A Frenchie’s adorable looks, outgoing personality and easy-going nature make it the ideal pet for young and old alike.
Fluffy Frenchies are even more adorable due to their soft, furry coats that come in all kinds of attractive colors.
Yes, Fluffy Frenchies are actually a thing and a 100% purebred French Bulldog thing at that.
These pups are incredibly rare and incredibly expensive, when compared to the cost of their short-haired counterparts.
If you’re considering bringing a Fluffy Frenchie into your home, these facts can be helpful in your decision making.
What is a Fluffy Frenchie?
Fluffy Frenchies are a type of French bulldog with longer hair than the typical French bulldog.
Despite the difference in appearance, Fluffy Frenchies are considered purebreds as the pups come from breeding two purebred French bulldogs.
Longer hair seems to be the main difference between a typical Frenchie and a Fluffy French bulldog.
Otherwise, Fluffy Frenchies share many of the same physical and personality traits as their short-haired counterparts.
Short-haired Frenchies originated in the 1800s when English bulldogs were crossed with local rat terriers to create a smaller-sized dog.
In time, these pups made their way to France, where they were readily received by those in upper society.
Their popularity in the U.S. continues to this day, with Frenchies becoming the second most popular breed in the country in 2020.
Fluffy Frenchies are but one of numerous variations of the short-haired French bulldog that are stirring up attention, as people find the long-haired look of a Frenchie quite attractive.
Finding a Fluffy Frenchie, however, is another matter as they’re not exactly flooding the market.
Are Fluffy Frenchies Rare? How Much Do They Cost?
The genetic makeup of a Fluffy Frenchie is what separates it from its short-haired counterpart.
It’s also what makes Fluffy Frenchies extremely rare dogs.
The existence of Fluffy Frenchies is attributed to the LH gene, aka the Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 (FGF 5) gene.
This recessive gene is quite rare in French bulldogs.
Fluffy Frenchies need two LH genes to come out as long-haired dogs.
French bulldogs that carry the LH gene generally have one dominant Sh gene and one recessive LH gene, with the dominant gene coming out on top and producing a short-haired pup.
Even if both parents carry the FGF 5 long-haired gene, the chances of their producing long-haired pups are only 25% due to the dominance of the Sh gene in their genetic makeup.
The most effective means of producing long-haired Fluffy Frenchie pups would be for breeders to breed two purebred Fluffy Frenchie dogs.
It’s not exactly known where the LH gene came from to begin with in a French bulldog.
Breeders believe it’s always been there, but in such a recessive state, it made no contribution to the pup’s appearance.
Another theory is that the gene came from the rat terrier side of the family, as terriers have medium to long-haired coats.
All this to say that Fluffy bulldogs are extremely rare and, as such, very costly to acquire.
The cost of a Fluffy French bulldog pup can range anywhere between $5,000 and $16,000 or more, depending on your location, the breeder, the sex and the color of your pup.
Female dogs are generally more expensive than males, for obvious reasons.
In comparison, a typical short-haired French bulldog may only cost you between $1,500 and $3,000.
Because it’s so difficult to breed long-haired French bulldog pups, Fluffy Frenchies are few and far in between – making them a rare find.
Their scarcity, combined with a person’s desire and ability to pay for such a rare specimen, accounts for their high price.
How Big does a Fluffy Frenchie Get? (Appearance and Size)
Fluffy coats aside, long-haired Frenchies are very similar to short-haired Frenchies in appearance, temperament and size.
A Fluffy Frenchie may stand around 11-13 inches tall.
Females may weigh between 16 and 24 pounds and males around 20 to 28 pounds.
Both long and short-haired Frenchies sport a compact, stocky body, large square-shaped head, bat ears, short tail and dark eyes.
Unlike short-haired French bulldogs, Fluffy Frenchie pups may be born with dewclaws.
These are generally removed during puppyhood to protect the pup from accidents or injuries.
What’s distinct about the Fluffy Frenchie is its soft, furry coat that can come in diverse colors.
Your pup will probably inherit its coat color from its parents, which may be some shade of brown, black, tan, white or cream.
Fluffy Frenchies can also come in such rare colors as blue, blue and tan, blue merle, lilac and chocolate and tan.
Combine any of these colors with ticked, brindle, piebald or white markings and you’ve got one unique looking dog!
Temperament wise, you can’t beat the sweet, lovable disposition of a French bulldog – regardless of the length of its coat!
These pups are cute, affectionate, playful, smart and easy to train – just about everything you could want in a dog.
They make excellent family pets, playmates and companions.
They love spending time with people and don’t like to be left on their own for long.
So, make sure you’ve got the time to invest in your Frenchie’s upbringing before you bring one home!
A bored, neglected Frenchie can wreak havoc in your home!
Are Fluffy Frenchies AKC Recognized?
Although Fluffy Frenchies are purebreds, they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) due to their irregular coloring.
As such, Fluffy Frenchies cannot participate in AKC dog shows.
The standard color requirements for French bulldogs were set by the AKC in 1911 and haven’t changed since that time.
You can, however, register your Fluffy Frenchie with the AKC if you so desire.
Despite not meriting AKC recognition, there’s no downplaying the class and distinction of a beautiful Fluffy French bulldog.
This rare gem is a catch indeed and can be shown with pride wherever you go.
In Summary
Whereas short-haired French bulldogs are the norm, there’s no mistaking the beauty and charm of a long-haired Fluffy French bulldog.
Fluffy Frenchies are a rare find as they must be specially bred over generations to get successful results.
Those that are available come at a very high cost.
Although Fluffy Frenchies are adorable, stunning pups, they have a downside that you should be aware of, especially if you’re going to invest so much money in acquiring one of these purebreds.
Fluffy Frenchies require extra care to stay healthy and fit, as this breed is prone to developing a variety of health disorders over the course of its lifespan.
Getting your pup from a reputable breeder can reduce the risk of your pet having genetic problems and investing in pet insurance can help offset healthcare costs.
A healthy diet, regular exercise (without overdoing, as Frenchies are prone to heat stroke) and tending to your pup’s veterinary needs in a timely manner are key to keeping your pup healthy and fit.
Your Fluffy Frenchie will also require some grooming to keep its coat looking healthy, shiny and pest-free.
There’s nothing quite like having a Frenchie in your life and, if you can find one, a Fluffy Frenchie would make a great addition to your home.