{"id":9330,"date":"2022-03-17T16:18:48","date_gmt":"2022-03-17T16:18:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/?p=9330"},"modified":"2023-08-22T15:20:39","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T15:20:39","slug":"how-many-puppies-can-a-frenchie-have","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/how-many-puppies-can-a-frenchie-have\/","title":{"rendered":"How Many Puppies Can a French Bulldog Have In A Litter?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-14101bc2\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/How-Many-Puppies-Can-a-Frenchie-Have-featured-image.webp\" alt=\"female French bulldog feeding her puppies\" class=\"wp-image-9344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/How-Many-Puppies-Can-a-Frenchie-Have-featured-image.webp 1200w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/How-Many-Puppies-Can-a-Frenchie-Have-featured-image-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/How-Many-Puppies-Can-a-Frenchie-Have-featured-image-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/How-Many-Puppies-Can-a-Frenchie-Have-featured-image-705x397.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading post_title_h1\" id=\"sc-post-title\">How Many Puppies Can a French Bulldog Have In A Litter?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"post_info\"><strong><a   class=\"post-author-name\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/author\/alex\/\">Alex Vicente<\/a><\/strong> \u2022 Updated on August 22, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"disclaimers\">\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\ue822\" data-av_iconfont=\"entypo-fontello\"><\/span> This review contains affiliate links. Read more <a href=\"\/affiliate-disclosure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5267\">here<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"av-icon-char\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-av_icon=\"\uf0fa\" data-av_iconfont=\"fontello\"><\/span> Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p>French bulldogs are known to be a rare breed, which also makes them quite expensive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since they\u2019re gaining a lot of popularity nowadays, a lot of people are thinking about breeding French bulldogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This begs the question, how many puppies can a Frenchie have?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What\u2019s the best age to start breeding Frenchies? And what are the factors that influence a Frenchie\u2019s litter size?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An average Frenchie dam (female) will have a litter of two to four puppies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A common number is three puppies, but 4 is not so uncommon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is fewer than the number of puppies similar small breeds can have in one litter, with pugs having an average of five puppies per litter.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li ><a href=\"#why-do-frenchies-have-a-small-number-of-puppies-per-litter\">Why Do Frenchies Have a Small Number of Puppies per Litter?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#how-do-french-bulldogs-get-pregnant-and-give-birth\">How Do French Bulldogs Get Pregnant and Give Birth?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#what-is-the-best-age-to-breed-my-frenchie\">What Is the Best Age to Breed My Frenchie?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#how-to-know-the-litter-size-of-my-french-bulldog\">How to Know the Litter Size of My French Bulldog?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#what-are-the-factors-at-play-in-frenchie-litter-size\">What Are the Factors at Play in Frenchie Litter Size?<\/a><\/li><li ><a href=\"#final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"why-do-frenchies-have-a-small-number-of-puppies-per-litter\">Why Do Frenchies Have a Small Number of Puppies per Litter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-cuddling.webp\" alt=\"French bulldog puppies cuddling\" class=\"wp-image-9349\" title=\"French bulldog puppies cuddling\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-cuddling.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-cuddling-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-cuddling-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-cuddling-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>French bulldogs are a dwarf breed, which means their size is smaller than average and that they have narrow bones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A female Frenchie usually has a narrow pelvis. Couple that with the puppies having large heads, it makes a litter size of 3 quite reasonable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The largest recorded number of puppies in a single Frenchie\u2019s litter is seven puppies, although there\u2019s a great risk to both the mother and puppies\u2019 health at this number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-do-french-bulldogs-get-pregnant-and-give-birth\">How Do French Bulldogs Get Pregnant and Give Birth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/French-bulldog-laying-down-on-the-floor.webp\" alt=\"French bulldog laying down on the floor\" class=\"wp-image-9347\" title=\"French bulldog laying down on the floor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/French-bulldog-laying-down-on-the-floor.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/French-bulldog-laying-down-on-the-floor-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/French-bulldog-laying-down-on-the-floor-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/French-bulldog-laying-down-on-the-floor-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Although regular mating is viable, most Frenchie owners prefer the method of artificial insemination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This means that once the dam is in heat in her&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/pets.webmd.com\/dogs\/how-tell-if-dogs-heat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5268\">estrus stage<\/a>, they take her to a veterinarian to have the procedure performed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As discussed earlier, French Bulldogs have narrow hips that make natural mounting difficult and painful for the female.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with the dangers of a fight breaking out or the male being aggressive to the female and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So artificial insemination helps eliminate that fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Almost 80% of all Frenchies give birth via C-section. This is the safest way possible since they are brachycephalic (short-muzzled and flat-nosed).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Natural birth can over-exert the mother and she might not get enough oxygen during delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-is-the-best-age-to-breed-my-frenchie\">What Is the Best Age to Breed My Frenchie?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/female-french-bulldog-wearing-dog-nappies-.webp\" alt=\"female French bulldog wearing dog nappies\" class=\"wp-image-9323\" title=\"female French bulldog wearing dog nappies\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/female-french-bulldog-wearing-dog-nappies-.