French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier: Size, Health, Cost and Temperament

The French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier question comes up constantly, because the two breeds look alike at first glance: compact bodies, short coats, flat faces and big personalities. They are separate breeds, though, and the differences matter once a puppy is living in your home. A Frenchie is heavier, quieter and more laid-back. A Boston is lighter, livelier and, on average, a little longer-lived. Both are brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, so breathing, heat tolerance and the parents' health testing deserve as much attention as looks.

Below: size, temperament, health, the screenings to ask for and what drives the price.

French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier at a glance

The figures below come from the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed pages for the French Bulldog and the Boston Terrier, checked on September 27, 2026. Trait ratings use the AKC's 1–5 scale, where 5 is the highest.

Trait	French Bulldog	Boston Terrier
Height	11–13 inches	10–12 inches
Weight	Under 28 pounds	12–25 pounds
Life expectancy	10–12 years	11–13 years
AKC popularity	#1 of 210 breeds	#23 of 210 breeds
Energy level	3	4
Barking level	1	2
Shedding level	3	2
Trainability	4	4
Adaptability	5	3
Good with young children	5	5
Signature look	Large, rounded "bat ears" and a broad, square head	Upright, pointed ears, a rounder skull and a "tuxedo" coat

What is the difference between a French Bulldog and a Boston Terrier?

The main differences are build, energy and origin. French Bulldogs are stockier, heavier and calmer, with bat ears and a square head. Boston Terriers are lighter and more active, with pointed ears and a tuxedo-patterned coat. The Frenchie was developed in France, while the Boston Terrier is an American breed.

The two are related only distantly. Both trace back to bulldog-type dogs, which explains the shared flat face and compact frame. The French Bulldog took shape in 19th-century France from small English Bulldogs. The Boston Terrier was developed in the United States from a bulldog-and-terrier cross; its national breed club formed in 1891, and the AKC registered the first Boston two years later. The AKC recognized the French Bulldog in 1898.

Color is another quick tell. The AKC describes the Boston's tuxedo coat as white combined with black, brindle or seal (a very dark brown). Frenchies usually come in brindle, fawn, white or combinations of those. The French Bull Dog Club of America (FBDCA) points out that colors such as blue, chocolate and black and tan are not accepted by the breed standard, however they are marketed.

Which is bigger, a Boston Terrier or a French Bulldog?

The French Bulldog is usually the bigger dog by weight, though not by much in height. The AKC lists Frenchies at 11–13 inches tall and under 28 pounds, and Boston Terriers at 10–12 inches and 12–25 pounds. The Frenchie's extra weight comes from a thicker, more muscular frame.

Bostons also vary more in size, and photos of an eight-week-old puppy say little about adult size. Ask the breeder for the adult weights of both parents, especially if you will often carry your dog up stairs.

French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier temperament and energy

Both breeds are affectionate, people-focused companions. The AKC rates each one 5 out of 5 for being good with young children and for playfulness, and both score 4 for trainability. The differences show up in how much activity they want and how much noise they make.

• Energy: Bostons rate higher (4 vs 3). Expect a dog that wants more games, more walks and more to do.
• Barking: Frenchies are among the quietest small breeds on the AKC scale (1 vs 2 for Bostons).
• Adaptability: Frenchies rate 5, Bostons 3, which is one reason Frenchies are so common in city apartments.
• Exercise: PetMD's comparison, reviewed by veterinarian Jennifer Coates, DVM, suggests roughly 30–60 minutes of daily activity for both breeds, split into walks and play and scaled back in hot weather (PetMD).

Short, upbeat training sessions work well for both. On warm days, train indoors or in the shade.

Are Boston Terriers healthier than French Bulldogs?

On paper, Boston Terriers live slightly longer: the AKC lists 11–13 years versus 10–12 for French Bulldogs. But both are flat-faced breeds with overlapping risks, and an individual puppy's health depends far more on its parents' screening and care than on the breed name. Your veterinarian is the best guide for a specific dog.

Risks both breeds share

• Breathing: Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) happens when the soft tissue in the nose and throat is too large for the airway. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) lists noisy breathing, exercise and heat intolerance, regurgitation and difficulty swallowing among its signs, and describes it as progressive (OFA).
• Heat: The AKC advises air conditioning for both breeds in hot, humid weather.
• Anesthesia: Both breeds are more sensitive to anesthesia, so make sure any vet handling your dog knows the breed before a procedure.
• Eyes: Eye problems appear on the health lists of both breeds.

Conditions more associated with French Bulldogs

The AKC mentions spine abnormalities and eye conditions such as cherry eye, entropion and cataracts. PetMD adds hip and elbow dysplasia and patellar luxation (a kneecap that slips out of place).

