Usually, pet owners will worry about their dog being overweight and rarely about being too skinny. But an overly thin dog can be a cause for concern as much as an obese dog can.
French Bulldogs are exceptionally muscular little pups and if anything, might be more at risk for gaining weight.
This Brachycephalic breed, labeled as such due to their short noses, undoubtedly has a low tolerance for exercise. This may be a result of difficult breathing, but nonetheless, they should not be allowed to become overweight.
If you stand above your Frenchie and bend down to feel your dog’s body, especially the chest and abdomen area, you should be able to feel your Frenchie’s ribs, each rib. You should not be able to view your dog’s ribs if looking at your pooch from the side.
If you can see your dog’s ribs clearly, then indeed, your pooch may be too skinny.
So, What’s the Proper Weight for a Frenchie?
One of the principal concerns with owning a French Bulldog is keeping them at an ideal weight. If they acquire bad habits, just like humans, they may inevitably gain weight that will contribute to health issues regardless of whether male or female, spayed or neutered.
How Much Should a Male Frenchie Weigh?
Male Frenchies generally will weigh in somewhere between twenty and twenty-eight pounds and measure eleven to twelve inches in height.
This is a standard weight, but there will be exceptions in both height and weight. They will weigh just a bit more than their female counterparts.
How Much Should a Female Frenchie Weigh?
Females weigh in at slightly less than males, somewhere between eighteen and twenty-six pounds. Their height is equivalent to that of male Frenchies measuring between eleven and twelve inches as a general standard, but again not without exceptions.
These, however, as general weights will be subject to other factors that can influence what is considered to be a standard ideal weight for a Frenchie. Both body shape and genetics will influence individual dogs.
How Can I Judge if My Frenchie Is the Proper Weight?
Statistics suggest that half of all dogs globally are overweight, so for Frenchies, with their particular build, short legs, and respiratory considerations, being overweight is more likely than being too skinny.
Signs that your Frenchie is overweight include
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- A lack of muscle definition in the dog’s appearance
- Difficulty breathing even after very limited exercise
- Difficulty or inability to groom properly
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If, after minimal play or activity your Frenchie is all tuckered out with heavy breathing, your pup may need to lose weight.
Dogs should be able to reach the back of their paws and their rear end to groom. If they can’t, they may need to lose weight.
Frenchies are a bit of an exception because they can’t reach all body parts, so don’t automatically assume that your dog is overweight.
Look for signs of too much weight like rolls, or a pudgy appearance. Even as a stout little dog, your Frenchie should have a well-defined muscular physique.
Stomachs should be contoured before the back legs. Ribs should not be visible but there should not be any excess fat in the rib area.
See also: Do Frenchies Like Water?
Is My Frenchie Too Thin?
A French Bulldog that is underweight is also a cause for concern. To evaluate if your Frenchie is too thin, look at your pooch’s rib cage.
When feeling the rib cage, each rib should be able to be defined and easily felt. Your Frenchie’s ribs should not be visible.
If your fog’s rib cage and individual ribs are very clearly visible, your dog is too thin. If ribs protrude, the dog is what is considered emaciated.
Puppies tend to be an exception because they are very active and in a growth phase.
What Are the Health Complications If My Frenchie Is Too Thin?
Chubby Frenchies are known to be at risk for heart disease or diabetes, worsening respiratory difficulties, and joint discomfort.
Five extra pounds on a French Bulldog is like at least forty extra pounds if not more packed onto a human being.
Underweight Frenchies cause owners to worry because it can imply serious health issues such as gastrointestinal disease or kidney disease.
If your Frenchie is underweight, you should plan on making a trip to the veterinarian’s clinic. Your vet may ask for a series of tests to be run to verify if your dog has an underlying medical issue that requires attention.
If My Frenchie Is Thin, How Can I Get Him/Her to Gain Weight?
If your dog is underweight, you will need to increase his or her daily calorie intake. You may also decide that you’d like to try another dog food brand.
Before deciding, however, your veterinarian will need to evaluate your dog’s overall health and if there is an underlying cause for the weight loss.
If weight loss is associated with a specific medical condition, your dog may require pharmaceuticals as well as a prescribed special canine diet for medical conditions. Such is the case, for example with kidney disease and with gastrointestinal disease.
And If My Frenchie Is Overweight?
The same thing stands to reason if your dog is pudgy. Your vet will determine if there is a medical cause or if it is simply a case of too little daily exercise and too much food intake at mealtime.
An increase in exercise will help however it needs to be gradual and controlled due to respiratory concerns.
The Bottom Line
Especially in the case of French Bulldogs, a visit to your veterinarian is always the best option. Your vet will decide if there are health concerns to factor into a specific diet or exercise regime.
Your pet’s doctor will also be able to prescribe medicines as well as special diet foods to get your Frenchie in tip-top shape as well as guide you in modifying your dog’s eating and exercising habits.
Frenchies are great companion dogs. They are social, amusing, loving, and loyal to a fault. If you have a Frenchie, you will want him or her to enjoy a long and healthy lifespan at your side.
To ensure this, keeping your Frenchie at a healthy weight, neither too overweight nor too skinny is an important step toward a life-long partnership together.
