You’ve heard of French Bulldogs—the second-most popular dog breed in the US—but have you heard of Frenchtons?

Sociable, playful, and affectionate, Frenchtons are a designer breed that came from a mix of the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier.

It’s also sometimes called the Boston Bulldog, the Bulldog Terrier, the Faux Boston Terrier, the Faux French Bulldog, or simply Frenchbo.

If you’re not sure whether to go with a pure breed or a mixed breed, we’re here to help.

In this French Bulldog vs Frenchton guide, we compare these adorable breeds to help you choose the right one for you and your family!

Brief Overview of the French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is the second-most popular breed of dog in the United States, at least according to the American Kennel Club.

The French Bulldog originated in England in Nottingham in the 1800s.

French Bulldogs were England’s “reject” dogs—they were far too big to be the “toy” version of English Bulldogs (which was what they were going for), and far too perky eared.

They didn’t match the standards set by English breeders, so they were sold to anyone who wanted them at a lower-than-average cost.

The breeders even sent them off to France alongside other merchandise they’d like to sell or trade overseas.

In France, the unwanted pups thrived. Frenchmen adored them to their very bones.

They quickly became fashion icons in Paris, where they got their new name: Le Bouledogue Français.

Soon, almost every socialite owned a French Bulldog or two. Famous actresses walked with them on the streets.

Respected madams carried them in their purses. They were the ultimate fashion icon—everyone wanted them.

With the exploding popularity of the Bouledogue Français in France, the rest of the world followed.

France “perfected” the French Bulldog by cross-breeding the imported Toy Bulldogs with local Parisian ratters.

When French Bulldogs arrived in the US, the French Bull Dog Club of America was created, which further heightened the breed’s popularity.

Today, French Bulldogs are as popular as ever; not only in the US but also in France and the UK.

They’re loved for their easy-going personalities, even-tempered attitudes, and affectionate nature.

They’re just the right size—not too big nor too small—which makes them suitable for people living in apartments and areas with similar limited space.

Plus, they’re ridiculously adorable!

Brief Overview of the Frenchton

The Frenchton is a mix between the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier, hence the name “Frenchton.”

Bred in the United States in the mid-1990s, these designer dogs are sturdy, playful, sociable, and laid-back.

Breeders started intentionally mixing Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs in an attempt to create a healthier version of the French Bulldog.

They were successful, but not by much; there’s little cross-breeding can do with brachycephalic dog breeds.

Frenchtons are just as prone to health problems as their purebred parents, and the health issues can actually be worse with improper breeding.

Frenchtons aren’t necessarily healthier or sicker than French Bulldogs or Boston Terriers, but they’ve certainly inherited the best traits of their purebred moms and dads. Plus, they live just as long, if not longer.

Since they’re designer dogs, Frenchton puppies are quite expensive.

They may not be as expensive as their purebred counterparts, but they’re just as desirable.

On average, Frenchtons cost around $500 and $3,500 for the standard colors (black, brown, cream, and white), and up to $15,000 for rare colors (blue, lilac, sable, and brindle).

Frenchton vs French Bulldog: Similarities and Differences

To the untrained eye, French Bulldogs and Frenchtons look strikingly similar.

They have the same perky ears, the same “squashed” muzzle, and the same head shape.

But upon closer inspection, you’ll notice several differences between the two.

Appearance

Let’s start with the least obvious difference between French Bulldogs and Frenchtons: appearance.

French Bulldogs have round, “bat-like” ears, whereas Frenchtons have slightly narrower, semi-pointed, or floppy ears—not unlike that of Boston Terriers.

There’s also some difference in their snouts.

Frenchtons have longer, less-wrinkled snouts than French Bulldogs.

Their eyes bulge out a bit more, as well.

Overall, Frenchtons look more like French Bulldogs than Boston Terriers.

They look so similar that most people mistake the mix-breed Frenchton for the pure-breed Frenchie.

Size and Weight

Although Frenchtons have been around for ages, they don’t have official standards for their physical characteristics.

However, Frenchtons are usually taller than French Bulldogs, mainly because of their Boston Terrier parent.

On average, Frenchtons stand at approximately 11 to 15 inches tall from the shoulder.

French Bulldogs, on the other hand, stand at around 11 to 13 inches tall.

Frenchtons and French Bulldogs don’t differ much in weight, but Frenchtons are slightly lighter than French Bulldogs at 15 to 25 pounds.

French Bulldogs usually weigh around 16 to 28 pounds.

Grooming

Frenchtons and French Bulldogs have the same grooming needs.

They’re low to moderate shedders, so brushing them once or twice a week is sufficient.

They should be bathed once every three months or when they get dirty to keep their coats glossy and healthy.

Their biggest grooming needs are perhaps teeth and ear cleaning.

Since their ears are so big, they’ll need regular attention to avoid ear-related infections.

Their teeth must be brushed at least three times a week to keep them strong and healthy.

If you can’t brush their teeth three times a week, consider getting them dental sticks to reduce tartar build-up and freshen up their breath.

Energy Levels

Frenchtons are much more energetic than French Bulldogs.

This isn’t to say that French Bulldogs are lazy—they aren’t, not by a long shot—but Frenchtons can handle longer periods of play and training.

French Bulldogs only need about 15 to 20 minutes of daily exercise, while Frenchtons need double that amount at 30 to 40 minutes.

Final Thoughts

French Bulldogs and Frenchtons are astonishingly similar in appearance, but there are some physical traits that are unique to their own.

French Bulldogs, for instance, have perky, bat-like ears while Frenchtons have narrower, semi-pointed ears.

French Bulldogs have short, wrinkled snouts, whereas Frenchtons have long, less-wrinkled snouts.

The former is also slightly smaller than the latter.