French Bullhuahua
One of the newer hybrids on the scene, the French Bullhuahua brings both the confident nature of the French Bulldog and the sparkling personality of the Chihuahua to the table. While independent, this breed enjoys being in the company of others and can be very affectionate. Playful and vibrant, the French Bullhuahua loves to interact with the family and does not need a large amount of exercise.
Resembling a stockier Chihuahua with a shorter muzzle, the French Bullhuahua is quite unique looking. Their short fur is smooth and sleek, coming in several different colours. The impressively large and erect ears of this dog are one of their defining features.
About & History
While the French Bullhuahua may be the more ‘technical’ term for this new hybrid breed, we also love the names Mexican Frenchie and Frencheenie! Jumping on the designer doggie bandwagon, the French Bulldog and Chihuahua have joined forces to create a mixed-breed that is super cute, vivacious and undeniably brave. Most believe that this small dog was first bred sometime at the beginning of the 21st century, though records are lacking. Though there’s little to discuss about the history of the recently-developed French Bullhuahua, we know lots about their ancestors.
The French Bulldog
The French Bulldog was bred in France from the British Toy Bulldog, an extinct breed which was a miniature version of the English Bulldog. It is thought that small French Mastiffs were also used in their creation.
They were kept as companion animals and initially enjoyed popularity among the higher classes. During the early 1900s, the breed enjoyed a huge surge in international admiration and were exported in high numbers to the United States, where it was preferred for them to have erect ears. In recent days, largely thanks to their promotion by many celebrity owners, the French Bulldog is a fashionable choice of pet all over the world.
The Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is known for its fiery personality that belies its diminutive size. In fact, the Chihuahua holds the impressive accolade of being the world’s smallest dog – a statistic that it sometimes seems as if this confident little character is both aware and proud of! Historians believe that the Chihuahua descends from ancient dogs that existed in the Toltec civilization of Central Mexico.
However, it was not until the 19th century that the breed was standardised and given its name – a nod to the city of Chihuahua in the north west of Mexico where the dogs were well-known and widely kept. The modern Chihuahua is not used for any work and is kept as either a pet or a show dog.
Appearance
Though each dog will be different and the breed is still in its ‘developmental’ stage, most French Bullhuahuas are quite recognisable for what they are. As a rule of thumb, they will be more muscular and more solidly built than the Chihuahua and are always somewhat larger. Dogs have rounded and relatively large skulls with prominent ears that stand up and are widely spaced apart. Their soulful eyes are circular, taking centre stage of their adorable face.
They are a deep brown colour and can give some dogs a sombre appearance. Their muzzle may be snubbed like that of the Frenchie or slightly longer like the Chihuahua’s. Some individuals will have facial folds but these will tend to be a lot less prominent than in a purebred Frenchie. Tails are highly variable and can be anything from a short stump to a long and narrow whip!
While small, the French Bullhuahua is incredibly compact and far less refined and elegant than the Chihuahua. Individuals can weigh from as little as 4.5kg up to an impressive 13kg and will typically measure between 15cm to 30cm at the withers. The stunning coat of the French Bullhuahua is short and straight, coming in a variety of colours and patterns. With fur ranging from Black & Brown to Brindle & White, there are many different possibilities and it is normal for pups from the same litter to have several different fur colours.
Character & Temperament
Anyone who doesn’t fall in love with a French Bullhuahua after seeing one, is sure to become a convert after spending time with these wonderful souls! Full of mischief and adventure, it’s hard to be grumpy when in the company of a French Bullhuahua. A social and loving dog, these guys will fit straight in to any family. However, they can become over-attached to people and do crave attention and companionship most of the day. Some individuals can become over-protective of their territory and family, which can be frustrating when guests are over.
The French Bullhuahua has the potential to get along well with all people and animals but does require intensive socialisation from a young age to avoid any stand-offish or aggressive tendencies.
Trainability
Training this breed to a high degree at an early age is the best way to ensure they become a well-rounded pet with no behavioural issues. As some will have a stubborn and independent streak, trainers need to work on teaching them their place and encouraging them to follow commands without question. This is not the easiest of breeds for a novice trainer to work with and they benefit from someone with experience.
Owners should be aware of the possibility of ‘small dog syndrome’ developing and should work with their French Bullhuahua to ensure that this never becomes an issue. The key is in treating them as the dogs that they are rather than over-babying them or spoiling them. Not only will they be happier and more confident, they will be a lot easier for everyone around them to live with.
Health
There are certain health issues which have been proven to be more commonly observed in both the Frenchie and the Chihuahua and, while outbreeding them can reduce the occurrence of these conditions in the French Bullhuahua, we still need to be observant.
BUAS
As both the Chihuahua and Frenchie can be prone to Brachycephalic Upper Airway Syndrome (BUAS), it is little wonder that their progeny can suffer with the same issue. Anatomical features can include an elongated soft palate, small nostrils, everted laryngeal saccules and a windpipe that is narrower than it should be. Affected dogs can struggle to breathe and are less able to exercise and cope in the heat.
Cherry Eye
The nictitiating membrane is also known as the third eyelid and can cause major issues in some dogs when it ‘pops’ out of place. As the gland is red and shiny, some say that it looks like a cherry, hence the name ‘cherry eye’. It was previously thought that it was safe to simply cut the prolapsed gland away, but we now know that it the gland is important for tear production and it is better to surgically replace it to its correct position.
Patellar Luxation
Those affected with luxating patellae may skip when walking or running, holding one of their back legs up for a few steps. Dogs will be affected to different degrees and the condition is graded form a one to a four, with a grade four being the most severe and generally requiring surgery to correct.
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus refers to a build-up of fluid under the skull that is most often seen in breeds with dome-shaped heads. The pressure on the brain can lead to neurological symptoms, such as seizures and blindness. A surgical procedure does exist to treat this condition but it is cost prohibitive for many and those that are suffering may need to be put to sleep.
Exercise and Activity Levels
These small dogs make good apartment dwellers and do not need vast amounts of space or lots of exercise. Having said this, they do have energetic moments where they love to run about like crazy and play with anyone and anything in sight. Providing them with a few 30-minute walks each day should be plenty to satisfy their needs.
On top of their exercise, owners must dedicate time to the mental stimulation of their French Bullhuahua to prevent boredom from setting in. These intelligent dogs enjoy problem solving and playing games, such as ‘hide and seek’ with treats.
Grooming
Thankfully, the short fur of the French Bullhuahua is very low maintenance and requires minimal brushing. They shed moderately in the warmer months and benefit from more regular grooming sessions at this time.