French West Highlander
Hybrid Breed Description
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 presents a distinctive and unmistakable appearance characterized by its compact, muscular build and unique bat-shaped ears. Standing between eleven and twelve inches tall at the shoulder, this small but sturdy breed typically weighs between sixteen and twenty-eight pounds, with males usually being slightly larger than females. The breed exhibits a square-proportioned body with heavy bone structure, featuring a broad chest, well-sprung ribs, and a characteristic gentle rise over the loin that creates the breed's signature roached topline. The most recognizable features of the French Bulldog include its large, erect bat ears that stand wide apart at the top of a nearly flat skull, and its distinctively flat face with a shortened muzzle. The breed displays large, round, expressive dark eyes that are set wide apart, creating an alert rather than morose expression. The head appears square in appearance and in proper proportion to the body, with well-developed cheek muscles and a defined stop. The skull features a slightly domed forehead with supple skin that allows for characteristic wrinkles when the dog is alert. The naturally short tail, which can be either straight or corkscrew-shaped, sits low and tapers to a point. French Bulldogs possess a short, smooth, and brilliant coat that lies close to the body, with soft and loose skin particularly evident around the head and shoulders where it forms wrinkles. The coat comes in various acceptable colors including brindle, fawn ranging from light to red, cream, white, and combinations thereof. The breed's legs are notably short yet muscular and straight in the front, with the hind legs being slightly longer, which elevates the hindquarters above the shoulders. Their compact paws are moderate in size with thick pads, and the overall structure creates a distinctive appearance that balances strength with a manageable size suitable for companion living.
Key Characteristics
The French Bulldog exhibits a temperament that has made it one of the most beloved companion breeds worldwide. These dogs are characterized by their playful, affectionate, and adaptable nature, combined with an alert disposition that makes them excellent watchdogs despite their small size. Frenchies are notably even-tempered and friendly, displaying a genuine love for human companionship that manifests in their desire to be close to their owners at all times. Their charm and winning personality have earned them the reputation as one of the world's great personality dogs, with a natural ability to make people laugh through their clownish antics and expressive faces. The breed demonstrates remarkable intelligence and eagerness to please, though this is tempered by a characteristic stubborn streak that reflects their bulldog heritage. French Bulldogs are relatively easy to train when approached with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement methods, as they respond poorly to harsh corrections. Their energy levels are moderate, enjoying playful sessions and short walks but also content to relax on the couch with their favorite humans. While they can display bursts of energy and enthusiasm, particularly as puppies, they generally mature into calmer adults who appreciate a balanced lifestyle. Frenchies thrive on attention and can be somewhat demanding of it, occasionally competing for affection in multi-person or multi-pet households. They are generally accepting of strangers and other dogs when properly socialized, though they are not exuberant in these situations. With children, French Bulldogs typically form strong bonds and demonstrate patience, making them suitable family companions when interactions are supervised and children understand the dog's limitations regarding rough play. However, the breed does not tolerate being left alone for extended periods and may develop separation anxiety or destructive behaviors if isolated. Their somewhat territorial nature combined with their alert disposition means they will bark to announce visitors or unusual occurrences, though they are not considered excessively vocal. The French Bulldog's social nature and adaptability make them well-suited for various living situations, from apartments to larger homes, provided they receive adequate attention, moderate exercise, and are protected from temperature extremes due to their brachycephalic structure.
