French Bulldogs made their debut in the late 1800s and have been adored since. Their disproportionate dimensions and loving temperament make them cute accessories and fun, loyal pets. Let’s dive deeper into French Bulldogs and answer the question: Are French Bulldogs Good Pets?
French Bulldogs make great pets for the type of owner that matches this dog breed. To get a clear picture of life with a French Bulldog, let us consider a few elements about these loveable pets.
Although their ancestor, the English Bulldog, was bred and trained to be aggressive, the French Bulldog was created for the complete opposite.
They are lap dogs that love their owners’ company and will do anything to please you. They are small to medium, so they remain suitable for families with young children when their playful nature comes out.
French Bulldogs are not naturally aggressive, although they have a stubborn streak. Keep your training routines lighthearted and fun to avoid having a little rebellion on your hands.
2. Are French Bulldogs Good Family Dogs?
French Bulldogs are a wonderful pet for families that can spend time and energy with their dogs. These dogs require attention and have a tendency to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for too long.
If you are sure you spend enough time at home, a French Bulldog is a great family dog.
French Bulldogs And Children
Frenchies were bred as companion dogs. For that reason, they are friendly, loving, and loyal. Their playful nature is delightful, and they relish time spent with you.
French Bulldogs are an excellent fit for families with young children. Because of their small to medium size, these happy pups can run, jump, and play in puddles along with the children of the house.
As with all pets, it is a good idea to supervise playtime with children to ensure everyone involved in the games stays happy and safe.
French Bulldogs And Grooming
Frenchies have a short coat. They molt less than long-haired dogs but are classified as low to moderate molters. They shed the most during the Spring, as they lose their winter coat, but you will find fur in the house throughout the year. (source)
Because French Bulldogs shed, they are not ideal for those with allergies to pet hair. However, you can curb the amount of hair shed by giving your Frenchie a weekly brush.
It is possible to bathe your Frenchie at home. If you take this route, ensure that you use a dog shampoo for sensitive skin, or simply wash your dog with water and no soap. Take care to wash and dry between each fold of your Frenchie’s skin. When left wet or dirty, these sensitive areas can get infected.
Exercise And Activity With A French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are energetic but cannot exert themselves immensely or for long periods. Your Frenchie will need up to an hour of exercise per day, broken into two or three sections.
Since Frenchies suffer from breathing difficulties and complications, assess your dog during activities. Take a break if your pup is panting excessively or seems out of breath. Ensure that there is a supply of fresh water available.
If your family is keen on long runs, hikes, or other outdoor activities with a dog, a Frenchie may not be your best pet. French Bulldogs are suited to families or individuals who prefer short bursts of play or exercise.
Some examples of appropriate activities for French Bulldogs include:
Your French Bulldog does not need much space to be happy. These pups do well even in tiny homes or apartments.
Training and stimulating your Frenchie from a young age is vital to ensure that they do not chew too many items in your home. It is imperative to provide suitable chewing toys for your pup to grow their adult teeth.
French Bulldogs And Training
It is relatively easy to train French Bulldogs. They are typically intelligent dogs that enjoy pleasing their owners, so they will do what it takes to make you happy and proud.
Be aware that Frenchies often have a stubborn streak inherited from their English Bulldog ancestor. For that reason, although you can train a French Bulldog to do many tricks and follow various commands, you should keep the training exercises light and happy.
Use positive reinforcement and give treats when your Frenchie pup does an excellent job. As they grow, be careful not to give too many treats outside of mealtimes, as overweight French Bulldogs tend to develop health problems.
3. Are French Bulldogs Good With Other Pets?
French Bulldogs are generally friendly, confident dogs that get along well with other pets, especially other dogs. (source)
With some care and training, Frenchies can also be great friends with cats and other animals. This dog breed is not aggressive and loves to play and cuddle, so it is a lovely idea to have other pets as company for your French Bulldog if you can.
4. Are French Bulldogs Yappy?
French Bulldogs are not overly yappy dogs. They bark when there is a purpose to their communication. Frenchies are territorial, so they often bark to warn you of an approaching intruder. (source) Although French Bulldogs are good watchdogs, they cannot be expected to attack an intruder.
Frenchies do not typically bark and bark for no reason or yap incessantly.
5. French Bulldog Health Concerns
French Bulldogs have been bred since the 1800s. They are a mix of various breeds and were often bred using the runts of litters to achieve their small size.
For this reason, a few health issues occur in French Bulldogs. Let us look at a few: (source)
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS): This condition is because of the French Bulldog’s short snout. It presents as difficulty breathing, trouble sleeping, shortness of breath, and an intolerance to heat.
Upper Respiratory Infections (URI): Upper respiratory infections are common in French Bulldogs because of their short snouts. These infections are often picked up from other dogs and affect Frenchies in much the same way as a cold or flu present in human beings.
Hip Dysplasia And Other Mobility Issues: There are a few causes for mobility concerns in French Bulldogs. If you notice your dog losing the ability to walk, run, or use its back legs, visit your vet for advice and treatment. Many of the mobility issues in Frenchies are genetic issues, but old injuries can also cause problems later in life.
Fertility: French Bulldogs cannot reproduce naturally because of their body shapes. Therefore, females must be artificially inseminated and undergo a Cesarian section to give birth.
Skin Problems: Frenchies are prone to developing skin infections, especially in their skin folds. Keep the skin in the folds clean and dry to avoid bacterial growth. They also are predisposed to environmental allergies.
Eye Infections: French Bulldogs are prone to eye infections. Their third eyelid may become enlarged, causing a tear duct blockage. They also often get conjunctivitis, resulting in red eyes and more blinking.
6. French Bulldog Bad Traits
French Bulldogs have many positive traits and reasons to love them. As with any pet, there are downsides to having a Frenchie. Knowing the negative characteristics of French Bulldogs will give you a clear insight into what life with one of these loveable pups could entail.
A few French Bulldog less desirable traits include:
Stubbornness
Gassiness
Grunting and slobbering
Not able to do much exercise
Sensitive to the heat
Likely health issues, especially later in life and shorter lifespan to other small and medium common breeds
It is difficult to predict a pup’s temperament from young
High costs involved with the purchase, specialist shampoo, food, and medical assistance
Conclusion
French Bulldogs are friendly, funny, loyal, and loving family pets. They love their owners unconditionally and crave your attention. They cannot exercise in too much heat or for too long, so if your family takes long or strenuous hikes, a French Bulldog may not be the right fit for you.
French Bulldogs typically develop multiple health issues during their lives. They require consistent grooming and care. If your family has young children, a French Bulldog can be an excellent play companion as it is not aggressive and small enough to jump and run with children.
Hi everyone, I’m Emily Andrews and I can’t wait to explain why Bullypaw.org means so much to me.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a veterinarian. I loved every dog, horse, bird, and squirrel. But from an early age, I noticed that bully dogs like Pitbulls and Staffordshire Terriers were given a different treatment than their friends.
Everyone said they were prone to aggression, but I didn’t believe it. They seemed just as friendly as my family Labrador. Turns out I was right. These dogs are loyal and were once considered the perfect nanny dogs.
My love for animals wasn’t just a childhood fantasy. In 2002 I graduated from my veterinary school in New Zealand with a BVSc. I wanted to travel the world and help rejected animals as I went, but to do that I needed to pass the American Exams. It didn’t take long for me to earn a DVM, and soon I was heading to Florida.
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