French Bulldog
Breed Information, Dog Art, Garden Flags, and More!
| Trainability |   |
| General Breed Health | |
| Easily Housebroken | |
| Low Maintenance | |
| Good w/Other Pets | |
| Non-Shedding | Not Non-shedding, but These Breeds Are |
"Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."
- Anonymous
French Bulldogs Make Great Watch Dogs and Are Good With Kids!
But that's Not All...
Watch Dogs- They make keen watch dogs! French Bulldogs aren't normally yappy. If your bulldog is barking, you can bet there's a pretty good reason.
Size- Show dogs stand about 12" high at the shoulders and weigh between 19-28 pounds. Males tend to be the larger of the two. They don't need a great deal of exercise. They are just as comfortable in an apartment as they are in a large home.
Friendly- French Bulldogs are loving and very "people friendly" and typically get along well with other animals. This breed also enjoys the company of well behaved children, but interactions with small children should be closely monitored.
Trainability- Bulldogs are quick learners- When they want to be! A dog who doesn't want to do something can be amazingly stubborn. Just ask a bulldog owner. These are not the best dogs for obedience enthusiasts.
Loyalty- Frenchies are faithful, affectionate and loyal companions who prefer the company of people to other dogs. He'll be your devoted shadow for every trip to the kitchen, bathroom, dining room, office...
Excitability- More sensitive than quick-tempered, an adult French Bulldog is normally gentle and easy going.
General Breed Health- High risk of poorly bred and puppy mill dogs in this breed if due diligence in choosing a responsible breeder in not exercised. This means visiting the breeder, making sure her dogs are bred "in house" and dogs are not kept in cages in her garage, barn, etc. or at another location separate from her home. This is just for starters. Read our FAQ page to learn more about why you should avoid puppy mill dogs at all costs. And read more about French Bulldog health issues, below.
NOT non-shedding- We do have a whole page devoted to non shedding dog breeds, but a French Bulldog is not one of them.
Other Pets and Children- Regarding other pets, socializing early and often is highly recommended if possible. This is another area where choosing a responsible breeder will benefit you immensely. Breeding dogs with good character traits is a priority for responsible breeders. Adoption is another good way of getting a dog that suits your family and lifestyle. Adopting a adult dog means you'll already know if the dog is tolerant of other animals and children.
French Bulldogs overheat very easily. They should NEVER be left alone in cars. Their short snouts make it more difficult for them, as opposed to other dogs, to dissipate heat.
A temperature controlled environment is necessary for their comfort, but more importantly, for their heath and well being. More Below...
French Bulldogs: Shedding, Snoring, Farting and More
Shedding- French Bulldogs have short course hair that clings to everything including furniture and clothing. Constant vacuuming and hair removal will become part of your daily routine with this breed. It's a small price to pay for such a loving dog, but it could be a major problem for allergy sufferers.
Snoring and Flatulence- Because of their short snouts, Bulldogs tend to be noisy sleepers... and they make a lot of breathing noises even when they're awake. They are also very gassy little dogs.
Maintenance- Because they have short hair, excessive grooming is not necessary, but it's important to keep the folds of their skin clean to prevent fungus. Care must be taken to keep water out of his nose during bathing. A soft cloth is sufficient for brushing and will help to remove loose hair.
Difficult Deliveries- French Bulldog puppies are often delivered by caesarean section because
their large heads will not fit through the birth canal. Never put undue
stress on this dog by breeding her if you're not an expert and can't
afford large vet bills for the delivery of the puppies. Many female
bulldogs, along with their litters, have died (even in the most
experienced hands) during, before and after delivery.
Nutrition Requirements- Since Bulldogs are not big on exercise, offering too many treats or allowing him easy access to unlimited food can quickly lead to weight issues... AND add insult to injury by making his breathing difficulties that much worse. Calorie requirements will depend on the size of your dog. Keep his ideal weight in an even balance and offer treats sparingly when exercise doesn't factor into lifestyle.
Heat Sensitivity- Bulldogs need a temperature controlled environment. They do not tolerate
temperature extremes well, hot or cold. If they're exposed to more
heat than their bodies can dissipate through panting, it could quickly
become lethal for this dog.
Separation Anxiety-
This breed loves companionship, so it's no wonder that they become
frustrated when they're left home alone. Click the link above for tips
to help minimize the "accidents" on your carpet and destructive chewing
of your belongings.
Not all Bulldogs are unhealthy. It's true that they do have special needs and (due to the anatomical structure of their face and airways) they require special care, but many of the health problems below can be avoided. Read our FAQ page to learn how to minimize your chances of acquiring a sick dog and how to find a responsible breeder.
Or check petfinder.com to find a french bulldogs near you in need of rescue!
French Bulldog
Known Health Issues
Breathing Difficulty- Some conditions which can contribute to making this problem worse are Cleft palate and Elongated Soft Palate- This is seen commonly in breeds with pushed-in faces. Even mild cases often require surgery to correct. Symptoms to watch for include labored breathing, coughing, gagging, heavy snorting and fainting.
Small Trachea- Or trachea that fails to develop normally.
Trachea collapse- This condition is partially genetic, but could be made worse by an energetic Frenchie straining on her collar during grooming. While walking her, a harness is recommended.
Stenotic Nares- A softening of the cartilage in the nasal cavity which makes it hard for a dog to inhale air. This can cause enlarging of the heart and and flattening of the chest. It's miserable for the dog and surgery is the only way of correcting it. Symptoms include; nasal discharge, labored breathing followed by snorting and lethargy due to lack of oxygen.
Megaesophagus- An enlarged or dilated esophagus, either congenital or acquired that causes the dog to vomit almost immediately after eating or exercise. The condition frequently leads to aspiration pneumonia.
Skin Problems- French bulldogs have a high occurence of skin disorders. One is Hot Spots- An area of their skin that starts as irritation. Then by chewing and the dogs own self mutilation, it becomes swollen, infected and warm. Foul odor also follows the above symptoms.
Atopic Dermatitis known by many other names, is a disorder of the immune system causing allergic reactions to pollen, dust, mold, grass, weeds, etc. Affected dogs can display reverse sneezing, hair loss, coat discoloration and reddening or crusty eyes.
Von Willebrand disease- There are varying degrees of this hereditary bleeding disorder. vWD is an absence or deficiency of a protein factor in the blood, known as vWF, von Willebrand Factor. Some clinical symptoms include spontaneous bleeding from the gums or nose. In severe cases, toenail trimming can lead to major blood loss. This disease is similar to hemophilia seen in humans.
Hip Dysplasia and Joint Problems including arthritis are common in Bulldogs.
Patellar Luxation-A joint condition in which kneecaps dislocate. This is very painful for your dog and expensive to correct. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.
French Bulldogs also suffer due to Spinal Disorders, Heart Problems and Hypothyroidism- Hypothyroidism is a condition of the thyroid gland that can cause hair loss and obesity.
French Bulldog Painting on Garden Flag
Original French Bulldog Dog Art: Created, Sold and Shipped by me!
$19.99 |
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We also welcome you to contact us if there are any other questions we can answer for you about anything you saw or read on this site.
Avoid Pet Store and Website French Bulldog Puppies. Here's Why:
In case you've never heard of a puppy mill, the video below is graphic. But if it's hard for you to watch, image what it must be like to live this way. Please choose a breeder wisely if a french bulldog puppy is on your shopping list. Looking for a way to rescue a French Bulldog or find a reputable breeder? Click here to learn more.
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