French Bulldogs face significant health challenges primarily stemming from their distinctive brachycephalic anatomy and selective breeding history. The most prevalent and serious concern is Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome, which affects the majority of the breed to varying degrees. This condition encompasses multiple anatomical abnormalities including stenotic nares with excessively narrow nostrils, elongated soft palate that blocks the airway, everted laryngeal saccules, and hypoplastic trachea with an abnormally narrow windpipe. These structural issues result in breathing difficulties, exercise intolerance, increased susceptibility to heatstroke, and gastrointestinal problems. Research indicates French Bulldogs are significantly more likely to develop respiratory disorders compared to other breeds, with studies showing they face thirty times greater risk of obstructive airway syndrome than non-brachycephalic breeds. Musculoskeletal problems represent another major health category for this breed. Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip joint develops improperly, causing pain, arthritis, and degenerative joint disease that may require surgical intervention. Intervertebral disc disease is common due to the breed's dwarf-like body structure, potentially causing back pain, nerve damage, or even paralysis. Luxating patellas, where the kneecap slips out of position, can cause lameness and may necessitate surgical correction. French Bulldogs are also predisposed to hemivertebrae, a spinal malformation that can lead to neurological problems. The breed's unique body structure makes them prone to difficulty swimming and increases risks during anesthesia, requiring experienced veterinary care. Additional health concerns include a range of dermatological, ocular, and systemic conditions. Skin fold dermatitis commonly affects the facial wrinkles and requires regular cleaning to prevent infection. The breed demonstrates elevated risk for various eye problems including corneal ulcers, cherry eye, and cataracts, with their prominent eye positioning making them vulnerable to injury. Allergies affecting both skin and gastrointestinal systems are prevalent, potentially requiring lifelong management through special diets and medications. French Bulldogs also show increased susceptibility to certain cancers, heart conditions including pulmonic stenosis, autoimmune disorders such as Addison's disease, and reproductive challenges that typically necessitate caesarean sections for safe delivery. The breed's average lifespan ranges from ten to twelve years, with proper preventive care, weight management, protection from temperature extremes, and regular veterinary monitoring being essential for maintaining quality of life and longevity.
West Highland White Terrier
The West Highland White Terrier, affectionately known as the Westie, is a medium-sized terrier distinguished by its striking pure white double coat and compact, sturdy build. Standing between nine and twelve inches tall at the withers and weighing approximately thirteen to twenty-two pounds, these small but robust dogs possess longer legs than other Scottish terrier breeds, giving them enhanced agility and mobility. The breed exhibits a well-balanced, muscular physique with a level topline, broad and strong loins, and a deep chest with well-arched ribs that present a somewhat flattish appearance from the side. The overall body length is slightly greater than the height, creating a compact yet well-proportioned silhouette that speaks to the breed's heritage as a working terrier. The Westie's head is immediately recognizable, appearing rounded due to the abundant coat that frames the face. The skull is slightly rounded with a defined stop, while the muzzle is blunt and slightly shorter than the skull, creating the breed's characteristic expression. Deep-set, almond-shaped dark brown eyes convey intelligence and alertness, set wide apart beneath a slightly domed forehead. The small, erect, triangular ears are set wide apart on top of the head and point upward, contributing to the breed's keen and attentive expression. The nose is large and black, as is all pigmentation around the eyes and mouth, providing stark contrast against the white coat. The relatively short tail, measuring five to six inches long, is carried jauntily upright like a carrot but never curled over the back, and should be covered with harsh hair without feathering. The West Highland White Terrier's most distinctive feature is its dense, double-layered coat consisting of a hard, straight outer layer approximately two inches long and a soft, thick undercoat that provides insulation and weather protection. The coat is always pure white, though some individuals may display slight cream or wheaten shading on the ears. The texture is deliberately harsh and wiry, designed to push through brambles and resist dirt, requiring regular grooming including hand-stripping or clipping to maintain proper coat quality. The breed's legs are short but muscular with strong bone structure, the forefeet being larger than the hindfeet, and both featuring thick pads with black nails. The feet display a characteristic slight outward turn that provided better grip when navigating rocky Scottish terrain. This combination of sturdy construction, protective coat, and functional features reflects the Westie's original purpose as a determined vermin hunter capable of working in harsh conditions.
