Bullhuahuas: Are they good family dogs to have?

Last Updated on April 25, 2023

Meet the adorable master of disguise pup who goes by several aliases, the Bullhuahua (a.k.a the Chibull, the Frencheenie, and the Mexican Frenchie for the French Bulldog variety).

This playful, loving soul is also a challenge, with its stubborn, sassy Chihuahua side, and extreme intelligence from its Bulldog side.

Are you up for a challenge with great rewards? Read on to decide if this breed is right for you!

What is a Bullhuahua?

This relatively new crossbreed is a cross between a Chihuahua and Bulldog. These cuties were bred for companionship. 

Breeders began intentionally mixing the Bulldogs and Chihuahuas in the 2000s in North America.

It’s believed they wanted to minimize the popular Bulldog’s breathing issues while creating a compact cutie with a fun personality.

The Bulldog’s Redemption Story

These dogs have a super unfortunate past. They were created in 13th century England and used in horrific blood sports for bull-baiting– that is, until 1835 when England banned these sports.

When this happened, the Bulldog almost went extinct.

Over time, though, breeders gave the Bulldog a second chance. They began breeding these dogs as companions with friendly, gentle attitudes and loving personalities. 

Bulldogs are now the 5th most popular breed according to the AKC and are part of the non-sporting group.

The Bulldog is 40-50 pounds and 14-15 inches in height; females are generally smaller. 

Unfortunately, this breed only has an 8-10 year lifespan, most likely due to their large list of health issues, many a product of their adorable pushed-in faces and stocky bodies. 

The Teeny-Tiny Chihuahua (Chi-Chi)

The Chihuahua’s history is partially a mystery, although it is undoubtedly an ancient breed.

Some say they first came out of Egypt, others in China, and some even say they hailed from Central and South America from the Techichi dog, a breed thought to have healing powers.

Chihuahua is part of the AKC toy group and are often referred to as “Purse dogs.” They sport a trademark apple head with erect ears and carry huge, sassy personalities.

These toy-to-small dogs stand at only 5-8 inches and weigh under 6 pounds. They have an impressive lifespan of 14-16 years.

Different types of Chihuahua Bulldog mixes

Ooh-la-la: The French Bullhuahua (Frencheenie)

The French Bullhuahua variety is a cross between a French Bulldog (“Frenchie”) and a Chihuahua, and it goes by a few names: Frencheenie, Chibull, and Mexican Frenchie.

These little fireballs are great for apartment living. They can be 10-30 pounds and 6-12 inches in height– don’t underestimate, though; there’s a ton of personality packed into their tiny bodies!

These dogs are known for being overly protective of their owners and have a spunky, sassy play style, including, but not limited to, being pretty vocal or “yappy.”

They require a large amount of attention and tend to latch on to one person; they’re a bit needy when it comes to your time with them. 

Their life expectancy is 10-15 years.

American Bulldog Chihuahua mix (American Bullhuahua)

The American Bullhuahua (aka American Bulleenie) is an American Bulldog cross with a Chihuahua and was bred for companionship.

These dogs are energetic and friendly as the American Bulldog with a sassy side from its Chihuahua parent. 

Due to the size differences between American Bulldogs and Chihuahuas, most of these crossbreeds are multigenerational. They’re recognized by the DRA.

These funny-looking pups often have striking Chihuahua looks with a round head, big round eyes, and erect ears.

They tend to have a lean, muscular build, a perfect mix of the American Bulldog’s stockiness and Chihuahua’s long-and-lean bod.

English Bulldog Chihuahua mix

This Bulldog breed is a bit closer in size to the Chihuahua, smaller than the American Bulldog variety. These mixes can weigh anywhere between 3.5 to 55 pounds. 

It’s hard not to recognize the English Bulldog by their signature look: a pushed-in face, wrinkly head and body, and an underbite with large hanging chops on either side.

If this crossbreed’s Bulldog genes are dominant, he may end up with any of these signature traits. 

These dogs are loving and friendly but still tend to have dominance issues thanks to their bossy Chihuahua genes.

What does a Bullhuahua look like?

These dogs are perky and cute. They’re typically stocky with wide chests and muscular bodies on long legs.

Their head is larger than their body in proportion, and they have short necks and tails, as well as arched, meaty paws with small, curved tails.

The Bullhuahua will inherit traits from both parents; since there are several varieties of Bulldogs (French, American, and English), they could have many different combinations and looks.

They tend to retain the Chihuahua-like facial features, including their signature perky ears, round heads, and thin lips. They generally have a short muzzle, broad & black nose, and a wide and strong jaw.

How big do these dogs get?

The Bullhuahua is low-set and longer than they are tall. They’re Toy to Small in size, typically standing at 9-12 inches, and weigh 20-30 pounds.

It’s a great apartment dog, and suitable for couples or single person families– just so long as they get enough human attention and have a place to walk or play outside, such as a fenced-in yard.

