If you recently brought home a French Bulldog puppy, you may be wondering how big he will get. We consulted with our veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Coates, who reviewed and approved data about puppy weights and sizes, which we then used to create a convenient French Bulldog growth chart. You can use this as a reference to see how your puppy compares to the average.
The chart shows you a Frenchie’s monthly average weight range during the growing phase. You can also refer to the puppy weight calculator to get an idea of how big your puppy is likely to get.
In This Article
French Bulldog Growth Chart
- 1 year: 17-28 pounds, 11-13 inches
- Fully grown: Under 28 pounds, 11-13 inches
Text Transcript of the French Bulldog Growth Chart
| French Bulldog – Age | Weight | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 2 months 3 months 4 months 5 months 6 months 7 months 8 months 9 months 10 months 11 months 1 year |
3-7 pounds 7-12 pounds 10-16 pounds 11-20 pounds 13-22 pounds 14-25 pounds 15-27 pounds 16-28 pounds 17-28 pounds 17-28 pounds 17-28 pounds |
4-6 inches
7-9 inches 10-11 inches 11-13 inches |
With large bat ears and a playful, alert disposition, the French Bulldog is one of the world’s most popular breeds, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC).1
Affectionately known by their owners as “Frenchies,” they resemble standard Bulldogs in miniature except for the large ears that are a standout feature.
The AKC traces the dog’s roots back to the canine gladiators used in bull-baiting, a blood sport outlawed in the mid-19th century. Breeders bred the standard bulldog down to a toy variety, creating the Frenchie of today.
Donning a smooth, brilliant coat and a compact and muscular body, the Frenchie may be small but he makes a wonderful watchdog. That doesn’t mean he barks a lot, though.
He’s a favorite in the cities because he’s not noisy, likes most people and other dogs, and adapts well to indoor environments. His watchfulness instead can be attributed to his natural alertness and the fact that he barks only when warranted.
His head is typically large and square with heavy, adorable wrinkles above the short nose. Purebred colors include fawn, white, brindle, and brindle & white. He sheds but not heavily, so he can be easily taken care of with daily brushing.
What Are the Growth Stages of a French Bulldog?
When your French Bulldog is born, she will be both blind and deaf. She’ll spend most of her time sleeping and nursing until she’s around two weeks old, at which time her eyes and ears will start to open.
Birth to Six Weeks
By one month of age, your puppy’s baby teeth will start to come in, and she’ll start walking around. Play will become important as the puppies in the litter become aware of their surroundings. Between four and six weeks, she’ll start exploring her boundaries and improving her physical coordination.
Six Weeks to Two Months
Between six and eight weeks is when puppies should start receiving their vaccinations, including distemper and parvovirus.2 Most Frenchies are ready to be fully weaned off mother’s milk at eight weeks. This is when you’ll typically take your new puppy home.
Two Months to Four Months
Between two and three months, your puppy is ready to be housetrained and can start learning basic commands like “sit” and “down.” She’ll start to put on more weight, and is likely to be very excitable and full of energy. This is a good time to begin socializing her, gently exposing her to new people and environments, and controlling any aggressive behaviors like nipping at people.
Four Months to Five Months
At four months, your Frenchie will reach about half her adult size. She’ll start to lose her baby teeth and gain her adult teeth—a process that lasts until about six months of age. This is when she will want to chew on everything, so be sure she has plenty of chew toys and cold treats. She may challenge your authority at times, as this is her “toddler” phase, but consistent, gentle correction will help, as will daily attention and exercise.
Five Months to Eight Months
Between five and six months, your puppy will reach sexual maturity. This is a period of fast growth and many changes, so remember to be patient. Your dog may act like a teenager and get into trouble now and then. At seven months she’ll be incredibly active, adventurous, and curious, and will start to take on adult-dog characteristics in terms of her physical development.
At eight months of age, it’s time to talk to your veterinarian about the spay/neuter process. Many will recommend waiting until your puppy has finished growing to avoid interfering with musculoskeletal development, which occurs around nine months to a year.
Nine Months to 1 Year
The growth rate slows at this point, but your puppy will continue to put on weight as she fills out. She’ll need plenty of socialization and activity and lots of positive reinforcement training. If you’re having any behavioral problems at this point, it’s a good idea to talk to a trainer.