Key Characteristics
The West Highland White Terrier exhibits a spirited, confident personality that belies its small stature, combining the typical terrier traits of independence and determination with an affectionate and loyal nature toward family members. These dogs are characterized by their alert, lively disposition and possess what many describe as a larger-than-life personality packed into a compact body. Westies are intelligent, quick learners who can master commands and tricks with relative ease, though their independent terrier nature means they also possess a notable stubborn streak that requires patient, consistent training with positive reinforcement methods. They thrive on mental stimulation and can become bored quickly if not provided with engaging activities, making them well-suited for owners who can provide both physical exercise and mental challenges through interactive play, puzzle toys, and training sessions. Despite their small size, West Highland White Terriers display remarkable courage and confidence, never seeming to realize they are not as large as they think they are. This self-assured nature, combined with their history as working terriers, means they possess a strong prey drive and will eagerly chase small animals, making secure fencing and leash walking essential. The breed is naturally vocal and makes excellent watchdogs, readily barking to alert their families to approaching strangers or unusual sounds, though this tendency can become excessive without proper training. Westies generally enjoy human company and can be quite affectionate with their families, though they may be initially reserved with strangers until properly introduced. They typically do well with older children who understand how to interact respectfully with dogs, but may be less tolerant of rough handling or the unpredictable behavior of very young children. While many Westies can coexist peacefully with other dogs when properly socialized from puppyhood, their terrier instincts may lead to dominance behaviors, especially toward dogs of the same sex. The West Highland White Terrier's temperament is fundamentally playful and energetic, with these dogs maintaining their puppyish enthusiasm well into their senior years. They require regular daily exercise of around one hour, enjoying walks, play sessions, and opportunities to explore in safely enclosed areas. While they are adaptable enough to thrive in various living situations including apartments, they do need adequate mental and physical stimulation to prevent the development of problematic behaviors such as excessive barking, digging, or destructive chewing. Westies can be somewhat mischievous when bored and will create their own entertainment, which may not always align with their owner's preferences. These dogs form strong bonds with their families but maintain an independent spirit that means they are less prone to separation anxiety than some breeds, though they still prefer companionship to extended periods alone. Their combination of feisty terrier determination, intelligence, playfulness, and affectionate loyalty makes them excellent companions for active individuals or families who can provide the structure, training, and engagement these spirited little dogs require.
West Highland White Terriers are generally healthy dogs with a typical lifespan of twelve to sixteen years, though the breed is predisposed to several health conditions that prospective owners should understand. The most significant health concern for Westies involves skin problems, with approximately one quarter of the breed affected by atopic dermatitis, a hereditary chronic allergic skin condition. This manifests as persistent itching, inflammation, and skin infections requiring ongoing management through medications, special diets, dietary supplements, and careful monitoring of environmental triggers. An uncommon but severe breed-specific condition called hyperplastic dermatosis, colloquially known as Armadillo Westie Syndrome, affects the breed exclusively and causes progressive thickening and darkening of the skin. While most skin conditions can be managed with proper veterinary care, they may require lifelong treatment and significantly impact quality of life if left uncontrolled. Musculoskeletal issues represent another important health category for West Highland White Terriers. Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome involves degeneration of the hip joint due to reduced blood supply to the femoral head, typically appearing in puppies between four and six months of age and causing limping and pain that may require surgical intervention. While Westies are actually among the breeds least likely to suffer from luxating patella compared to other small breeds, the condition can still occur. Craniomandibular osteopathy, sometimes called Westie Jaw or lion jaw, primarily affects terrier breeds including Westies and involves abnormal bone growth in the jaw and skull that causes pain during chewing and may prevent the dog from fully opening its mouth. This condition often stops progressing by one year of age and is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and soft food diets. West Highland White Terriers also face risks for various other conditions requiring monitoring throughout their lives. Eye problems including cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca commonly affect the breed, potentially leading to vision impairment or chronic dry eye if untreated. Copper storage disease can occur in Westies, affecting liver function and requiring dietary management. The breed shows elevated susceptibility to certain cancers, heart conditions, and autoimmune disorders. White dog shaker syndrome, despite its name suggesting a connection to coat color, causes tremors and muscle weakness that can affect the breed. Dental disease poses a significant concern as with many small breeds, necessitating regular teeth cleaning and professional dental care to prevent tooth loss and systemic health problems. Additionally, conditions like hydroxyglutaric aciduria and primary ciliary dyskinesia occur rarely but can cause serious neurological or respiratory symptoms. The median longevity of thirteen to fourteen years reflects generally good breed health, with males typically outliving females. Regular veterinary checkups, appropriate preventive care, proper nutrition, and responsible breeding practices that screen for genetic conditions remain essential for maintaining the health and wellbeing of these spirited terriers.
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.