French bulldog x Springer Spaniel

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Hello!
I'm interested in a puppy that is a french bulldog x springer spaniel. Very aware all dogs are different but just wondering if anyone has this cross and what their temperament is like. Always love a dog pic so feel free to include yours! :)

I love springers but don't like French bull dogs at all.

I have always had springers and honestly cannot ever imagine crossing them with a French bulldog, they are absolutely miles apart as breeds. No responsible breeder would ever breed the two together so I would imagine it's a pet owner trying to cash in on high puppy prices and avoid at all costs.

I'm really struggling to imagine the bone structure of this dog. Is it a planned cross breed with a ridiculous price tag.

Have just Googled... you've not paid over a grand have you?

I agree that it sounds an odd cross. Bit of a Frankendog.

Why?? Unless you’re rescuing this why on earth would you choose two such different breeds. Dogs are not fashion accessories.

These designer dogs are fuelling puppy farms as people pay stupid money for them.

Apologies for ranting if you’re taking on a rescue.

@CollieDug I'm hoping so, but this 'breed' is a thing for £1200 a pup. 6 in the litter advertised and all sold....

Sorry for the confusion, I haven't bought or even seen the puppy in person. I've been told about it by a mutual friend, was curious of other people's opinions - obviously quite controversial 💣 - and it is no where near a grand. My last dog cost me £30 from a local farmer - I live rurally - and was a labxcollie and she was better than any human I've ever met.
I've always had crosses/mutts, just always had labrador as part of the mix, so this is totally new to me.

I dint have a problem with cross breeds. I have a problem with the fact that the breeders of these cross breeds are usually twats who don't give a shit about the dogs. But I digress.

I have always had spaniels and work with a spaniel rescue. Honestly, this sounds like a disaster and I can't imagine anyone doing this ethically

Springers are highly energetic dogs, they don't stop, even if it's going to make them ill. Frenchies, often have breathing problems. You have a high probability of having a dog that has a strong desire to be active, but who can't be due to breathing issues. So either a miserable dog. Or a dog who keeps trying to be energetic and making itself sick.

Plus the size difference in the breeds, which breed is the mother?

Honestly, I am say here with a rescue cocker (might be crossed with a whippet) and some sort of tiny spaniel/poodle mix (groomer thinks the hair is very Bichon like so might be a further mix) which is another rescue.

The cocker is great. The other is a dick and I adore them both. And I take dogs on with, potential, big issues. I wouldn't touch this dog.

@AlDanvers
Thankyou, this is really helpful and gives an insight into both breeds. I've had neither, so know nothing about either type, hence why I posted.
I'd love to adopt, a previous dog was a rescue and was mad but amazing, but I have a 2 and a 6 year old now and am struggling to find centres that are happy with pre school children, which I understand.

With DC that small, then only consider a puppy from a breed noted for being good natured, and with from a line bred for temperament (or at least with temperament in mind not just looks).

There's a reason why labradors and golden retrievers are so popular - though they can be a bit big for toddlers, but thats surmountable as they won't be alone together

You can never be quite so sure which side will dominate with a cross-breed, though getting one that has been assessed a rescue is important when you have DC - they will let dogs which are suitable go to families once DC (or at least DC behind the toddler years) but there simply aren't very many of them

I've got a lab/springer cross and I can honestly say he is the most perfect dog, the lab couch potato at home and constant running on a walk but with no interest in chasing anything or going up to other people. He adores us so constantly checks in on a walk and has never been a problem with recall. He is the happiest dog I've ever had, even the vet says he's an awesome dog.
French bulldogs are notoriously stubborn and have breathing problems so as another poster said you may end up with a dog who struggles with running and is miserable as a result.

Vet here. French bulldogs crossed with a long nosed breed (such as springer) are significantly healthier than a pure breed frenchie, with much better quality of life. It's a bit of a weird mix but genetic diversity is a major plus in the dog breeding world! I would say have a look at the pups - you want to see nice big open nostrils, a decent length nose, and no goggly eyes - if so then go for it

A huge issue with crossing breeds with flat faces with high energy breeds is that while often they physically come out somewhere in the middle... that’s not guaranteed, so there’s a possibility that you get a springer energy level with the breathing issues of a french bulldog. It’s not all about nostrils either, a lot of the breathing issues are to do with the internal structure and that’s very hard to determine in a young puppy.

