Male vs Female French Bulldog: 4 Key Differences

The four key differences between male and female French Bulldogs are size, cost, tendency toward aggression, and health. Males are larger and may cost more overall due to their increased risk of health issues. Meanwhile, females cost more to spay and are less prone to aggressive behaviors.

Every Frenchie is their own individual, and so these characteristics won’t apply to all of them. Some females are just as bulky as males, and most Frenchies aren’t aggressive regardless of gender.

In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between male and female French Bulldogs in depth. We’ll also look at some common myths about the breed.

4 Key Differences Between Male and Female French Bulldogs

#1: Male vs Female French Bulldog Size

Male Frenchies average around 20-28 pounds and stand an inch or two taller than females. Female Frenchies typically weigh around 17-24 pounds.

Males may appear bulkier with larger heads, while many (though not all) females have thinner frames.

#2: Spay and Neuter Costs

Most veterinarians charge more to spay a female than to neuter a male Frenchie. This is because spays are more invasive and take more time to complete.

Of course, you may not need to pay for the surgery at all if you adopt a dog from a rescue or rehoming situation, rather than from a breeder. Those who choose to keep their Frenchies intact also won’t pay for a spay or neuter, but this isn’t recommended. Intact Frenchies of both genders are more prone to health problems, particularly reproductive cancers.

#3: Are Male French Bulldogs More Aggressive?

Both male and female Frenchies are most likely to be aggressive when intact. Unneutered males of all dog breeds have the highest rates of aggression.

It’s also common to see females act aggressively during their heat cycle. Again, this isn’t unique to Frenchies but is common for all dog breeds.

That said, gender doesn’t make a huge difference when it comes to aggression. Genetics and upbringing play much larger roles, and Frenchies aren’t more likely to be aggressive than other dog breeds.

It’s also important to note that no Frenchie will act out in an attempt to dominate you or other dogs, nor will they try to compete for “alpha dog” status. Alpha theory was debunked long ago, and this simply isn’t how dogs think or behave.

The best way to avoid aggression in your Frenchie is to treat them with respect. This includes learning dog body language, respecting their boundaries, and committing to force-free training methods.

#4: Do Male or Female Frenchies Have More Health Problems?

Male French Bulldogs have more health problems than females, according to a UK study. This study also found that health problems were prevalent in both genders, even from a young age.

The most common health problems found were ear infections, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, and skin fold dermatitis. The study also included overgrown nails as a health condition, although arguably that’s simply a result of poor care.

Since the dogs in this study were very young (under two years old on average), it also doesn’t give information on what to expect as Frenchies age. Of the young Frenchies who died in the study, the leading causes of death were brain and spinal cord disorders.

Males were more likely than females to have health problems that fell into the following groups:

• Cutaneous
• Enteropathy
• Upper respiratory tract
• Lower respiratory tract
• Nail disorder
• Undesirable behavior

Undesirable behavior includes aggression, which we discussed above.

Females were not more likely to display any category of health problems than males in the study.

Male vs Female French Bulldog Personality

There are many myths surrounding the personality differences between male and female Frenchies. In short, there are no proven differences and each dog has their own unique traits.

Genetics and upbringing play a large role in who your dog becomes, as well as their own unique personality. Your own gender and personality even play a large role in who your Frenchie becomes!

Some people say that females nip more in puppyhood and grow into calmer and snugglier adult dogs. They’re also said by many to have sassy attitudes.

Males are sometimes said to be more playful and trouble-making.

These stereotypes can likely be explained by the way we as humans perceive gender, which gives us a bias when observing our pets’ behaviors. Or, there might be some truth to these claims, but we can’t know without more evidence!

Are Male or Female French Bulldogs Easier to Train?

French Bulldogs in general take a long time to pick up on new cues. They rank low on the list of smartest dog breeds at #58.

Frenchies can also take a long time to potty train, regardless of gender. Some people claim that male French Bulldogs are prone to urinating to establish dominance–but again, it’s important to remember that this theory is outdated and inaccurate.

Others say that female Frnechies are more intelligent than males, but there is no scientific data to prove this.

Although Frenchies aren’t considered the smartest dogs, they can be successfully trained using force-free training methods. It’ll just take more repetition than you’d expect from a more intelligent breed, like a Poodle or Australian Shepherd.

Are Male or Female Frenchies More Expensive?

Some breeders will charge more for female French Bulldog puppies than for males. This is a red flag that you’re dealing with a puppy mill or backyard breeder.

Over their lifetimes, both male and female Frenchies tend to be more expensive than other dog breeds. This is because they’re bred in a way that makes them predisposed to health problems.

French Bulldogs have short snouts that can cause a number of respiratory issues, including trouble breathing and exercise intolerance that affects them every single day.

They’re also prone to expensive medical issues including brachycephalic syndrome, heat stroke, dental disease, and more.

When adopting a Frenchie, it’s essential to purchase pet insurance immediately to avoid risking high emergency vet bills. Please look into insurance costs before adoption, as companies charge more to insure high-risk breeds like Frenchies, and not everyone can afford these costs.

The best Frenchie breeders will screen for health issues in both parents and publish the results with the OFA. They will not breed dogs with known health issues.

However, this doesn’t eliminate the risk of health issues that stem from their shortened snouts, which is why no Frenchie breeder can truly be considered reputable or ethical.

Are Male or Female French Bulldogs Better Pets?

There aren’t many differences between male and female Frenchies, and it’s likely that you’d be happy with either! This is especially true if you plan to have them spayed or neutered.

Intact females can be a bit messier to clean up after during their heat cycle and may be prone to aggressive behaviors or trying to run away in search of a mate. Intact males also have this tendency to roam and a higher chance of showing aggression than neutered males.

Of course, this doesn’t mean every intact French Bulldog is aggressive! This is far from the case.

The last significant factor is health since males are more prone to health problems. But unfortunately, all Frenchies are predisposed to health problems and there is no guaranteed way to avoid them.

Thank you for reading! If you have feedback on this post, please contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/Celiaaa