French Bulldog UK: Insurance, Food & Health Guide
The French Bulldog is a small, flat-faced dog with a median lifespan of 9.8 years in a 2024 UK study, against 12.0 for crossbreeds. 58.9% of French Bulldogs in a Cambridge study had clinically significant BOAS, so ask for both parents' Respiratory Function Grading results and insure before any breathing symptoms are recorded.
At a glance
- Kennel Club group
- Utility
- Size
- Small
- Exercise a day
- Up to 1 hour
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Median lifespan
- 9.8 years
- Face shape
- Flat-faced (brachycephalic)
Sources: Royal Kennel Club; McMillan et al. 2024 (9.8 years). Checked 21 October 2026. Full links are in the sources list.
Health
French Bulldogs are a brachycephalic (flat-faced) breed. In UK vet records they had higher odds than other dogs for 20 of 43 common disorders (VetCompass, 2021). The figures and table below use published UK research; where we could not find a figure, we say what to ask instead.
- 58.9%of 214 French Bulldogs had clinically significant BOASSource: Liu et al. 2017, University of Cambridge
- 19.7%had a skin disorder recorded in a year, versus 12.5% of other dogsSource: O'Neill et al. 2021, VetCompass
- 12.2%had an ear disorder recorded in a year, versus 8.1% of other dogsSource: O'Neill et al. 2021, VetCompass
| Condition | What the evidence says / what to ask the breeder |
|---|---|
| BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) | 58.9% of 214 French Bulldogs in a Cambridge study had clinically significant BOAS (Liu et al., 2017). In one year of UK vet records, 5.5% were diagnosed versus 0.2% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021). Ask for both parents' Respiratory Function Grading results. |
| Skin disorders | Recorded in 19.7% of French Bulldogs in a year versus 12.5% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021). |
| Ear disorders | Recorded in 12.2% versus 8.1% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021). |
| IVDD (intervertebral disc disease) | A spinal condition that can need surgery. See the insurance section below for published referral prices. |
| Common disorders overall | French Bulldogs had higher odds than other dogs for 20 of 43 common disorders, and lower odds for 11 of 43, including obesity (odds ratio 0.30) (VetCompass, 2021). |
| Eyes, hips and elbows | The Royal Kennel Club lists a hereditary cataract DNA test (HC-HSF4-2), hip and elbow scoring and an eye certificate as best practice for breeders. |
- BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome)
- 58.9% of 214 French Bulldogs in a Cambridge study had clinically significant BOAS (Liu et al., 2017). In one year of UK vet records, 5.5% were diagnosed versus 0.2% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021). Ask for both parents' Respiratory Function Grading results.
- Skin disorders
- Recorded in 19.7% of French Bulldogs in a year versus 12.5% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021).
- Ear disorders
- Recorded in 12.2% versus 8.1% of other dogs (VetCompass, 2021).
- IVDD (intervertebral disc disease)
- A spinal condition that can need surgery. See the insurance section below for published referral prices.
- Common disorders overall
- French Bulldogs had higher odds than other dogs for 20 of 43 common disorders, and lower odds for 11 of 43, including obesity (odds ratio 0.30) (VetCompass, 2021).
- Eyes, hips and elbows
- The Royal Kennel Club lists a hereditary cataract DNA test (HC-HSF4-2), hip and elbow scoring and an eye certificate as best practice for breeders.
Health tests to ask a breeder for
- Respiratory Function Grading (BOAS) results for both parents (RKC Good Practice)
- DNA test for hereditary cataracts (HC-HSF4-2) (RKC Best Practice)
- BVA/KC hip score and elbow grade (RKC Best Practice)
- BVA/KC/ISDS eye certificate (RKC Best Practice)
BOAS: what every French Bulldog owner must know
In a University of Cambridge study of 214 French Bulldogs, 58.9% had clinically significant BOAS (Liu et al., 2017). In UK vet records, French Bulldogs were about 31 times more likely than other dogs to be diagnosed with BOAS in a year (VetCompass, 2021), and their median lifespan was 9.8 years (McMillan et al., 2024). The Royal Kennel Club recommends breeders use the Respiratory Function Grading scheme and suggests up to an hour of exercise a day for the breed (Royal Kennel Club breed page).
BOAS is caused by a combination of narrowed nostrils, an elongated soft palate, a narrow windpipe and other changes in the airway that come with a flat face. Signs range from noisy breathing and tiring quickly on walks to severe breathing difficulty. Surgery can widen the nostrils and shorten the soft palate; ask your vet whether your dog needs assessment.