Also you should be very concerned that the puppies may not have been looked after properly, socialised properly and that it’s pretty unlikely that the breeder has paid much attention to the temperament of the parents as anyone breeding such different dogs together is at best irresponsible and at worst just trying to make as much money as they can - responsible pet owners don’t have accidental litters, even if they don’t prevent mating they could still have gone for a mismate injection and the only reason to breed them on purpose is a quick buck.

That’s without even getting into the potential issues from crossing breeds with such different behavioural traits.

I see a lot of Frenchies in rescue for adult-only homes, they are notoriously stubborn, can have issues with resource guarding and not always great around pre-schoolers. Mixing stubborn with a high energy breed like a springer seems like a bad idea, I hope this wasn’t an intentional litter.

French bulldogs are prone to genetic diseases, springers not so much. Springers really are high energy.
Crossbreeding does not breed out the genetic problems so you could end up with a dog that looks like a springer but with expensive health problems.
Over 70% have a disease problem.

Sorry that should read over 70% of French Bulldogs have a health problem.

I think this is a mix that can go either way.

You could get rid of some of the health issues of a Frenchie - the short snout and the big round chest - both of which cause issues with exercise, breathing and general movement.

Or, you could end up with a dog with the exercise needs of a springer but the physical limitations of a Frenchie, which could end up as an absolute disaster. The dog would end up seriously frustrated, under-exercised and bored.

As PP said, there are a lot of Frenchies in rescues for good reason - they are notoriously stubborn and tough to train, and they are strong little things too, which means you have to work hard to train them properly when they're little so they don't pull or jump and cause injuries.

I'm not sure why they've suddenly become so popular - I suspect because they're small and cute, but people don't read up on their health issues and personalities.

Our NDN has got a frenchie. Their DD got it, but it's not remotely nice around kids so when she had a baby, dog got booted out to Mum and Dad. It's really unpredictable and nasty with other dogs too. It can't ever be let off lead, and it can't do enough exercise to tire it out as it can barely breathe. The DD paid nearly £3k for it

I've got 2 gentle spanners and they're terrified of it. Thankfully its breathing is so bad that you can hear it approaching a mile off........

That's a really weird mix , I'd be worried about Health and breathing issues ! What do they look like?

@sixswans

Vet here. French bulldogs crossed with a long nosed breed (such as springer) are significantly healthier than a pure breed frenchie, with much better quality of life. It's a bit of a weird mix but genetic diversity is a major plus in the dog breeding world! I would say have a look at the pups - you want to see nice big open nostrils, a decent length nose, and no goggly eyes - if so then go for it

Thank you for saying this. I completely agree that genetic diversity is extremely important in dog breeding, something that is unfortunately disregarded by far too many people.

@sixswans

Vet here. French bulldogs crossed with a long nosed breed (such as springer) are significantly healthier than a pure breed frenchie, with much better quality of life. It's a bit of a weird mix but genetic diversity is a major plus in the dog breeding world! I would say have a look at the pups - you want to see nice big open nostrils, a decent length nose, and no goggly eyes - if so then go for it

How can you guarantee it's going to be healthier?

You could end up with a dog with the energy needs of a springer and the breathing difficulties of a Frenchie!

That sounds like an accidental mating so I assume that neither parent would be health checked. I would give them a miss. Look for a registered breeder who plans their litters to ensure healthy pups.

@sixswans

Vet here. French bulldogs crossed with a long nosed breed (such as springer) are significantly healthier than a pure breed frenchie, with much better quality of life. It's a bit of a weird mix but genetic diversity is a major plus in the dog breeding world! I would say have a look at the pups - you want to see nice big open nostrils, a decent length nose, and no goggly eyes - if so then go for it

I am actuly concerned a vet thinks this is OK as long as the nose and eyes look ok.

I do agree generic diversity can improve breeds. But as a vet you will know it can end up in disasters and there's a real problem with crossbreeders poorly breeding dogs and not even keeping the dogs in good conditions.

I am also shocked that a vet thinks the only issue would be the size of the nostrils and hasn't though about additional health issues plus the mix of temperaments, that can't possibly be known at a few weeks.

As above, you could end up with a really stubborn very high energy breed that would be extremely difficult for most dogs owners to meet the needs of.

Well the puppies are born now but it’s not a cross I would ever want.

Saying that you can’t really make a French bulldog any more unhealthy than they already are surely, poor things.