Frenchton
Pups

French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are two breeds that look exceptionally similar. So similar, in fact, that it’s hard to even remember which breed is which. French Bulldogs are smaller, slightly lower energy, and adorned with very large upright ears. Boston Terriers are a little bigger, need more exercise, and typically have a tuxedo coat. But why mix two breeds that already look almost identical?

There are a few reasons to mix these two particular breeds. One reason is to improve the overall health of their offspring. Unlike their parent purebreds, Frenchtons have hybrid vigor and increased genetic diversity, which lowers the risk of genetic deficits. Hybrids are generally healthier than purebreds, are less susceptible to sickness, and tend to live longer.

By mixing two breeds that look similar, you also preserve the overall look of the dog while getting the best characteristics of each breed. The cuddly nature of a French Bulldog mixes with the sturdier frame of a Boston Terrier. Although not by much, the Boston Terrier has more endurance than the French Bulldog, meaning that a Frenchton can keep up on longer walks but still keeps the relaxed energy of a French Bulldog.

Frenchtons are friendly, playful, and curious. They interact well with people of all ages, and although they can be quite spunky, they also have a laid-back nature. Frenchtons tend to go through spurts of energy followed by lots of napping. They love playing with new people and kids. Just be sure to supervise them with small children as they are still a small-breed and can be hurt by children that don’t yet know to be gentle.

Frenchtons have a short and easy-to-manage coat that requires infrequent brushing. Frenchies tend to shed a little more than Boston Terriers, so the amount that a Frenchton might shed is relative to each dog, but they typically shed moderately or less. Don’t expect to be buried under a cloud of fur, but also don’t expect them to be shed-free dogs.

The mixing of various dog breeds to form hybrids has been going on for hundreds of years. But it wasn’t until the 1990s, with the revolution of the Goldendoodle, that hybrids, also known as designer dogs, began to grow in popularity.

Poodle hybrids, or doodles, became popular because they combine the hypoallergenic qualities of a Poodle’s coat with the personality of whatever breed you choose to mix with a Poodle. However, looks and reduced allergies aren’t the only reasons that hybrids continue to gain popularity.

For years people desired purebred dogs with impressive pedigrees, but those pedigrees came at a devastating price: inbreeding. In order to keep bloodlines pure and to achieve the certain distinct look that each breed has, breeders resort to breeding dogs that are related. Inbreeding results in a loss of genetic diversity, which leads to increased health issues and higher susceptibility to sickness.

Take the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, for example. The classic Cavalier look comes with a short snout, round head, and large round eyes. The short snout and round head come with some huge drawbacks, however. Cavaliers are also known for their health issues like heart murmurs and Chiari-like malformations, which make their skulls too small for their brains and lead to many neurological problems. So, although Cavaliers are very cute, sometimes they live short and sadly painful lives simply because people want Cavaliers to look a certain way.

A hybrid takes two completely different genetic codes, that of, say, a golden retriever and a poodle, and mixes them together, increasing genetic diversity within the offspring of these two breeds. Hybrids result in stronger, healthier dogs that live longer. Better health of these hybrids is not only good for the dog itself, but also good for their owners. Healthier dogs means less vet bills and more years with your favorite companion.

Some dog owners still desire a purebred dog solely because they prefer the way a specific breed looks. But many dog parents are choosing to add hybrid fur babies to their homes because instead of searching for a distinct look, they wish for a healthier companion. After all, the healthier the dog, the longer your pooch will be around to fill your life with joy and plenty of puppy snuggles.