The 2024 study of 11,821 French Bulldogs gave a hazard ratio of 2.22 compared with crossbreeds: more than twice the risk of dying at any given age (McMillan et al., 2024, Supplementary Table S3). In UK vet records, French Bulldogs were about 31 times as likely as other dogs to be diagnosed with BOAS in a year (adjusted odds ratio 30.89).
Pawwala is not a vet. If you are worried about your dog's health, speak to your vet.
What a French Bulldog costs in the UK
Each line says how it was worked out. Where we have no dated figure for this breed, the line links to the page that compares prices instead of guessing.
| Cost | Figure | How we worked it out |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Compare cost per day | Our dog food comparison works out cost per day from dated prices and feeding guides. Use the portion calculator for your own dog's weight. |
| Insurance | Get quotes | Premiums depend on age, postcode, excess and cover level, so we do not show a figure. Compare real quotes. |
| Flea and worm treatment | Compare subscriptions | Monthly prices for flea and worm subscriptions, compared against buying treatment yourself. |
Food
Our dog food comparison works out cost per day from dated prices and feeding guides. Use the portion calculator for your own dog's weight.
Insurance
Premiums depend on age, postcode, excess and cover level, so we do not show a figure. Compare real quotes.
Flea and worm treatment
Monthly prices for flea and worm subscriptions, compared against buying treatment yourself.
- Checked 21 October 2026. Prices change; confirm on the retailer's page.
Feeding a French Bulldog
Skin problems are recorded more often in French Bulldogs than in other dogs, so if you suspect a food allergy, ask your vet about an elimination diet rather than switching foods at random. The foods below are commonly fed to the breed; we have not rated them. See our dog food comparison for cost per day and our portion calculator for how much to feed. The median bodyweight of French Bulldogs in UK vet records was 12.45 kg (all ages; VetCompass, 2021), which is a guide to the feeding-chart row you are likely to need. Our cost of owning a dog guide shows what food, flea and worm treatment and boosters add up to each month.
- Royal Canin French Bulldog AdultBreed-specific dry food for adult French Bulldogs.
- Arden Grange Sensitive (Ocean White Fish & Potato)Dry food sold as a sensitive formula, based on white fish and potato.
- Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin (Salmon)Salmon-based dry food. It is not a hydrolysed diet; Purina's hydrolysed food is Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA, which needs vet authorisation.
- Butternut Box (beef recipe)Fresh cooked food delivered by subscription.
Insuring a French Bulldog
Pawwala is not authorised by the FCA. We explain how cover works and do not give advice or recommend insurers. Pawwala earns a fee when you get a quote through a link marked Ad. Always read the policy wording. How we make money
Insure before BOAS symptoms appear
Insure a French Bulldog as soon as you bring them home as a puppy, before any BOAS symptoms are noted in the vet record. Once symptoms appear, even a single note about noisy breathing, some insurers will class BOAS as a pre-existing condition and exclude it.
Published referral-centre prices for IVDD surgery are shown below, so check the annual vet-fee limit. We could not find a published UK price range for BOAS surgery; ask a referral centre for a quote.
- IVDD (spinal disc) surgery£3,500–£7,500
Published UK referral-centre prices, checked October 2026. See our average vet bill guidefor how these were sourced. Compare them with each policy's annual vet-fee limit.
| Check in the policy wording | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Breathing problems (BOAS) | Check whether brachycephalic airway surgery is covered or excluded as a breed or conformational condition. |
| Hereditary and congenital conditions | Spinal, eye and skin problems common in the breed may be excluded on some policies. |
| Policy type | Lifetime cover renews the vet-fee limit each year; time-limited and per-condition policies cap ongoing conditions. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Anything noted in the vet record before cover starts is usually excluded, so insure before symptoms appear. |
| Excess and co-payment | Breed-related claims can be frequent, so a high excess adds up. |
- Breathing problems (BOAS)
- Check whether brachycephalic airway surgery is covered or excluded as a breed or conformational condition.
- Hereditary and congenital conditions
- Spinal, eye and skin problems common in the breed may be excluded on some policies.
- Policy type
- Lifetime cover renews the vet-fee limit each year; time-limited and per-condition policies cap ongoing conditions.
- Pre-existing conditions
- Anything noted in the vet record before cover starts is usually excluded, so insure before symptoms appear.
- Excess and co-payment
- Breed-related claims can be frequent, so a high excess adds up.
Premiums for your dog depend on age, postcode, excess and cover level, so compare real quotes; see our dog insurance comparison table for how the main policies differ, and our guide to pet insurance with pre-existing conditions.
Getting a French Bulldog responsibly
Choose a breeder who uses the Respiratory Function Grading scheme, which the Royal Kennel Club recommends, and ask to see both parents' results. Rescue organisations also rehome French Bulldogs.
