Breed comparison
Boston Terrier vs French Bulldog
Boston Terrier or French Bulldog? Both are compact, short-faced city companions with big personalities, so they land on the same shortlist. The short answer: the Boston Terrier is the livelier, more trainable and slightly taller one, while the French Bulldog is the stockier, calmer couch companion. Both are flat-faced breeds that overheat easily and can have breathing trouble, so neither is a casual pick. Heat tolerance is poor in both (1 out of 5), and a good breeder matters more than usual.
Photo: Andreas Schlaugat · CC BY 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Ildar Sagdejev (Specious) · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
| Boston Terrier | French Bulldog | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | Small |
| Height | 15–17 in (38–43 cm) | 11–13 in (28–33 cm) |
| Weight | 12–25 lb (5–11 kg) | 16–28 lb (7–13 kg) |
| Life span | 11–13 years | 10–12 years |
| Group | Non-Sporting | Non-Sporting |
| Coat | Short, smooth, fine coat | Short, smooth, fine single coat |
| Lower-allergen coat | No | No |
| Energy level | ||
| Exercise needs | ||
| Trainability | ||
| Good with kids | ||
| Good with other dogs | ||
| Friendly to strangers | ||
| Apartment living | ||
| Tolerates being alone | ||
| Good for first-time owners | ||
| Shedding | ||
| Grooming needs | ||
| Barking | ||
| Drooling | ||
| General health |
Trait scale 1–5. Shedding, grooming, barking and drooling: 5 = more. Highlighted rows are where the two breeds differ.
The key differences
Size
The Boston is the leggier dog at 15 to 17 in (38 to 43 cm) and 12 to 25 lb (5 to 11 kg). The French Bulldog is lower and stockier at 11 to 13 in (28 to 33 cm) and 16 to 28 lb (7 to 13 kg). Both fit small apartments, and both score 5 out of 5 for apartment living. Frenchies feel heavier in the arms for their height.
Energy and exercise
The Boston is the more active of the two, with 3 out of 5 for energy and exercise versus 2 for the Frenchie. Expect a couple of walks plus play from a Boston, and PetMD notes that it can get bursts of high energy. A Frenchie needs less, but still needs some. For both breeds, exercise in the cool parts of the day and stop at the first sign of noisy breathing or heavy panting.
Coat and grooming
Both have short, smooth coats that need only a weekly brush. The Boston scores 1 out of 5 for grooming and 2 for shedding, making it one of the easiest coats around. The Frenchie scores 2 out of 5 for grooming and 3 for shedding, and its skin folds need wiping and drying every day or two, which VCA also advises for facial and tail wrinkles. Both need ears and eyes checked regularly.
Temperament and training
Both are affectionate and score 5 out of 5 for affection with family. The Boston is more playful (5 versus 4) and easier to train (4 versus 3). Frenchies are bright but less eager to please, and many are slow to house train, with VCA rating them low for ease of training. Neither barks much (2 out of 5 for both).
Health and life span
Bostons typically live 11 to 13 years and Frenchies 10 to 12. PetMD lists brachycephalic airway syndrome, patellar luxation and eye problems such as corneal ulcers for the Boston. VCA says the Frenchie is extremely prone to overheating, tends toward excess weight and can injure its back in rough play. Our health meter reflects the gap: 3 out of 5 for Bostons and 2 for Frenchies, and surgery can help some dogs with airway problems, so talk with your vet early.
Cost and care
Both can run up vet bills for breathing, eye or spine problems, so pet insurance and an emergency fund make sense. Frenchies often cost more to maintain because of wrinkle care and spinal risks, while Bostons need regular eye checks. Cold also bites: both have thin coats and a coat or sweater helps in winter. Climate-controlled summers are a must for either breed.
Which one should you choose?
Choose the Boston Terrier if you want a bouncy, funny, easy-to-groom companion that trains a bit more readily and has slightly longer legs and a slightly better health score. Choose the French Bulldog if you want a calmer, couch-loving dog with a stockier build, and you are prepared for slower house training, daily skin-fold care and a higher chance of spinal and breathing problems. Whichever you pick, keep your home cool in summer, use a harness instead of a collar, keep the dog lean and look for a breeder who health tests the parents.
Boston Terrier profile French Bulldog profile
Frequently asked questions
Is a Boston Terrier or a French Bulldog better for an apartment?
Both score 5 out of 5 for apartment living and neither barks much. The Frenchie needs a little less exercise, while the Boston is livelier and needs a bit more daily play.
Which is easier to train, a Boston or a Frenchie?
The Boston, at 4 out of 5 versus 3 on our trainability meter. Frenchies learn fine but are less eager to please, and house training often takes longer.
Which is healthier, a Boston Terrier or a French Bulldog?
Our profiles rate the Boston slightly better (3 out of 5 versus 2). Both are flat-faced and prone to overheating, and the Frenchie also has a higher risk of spinal problems.
