When you crossbreed a French bulldog and a Yorkshire Terrier, you end up with a French bulldog Yorkie mix.
This mixed breed, sometimes called a Frorkie, typically has a loving personality and a lot of energy. These friendly dogs make the perfect addition to households with children and other pets.
If you’re considering a Frorkie, you’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive breed guide will tell you everything you need to know about this adorable mixed breed.
Breed Overview of a French Bulldog Yorkie Mix (Frorkie)
Breed Name | French Bulldog Yorkie Mix |
Other Name | Forkie, Frorkie, Frorkie dog, Frenchie Yorkie |
Lifespan | 12-15 years |
Breed type | Mixed breed |
Size | Small |
Height | 9 inches |
Weight | 4-7 pounds |
Color | Black tan, white tan, brindle |
Coat | Long |
Temperament | very friendly, affectionate |
Training Difficulty | Easy to train |
Energy level | Medium to high |
Grooming needs | Moderate maintenance |
Bark Level | Medium |
French Bulldog Yorkie Mix Breed History
A Frorkie is a mix between a full-blooded French Bulldog and a purebred Yorkshire Terrier.
These hybrid dogs have grown in popularity over the last few decades, since many households are looking for small and fun-loving dogs.
French bulldogs were first bred by combining bulldogs and terriers, creating a miniature bulldog breed. During the Industrial Revolution, these dogs became popular, especially in France.
Yorkies were first bred in England. The breed was originally created to help capture mice found in and around mines.
Although they are still high-energy dogs, the breed today is primarily bred as companion animals (much like French bulldogs).
Frorkie Physical Appearance
Frorkies are small dogs that typically weigh between 7 and 12 pounds and only grow to be 7 to 9 inches tall.
These tiny companion dogs have a single coat that can be a wide range of colors, from tan to black.
They can take on any of the coat colors of their Frenchie parent, although the coat color of their Yorkie parent tends to be more dominant.
They often have the round head of a Frenchie and the long coat of their Yorkie parent. Frenchie Yorkies typically have tan fur, although they can have fur that’s either lighter or darker than a typical Yorkie. This depends on the coloring of their parents.
Their fur is usually long and curly, although it can also be long and wavy. Although their long fur often covers it, they do have tails. Their tails tend to be long and straight.
Yorkie French Bulldog Mix Temperament
Both Frenchies and Yorkies have friendly personalities, so their mixed-breed offspring naturally have that friendly and good-natured temperament.
They are usually warm and loving and prefer to spend time with their human companions. These dogs love to play and often have a lot of energy.
Since they have such social personalities, they do best when their owners can spend a lot of time with them.
Their laid-back personalities also make them a good choice for families with children or other pets. When trained and socialized well, they get along well with others.
They tend to be friendlier than some other small mixed breeds. For example, the French bulldog Chow mix can be somewhat unfriendly.
However, since both parent breeds are exceptionally good with others, the resulting offspring are friendly and fun-loving as well.
Training Needs for a Frorkie
Frorkies are intelligent and people-pleasing dogs. While this typically means they’re fairly easy to train, they sometimes have a demanding and stubborn streak that can create issues during training.
Like all dog breeds, they respond best to positive reinforcement. When they are doing well at learning a new command, praise them and reward them with a treat.
Once they realize they are getting rewards for something, they’re likely to learn the necessary commands.
Training will help your Frenchie Yorkie socialize well with others. When they are trained early on, they’re more likely to have positive interactions with others throughout their lives.
These little dogs have a low prey drive. They’re also less yappy than other small dog breeds. With their above-average intelligence, they are quick to learn.
They make great companions for young children and senior adults when trained properly.
Diet and Nutrition for a French Bulldog Yorkie Mix
Frenchie Yorkies need high-quality dog food to help them live healthy and energetic lives. While you should always consult your dog’s veterinarian about their diet,
Frorkies typically need diets rich in protein, healthy fats, calcium, and vitamins. This mixed breed often needs dietary supplements to help prevent chronic health issues.
These tiny dogs are prone to obesity, so it’s important to carefully measure their food. Making sure they get the right amount of food for their age and weight is an important step you can take in keeping them healthy.
In general, adult Frorkies need a diet with at least 18% protein and 5% fat. As puppies, they’ll need more food to support their growth.
They also need plenty of vitamins and minerals to support skeletal and muscular health.
Their diet should be filled with high-quality animal protein, such as chicken, beef, and fish. Healthy fats give them energy, healthy skin, and a healthy coat.
While your dog’s specific needs may differ, most Frorkies should be getting between 25 and 35 calories per pound of body weight per day.
