Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The French Bulldog or Frenchies are small size dogs very similar to Bulldogs, but more of miniature edition.
They have the famous Bulldog ‘bat ears’ that are so unique for this breed.
Before you decide that this breed is for you, bear in mind that veterinarians cannot point out enough, just how expensive it is to own the French Bulldog.
Owning this dog means one thing for sure – a lifetime of expensive medical bills. This famous breed suffers from many issues, including ear infections, pink eye, and many digestive-related systems.
Minus this, the French Bulldog is a small, cute, and affectionate dog that makes a great pet for a family of any size.
They can do great in a smaller home, and even better in houses with a backyard.
As an intelligent breed, they are eager to please and easy to train. Just make sure that you have the right treats on hand and that you know how to organize effective and fun training.
With 13 inches and less than 28 pounds, you can expect your French Bulldog to follow you everywhere and to do a group of goofy stuff to keep you entertained.
Frenchies are excellent watchdogs, although they do not bark a lot. They are highly social and love making friends both in the human and canine world, and beyond.
Frenchies are fast to adapt to new surroundings and rules.
If you want a compact dog who doesn’t require a lot of outdoor activities and exercise and you don’t mind expensive veterinarian and medical bills, French Bulldog just might be the breed for you.
Quick Facts
Real name: French Bulldog
Other names: Frenchies
Origin: England
Breed type: Companion Dogs
Weight: 16 to 28 pounds
Height: 11 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 11 to 14 years
Litter Size: 2 – 4 puppies
Color: White, cream, fawn, or any combination of these
Coat: Short and fine coat
French Bulldog History
The popular French Bulldog is originally from England. Initially, this breed was created to be a toy-size version of the globally-known Bulldog.
In the area of Nottingham, this breed was very popular among workers who emigrated from England to France, searching for a better life and work opportunities.
As expected, they brought their dogs with them, who became an instant hit. The French Bulldog became an instant hit in France and from there to the rest of Europe and the States.
The very first French Bulldog came to the States during the Westminster Kennel Club show in 1896.
The French Bulldog was so interesting to people and dog fanciers, that it got a nickname in no time ‘Frenchie,’ a nickname that is often used to name this breed even today.
Popular Frenchie is seen on many paintings of French artists, but there are no official records on breed development.
French Bulldog Physical Appearance
French Bulldogs are small size dogs. They are compact, well-balanced, and easy to move around, which is why they are often seen in busy city areas.
This is a short breed in terms of height, with only 11 to 12 inches. Males tend to weigh 20 to 28 pounds, which is still considered to be small in terms of size.
Females are slightly smaller and lighter opposite to males, weighing between 16 to 24 pounds. This is one of the rare breeds that have that vivid appearance, and are lightfoot.
Their appearance fits their lively personality. This is a breed of heavy bone, smooth coat, and compact body. They have famous ‘bat’ ears, curious expressions, and square and large head.
Eyes are dark or brown, and wide apart. The muzzle is broad and deep, while the nose is black.
The neck is thick and well arched, while the back is strong and short. The tail is commonly straight or screwed short and hung low.
The coat is always short and smooth. Skin is loose and soft, forming famous wrinkles that are seen in this breed.
The coat comes in many colors including white, cream, fawn, or any combination of these.
Patterns and markings are piebald, brindle, shadings, and white markings. Ticking can be seen, and is accepted in dog shows, but is not desired.
French Bulldog Personality
The French Bulldog is a smart and active dog who loves nothing more than keeping his people happy. This is a loving dog who wants to play all day long. Even when left alone, French Bulldog will find a way to make the most out of his free time.
Yes, they are packed with high energy that needs to be managed properly. This is why proper training is a must with this free-spirited dog. This is a lapdog who loves to clown around.
French Bulldogs love playing, both outside and indoors, and they love spending time with their humans. They also adore snoozing next to their favorite human. This is a sweet and playful dog who is willing to please.
Frenchies are fun, loving, and adorable dogs who will turn into well-behaved dogs as adults. If you miss training them and socializing them at an early age, you can expect barky and aggressive small French Bulldog.
You can expect a lot of cuddling time with this breed, although you should be careful when it comes to hugging dogs.
They do crave love and security and they do love warm spaces. As such, Frenchies will be a great addition to families of any size. They can thrive in smaller homes as well as in big houses with large yards.
Overall, this is a loyal and intelligent breed that will get along with almost everyone as long as they respect them and care for them.
French Bulldog With Children And Other Pets
Frenchies love children. Since they are not too tiny, they can find a mutual language with toddlers as well. However, it’s important to educate children on how to behave around dogs.
Dog house rules must be respected from both sides, both human and French Bulldog.
Children must know that small dogs aren’t toys and that they should never pull their body parts, especially tails, and that it creates discomfort in dogs.
Children should also know that dogs shouldn’t be disturbed when they are eating, resting in their crates, or just playing with their toys.
It’s also important to supervise children with dogs no matter how well-behaved your pet is. Accidents happen and it’s better to put chances for them to a minimum.
If socialized properly during their puppyhood, Frenchies will get along with other dogs and cats. Bear in mind, that this breed might be jealous of other dogs.
This can increase if ‘their’ person is giving attention to another dog. It’s always smart to introduce dogs to each other slowly, respecting their space, and monitor them carefully while introducing.
They shouldn’t be spoiled, although it is difficult to say ‘no’ to those big eyes.
It’s important for dogs to have rules, to follow them, and to know commands that will keep everyone in the house happy and safe.
Dogs are capable of learning basic commands at only eight weeks of age.
French Bulldog Training
When it comes to having a well-behaved French Bulldog, it all comes down to training.
Training should start as soon as you bring your French Bulldog home.
