French West Highlander
The French West Highlander is a cross between the French Bulldog and the West Highland White Terrier. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing a French West Highlander. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
French Bulldog
The French Bulldog is a compact, muscular dog with heavy bone structure and a smooth, short coat that exemplifies the breed's sturdy and powerful build. According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, these dogs must weigh under 28 pounds and typically stand between 11 and 13 inches tall at the shoulder. The breed presents an appearance of an active, intelligent dog that is compactly built with medium to small structure and well-distributed proportions throughout the body. Their expression is characteristically alert, curious, and interested, reflecting their engaging and attentive personality. The overall impression should be of a well-balanced, symmetrical dog with no single feature appearing exaggerated or out of proportion with the rest of the body. The most distinctive feature of the French Bulldog is its large, erect bat ears, which stand prominently on top of the broad, square-shaped head with the orifice facing directly forward. This ear style is considered a defining hallmark of the breed and distinguishes it from its English Bulldog ancestors who possess rose-shaped ears. The head itself is large with a flat skull between the ears and a short, well-laid-back muzzle featuring a black nose except in lighter colored dogs where a lighter nose is acceptable. Their eyes are dark, set wide apart and positioned low in the skull far from the ears, giving them an attentive and sweet expression. The body displays a characteristic roach back, where the spine rises slightly from behind the shoulders to the rump, creating the breed's distinctive silhouette. The coat is short, smooth, and fine in texture with a soft, loose skin that forms characteristic wrinkles, particularly around the head and shoulders. Acceptable coat colors include various shades of brindle, fawn, cream, and white with brindle patches known as pied, all of which should be clearly defined without muddy mixing. The breed standard specifically disqualifies solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, and black and white coloring, as well as any weight exceeding 28 pounds or ears other than the bat type. Their compact body features a broad, deep chest, well-rounded ribs extending to the elbows, and a short, thick, muscular neck that supports their substantial head with evident confidence and strength.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament French Bulldogs are intelligent but can exhibit a stubborn streak that requires patient, consistent training using positive reinforcement methods and creative approaches that maintain their interest. They respond enthusiastically to food rewards and praise but may become resistant to repetitive or harsh training techniques that fail to engage their attention. The breed generally gets along well with children, other pets, and strangers, making them wonderfully sociable family companions who adapt readily to multi-pet households. Their clownish, entertaining personality often brings immense joy and laughter to households, as they seem to genuinely enjoy being the center of attention and performing amusing antics for their appreciative audience.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Beyond respiratory issues, French Bulldogs are predisposed to numerous orthopedic conditions including hip dysplasia, luxating patella, and intervertebral disc disease related to their dwarfed skeletal structure and abnormal vertebrae. The breed commonly experiences skin fold dermatitis requiring regular and thorough cleaning of facial wrinkles and tail pockets to prevent bacterial and yeast infections. Eye problems such as cherry eye, corneal ulcers, and dry eye occur frequently in the breed, as do dental issues resulting from their shortened jaw and severely crowded teeth requiring regular dental care. The average lifespan of French Bulldogs is 10 to 12 years, notably shorter than many similarly sized breeds, reflecting the cumulative impact of these significant health challenges on overall longevity and quality of life.
West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier is a small, sturdy terrier breed standing 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 13 and 22 pounds, with males typically at the higher end of this weight range. The breed presents a compact, well-balanced appearance with a body that is slightly shorter from the last rib to the hindquarters than the height at the withers, creating an appealing square outline. Westies are immediately recognizable by their distinctive pure white coat and alert, confident expression that conveys intelligence and determination. Despite their small stature, they project an image of substantial bone, good muscle development, and a combination of strength and activity, reflecting their heritage as working terriers bred to hunt vermin in the rugged Scottish Highlands where stamina and courage were essential. The head of the West Highland White Terrier appears round when viewed from the front, framed by a profuse amount of harsh hair that creates a distinctive chrysanthemum-like appearance that is prized in the show ring. Their dark, almond-shaped eyes are set wide apart beneath heavy eyebrows and have a keen, piercing, intelligent expression that reflects the breed's alert nature. The small, erect ears are set wide apart on top of the skull and taper to a pointed tip covered with short, velvety hair, contributing to the breed's characteristic alert and inquisitive appearance. The muzzle is blunt and slightly shorter than the skull, with a large black nose and tight black lips that create strong, appealing contrast against the brilliant white coat. The distinctive double coat consists of a harsh, straight outer coat approximately two inches in length that provides excellent protection from rough terrain, and a soft, dense, close-fitting undercoat that offers superior insulation against cold weather. This combination provides excellent protection from harsh weather conditions and the rough brambles encountered during hunting expeditions in the Scottish countryside. The coat is always pure white, though regular grooming including brushing and stripping or clipping is essential to maintain its clean appearance and prevent matting of the softer undercoat. The carrot-shaped tail is relatively short, approximately five to six inches long, set on high, and carried jauntily upright but never curling over the back. The legs are relatively short but muscular and well-boned, with the front legs being straight and the hind legs being well-muscled with good angulation at the stifle joint.
Key Characteristics
Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament Temperament The breed maintains a high prey drive inherited from their vermin-hunting ancestors, which means they may instinctively chase small animals including cats, squirrels, rabbits, and other small creatures if not properly socialized from an early age. Westies can be vocal dogs with a notable tendency to bark at perceived threats, unfamiliar sounds, or interesting stimuli, making them effective and alert watchdogs for homes and families. They generally get along well with children when raised with them from puppyhood, though they may not tolerate rough handling from very young children and interactions should always be supervised. Early and thorough socialization is essential to prevent dog aggression, as some Westies can be territorial or dominant with other dogs, particularly those of the same sex.
Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Health Considerations Additional health concerns include copper storage disease and chronic hepatitis, both affecting liver function and requiring careful dietary management and ongoing veterinary monitoring throughout the dog's life. Eye conditions such as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, commonly known as dry eye, cataracts, and lens luxation can affect vision and overall quality of life if not properly managed with medication or surgery. The breed may also be affected by bladder cancer, specifically transitional cell carcinoma, at significantly higher rates than many other breeds, making awareness of urinary symptoms important for early detection. Despite these potential health issues, West Highland White Terriers typically enjoy a lifespan of 12 to 16 years when properly cared for, with regular veterinary checkups helping to identify and manage conditions early for optimal outcomes.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your French West Highlander may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the French Bulldog and West Highland White Terrier to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.