Breed Spotlight: Those Fabulous Frenchies (French Bulldogs)

French Bulldogs are one of the most popular breeds! Combine their cute faces with the fact that they do well in small living spaces, and they will fit right in with the lifestyle of many prospective puppy pawrents. 

History of the French Bulldog

The breed originated in England in the mid-1800s, then became popular in France in the late 1800s, which is why “French” was added to the breed’s name. So if you are looking for a sweet, little addition to your family, take a look at French bulldogs. They are cute, curious dogs that will steal your heart.

The Frenchie Temperament & House Requirements

They are not hyper little pups, so they don’t need a lot of space, which makes them great for apartments. Give them a couple of short walks each day, and they will be happy. Worried about noise? Don’t be. Frenchies tend to do well even in crowded, noisy city streets.

French Bulldogs with Family & Friends

Frenchies are great with family and friends–it is practically impossible to give them too much attention. These little social butterflies form a strong bond with their humans and will constantly beg you to play with them.

Young kids or other dogs? Frenchies are fine with young ones. Their pleasant, even disposition makes them ideal for being around kids. And they are great with other dogs, too. Just remember to get them used to youngsters and other dogs while they are still puppies. As with most dogs, it is important to socialise them while young and adaptable.

Because they are people pleasers, you can’t really count on them to protect you and your home. They do not bark much and they aren’t very aggressive around strangers.

Training & Behavior

Frenchies are very curious and can be a little stubborn as well. They need plenty of attention from their humans, and they also need guidance from their puppy pawrents so that they don’t get too spoiled.

They are bright, so they can learn quickly, but they can be a little stubborn, so you will need to be persistent. And remember that they respond better to praise and treats than punishment, so positive reinforcement is the way to go.

But remember, due to their build, they can’t swim, so be watchful when they are around water!

Unique Appearance

They are one of the most popular breeds today for a variety of reasons. They are small, about 30 cm tall, and weigh up to 10 kg. They live from 10 to 12 years, and their large, round eyes and large “bat” ears give them a very distinctive look.

They have a short coat that needs little care. A good brushing once or twice a week and an occasional bath will be all that they require. You might want to try a rubber grooming mitt to remove loose hair–you both might really like it!

They are about average when it comes to shedding and they come in brindle, fawn and white–take your pick.

Care and Health

One thing you need to remember is that Frenchies can have high vet bills. Their short noses limit the amount of air that reaches their lungs, so they can develop breathing problems. And don’t be surprised if they tend to wheeze when awake or snore at night. That’s just one more of their idiosyncrasies that people find endearing.

They don’t do well in hot weather, so don’t take them for long walks or high-energy workouts when it is hot outside.

Make sure that you don’t overfeed because that can make their breathing problems worse.

There are a few health issues that you might want to be aware of before you bring your Frenchie home. Things to look for are:

• Autoimmune skin disorders
• Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome
• Cherry eye
• Entropion
• Hip dysplasia
• Juvenile cataracts
  
  

Two other things to remember are Frenchies can be sensitive to anesthesia, and because of their large heads, most pregnant females need to have cesarean births when having pups.

The Best Diet for Frenchies

Due to their build, they need to be kept at or near their ideal weight. A few extra pounds can cause health issues, so you need to feed your Frenchie a quality dog food, with all the required nutrients without any empty calories so that they stay nice and trim.

And beware, it is easy to give in when they train those big, round eyes on you and ask for a few table scraps or an extra couple of treats. Try to avoid giving them table scraps and opt for small treats that provide the nutrients that they need and not just tasty calories.

Frenchies: Just Too Cute

Frenchies are definitely people pleasers even though they can sometimes be a bit stubborn, and they come with strong, distinct personalities. They do well in small spaces and can be happy little couch potatoes in small apartments. Just remember to keep them thin and trim so they live long, happy and healthy lives.