The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix - Worth it?

These two dogs can’t be any different. They are not the same size, they belong to different parts of the world, and they are bred for completely different reasons. They also now live completely different lives, with one being one of the most athletic and energetic dogs you can find and the other enjoying nothing more than laying around the house.

So, what happens when they mate and what kind of offspring would you get? That’s what we’re here to answer, as the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd dog is a very unique and interesting pooch, but is it worth the high price?

Let’s start with covering the basics, here is a brief Overview Of the French Bulldog and Australian Shepherd Mix:

Other Names	Frenchie Australian Shepherd Mix, Frenchie Aussie Mix
Weight	35 – 45 Pounds
Height	14 – 17 inches
Lifespan	10 – 15 years
Colors	Blue merle, red merle, red, black, fawn, cream, brindle, or white, black, and tan.
Health	7/10
Grooming Needs	5/10
Exercise Needs	6/10
Shedding	7/10
Kid Friendliness	9/10
Pet-friendliness	8/10
Protectiveness	6/10
Good for apartments	Maybe
Average puppy cost	$800 – $3,000 USD

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Characteristics

Size: 13 – 22 inches
Weight: 35 – 75 pounds
Colors: Blue merle, red merle, red, black, fawn, cream, brindle, or white, black, and tan.
Coat Type: Single or double-coated/coarse

The French Bulldogs Australian shepherd mix can have many different sizes due to its parent breeds since french bulldogs are relatively and Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs so the size of their offspring can vary between these two sizes, and generally, the males are heavier and bigger than the females.

They can also have multiple colors such as black and tan, cream and brown, or more than three colors, and that’s due to their Australian shepherd parent because they tend to have more than two colors.

The Frenchie Aussie mix can either have a single or double coat because the French Bulldogs have single coats and the Australian shepherds have double coats. They can also have coarse or wavy coats.

Parent Breeds

Let’s start with the French Bulldogs, one of the most beloved dogs around the world, they have been our companions for centuries. They originated in England and were popular among the lace workers, then they moved with them to France for better opportunities.

They have a loving and fun personality, and they are incredibly loyal to their owners. They can be easily trained if you only use positive reinforcement with them.

They do not need excessive exercise like most dogs so just a daily walk is more than enough to keep them healthy.

They are known for being a quiet breed so they don’t bark a lot. Also, they don’t handle heat well and need to be taken care of in the hot weather.

French bulldogs are great with children and they make great family dogs but still, they need to be monitored around young kids.

You can learn more facts and quirks about French Bulldogs here.

On the other hand, Australian shepherds are an energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise, and unlike French Bulldogs, they tend to bark for long periods.

The Aussie is a great family dog as well and since they can make great watchdogs it makes them more perfect for families with young children because you can count on them when it comes to safety.

Temperament

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd’s personality really depends on genetics and how you train them from a young age. For example, they can be quieter and calm like the French Bulldogs or energetic and more vocal like the Australian shepherds.

However, if you want them to be more guard-like or more laid back also depends on the training so it all comes back to you.

The Australian Shepherd tends to be dominant so there is a 50/50 chance that the offspring may inherit that trait but if they do inherit it, training them with a confident and firm personality, you have nothing to worry about.

Overall the mix is going to be a great family dog, as it’s loyal, loving, and caring. You can probably predict how their personality is going to turn out from a young age.

Health and lifespan

The Frenchie Australian shepherd mix is usually a healthy pup but even the healthiest dogs can be prone to some health issues and there certain problems that they can inherit from one of the parent breeds.

Here are the Health issues that the mix may be prone to:

Hip Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia
Allergies
Brachycephalic Syndrome
Nasal Solar Dermatitis
Patellar Luxation
Von Willebrand’s Disease
Elongated Soft Palate
Hemivertebrae
Osteochondrosis Dissecans
Persistent Pupillary Membranes
Detached Retina
Hypothyroidism
Distichiasis
Progressive Retinal Atrophy

The Lifespan of the French Bulldog Australian mix is 10 to 15 years, it can be more if you took good care of them, paid attention to their diet, took them to the vet regularly, and kept up with all of their shots.

Nutritional Needs

The nutritional needs of any mixed-breed must be recommended by a vet because it depends on their size and energy.

Since the size and energies of most mixed breeds can’t be predicted, we can’t recommend a certain diet. However, what we can do is let you know what is essential in any diet for any pup.

Their diet should be rich in protein and low in fat, also you need to provide them with vitamins because it’s important for their coat, energy, and overall their health.

Any diet should include fiber, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and protein. The recommended daily amount is 1.5 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day and of course, divided into two meals.

Make sure not to overfeed them because they are prone to obesity. If you are not sure whether the food portion you are giving them is proper or not, you should consult their vet.