Between 10 and 12 months is when your puppy will reach her full adult size. She may get bored with her established routine and need new stimulation. Try walking and exploring new areas, taking her on new adventures, or trying out some new toys. By a year old, she should be well socialized and well-behaved, though she may still have the energy of a puppy.
Feed Your French Bulldog Carefully
During all stages of your puppy’s growth, feed high-quality small-breed food. These foods provide the proper nutrition for a small dog like a Frenchie. A diet that includes protein from real meat, like poultry, beef, or fish is important.
Feed your puppy three times a day while he’s still growing, between the ages of two and six months old. Keep in mind that your puppy may eat a bit, wander around, then come back and finish. This can be due to his flat face and breathing issues.
Leave the food down for at least 30 minutes before taking it away. Owners often find that feeding their Frenchies in enhanced bowls with tilted rims and elevated legs makes mealtime easier.
After six months, you can reduce the feeding schedule to two meals a day. Large meals can lead to gastric distress or even a twisted stomach, which can be life-threatening. Smaller meals also help control a dog’s blood sugar levels.
Frenchies will also have an easier time eating soft wet foods, but they need dry kibble to keep their teeth clean. A combination of the two may work best for your dog.
This breed is prone to obesity, which can damage their physical structure and put them at a higher risk for health issues. Particularly as your puppy gets older, watch his calorie intake and weight. Give treats only in moderation, and avoid giving table scraps, cooked bones, and foods high in fat.
When your dog reaches one year old, switch from puppy food to adult food. Puppy food will be too high in calories at this point, so adult food is healthier and more likely to keep your dog at the right weight.
Do choose quality food made by a conscientious company. A well-balanced diet is key to the health of your dog.
To check your puppy’s weight as he grows, look at him from the top. He should have a bigger rib cage tapering to a defined waist. If you notice him looking too round, offer a bit more exercise or cut back on his food just a little.
If you can see his ribs, he needs more food. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) offers some helpful illustrations of proper body condition.
The standards of many breeds include a range of height and weight.
The AKC is less particular with the French Bulldog, however. His height ranges from 11-13 inches, but pretty much any weight is okay as long as it’s under 28 pounds. (Any dog that weighs over that is considered disqualified by the AKC.)
How Big Do French Bulldogs Get?
If you’re curious as to how big your French Bulldog will get, there are a few ways to estimate her final size.
Begin with the puppy’s age. Frenchies reach their full height when they are between nine and twelve months old, and their full weight around eight months old, though they’ll continue to fill out after that.
Next, consider gender. As with many other animals, males are typically larger than females.3 Whereas females can weigh between 17-28 pounds, a male can weigh between 20-28 pounds.
Take a look at your puppy’s parents if you can. Genetics plays a large role in determining what your dog will look like. Typically females will look like their mothers and males like their fathers.
You can also take a look at your puppy’s paws. If they seem oversized or out-of-proportion to the rest of the dog’s body, she is probably still growing and will eventually “grow into” her paw size.
Another way to estimate your puppy’s final weight is to use this simple formula:4
(Current weight/Age in weeks) x 52.
For example, if your pup is 25 pounds at 16 weeks of age, the formula would look like this:
- (25/16) = 1.57 (rounded up)
- 1.57 x 52 = 82 (rounded up)
The best time to check your French Bulldog with this formula is when he reaches about 12 weeks of age.
You can also use our puppy size predictor to find out how big your puppy might get as an adult. Or, if you want to see the growth rates of other dogs, we’ve also created a Golden Retriever size chart, Great Dane growth chart, Chihuahua size chart, and Labrador growth chart.
When Do Frenchies Stop Growing?
Most French Bulldogs have reached close to their adult height and weight by nine months of age. They are likely to continue to fill out after that, though, and may gain a few more pounds until they reach one year old.
After the age of one year, it’s important to carefully watch your Frenchie’s weight. This breed has a relatively high tendency to gain weight, so watch his food and daily exercise level carefully.
Things That Affect French Bulldog Growth
The French Bulldog is vulnerable to a few specific health problems, including the following:
- Skin problems
- Ear infections
- Breathing problems (because of their flat noses)
- Eye Problems (like cataracts)
- Spinal injury
- Hip dysplasia and other joint issues
- Heatstroke
Issues that may specifically affect your puppy’s growth include:
- Nutrition: A lack of proper nutrition could result in stunted growth. Make sure to feed your puppy a diet formulated for his life stage.
