French Bulldog’s average lifespan was between 9 and 14 years.
In comparison with the French Bulldog lifespan, human beings have a much longer life expectancy. When the time comes to say goodbye to a beloved pet, most dog owners struggle with this simple reality. Even though a dog can’t live forever, understanding how long it lives will allow you to plan for his needs within its golden years to spend as much time with him as possible.
So you have your heart set on owning a French Bulldog, or you may already be a proud owner of a little Frenchie. But now you are curious how long your little furry friend will be part of your life. The Kennel Club UK (Voluntary register for pedigree dogs) has a report reviewing the ages of 71 dogs that passed away. The net result was that a French Bulldog’s average lifespan was between 9 and 14 years.
https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/16454/french%20bulldog.pdf
What do French Bulldogs usually die from?
| Cancer | 38% |
| Neurologic | 16.9% |
| Old Age | 8.5% |
| Respiratory | 7.0% |
| Musculoskeletal | 4.2% |
The French Bulldog Club of England has information indicating that the average French Bulldog Lifespan is between 12 and 14 years average. However, they warn that common health issues like respiratory disorders could be present.
http://www.frenchbulldogclubofengland.org.uk/health.html
This is pretty average for dogs overall. But many French Bulldogs have a much shorter life expectancy; according to this review, more than 2,200 French veterinary Bulldogs recorded 98 deaths in 2013, with a median age of just 3.6 years. It must be noted, though, that these dogs were under veterinary care at the time and may have had issues outside of normal circumstances.
https://cgejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40575-018-0057-9
So what factors impact a dog’s lifespan
There is a noticeable difference in the lifespans of small and large dogs, often up to several years. Even though older dogs seem to contract age-related diseases earlier than smaller dogs, researchers do not know why or how this occurs. This could be because larger breeds mature from juveniles to adults faster, thereby increasing the chances of abnormal cell growth like cancer.
Small Dogs:
The average life expectancy for a small dog ranges between 10 to 15 years, with a few breeds lasting for as much as 18 years. Small dogs generally live longer than their more substantial equivalents, with the shortest-live dogs still approaching the average life expectancy for the larger dogs. It makes them a good option for people who want to have long-term buddies.
Examples of Small Dogs:
| Chihuahua | 15-17 years |
| Chinese Crested | 15-17 years |
| English Toy Spaniel | 13-15 years |
| Russell Terrier | 12-14 years |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 12-15 years |
Medium Dogs:
Mid-sized dogs run the gamut from smaller companion dogs, including French Bulldogs, to larger, active working breeds. Breeds of medium size live an average of 10 to 13 years, with some breeds living much longer. The actual life expectancy of medium breeds of dogs can be difficult to determine, but there are general life span guidelines.
| French Bulldog | 12-14 years |
| Poodle | 12-15 years |
| Staffordshire Terriers | 10-15 years |
| Bulldog | 10-12 years |
| Boxer | 10-12 years |
Large Dogs:
Large dog breeds live for 10 to 12 years, whereas giant breeds live for 8 to 10 years.
| Great Dane | 8-10 years |
| Rottweiler | 10-12 years |
| St. Bernard | 10-12 years |
| Irish Wolfhound | 8-10 years |
| Scottish Deerhound | 10-12 years |
So what factors impact French Bulldogs Lifespan…
Regrettably, French bulldogs are highly likely to have higher health conditions than other dogs. These health concerns may significantly impact your French Bulldog’s lifespan. If you would like to read more about the health issues French Bulldogs are prone to, please read the following: Do French Bulldogs Have Health Problems? (Opens in a new browser tab)
Fear and anxiety impact the lifespan of the French Bulldog
Your Frenchie does not need to be stressed and anxious. The idea of your dog suffering makes you feel bad. Further, anxiety and fear might shorten a dog’s lifespan.
As the author points out in Scientific American, dogs enjoy a comfortable life today but face several stressors. Some examples are constant separation from owners while they work, unpredictable schedules, and constant contact with unfamiliar dogs and people. Regardless of whether they are general or specific, these stressors cause anxiety and fear in some dogs—the study above surveyed owners of dogs that died within the past five years. A total of 721 people participated, and each owner had 99 questions.