Exercise Needs for a French Bulldog Yorkie Mix
Frenchie Yorkies don’t need a lot of exercises. While they’re happy to go out for a leisurely walk in the park, their play sessions at home will fulfill the extent of their exercise needs.
They typically have tons of energy but prefer to use up that energy by playing with you at home.
Whether you toss a ball across the living room or play with other toys together, your Frorkie will get all the exercise they need during medium- to high-intensity play.
Since playtime fulfills their exercise needs, they make great companions for homebound individuals.
French Bulldog Yorkie Mix Health Concerns & Lifespan
Unlike the French Bulldog Chinese Crested Mix, Frorkies are a relatively unhealthy breed. Instead of benefiting from the health of two separate breeds, they instead inherit the health problems of both Frenchies and Yorkies.
They are prone to weight gain, so it’s important to monitor their food intake and exercise habits carefully.
Frorkies may also develop the following medical conditions:
Brachycephalic syndrome: this term refers to upper airway malformations common to this mixed breed. This causes obstructed and difficult breathing, which can be made worse by exertion or illness.
Eye problems: cherry eye, progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts are both common conditions for adult Frorkies.
Hearing loss: while hearing loss can occur with any breed, Frorkies are particularly susceptible to hearing loss. Chronic ear infections can cause premature hearing loss for some Frorkies.
Hip dysplasia: when Frorkies are still growing, they can develop this disorder. The hip joint relaxes too much, causing discomfort and lack of function.
This eventually causes the cartilage to wear away, resulting in muscular atrophy, decreased mobility, and arthritis.
Patellar luxation: this condition develops when the kneecap slips out of its correct position, causing your dog to limp. In some cases, your Frorkie may be unable to walk. Sometimes the leg locks at an abnormal angle due to patellar luxation.
Skin problems: Fenchies often experience allergies, leading to common issues such as redness and irritation of the skin.
Urolithiasis: Frorkies commonly produce stones in their urinary system, causing chronic pain and infection.
Despite these health concerns, most Frorkies live to be between ten and twelve years old.
Preventative care can help mitigate the risk of some illnesses, although their genetic predisposition can leave them vulnerable to the illnesses listed above.
Grooming Needs for Frorkies
Even with their long coats, Frorkies have relatively low-maintenance grooming needs. Generally, Frenchies don’t shed much and only require baths about once each month.
Make sure to wash your Frorkie with dog shampoo formulated for their sensitive skin and long coats.
They also require regular nail clipping and tooth brushing. You should brush your Frenchie’s teeth at least twice a week.
This helps prevent unwanted plaque and tartar buildup, which can cause cavities and dental pain for your dog.
Since Frorkies are prone to eye and ear infections, you should carefully clean their ears and eyes regularly.
You should also regularly brush your Frorkie to prevent matted fur. My favorite shedding brush is the FURminator— it’s the best brush to get rid of all that loose hair and keep your home clean.
Grooming Needs | Grooming Frequency |
---|---|
Hair brushing | Daily. |
Nail trimming | Once a week. |
Teeth Brushing | Daily or at least 2-3 times a week. |
Bathing | As needed. |
French Bulldog Yorkie Mix Price – How Much Is a Frorkie?
As you may already know, French Bulldogs are expensive. The cost of a Frorkie puppy varies greatly, although most people pay between $900 and $3500.
If you adopt a Frorkie from a shelter, their adoption fee will be significantly lower, although you’ll be subject to the availability at your local shelter.
When shopping for a Frorkie puppy, it’s important to look for a reputable breeder. Responsible breeders will take steps to increase the health of their breeding lines.
When these two breeds are bred together in unreputable puppy mills, a whole host of health problems may develop.
Final Thoughts on Frorkies
French bulldog Yorkie mixes are a much-loved mixed breed due to their round faces and long fur. They are fun-loving and energetic dogs that love to spend time with their owners.
If you’re looking for a great companion dog, this mixed breed is one of the best, especially for homebound or aging individuals.
While they are adorable, Frorkies do have some known health problems. They are relatively unhealthy, often developing health problems due to the unhealthiness of both parent breeds.
However, responsible breeding, a healthy diet, and plenty of exercises can help your Frorkie live a long and healthy life.
Photos: Courtesy of @yorkiefrenchbulldog
I’m getting 2 of these Frorkie in 1 week. They are sisters and have a lot of black and a little brown. I can’t wait.
What is the best food to feed them at 6 weeks? ?goat milk? Carnation evaporated milk and puppy formula?
Please let me know.
Hi Laura! Congratulations on welcoming two Yorkies! If you’re seeking recommendations for your French Bulldog puppy’s diet, I recommend checking out our comprehensive French Bulldog Food Guide. It provides tailored suggestions for every life stage, from puppyhood to adulthood and senior years. Let me know if you need more help.