- Allergies: French Bulldogs can be prone to allergies. If you notice excessive skin itching, sneezing, or other signs of allergies, check with your veterinarian for solutions.
- Spaying/neutering: These operations, though critical to your dog’s long-term health, can affect your pet’s metabolism if performed too early. Talk to your veterinarian about the best time to spay or neuter your pup.
- Overfeeding: Overfeeding can cause your puppy to gain too much weight too soon. This can cause problems that affect growth rate, including joint and back problems, breathing difficulties, and heart diseases.
- Genetics: Some health issues are inherited. Check with your breeder to be advised of any that may affect your puppy. How big your puppy’s parents were will also be a critical factor in how big your puppy will become.
- Exercise: A physically active dog will be healthier than a sedentary dog, but keep in mind that it’s possible to overexercise your Frenchie. Long walks aren’t recommended due to common breathing problems. Short walks and frequent playtimes are the best way to exercise your dog.
French Bulldog Weight Calculator
PUPPY WEIGHT CALCULATOR
Frequently Asked Questions
Most French Bulldogs will range from 11-13 inches high and will weigh up to 28 pounds. Look at your puppy’s parents if you can, as her size will often be similar to theirs. Females are usually smaller than males, and they reach close to their full growth at around nine months old. If your dog is younger than that, she’s still growing.
Use our puppy growth chart above to estimate your puppy’s final weight, or take the weight of your puppy at four months and double it to estimate how large she’ll be when fully grown.
You can expect your French Bulldog to reach close to his final weight by nine months old. This is when he will reach his final height, but he will keep growing after that, mainly filling out muscles until he reaches a year old.
At six months old, your Frenchie should weigh between 17 and 22 pounds, with an average weight of about 18.5 pounds for males and 17 pounds for females.
At birth, a French Bulldog will weigh between 8 and 10 ounces. At one week, he’ll weigh between 14 and 17 ounces, and at three months, between 7 and 12 pounds. A healthy puppy will continue to gain weight until he reaches full size at about 9 months, which should be between 17 and 28 pounds.
At five months of age, a French Bulldog puppy will eat an average of about 2/3 to 2 cups total per day of puppy food, depending on her weight. Those that weigh close to 12 pounds will be on the lower end and those up to 20 pounds on the higher end.
At this age, it’s also important to split up your puppy’s feedings. Three times a day is ideal for her digestion until she reaches six months of age.
Male Frenchies will typically be bigger than females, although genetics, body shape, and lifestyle can also affect size. Males have more muscle and bulk so they are likely to be a few pounds heavier. But in general, purebred French Bulldogs will range between 11 and 13 inches high and up to 28 pounds.
You may notice that your Frenchie’s legs are longer than you expected. This can be because of genetics, early spaying/neutering, or early trauma that affected the growth of your puppy’s growth plates and bones. Mixed-breed Frenchies may also be taller than purebreds.
There are some so-called mini or teacup Frenchies out there today as well. They aren’t an “official” or recognized breed by the AKC, but they are popular with many owners. Bred to be smaller than normal, they will grow to less than 11 inches tall and weigh less than 28 pounds.
Additional Resources
If you’re looking for more information about dog growth in general, we’ve created a puppy weight calculator, an in-depth guide to how heavy your dog should be, and a series of growth charts for different breeds (and dogs and mixed breeds in general):
- Great Dane Growth Chart
- Goldendoodle Growth Chart
- Chihuahua Growth Chart
- Golden Retriever Growth Chart
- Labrador Growth Chart
- Dog Growth Chart
- Mixed Breed Growth Chart
- Rottweiler Growth Chart
- Pit Bull Growth Chart
- Australian Shepherd Growth Chart
- French Bulldog Growth Chart
- Great Pyrenees Growth Chart
- Standard Poodle Growth Chart
- Bernedoodle Growth Chart
- Husky Growth Chart
Article Sources
Pet News Daily uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- French bulldog dog breed information. (n.d.). American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/french-bulldog/
- Staff, A. (2022, January 1). A complete guide to puppy vaccinations. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/content/health/articles/puppy-shots-complete-guide/
- Staff, A. (2017, May 11). Breed weight chart – American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/breed-weight-chart/
- Puppy growth: What you need to know. (n.d.). Bond Vet. https://bondvet.com/b/puppy-growth
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