The mini French bulldog, also known as the teacup French bulldog, is the miniature version of the regular Frenchie. It would interest you to know that French bulldogs are very popular in the US and are among the world’s most popular dog breeds. It is natural for a Frenchie lover to be curious about a teacup French bulldog.
The day I learned that there was a mini Frenchie while discussing with a dog breeder, I was shocked and didn’t believe it right on the spot. It wasn’t until my breeder friend brought one for me that the feeling was so incredible. Please note that the breeder wasn’t involved in the breeding process of the mini Frenchie as it is unethical for them to do so.
Due to the complicated process of “creating” a smaller size of the regular French bulldog, the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the European Kennel Club (EKC) do not recognize the breed. Not just the AKC and EKC but also other breeders’ associations.
If you are wondering why these associations do not accept them, you should know that breeding a teacup Frenchie is not “natural,” and a breeder must play “god” to achieve this. Some breeders would claim that the breeding is “ethical” as opposed to the decision of organizations such as AKC.
We will explain the whole controversial process of breeding these Frenchies below. So keep reading!
Before scrolling, you might be looking for where to buy a mini French Bulldog. Well, we prepared a guide here with a compilation of the best options to help you make the best choice.
Mini French Bulldog Overview
Name | Mini French Bulldog |
Other Names | Teacup French Bulldog Miniature French Bulldog |
Average Height | 5 to 8 inches |
Average Weight | 4 pounds |
Average Lifespan | 12 to 16 years |
AKC Recognized | No |
Average Price | $1,500 - $10,000 |
Process of Breeding a Miniature French Bulldog
There are three (3) methods for breeding a miniature Frenchie. They are:
- Crossbreeding
- Breeding Runts
- Genetic Mutation
Crossbreeding
This is the most common and safest way to breed a teacup French bulldog. All the breeder has to do is find a regular Frenchie and crossbreed it with a smaller & different dog breed, in short, a dwarf dog. It is important to note that the mini Frenchie would inherit features from both parents. These features include temperament and appearance. Some common mixes include the French Bulldog/Yorkshire Terrier Mix and the French Bulldog/Poodle Mix.
Breeding Runts
The smallest animals in a litter are known as runts, and what breeders that choose this option try to do is breed runts with one another. Their long-term goal is more long-term as they aim for these runts to pass their small size to unborn puppies.
This has not stopped people from loving and adopting the mini Frenchies. They are generally loving and fun to play with. You can leave them with kids and have no cause to worry. The major issue with this option is that most runts always have health issues, which can also affect the health of the teacup French bulldog you are trying to breed.
Genetic Mutation
I am not comfortable with this option. Many French bulldogs suffer from dwarfism, so all you have to do to create the miniature French bulldog is to cultivate the genetic mutation for canine dwarfism. That doesn’t sound safe to me, though.
Miniature French Bulldog Health Issues
Trying to play “god” and creating these breeds of Frenchie would create health problems and issues for them. The most common ones include the following:
- Serious breathing issues, if they are not properly fed, would be one health issue they would face.
- Also, the fact that they have a short muzzle could lead to vomiting, difficulty in breathing, or even collapse. This is known as Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome.
- Malformed and compressed spinal cord. This could cause a lot of pain for the French bulldog and lead to paralysis.
- Bowed legs, abnormally shaped skulls, deformed spines, and small bladders
- Heart and liver-related problems.
- Brain inflammation.
- Collapsing due to overheating from too much exercise.
- Psychosis, although it is very rare
These are health risks that a miniature French bulldog is exposed to, and if you intend to get one, you have to be careful with the Frenchie.
Full-Grown Teacup French Bulldog Size (Height and Weight)
A typical mini Frenchie weighs four (4) pounds and is between 5 – 7 inches in height. They could fit in a teacup.
Teacup French Bulldog Facts
Here are some facts you should know about the teacup French bulldog.
- They are very lovable and are good family pets. You could leave them with children and have nothing to worry about.
- They have low energy and are considered “apartment dogs.” They can’t exercise for too long.
- They usually have a single coat. This can make them withstand cold and harsh weather conditions.
- In many cases, they die prematurely due to bad breeding practices.
- They are very well-behaved, making them a popular choice amongst pet lovers.
FAQs about Mini French Bulldogs
Here are some frequently asked questions about a teacup Frenchie.
Are there miniature French bulldogs?
Yes, they exist.
Are mini French bulldogs good pets?
Yes, they are given that you or the pet owner(s) look after them very well. They will begin guarding if they don’t get enough attention and care.
How big do Mini Frenchies get?
A miniature French bulldog could weigh 4/5 pounds and seven inches in height.
How much do Teacup French bulldogs cost?
The starting price could be anywhere from $1,500 – $2,000, and it could go as high as almost $10,000 or more than that.
How much are mini French bulldog puppies?
$2,000, but on a higher end, you should have at least $5,000 to get a puppy.
Miniature French Bulldogs vs. French Bulldogs
- The first major difference between these Frenchies is their size. The average mini Frenchie weighs 4 pounds and is 7/8 inches in height. The regular French bulldog weighs 16 to 28 pounds and is usually 11 inches tall.
- A miniature Frenchie is well behaved than the regular Frenchie.
- The regular French bulldog takes much less effort to groom than the mini French bulldog.
- The mini French bulldog faces more health issues than the standard Frenchie. Thus, the standard Frenchie is healthier.
There seems to be tons of scams online. Can you please recommend a couple sites that I can purchase a Teacup French Dog, thank you
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