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/female-french-bulldog-wearing-dog-nappies--300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/female-french-bulldog-wearing-dog-nappies--768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/female-french-bulldog-wearing-dog-nappies--705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The best years for Frenchie fertility are between the ages of 2\u20138 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the pregnancies are separated by an adequate resting period, they usually have between 3\u20134 litters in their lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, if your Frenchie is not spayed and is younger than 2 years old, she can get pregnant if left to her own devices during her heat cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why it\u2019s best to fit your dam with a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B01KWLFZ0Q?tag=pawsinsider-20\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"lasso-urls\" data-id=\"17716\" rel=\"nofollow sponsored noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"17791\" data-lasso-name=\"Pet Parents Premium Washable Dog Diapers &amp; Extendrs\">doggy diaper<\/a>\u00a0during her active heat, as it helps reduce the mess their bloody discharge makes and prevents unwanted litter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-to-know-the-litter-size-of-my-french-bulldog\">How to Know the Litter Size of My French Bulldog?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-pregnant-xray.webp\" alt=\"French bulldog pregnant xray\" class=\"wp-image-9348\" title=\"French bulldog pregnant xray\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-pregnant-xray.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-pregnant-xray-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-pregnant-xray-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-pregnant-xray-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a couple of ways you can find out the number of puppies your Frenchie is carrying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, none of them are as sure as counting the puppies when they\u2019re delivered, since a puppy can be miscarried and absorbed back into the womb at any point during early pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ultrasound<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a safe and common way to monitor a Frenchie pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can be done as early as 3 weeks after conception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ultrasound imaging will give a rough estimate, but not a definite number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind a Frenchie\u2019s body is small and puppy fetuses are usually crammed inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">X-Ray<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Usually done around the 50-day mark into the pregnancy, an x-ray will help you determine the number of puppies more definitely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Keep in mind that these methods only offer estimates and you can\u2019t be 100% sure until the puppies are born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan on selling them, wait until the first few days after delivery to know which ones are in good health and will make it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-are-the-factors-at-play-in-frenchie-litter-size\">What Are the Factors at Play in Frenchie Litter Size?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-in-a-litter.webp\" alt=\"French bulldog puppies in a litter\" class=\"wp-image-9350\" title=\"French bulldog puppies in a litter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-in-a-litter.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-in-a-litter-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-in-a-litter-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-in-a-litter-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some factors that control how many puppies a Frenchie dam will have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of them are predetermined and some can be improved upon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Genes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of puppies a Frenchie\u2019s mom and dad had can determine the number she will have herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, other genetic factors like size and overall health will contribute to how many puppies arrive and how healthy they will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Size<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A smaller Frenchie will have a smaller litter size owing to the fact that her pelvis is narrow and can only accommodate 1-2 puppies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A larger litter will pose a greater health risk on her and her puppies, who might get stuck in her birth canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This condition is known as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.petmd.com\/dog\/conditions\/reproductive\/c_dg_dystocia\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"5270\">dystocia<\/a>&nbsp;and can be fatal to the mother and puppies alike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Nutrition<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Balanced nutrition is very important in keeping the mother and puppies healthy throughout the pregnancy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since Frenchies happen to have periods of increased appetite during the pregnancy, and others where they stop eating almost completely close to delivery, it\u2019s important to keep your Frenchie well-nourished and hydrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"780\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-liking-each-other.webp\" alt=\"French bulldog puppies liking each other\" class=\"wp-image-9342\" title=\"French bulldog puppies liking each other\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-liking-each-other.webp 780w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-liking-each-other-300x185.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-liking-each-other-768x473.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/french-bulldog-puppies-liking-each-other-705x434.webp 705w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>French bulldogs are one rare breed and for multiple good reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aside from being a dwarf breed with specific health risks, their mating and birthing habits are also very particular with many factors involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking good care of a female Frenchie during her pregnancy and between litters is incredibly important if you care about the health of both mother and puppies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you don\u2019t allow enough rest between litters, this falls under the umbrella of unethical breeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unethical breeding is what happens at puppy mills, where the owners don\u2019t care at all about the mother or puppies\u2019 health. Instead, they wear out the Frenchie\u2019s health with one litter after the other, usually with pretty large litters, just to make more money.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wondering how many puppies can a french bulldog have? Find out the average litter sizes and other useful information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":9344,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[145],"tags":[130],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9330"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9330"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18012,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9330\/revisions\/18012"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pawsinsider.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}