If you’re an experienced dog owner already, then you know how the training process goes and how important this step is in a dog’s life.
On the other hand, if you’re a first time dog owner then you should prepare well.
Have the right toys on hand, prepare your home for a puppy, or for an adult dog, and make it dog-proof.
If you have a lot of carpets, learn how to maintain them to keep them clean while having a dog.
Carpets and dogs tend to argue a training process, so rolling them cannot harm. Make sure that you provide early socialization and additional puppy classes if needed.
Hiring a professional dog trainer can be expensive at first, but it will be beneficial in the long run. Plus, puppy classes are a great way to bond with your dog even further.
Puppy training classes are mandatory as they are a big part of the socialization process. They are created to promote good behavior and help dog owners correct bad habits that may appear along the way.
Frenchies have a big personality and are full of spirit, which makes them open to training, but challenging to handle at first. This is why training sessions should be consistent, short, and fun.
They should also be supported by proper treats. Just keep treats at a minimum, since a large number of treats can lead to obesity.
Obesity in dogs is on the rise across the States and you don’t want to be responsible for extra pounds on your dog’s spine.
Overall, the French Bulldog is an intelligent breed and as such easy to train.
Just make sure that you invest enough time, energy, and treats to make the training sessions enjoyable. Basically, training this breed will be easy as long as you know what to expect.
French Bulldog Exercise
This small size dog will enjoy regular walks, training, and additional exercise time.
The French Bulldog will thrive on regular exercise. Plus, exercise is what will keep your French Bulldog in shape. They won’t mind participating in dog sports such as agility and obedience.
This is a flat-faced breed which means that you should avoid heavy exercise sessions during hot days.
It’s common for flat-faced breeds to have breathing difficulties. This is why it’s always important to do research on the breed first, so you can know what are most common French Bulldog health issues. This way you will know how frequent veterinarian check-ups should be.
Owning a dog always requires financial investment as well. Keeping them healthy will be costly.
As for the exercise, this small breed does not need a lot of exercise, but they won’t mind having a brisk walk before bedtime.
Regular walks are what will help you keep your dog’s weight in balance. To avoid heastroke keep walks on hot and humid days to a minimum.
To be extra cautious, have walks early in the morning and late at night.
French Bulldog Grooming
Grooming your French Bulldog will require some time. No matter how smooth coat a dog might have, it still has to be brushed regularly.
Luckily, the French Bulldog has a smooth and fine coat that is easy to brush. All you need is the right grooming tools.
Since the breed’s skin is loose and wrinkled extra at the head and shoulders, you should be extra careful when it comes to brushing these areas.
French Bulldogs come in a variety of colors, and as such, they can be of any color except solid back, liver, or mouse. It’s not common to see French Bulldogs black with white or tan.
If a breeder ever tells you that they have French Bulldogs with rare color, know that they’re misleading you and that you are standing inside the puppy mill.
French Bulldogs are easy to groom. They need weekly brushing to keep their coat shiny, clean, and healthy. They are average shedders, with stronger shedding during the shedding season.
This is usually in spring and autumn. Begin grooming your French Bulldog at a young age, so he can learn to stay calm when being handled.
Regular grooming time is a great way to check your dog’s body for any sign of infection, allergies (allergies are common in French Bulldogs), inflammation, and so on.
Plus, dogs love being touched, and they will see grooming as your way of bonding with them.
Dogs are big lovers of body language. For them, brushing will be like you saying you love them.
The rest is basic grooming care:
- Bathe only when needed
- Trim or grind nails once to twice per month
- Check gums weekly
- Check the skin for any sign of skin infection and fleas
- Check eyes for any sign of eye infection
- Learn how to clean dog’s ears and when you should do it
Put extra care on the dog’s teeth when a puppy, to search for any sign of underbite.
French Bulldog Health
Frenchies are in general healthy dogs. If you are getting a puppy and you are dealing with responsible breeders you should have no fear health-wise.
Responsible breeders will scan the puppies for the most common health issues, and present your documentation on dogs.
If you are not given a health certificate on your puppy, ask for it. If they still cannon provide it, know that you are dealing with a puppy mill, and this would be a great time for you to simply walk away.
The biggest issue with this breed is that they are face flatted breed. This means that they will suffer from Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome.
They have narrow nostril openings and narrow tracheas, which is why they tend to have difficulties breathing even when the weather isn’t too hot.
In some cases, the Brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome can lead to death in this breed, if they are not given the proper treatment.
The best thing that you can do for your French Bulldog health is to provide regular veterinarian check-ups and keep their nutritional needs in order.
Here are the most common health-related issues in this breed:
- Hip dyplasia
- Brachycephalic Syndrome
- Allergies
- Hemivertebrae
- Patellar Luxation
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
- Cleft Palate
- Elongated Soft Palate
Regardless of how healthy your French Bulldog is when you first bring him home you should still take him to your veterinarian.
Also, once you get a dog you are directly responsible for his weight. Make sure that your dog’s weight is in order, that he is far from being obese, and that his weight is balanced.
If you have any doubts about the dog’s health and overall appearance, make sure that you talk with your veterinarian first.
Is French Bulldog For You?
The French Bulldog is a comical and powerful dog of small size They may be small in appearance, but their spirit definitely surprises their size.
Frenchies are friendly with everyone, but they may choose to be reserved toward completely strange people. They will always bark to announce visitors. Otherwise, they are quiet dogs.
The French Bulldog may be stubborn and even challenging to train, but it doesn’t mean that he won’t behave properly.
If you want a dog who is small in size, but not delicate and has a vivid personality, doesn’t bark much and doesn’t need much exercise then the French Bulldog is for you.
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