French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers are two of the most popular small companion breeds in cities and flats, and people frequently compare them directly because they share a similar build, a similar flattened face, and a similar promise of an affectionate dog that does not need long-distance exercise. The comparison is a genuinely useful one, because while the two breeds look superficially similar, their own breed pages describe some real differences in trainability, sociability with children and how each has been affected by its shortened muzzle.
Read the French Bulldog profile and the Boston Terrier profile in full, since both go into detail on the health considerations that come with a flat-faced breed of any kind.
At a glance
| Trait | French Bulldog | Boston Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small (27 to 35 cm, 9 to 14 kg for males) | Small |
| Coat and shedding | Short smooth coat, moderate shedding | Short smooth coat, moderate shedding |
| Grooming need | Low, weekly brushing plus fold checks | Low, weekly wipe down |
| Energy level | Low | Moderate |
| Exercise | Up to 1 hour a day, adjusted for breathing and weather | Two or three brisk walks a day, avoiding midday heat |
| Trainability | Moderate | Beginner-friendly |
| Good with children | Supervision important | Usually very good with children of all ages |
| First-time owner suitability | Possible with support | Possible with support |
| Left alone | Limited tolerance | Limited tolerance |
| Barking | Low | Low |
| Typical lifespan | 10 to 12 years | 11 to 13 years |
| Indicative monthly cost | £100 to £200 | £85 to £150 |
Temperament and personality differences
Both breeds are affectionate and companionable, and both were developed as city companions rather than working dogs. The French Bulldog’s page describes it as affectionate, playful and companionable, bred originally as a lace workers’ lap dog and modest ratter in Normandy. The Boston Terrier’s page describes it as sociable, sturdy and endlessly keen on human company, noting that despite descending partly from bulldog and terrier fighting stock, the temperament that emerged is gentle and largely free of guarding or fighting instinct.
The Boston Terrier’s own page rates it generally-suitable for children of all ages, calling it usually very good with them, while the French Bulldog’s page rates it supervision-important around children, asking that contact be supervised and that the dog be allowed to rest undisturbed. Both breeds dislike being left alone for long periods, and neither tends to be a persistent barker, which suits both to flats and homes with close neighbours.
Exercise and energy differences
The French Bulldog is rated low energy with exercise needs of up to an hour a day, adjusted for breathing and weather. The Boston Terrier is rated a step up at moderate energy, with its own page recommending two or three brisk walks a day rather than one longer outing, and specifically warning that summer exercise should be shifted to cooler parts of the day and skipped during a heatwave. Both breeds share the same underlying caution: watch the individual dog’s breathing and recovery rather than following a fixed distance target, and stop before either dog becomes distressed.
Neither breed is considered a safe swimmer. The French Bulldog’s page says many struggle to keep their heads above water and should never be left near water unsupervised, and the same caution reasonably applies to the Boston Terrier given its similarly compact, flat-faced build, though its own page focuses its water-related advice mainly on heat management during land exercise.
Grooming and coat differences
Grooming needs are close between the two breeds, both rated low with a short smooth coat. The French Bulldog’s page asks for a weekly brush alongside closer attention to facial folds, the tail area, ears and paws, checking for redness, moisture or soreness. The Boston Terrier’s page describes a simpler routine, a weekly wipe with a rubber grooming mitt, noting that its facial wrinkles are less pronounced than in some other flat-faced breeds, though the areas around the nose and any skin folds still need a regular check.
Both breeds shed a moderate amount despite their short coats, and both benefit from regular nail trimming and early handling practice for grooming sessions.
Training and trainability differences
This is one of the clearer differences between the two. The Boston Terrier is rated beginner-friendly for trainability, with its own page describing the breed as generally eager to please and food motivated, making recall, loose-lead walking and calm greetings achievable for most owners including first-timers. The French Bulldog is rated a step down at moderate trainability, and its page notes that toilet training in particular can take patience, especially during bad weather, recommending a predictable routine without punishment.
Both breeds respond well to brief, reward-based training sessions rather than long drilling, and both are described as capable first dogs with the right support and realistic expectations.
Health and lifespan differences
Both breeds are flat-faced and share the central health consideration that comes with that shape: brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, commonly shortened to BOAS, which can range from mild snoring to a genuine need for corrective surgery. The Kennel Club runs a respiratory function grading scheme with the University of Cambridge that is relevant to both breeds, and both breed pages recommend asking to see grading certificates rather than accepting a verbal assurance.
There are still meaningful differences. The Boston Terrier’s own page states that it generally has a less extreme skull shape than some other flat-faced breeds and describes the breed overall as more robust than many other short-faced breeds, while still sharing the same fundamental airway and heat sensitivity issues. The French Bulldog’s page notes that large studies of veterinary records have reported a shorter average lifespan for the breed as a whole than the commonly quoted 10 to 12 years, a caveat not present on the Boston Terrier’s page, whose typical lifespan is stated as 11 to 13 years. Neither point is a guarantee for an individual dog, and both breeds still need careful sourcing focused on open nostrils, a visible muzzle and quiet breathing rather than an extreme look.
Cost and space differences
Both breeds are listed as flat-friendly and suited to smaller homes, which is a large part of their shared popularity in cities. Typical monthly costs are somewhat lower for the Boston Terrier at £85 to £150 against £100 to £200 for the French Bulldog, though both breed pages note that veterinary costs, and insurance in particular, can run well above these baseline figures if airway or eye treatment becomes necessary. Neither figure should be treated as a ceiling on what a flat-faced breed can cost over its lifetime.
Which one suits you?
If you want the breed with the marginally better track record for coping with its own body shape, an easier introduction to training, and a stronger reputation with children of all ages, the Boston Terrier’s own page supports leaning that way. If you are drawn to the French Bulldog’s particular temperament and are prepared for a slightly lower trainability rating, more careful supervision around children, and a closer eye on veterinary costs, it remains a genuinely affectionate and adaptable companion for the right home.
Whichever you choose, prioritise a breeder who selects for open nostrils, sound eyes and quiet breathing over an extreme, flattened look, and plan your exercise routine around cooler parts of the day. If you are still undecided, the breed comparison tool lets you set either breed against other small companion dogs, and the breed finder can help if a flat-faced breed turns out not to be the right fit for your circumstances.