Conditions more associated with Boston Terriers

The AKC highlights eye problems, deafness and luxating patellas. PetMD also lists hemivertebrae, a malformation of the spinal bones.

Birth is a welfare issue for both breeds as well. A 2017 Royal Veterinary College study published in Veterinary Record, based on records of about 20,000 female dogs seen at 50 UK emergency clinics, found French Bulldogs 15.9 times and Boston Terriers 12.9 times more likely than crossbred dogs to have a difficult birth (Today's Veterinary Practice). For buyers, that is a reason to ask how the mother is cared for and how often she is bred.

Health tests to ask a breeder for

Ask for the OFA results of both parents, not just a vet check of the puppy. Each breed's national club sets the screenings needed for a CHIC number, which the OFA issues only when every required result is published in its public database. You can look the parents up yourself by their registered names.

French Bulldog

The FBDCA requires four screenings for a CHIC number: hips (OFA or PennHIP), an eye exam by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist, patellar luxation and a cardiac evaluation. It also recommends testing for tracheal hypoplasia, elbow dysplasia, juvenile hereditary cataracts (HSF4), cystinuria type 3 and a respiratory grade (FBDCA).

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier Club of America's CHIC requirements are an eye exam, an OFA patella evaluation and a BAER hearing test. The hearing test is done once, after 35 days of age, and a dog passes only if it hears in both ears (BTCA).

Breathing grade

The Respiratory Function Grading Scheme (RFGS), developed by the UK's Kennel Club and the University of Cambridge and now offered in North America through the OFA, grades airway function from 0 to III after a brisk three-minute walk. Grades 0 and I mean the dog is clinically unaffected by BOAS. French Bulldogs are eligible for certification, and the OFA lists the Boston Terrier among the breeds added more recently.

If a breeder cannot tell you the parents' registered names or results, treat that as a gap to close before you pay a deposit. Our lists of questions to ask a breeder and health guarantee questions help you cover the rest.

French Bulldog vs Boston Terrier price: what drives the cost

There is no single price for either breed. Cost depends on the breeder, the parents' health testing, registration, what comes with the puppy and where you live. Demand, difficult births and fashionable colors tend to push French Bulldog prices up, so compare what each price actually includes rather than the number alone.

• Demand: The French Bulldog holds the #1 spot in AKC popularity, while the Boston sits at #23. More buyers chasing the same litters usually means higher asking prices.
• Cost of raising a litter: Difficult births bring veterinary costs that responsible breeders build into the price.
• Color premiums: The FBDCA says breeders marketing non-standard colors can sell them at "very inflated prices." A higher price for a color the standard does not accept is not a sign of better health or quality.
• What's included: A vet exam, first vaccines, deworming, a microchip, a written health guarantee and the parents' OFA results all add value. A lower price without them can cost more later.

Budget for routine vet care and summer cooling, too. On All Puppies, every seller verifies their identity before they can publish a listing, and each listing shows its price up front, so you can compare current puppies side by side.

Which breed fits your home?

A French Bulldog may suit you if…

• You live in an apartment and want a quieter dog.
• You prefer relaxed walks to long play sessions.
• You can keep your home cool and avoid midday outings in summer.

A Boston Terrier may suit you if…

• You want a more playful, energetic companion.
• You like the idea of training games or beginner dog sports.
• You would rather have a lighter dog that is easier to carry.

Think twice about either breed if…

• You live somewhere hot and have no reliable air conditioning.
• You want a running or hiking partner for warm days.
• Your budget leaves no room for unexpected vet visits.

If you are still torn, the breed matchmaker asks about your space, schedule and experience and suggests breeds that match.

Frequently asked questions

Do French Bulldogs or Boston Terriers shed more?

Both have short, low-maintenance coats. The AKC rates the Frenchie slightly higher for shedding (3 vs 2) and recommends weekly brushing for both breeds.

Can French Bulldogs swim?

The AKC lists an inability to swim among French Bulldog concerns. Treat any flat-faced dog as a non-swimmer: supervise it around pools and lakes and use a dog life jacket near water.

Is snoring normal for these breeds?

Not necessarily. The OFA notes that many owners assume breathing noises are normal for the breed when they can be a sign of BOAS. If your dog breathes loudly while awake, gags or tires quickly, ask your veterinarian to check its airway.

What is a French Bulldog and Boston Terrier mix called?

The cross is often called a "Frenchton." It is a mix rather than an AKC-recognized breed, and both parents are still flat-faced, so ask the same questions about the parents' health testing and breathing.

Ready to compare real puppies? Start with the French Bulldog and Boston Terrier breed guides, or browse puppies from identity-verified sellers.