What were French Bulldogs bred for?
The Royal Kennel Club's history names no working job for the breed; it was a companion dog from the start. It traces partly to small "Toy Bulldogs" that were popular in Britain in the 1850s. Nottingham lace workers who moved to northern France during the Industrial Revolution took the dogs with them, crosses with other short-faced breeds are thought to have followed, and the breed became fashionable in Paris. The French Bulldog Club of England formed in 1902 and The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1906 (RKC breed history).
French Bulldog vs Pug
Both are small, flat-faced dogs with short coats. The Royal Kennel Club puts the French Bulldog in the Utility group and the Pug in the Toy group, and gives both up to an hour of exercise a day and grooming once a week. For both, it lists Respiratory Function Grading for BOAS as good practice for breeders (RKC Pug page).
The difference shows in lifespan. In the 2024 UK study, Pugs had a median of 11.6 years (hazard ratio 1.34 against crossbreeds) and French Bulldogs 9.8 years (hazard ratio 2.22) (McMillan et al., 2024). Either breed needs a breeder who grades breathing. If you are new to dogs, our first-time dog owner guide covers choosing a breed responsibly.
Useful accessories for French Bulldogs
- Harness rather than a collarA collar presses on the windpipe, which is already narrowed in dogs with BOAS. A Y-shaped or H-shaped harness avoids this.
- Cooling mat and shadeFlat-faced dogs cool themselves less well by panting, so keep them out of the heat on warm days.
- Ramp or stepsA ramp or pet steps cuts down on jumping on and off furniture.
What changed in this update
- 21 October 2026: Re-checked the Royal Kennel Club breed page: added size (small), grooming (once a week), the breed's history and the four best-practice tests now listed (HC-HSF4-2 DNA test, hip, elbow and eye schemes). Re-read the VetCompass and McMillan et al. studies; added the 2024 hazard ratio, the BOAS odds ratio, disorders with lower odds and median bodyweight. Added a French Bulldog vs Pug comparison.
Further reading
How we checked this page · checked 21 October 2026ShowHide
What we did
What we did not do
Prices and terms change. Confirm on the retailer's page before you buy.
Sources
- Liu et al. 2017, BOAS in pugs, French bulldogs and bulldogs (PLOS ONE) · checked 21 October 2026
- O'Neill et al. 2021, French Bulldogs under primary veterinary care in the UK (VetCompass) · checked 21 October 2026
- McMillan et al. 2024, life expectancy of UK dog breeds (Scientific Reports) · checked 21 October 2026
- Royal Kennel Club: French Bulldog · checked 21 October 2026
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
How much does French Bulldog insurance cost UK?
Premiums depend on age, postcode, excess and cover level, so compare real quotes. Check whether a policy excludes breathing (BOAS) or other conformational conditions, and insure before any symptoms are recorded.
What is the best food for French Bulldogs with allergies?
There is no single best food. If you suspect a food allergy, ask your vet about an elimination diet. A hydrolysed diet such as Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets HA needs vet authorisation; ordinary sensitive formulas such as Arden Grange Sensitive (Ocean White Fish & Potato) or Purina Pro Plan Adult Sensitive Skin (Salmon) are not hydrolysed.
Do French Bulldogs have a lot of health problems?
In UK vet records French Bulldogs had higher odds than other dogs for 20 of 43 common disorders, including BOAS (about 31 times more likely), skin disorders (19.7% versus 12.5%) and ear disorders (12.2% versus 8.1%) (VetCompass, 2021). In a Cambridge study of 214 French Bulldogs, 58.9% had clinically significant BOAS (Liu et al., 2017).
How much does BOAS surgery cost in the UK?
We could not find a published UK price range for BOAS surgery, so ask a referral centre for a quote. For comparison, published referral-centre prices for IVDD surgery were £3,500–£7,500 in October 2026. Check that your policy does not exclude breathing conditions.
What were French Bulldogs bred for?
Companionship. The Royal Kennel Club history traces the breed to small Toy Bulldogs that Nottingham lace workers took to northern France in the 19th century. The Kennel Club recognised it in 1906.
French Bulldog vs Pug: which lives longer?
In a 2024 UK study the median lifespan was 11.6 years for Pugs and 9.8 years for French Bulldogs (McMillan et al., 2024). Both are flat-faced, and the Royal Kennel Club lists Respiratory Function Grading as good practice for both.
How long do French Bulldogs live UK?
A 2024 study of UK dog breeds found a median French Bulldog lifespan of 9.8 years, against 12.0 years for crossbreeds (McMillan et al., 2024).