bulldogs, both female and male, are usually close in height (if not in weight). They are between 11 to 13 inches (28 – 33 cm) tall.

Using the Dog Size Calculator

The puppy growth calculator is powered by Omni Calculator.

All you need is to fill in your puppy’s age and weight (choosing the metrics of your choice), and the dog weight estimator will process these details of your puppy to its adult weight.

Your dog’s adult weight will then be displayed as a range e.g. 13 – 18 lb, also telling you what size type your dog will be and what they can measure up to in height, from paw to shoulder e.g. 18 in (45.7 cm) of height.