Mixed breed dogs are getting more popular these days.
It’s the best of two different breeds in one dog.
What’s more, crossbreeds tend to be healthier and longer lived than purebreds because of a more diverse gene pool.
For example, French bulldogs are prone to Brachycephalic Syndrome, which makes it hard for them to breathe properly.
A Frenchie mixed with something like the hardy cattle dog will likely not have this problem.
This mix will have the playfulness of a cattle dog and the refinement of a French bulldog.
Before we go further, let’s get one bit of terminology out of the way.
The word “hybrid” comes up often when speaking about crossbreeds.
Strictly speaking in terms of biology, a crossbreed is not a hybrid.
A French bulldog and an Australian cattle dog are two different breeds, but are the same species of Canis familiaris, or “family dog”.
If a dog of any breed were to mate with Canis lupus, commonly known as the wolf, the resulting pups would be hybrids. A dog regardless of breed is a dog.
Now that’s out of the way, let’s concentrate on our furry little friend, the French bulldog/cattle dog mix.
Appearance
As both the French bulldog and the Australian cattle dog are compact breeds.
A cross between the two will grow up to be around 14 to 17 inches tall and weigh somewhere between 35 and 45 pounds.
They may have the straight, batlike ears of a Frenchie or the folded over ears of a cattle dog.
Eyes are typically brown, blue or green.
Heterochromia may be possible.
Both dogs have short, stubby tails, so expect a mix between the two to have a short tail as well.
Many of the other traits of a Frenchie/Aussie mix will be very middle of the road.
For example, the muzzle will be longer than a Frenchie’s but shorter than an Aussie’s.
Their coat color will be any color or pattern that French bulldogs or cattle dogs may have.
The fur on the coat will be a little longer and thicker than on a Frenchie but shorter and finer than you would find on the Aussie.
This midrange coat could be wiry or slightly wavy.
Either way, it should be easy to groom.
Remember that your Frenchie/Aussie mix will have no undercoat, so be gentle with grooming.
They will need a weekly brushing and minimal bathing with a mild shampoo formulated for dogs.
If this particular dog has folds on their face, an occasional gentle wiping with a moist cloth may be in order.
Temperament
How a dog is raised and the individual dog themselves has more effect on temperament than breed, but that’s not to say it has nothing to do with it.
The Australian cattle dog, for instance, was bred to herd cattle over the vast outback of Australia.
The French bulldog, in contrast, was bred to keep lace makers company whether tatting or traveling.
These two very different jobs come with very different temperaments.
The one thing both breeds have in common is they don’t bark very often.
Expect your Frenchie/Aussie mix to be fairly quiet, barking only when very necessary.
A properly socialized Frenchie/Aussie mix will be outgoing, often to the point of attention seeking.
Here is another example of how your Frenchie/Aussie mix will be middle of the road.
This dog will be more active than the French bulldog, but not as active as a cattle dog.
They may need on average 45 to 60 minutes of exercise daily.
If your pup inherited the Aussie’s long legs, they may have a bit more stamina.
This mix will be average in trainability and fairly intelligent.
As neither breed is prone to biting, you can rest easy knowing that a mix of Australian cattle dog and French bulldog is unlikely to bite.
Health Concerns
The moderate size of the snout on a mix between a French bulldog and Australian cattle dog means a pooch that might not have many respiratory problems, though some individuals may inherit the Frenchie’s skin allergies.
From the cattle dog side, they may inherit a sensitivity to Ivermectin, a medicine used in prevention of heartworm and other parasites.
The mix may also be prone to eye abnormalities such as cataracts, iris coloboma and progressive retinal atrophy.
The mix may also have problems with spinal abnormalities.
Both breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, so be on the lookout for that.
Both breeds are prone to obesity, so make sure your mix is eating healthy and getting enough exercise.
Both breeds are expected to be average in need for veterinary visits.
Be sure to take your pup to the vet once a year for a complete physical check-up. With proper care, a mix between a French bulldog and an Australian cattle dog should live between ten and fifteen years.
Conclusion
People are starting to realize that mixed breed dogs are just as good as if not better than purebreds.
In any case, remember to adopt, don’t shop.
If you do go to a breeder, make sure it’s a responsible one that is concerned for the well-being of the dogs.
Ask to see the pup’s parents and look over their papers.
If you get a mix between the companionable French bulldog and the rugged Australian cattle dog, you may find yourself getting the best of both worlds.