French Bulldog 101 – Everything You Need To Know About Frenchies
The French Bulldog has long been considered a good companion dog, with its smooth fur coat, short face and trademark pointy ears, it has come to bare the affectionate nickname of “Frenchie.” They are well known for their steady nature and calm disposition. In 2015 the French Bulldog was listed as the 6th most popular dog in America, moving up 3 spots from its 2014 ranking of 9th, and has quickly become a favorite breed for pet lovers.
French Bulldog Breed History
Originally created in England to be a miniature version of the English Bulldog, this pet quickly became a favorite among lace workers. When the lace market in England dried up, lace workers moved to France to find better opportunities and brought along their faithful companions. The animals quickly found a new home, began to breed and thus the term French Bulldog was born.
Physical Appearance
French Bulldogs are known for their distinguishing bat like ears and alert expressions. They are more free-moving than their English Bulldog cousins and can keep a good pace out in the open. Its facial expressions are often described as curious or thoughtful. They have very soft skin around their head and shoulders that form small wrinkles.
The French Bulldog shares many characteristics with its ancestors such as having a wide body and being considered heavy-boned. These breeds typically have a muscular build, square shaped head and a short, fine coat that can be found in various colors.
French Bulldog Personality and Temperament
French Bulldogs are well known as making one of the best companion and relationship dogs in the world. Since they are small, they are easy to handle and well suited to be around other animals or children. They handle themselves well when encountering new people or strangers. French Bulldogs are often said to enjoy attention and engage in cleaver actions to attract their owner’s affection. This particular breed does not require a lot of exercise, but does enjoy chasing balls and playing with small toys either indoors or outdoors.
These dogs are very comfortable sitting next to their owners on the sofa or bed and are considered to be calm on average. Because of these traits, the French Bulldog makes a good companion for the elderly, small children or families of any age. Their soft coats and playful attitudes make them particularly attractive breeds for children.
Behavior
French Bulldogs are very sociable animals and enjoy being around people each day. They don’t like to be left by themselves for long periods of time, but they are known to bond with other pets and are able to spend time alone with them. They are known for sometimes becoming upset when left completely alone for long period of time, and usually they will bark in order to try and get their owner’s attention.
These dogs respond well to an action/reward system of training when attempting to get them to learn certain behaviors. Since they love affection, showing them attention when they perform a good deed is often the best course of teaching them new activities. They can also be rewarded with a treat and combination of praises for good deeds.
It may take a full 6 months to house-train a French Bulldog as their attention span can be short. It is recommended to train them in short sessions at first until they become use to their surroundings.
Health
The French Bulldog has an average lifespan of between 9 and 11 years. They are sensitive to heat and anesthesia. If a female French Bulldog is pregnant and expecting a litter, then it is recommended the puppies be delivered by Caesarean section.
Since French Bulldogs have a short face they also have a compromised respiratory system. Therefore, it is advisable not smoke near them and not to use chemical heavy cleaning products around them. In hot or humid weather you will want to minimize their outdoor activities and make sure they have a cool, air-conditioned atmosphere to rest in.
Because of the dog’s head and body shape, they are best suited for a Y-shaped harness that goes around their chest, rather than a neck collar, when taking them for a walk. Too much strain on their collar will put presser on their windpipe and will make it harder for them to breath with their already short noses.
Similar to other breeds that have wrinkles around their nose, you should clean the folds of their skin on their face if material begins to build up in them.
Grooming and Care Requirements
Because of their short hair, French Bulldogs are easy to groom at home, rather than requiring a trip to the local dog-care center. They do not require any cutting of their coats, but will need an occasional brushing to keep their coat looking healthy. They only shed moderately, so you will not see large deposits of hair as you would with other breeds.
French Bulldogs do not wear down their claws naturally, so it’s important to clip their nails at least once a month to prevent accidental scratching. Sometimes you may have a French Bulldog that does not like their nails to be clipped and you may have to take them to a professional if that becomes the case.
These dogs do not mind water so bathing them can be easier than the typical breed of dog. They can be washed as needed in a regular sink or bathtub. Remember to use only warm water as these animals are sensitive to heat.
French bulldogs are known to develop halitosis (bad breath) because of the unique shape of their mouths. It is recommended to perform regular brushing and to give them dental bones to prevent the loss of teeth later on in their lives.
Never use a cotton swab to clean the dog’s ears as it could accidentally cause injury. Use a moist, warm cloth to gently rub around the interior of their ears. If your French Bulldog develops dry skin around their ears or nose, you may use a few small drops of baby oil to relieve this condition.
With proper care and attention a French Bulldog can become a life-long companion and best friend to anyone’s household.
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