The French Bulldog is a great companion! These miniature pups look and act like the cutest little dog royalty that ever walked this Earth. Sweet, playful, and smart, Frenchies are one of the most popular small dog breeds in the world! They’re affectionate and perfect for singles and families of all sizes.
It takes a second to understand that a Frenchie gets their unique looks from the larger Bulldog. Their wet little nose, wrinkly face, and smooth coat give them away! But these cute puppies don’t just look adorable. Buffed and muscular, they make great watchdogs as well!
Apart from getting along with other animals, French bulldogs love making human friends. These furry cuties are perfect for city people! Thanks to their size, they can find themselves a cozy spot in apartments, big or small. Plus, they aren’t into barking, so you can chill while they’re sniffing around your flat.
French Bulldog Dog Breed Pictures
Appearance
What Does A French Bulldog Look Like
Frenchies’ small bodies make them charming versions of Bulldogs. While the latter weighs around 50 pounds, a French bulldog’s weight won’t go over 28 pounds once they grow up! However, they are pretty muscular, and their face and shoulder folds give them their adorable squished-up looks.
If you’re searching for a furry companion that sheds only moderately, this is your pooch. A French bulldog’s coat is shiny, smooth, and it won’t be the reason for Hair Fest in your home! Short and shiny, the coat beautifully accents the lovely wrinkles on the pup’s skin.
French bulldogs come in many different colors, including fawn, cream, brindle, and white. Some of them even have ‘black masks,’ and look totally cool! Their dark brown eyes are gorgeous, and their pointy, bat ears are really cute. Actually, their half-flat heads are completely beautiful!
Temperament
Are French Bulldogs affectionate? Absolutely! They are suckers for belly rubs, a loving owner, and friendly fetch matches with their favorite people. Smart and easy-going, these canines make one of the best companion dog breeds! They also don’t mind sharing the sofa with other pets and will get along with them if socialized.
When Frenchies aren’t trying to get petted, they love to just chill with their facial skin slouching in your lap. In fact, they enjoy taking long naps! But when they want to play, there’s nothing that can stop them. This funny breed might be calm, but they like having fun too!
Training a Frenchie is easy, especially when you have some food to offer them. However, these puppies can be somewhat naughty at times, so you’ll need to be patient! They’re bright, but it might take you some time to train them. Make it look like a game, be kind, and you’ll succeed!
Living Needs
These family dogs are the pets that everyone dreams of. They are small-sized, don’t shed too much, and don’t need a huge yard to feel great! While they like to play, they also enjoy sleeping nearby their humans. A Frenchie’s owner should plan on their doggo napping next to them daily!
Once they wake up and yawn a few times, these puppies will run straight to their favorite toys. However, although Frenchie likes having fun, they’re not an outdoor dogs. If you’re interested in puppies that can run or play when it’s hot outside, this is not your doggo.
Small Frenchies need 15 minutes of moderate activity in the cooler evenings. This apartment dog doesn’t thrive in extreme heat and could suffer from heat exhaustion! They also don’t swim well because of the front-heavy structure of their bulldog bodies and their leg-to-body ratio. Therefore, don’t leave them alone next to bodies of water!
Care
How To Groom A French Bulldog
Do French Bulldogs shed? They do, but they won’t leave hairballs everywhere around your home because they shed only moderately. When it comes to French Bulldog grooming, you should brush your pup weekly to keep their coat healthy. To do this, you can use a good hound glove, a medium-bristle brush, or a grooming mitt. Make sure you clean and dry your Frenchie’s facial folds and trim their nails as well.
How To Train A French Bulldog
Socialization impacts a Frenchie’s behavior, and you need to socialize them early. Start by introducing them to people, taking them places, and exposing them to different situations. Puppy training classes are also great for socializing your doggie, and they can also help you identify their bad habits.
When training a French Bulldog, food and games can help them learn faster. These dogs have big personalities, so teaching them proper manners requires patience! They’re generally easy to train, but it might be a while before their people-pleasing nature comes to the surface!
How Much Exercise Does A French Bulldog Need
For a French Bulldog, exercise is one of the best ways to keep them active. Frenchies need mini daily walks or 15-minute play sessions to stay strong and in shape. They also enjoy sports like obedience, rally, and agility. However, don’t let them exercise when the weather is hot or humid because they could experience breathing difficulties.
Feeding
Adult Frenchies should eat 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food daily split into two meals.
Health
How Long Does A French Bulldog Live
If taken proper care of, purebred French bull puppies have a lifespan of 10-12 years. However, they can experience some health issues, and you should know about them before getting a Frenchie.
French Bulldog Health Issues
Unfortunately, many Frenchies experience breathing issues and diseases like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Disease. This disease occurs because of an elongated soft palate that obstructs the natural airflow. Dogs with this condition breathe through their mouths, snuffle, and snort. Coughing, snorting, frequent panting, and difficulty eating could all indicate to more serious health issues.
Some pups also have stenotic nares. These dogs’ nostrils can be narrow or completely closed, making the dogs snore or breathe with difficulty while sleeping. French Bulldog pups can also experience a heat stroke while exercising. To avoid problems caused by heat exposure, give your puppy enough water and don’t let it exercise when hot.
The typical French Bulldog can also get cherry eye or suffer from other eye problems and skin allergies. When it comes to skin allergies, the dog usually gets them from their parents. Make sure that the breeder you’re adopting your pup from is responsible. They need to test the doggies for common French Bulldog health issues.
History
The history of the popular French bulldogs didn’t start in France. They are of English origin! Nottingham lace makers used these dogs’ predecessors, the toy-size bulldogs, to keep rats away from their working quarters! In the 1800s, English folks started making lace with machines, and many workers moved to France.
In this country, the lace was still made by hand, and English lacemakers could work and provide for themselves. They also brought their little dogs in France, and the French were head-over-heels for them! It took decades of crossbreeding before the pups developed some of their common traits, like the bat ears.
After the birth of the miniature Frenchie, Parisian actors and artists wanted to adopt a French Bulldog puppy. Even visiting Americans got excited about the French Bulldog! It didn’t take long before the pups arrived in the US. Soon after that, people started battling over what kind of ears Frenchies should have.
Americans liked Frenchies with bat ears, while French and British folks loved the rose ear dogs. In 1897, rose ear puppies got the highest scores at the Westminister Kennel Club Dog Show. However, Frenchie fans founded the French Bulldog Club of America that year and made the bat ear the breed standard.
Fun Facts About French Bulldogs
Here are some French Bulldog facts for you:
- Because they belong to the flat-nosed family, French Bulldog puppies can’t fly. Flying can be dangerous for them and even life-threatening! If you absolutely must fly with your Frenchie, take the necessary extra precautions.
- It’s important to remember they can’t swim either.
- They’re vocal and use noises to express themselves.