Grooming Needs & Shedding

The grooming needs and shedding of the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd mix will depend on their genetics.

If they have single coats like their French Bulldog parent, their coat will be short, shiny, and smooth. They will be average shedders and need to be groomed moderately to keep their coats healthy and clean, so just once a week is more than enough.

They require a bath every 3 to 4 months and they shouldn’t stay longer than six months without a bath.

However, if they have a coat more like their Australian shepherd parent, then they will have double coats and medium-length coats. You should brush them at least 3 to 4 times a week to keep their coat clean and shiny.

When it comes to the bath, you should only bath them when they are dirty, but overall whether they have a similar coat to the Australian shepherd or the French Bulldog, you need to trim their nails on regular basis, brush their teeth at least once a day, and wipe out their ears with a damp warm cotton ball to prevent ear infections.

Exercise Needs

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd mix needs moderate exercise since they are usually not as energetic as the Australian shepherd and not as quiet as the French bulldog.

So, they need at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. “You can take them for a walk, a hike, or even a swim. You can also play games like tossing a frisbee or hide and seek.

However, you need to make sure not to overdo it. if you notice that your dog is not keeping up with you, you need to stop the exercise immediately and give them water.

Puppies also need less exercise than adults, because giving them the same amount of exercise can stress their developing process.

Training

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd mix can be easy to train.

Normally, the french bulldog isn’t the easiest dog to train, but with patience and the proper methods, training them won’t be a problem.

On the other hand, Australian Shepherds are intelligent and easy to train. So, if the mix is more like the Aussie, then you will train them in no time.

either way, you should use positive reinforcement with them, and be confident as well as gentle.

When they respond properly to the training, you can praise them, give them a treat or their favorite toy, and always praise them in an upbeat voice to encourage them.

As Family Dogs

Both of the parent breeds are great family dogs, so naturally, the mix is also a loving family dog.

They can get along with everyone and can be great companions for children because they can match their energy and still be gentle while playing with them.

However, the Frenchie shepherd mix will bond with one person more than the rest of the family, so they tend to have a favorite person but that doesn’t mean that they don’t love the other family members or won’t hang out and play with them.

It’s just that they tend to spend a little more time with their favorite person and it’s probably the person who has spent the most time with them during the training and socializing period.

As Guard Dogs

The Frenchie Australian Shepherd mix isn’t the best guard dog, however, they may make decent watchdogs.

Also, if they are more like their Shepherd’s parents, then they are more likely to make good guard dogs.

However, if it’s the other way around, then maybe you should consider another breed such as the Australian shepherd itself, a German shepherd, or a husky but I would not recommend getting a French Bulldog for that task or any kind of mix that involves a tiny breed such the French bulldog or a chihuahua.

You can learn more about whether French Bulldogs can guard you here.

Where To Find Them?

The French Bulldog Australian Mix is quite rare, so it wouldn’t be easy to find them in any local shelter. However, you could check the rescue groups that focus on the parent breeds as there might be cases of accidental breeding.

You can also get them from a breeder, but you need to make sure that it’s a good breeder that you can trust and always ask for health clearances for both of the puppy’s parents.

Also, they should give you other health clearances that prove that the puppy has been tested and cleared of some diseases and conditions.

All About the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix, in a nutshell.

The Frenchie Aussie mix is a loyal and caring pup that needs a moderate amount of exercise and minimum grooming. They shed moderately, and they do not make good guard dogs but they are wonderful family dogs that get along with everyone including children and other pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix A Good Family Dog?

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix is a good family dog. They tend to get along with everyone, however, they may have a favorite person that they will prefer to hang more with but that doesn’t mean that they won’t love the rest of the family as well, or they may love everyone equally.

Is the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix Easy to Train?

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd can be easy to train with the right methods, you should always use positive reinforcement, and be consistent and patient with them. You need to socialize them and take them to obedience class as well, to make sure that they grow up properly.

Is the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix Good with Kids?

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix is great with kids, but even though they are caring and loving breeds that are usually gentle with kids, you need to train them and supervise any interaction between the kids and the puppy. You should also teach your kids how to treat the dog.

How Much Is the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix?

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd mix can cost between $800 to $3,000 but the cost of any mix depends on the owners and the breeders However, French Bulldog mixes are usually expensive because both the mother and puppies would likely not survive as they require C-sections.

Is the French Bulldog Australian Shepherd Mix Smart?

The French Bulldog Australian Shepherd mix is smart. They are smarter than the French Bulldog but they are not as smart as the Australian Shepherd. However, since one of the parent breeds is the Australian Shepherd then the mixed pup needs plenty of exercises to remain physically and mentally active.