Frenchnese

12-20 lbs
9-12"
United States
French Bulldog
Havanese

The Frenchnese is a small well-built dog with a deep chest, strong straight legs and small but well-padded paws. It can be hard to see the exact shape under their long silky dense coat, but these robust little dogs are stronger than they appear. The head is rounded on the top, and the dog possesses large round dark eyes that peer out from under long shaggy eyebrows which are often tied up or clipped to allow better vision. Their ears may be rounded and bat like or may take after the Havanese parent and be shaggy and floppy. The nostrils are often black, with wide nostrils. Depending on the parental influence, the face may have some wrinkles or be fluffy and fringed, they may or may not have pendulous lips, and the tail is either docked or long and fluffy in nature. Even siblings in the same litter can vary in characteristics, there is no way of knowing what each puppy will inherit from the parent dogs.

purpose Purpose
Companion dog, Watchdog, Therapy dog
history Date of Origin
Unknown
ancestry Ancestry
French Bulldog, Havanese

Frenchnese Health

Average Size
Male Frenchnese size stats
Height: 10-13 inches Weight: 14-22 lbs
Female Frenchnese size stats
Height: 9-12 inches Weight: 12-20 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Cataracts
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve Perthes Disease
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Osteochondrodysplasia
Occasional Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood Work
  • Full Physical Examination

Frenchnese Breed History

As with many hybrid dogs, the data regarding the Frenchnese development is somewhat lacking, but by examining the parent breed characteristics, we can determine the characteristics that your Frenchnese dog will inherit. The Havanese is almost extinct now in Cuba, due mostly as a result of the French, Cuban and Russian revolutions. But dedicated breeders have been rebuilding the line and it is now showing a rise in popularity. It belongs to the Bichon dog family which refers to its curly dense coat. The Bichon Havanese originated in Cuba from the now extinct Havanese Silk dog. The Havanese enjoyed pampering in the aristocratic homes as lapdogs. Later they were crossed with the Poodle which has produced the dog we know today. Breeding in the United States began when a Mrs Goodale, an experienced breeder, began with 11 dogs and she is credited with saving the breed from extinction. The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1996. The French Bulldog originated in the 19th Century in the city of Nottingham, England. Lace makers of the time decided to breed a smaller version of the English Bulldog to produce a miniature lapdog that they referred to as a ‘toy’ Bulldog. During the Industrial Revolution, the craftsmen relocated to France, taking their little lapdogs with them. These toy dogs became very popular in France, and were given the name of French Bulldog. Over time the dogs made their way back to England to participate in the dog shows. While the British fiercely debated the ‘French’ alteration to the dog’s name, but the name has stuck and it has been known as the French Bulldog ever since.

Frenchnese Breed Appearance

Owning a hybrid dog can be a bit like opening a secret Santa parcel, you never know what you may get. A lot depends on the parent dog and how much of one dog’s genes are in the mix. The puppies can vary considerably even in a litter. But generally, your Frenchnese dog will be short, sturdily built and will vary from a smooth coat with feathering, to a long silky coat. The body is often slightly longer than it is high, and the legs will be strong but short. The feet are rounded and well padded, some may have hair feathering.  Some Frenchnese have the Bulldogs wrinkled face and drooping lips, others have the fluffy face where you can hardly see their large dark eyes. Even the ears can vary from upright and bat shaped to folded and floppy. This lively small dog charms all who meet them, they love people and enjoy being part of the family. So much so that some people call them a ‘Velcro’ dog – they stick to you so closely. The Frenchnese is a true companion dog.

Eye Color Possibilities
brown Frenchnese eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Frenchnese nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
brindle Frenchnese coat
Brindle
fawn Frenchnese coat
Fawn
white Frenchnese coat
White
black Frenchnese coat
Black
sable Frenchnese coat
Sable
gray Frenchnese coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Frenchnese straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Frenchnese Breed Maintenance

Depending on the coat your Frenchnese dog inherits from its parents, your hybrid may require a bit more maintenance than most other breeds, especially if it has the long silky coat. If this is the case, your dog will require frequent brushing and bathing to keep the coat from matting. Use specially prepared dog products when bathing your Frenchnese dog to prevent skin allergies. Thankfully the longer coat has a low level of shedding. Some owners get their dogs clipped but keep in mind the long silky coat acts as a protective barrier to heat and cold and can influence the way they react to climate. Your Frenchnese dog will enjoy being the centre of your attention, and will sit patiently while you comb, bush and wash them into shape. During this process, take the time to check in the ears for signs of inflammation, and keep them clean by gently wiping out with a damp soft cloth. Brush your dog’s teeth two to three times per week for optimal health, and perform a full examination of your dog once a week to check for sores, rashes or inflammation. Catching health problems early enables a quick treatment and healing.

Brushes for Frenchnese
Dematter
Dematter
Comb
Comb
Clipper
Clipper
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Frenchnese requires daily brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Frenchnese Temperament

Lively, active, and almost comical, these little guys will have you smiling all day. The Frenchnese possess a mild temperament who adores its family or can bond to one person. They are a house dog, but quite an active one, so need a decent walk each day. They are very affectionate, gentle and yet versatile – they will surprise you. One minute they will be on the back of the sofa, peering out at the world, the next minute they may be shredding the toilet paper. These small dogs need mental stimulation especially when young, they love games and lots of toys. While they are eager to please and enjoy training, they will require patience as they have a stubborn streak. House training may take a bit longer than other breeds and will need calm and loving patience. On the negative side, they can become possessive of you if they have not been socialised properly when young. They need lots of interaction with other people and dogs to become confident dogs. But they are intelligent and make great pets and companions for families, small children and other family pets.

Frenchnese Activity Requirements

The Frenchnese dog is active for its size, it will need a really good walk to burn off that energy and keep them fit and healthy. They also love games and will play as long as you have the stamina. But they are not always on the go, they do like snuggle time and your lap is the prime spot. The Frenchnese breed becomes very close to its owner and family, they do get anxious when they are left for extended periods of time alone. They will endear themselves to you with their quirky ways, such as having a love for paper (they love to shred it all through the house) and they also like to sit up high so they can see what is happening outside. They respond well to praise and kindness, and are very willing to please.  

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
6 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Frenchnese Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.80 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$25.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Frenchnese Owner Experiences

Banks
9 Months
2 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Hiking
He is a happy little dog. He is an excellent jumper and loves to run around, climb, and explore. He’s very agreeable with other dogs and tends to prefer running around with other dogs than to play with toys. He is a real chewer though when he does have toys. Does not enjoy fetch, just demolishes toys so we have to watch him. Overall he is an excellent addition to our family. We have a frenchie as well and I would say their style of play with each other is similar but they’re very different dogs.
4 years ago
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