“Being afraid of unfamiliar people (often called stranger-directed fear) predicted decreased lifespan. Dogs with extreme stranger-directed fear died six months earlier than dogs without.”
“Non-social fears (like showing fearful behavior towards “noise, unfamiliar objects, traffic, storms, wind, new situations”) did not predict lifespan, but non-social fear and separation anxiety did predict both severity and presence of skin problems in adult dogs.”
If you would like to read more on how to help your Frenchie deal with loud noise anxiety, please read the following: French Bulldog Frightened By Loud Noises? How To Fix. (Opens in a new browser tab)
French Bulldog dental health impact life expectancy
Your dog’s oral hygiene plays a more significant role in its overall well-being than you might think. Clean teeth not only make your dog look good, but good oral hygiene is vital in helping avoid any health problems that can shorten your French Bulldog Lifespan.
Due to poor dental care, oral bacteria could travel via the bloodstream and cause heart, liver, and kidney issues. Poor oral health can shorten a dog’s life span by three to five years. Make sure you practice good dental hygiene to improve your French Bulldog’s lifespan.
Common Dental Health Issues
| Gingivitis | The build-up of tartar, bacteria, and plaque causes inflammation of the gums. |
| Periodontal disease | This disease occurs between the gums and the teeth, sometimes resulting in the loss of teeth, and can travel painfully across the body. |
| Swollen gums | This may be an early indication that food is lodged throughout the dog’s teeth and may contribute to further problems, such as those described above. |
| Mouth tumors | Such misshapen lumps often need to be extracted by surgery. |
How to help your French Bulldog to live longer
Healthy Diet
Dogs who consume less live a lot longer. As shown in this study. Dogs raised on a low-calorie diet, around 25 percent less than the “ordinary” prescribed quantity of food, lived an average of two years longer than dogs fed more. However, do not go drastically, reducing your Frenchies caloric intake without contacting a veterinarian. Yet, this information supports the common sense that a dog with healthy body weight is a dog with a longer lifespan.
Overweight dogs are also much more prone to developing heart disease and painful joint issues. The food quality you give to your French Bulldog is also essential—research labels. Avoid by-products of meat like sugars, excessive sodium, and unwanted fillers. Check for the full list of ingredients to help guard your dog’s health.
Exercise your French Bulldog for longer life
Activity has been shown to reduce stress, raise endorphins, and regulate moods and emotions in humans and dogs. In addition to supporting your French Bulldog to maintain a healthy weight, lean muscle, and keep its cardiovascular system in order, regular exercise can help keep them happy.
Your Frenchie exercise in moderation will take advantage of the mention and hopefully expand your French Bulldog Lifespan. If you want to know more about exercising your French Bulldog, the following article will help: How often should I walk my French Bulldog? (Opens in a new browser tab)
Keep them engaged
Just like us, dogs rely on mental stimulation to make them happy. When they age, keep their mind active in learning, social interaction, playing, and giving one-on-one attention. The bored dog might become distressed, nervous, and sometimes even ill. You can prolong the life of your dog by keeping it engaged. Register for advanced obedience training, or try a dog’s activity like gentle hiking. Your dog will flourish with additional stimulation, and you will improve your relationship when you develop new skills together.
Get annual check-ups
Generally, all dogs should have a full physical check-up at least once a year. These annual check-ups allow you to monitor your dog’s development and growth and explore any concerns with your vet. Consider it as the regular maintenance of your French Bulldog. Most critically, regular exams are a vital part of preventative care. And could significantly increase your french bulldog’s lifespan if a life-threatening complication is discovered early in check-ups.
Conclusion
You would anticipate a healthy French Bulldog to live for about 9 to 12 years. Different factors, such as genes, nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle, can influence the potential lifespan. French Bulldogs were known to live for almost 15 years at the end of the spectrum. Unfortunately, many perish quite early in life due to complications linked to their health issues.