What are Bullhuahua coats like?

Their coats are short, smooth, and dense. However, this is a bit unpredictable, considering the Chihuahua parent comes in long-haired and short-haired varieties.

Bullhuahua coats can sometimes be either solid or mixed colors and patterns: Golden, brown, white, brown, blue, black, brindle, merle, cream, or tan.

Sugar and Spice: the Bullhuahua Personality

The Bullhuahua personality is a perfect mix between its sassy Chi parent and smart Bulldog parent. It’s both super playful and intelligent.

While the Bullhuahua can be “yappy” (more common in the Frenchie variety), this is for your protection. The Bullhuahua has its barking habits because of their need to protect their humans.

So, when they hear or suspect danger, they will sound the alarm! 

They make excellent guard dogs. In order to keep their barking behaviors under control and minimize chances of aggressive tendencies, be sure to schedule early obedience training.

They can be stubborn and therefore difficult to train. It would be best if you had a firm hand in training a Bullhuahua.

They are mostly tolerant of children (mostly just older children), but often not good with other pets.

If you already have other pets in the home, ask your veterinarian about the best practices for introductions before bringing your Bullhuahua home.

These pups need a lot of attention, especially from the one family member to which they tend to cling. They’re often very loyal to their family members, loving, and affectionate.

Their need for constant attention, though, makes them susceptible to separation anxiety. 

It would be best to socialize the Bullhuahua at an early age to give them the best chance of being well-behaved and manageable. They are often easily excitable and can be short-tempered– expect lots of talking back!

How to Care for your Bullhuahua

Exercise needs

Bullhuahuas have low maintenance exercise requirements.

They have medium energy levels and need at least 30 minutes of daily exercise– this can be a short walk with some good playtime mixed in since they’re a super playful breed.

Your Bullhuahua should exercise for about 5 miles per week. But be aware that they’re sensitive to heat because they’re a brachycephalic breed, so minimize this during the summer months.

Indoor exercise is also necessary. A bored Bullhuahua is a destructive one! Try puzzle toys with food rewards to keep them busy and stimulated when you can’t be exercising outside.

Chihuahua Bulldog grooming maintenance

Even though they’re not hypoallergenic, they’re very low maintenance with their grooming needs.

Their teeth need daily brushing because their mouths tend to be small and crowded. Dental hygiene is linked to heart health, so this is one of the most important regimens to stick to!

They have minimal coat maintenance, as they shed very lightly. Use a slicker brush a couple of times a week over your dog’s smooth coat to get at any loose fur.

I recommend clipping their nails every few weeks but bathing only when necessary, as excessive bathing can lead to dry skin.

What to feed your Bullhuahua

Bullhuahuas should eat 1-2 cups of dry kibble per day. Expect to spend about $25 – $30 a month on your Bullhuahua’s food.

These dogs may be prone to obesity, so keep treats at a minimum– or make healthy choices such as carrots!

Bullhuahua Health

Bullhuahuas are generally healthy and have a 10 – 15 year lifespan.

There is an ongoing debate about crossbred versus purebred health, and some experts believe crossbreeds are generally healthier than purebreds.

However, crossbreeds still may inherit one or more common health problems from either parent. In Bullhuahua’s case, they are susceptible to some underlying health issues:

• Intervertebral Disc Hip Dysplasia
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Degeneration
• Prone to dental issues
• Breathing issues – related to brachycephalic faces, like heat stroke.

Where to buy a Bullhuahua puppy

Many crossbreed dogs end up in shelters for various reasons.

If you choose to go through a breeder, make sure you do extensive research, as well as ask many questions directly to the breeder you are looking into– about their process, their pups, and how they handle their adoptions before and after!

Bullhuahua puppies cost $500-$700, a pretty competitive price compared to their more expensive purebred parents.

Bullhuahua Breeders

While I haven’t found any reputable Bullhuahua breeders, you can check out rescues and shelters who specialize in either parent breeds.

Where to adopt a Bullhuahua

You might find any combination of Bulldog Chihuahua mixes at rescues and shelters who carry either parent breed:

• SNORT Rescue specializes only in brachycephalic dogs like Frenchies and is sure to have mixes
• French Bulldog Village Rescue
• French Bulldog Rescue Network
• Chihuahua Rescue

So, are you up for it?

This breed’s a whirlwind. It seems to be a sweet, loving pup at first glance; but it also comes with a handful of health and behavior problems.

This dog is no doubt adorable, but it’s not fit for a family with small children or other pets.

Overall, this breed has its highs and lows. You need the patience of a saint and a firm hand to handle the Bullhuahua.

Comment below!

Reference

• https://ckcusa.com/blog/2017/april/canine-crash-course-f1-f2-f3-and-multi-generational-designations/
• https://vetspecialists.co.uk/fact-sheets-post/pulmonic-stenosis/