Medium
12 Years
12.5 Kg
Utility Dogs
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Gentle, Lively, Playful, Social
The French Bulldog, also nicknamed “Frenchie” is a small-sized ‘Utility’ dog with a characteristic large “bat ears” and short tail that gives the breed a clownish look. The French bulldog is a result of a cross between an English dwarf Bulldog known as the Toy Bulldog and other short-faced breeds from France used for vermin hunting. It is one of the most popular dog breeds in the United Kingdom, ranking 4th in popularity in 2014 breed registrations and 9th in the United States. It has a sturdy, compact, solid appearance with a good bone structure. The stocky and muscular body is covered with short, smooth coat made of fine-textured hair that comes in brindle, fawn, and pied colour. The most striking features of the French Bulldog are its “bat ears”, medium-sized, rounded at top and wide at the base, set high on the head and carried upright. It has a general attitude described by owners as bubbly, friendly, loving, and highly intelligent. The average weight of a male French bulldog is 12.5 kg while a female typically weighs 11 kg.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The French Bulldog lineage goes back directly to the dogs of the Molossians and ancient Greeks, spread throughout ancient Europe by the Phoenicians. The British Molossians developed into the Mastiff which developed the Bullenbeisser sub-family and were bred for bull-baiting during the 18th century. When bull-baiting was banned, these “bull dogs” became companion dogs and were developed into smaller size breeds that gave rise to the Toy Bulldog.
Part of the history of the modern French Bulldog can be traced back to Great Britain during the middle of the 19th century, when the Toy Bulldog was very popular in some areas of the United Kingdom. Lace makers from Nottingham displaced by the Industrial Revolution emigrated to Normandy in France, taking their Toy Bulldogs with them. These dogs gradually became popular and were eventually crossed with terrier and Pug stock which gave rise to the Bouledogue Français that we know today.
The French Bull dog is very muscular and strong. They’re heavy boned, compact and very powerful for their size. The Frenchie’s head is large and square, with a slightly rounded skull. Their eyes are set apart and set quite low down in their skull. Their ears have a distinctive shape; elongated and broad at the base, then rounded off at the top of their head.
The Frenchie’s muzzle is broad and their noses are extremely short and black in colour. If the Frenchie is of lighter colour, then often their nose will be lighter too.
Their neck is muscular and well proportioned, with loose skin at their throat. Their legs are straight and set wide apart. They’re a short breed, packed well, with broad shoulders, leading deep into their chest. This body shape gives the Frenchie their powerful appearance.
The Frenchie’s tail can either be screwed or straight.
French bulldogs are prone to putting on weight easily. You must always feed them a healthy varied diet and exercise them regularly to prevent this. Feeding your Frenchie the wrong food group may result in them gaining weight and developing health issues later on in their life. They can be greedy when it comes to food, so you must train them to eat twice a day and not beg whilst you're eating. A firm but gentle approach in their training will prevent any behavioural issues around their eating habits.
The Frenchie’s coat is short and fine. Their coat comes in a variety of colours, with the most dominant colour being, brindle. The registered Kennel Club colours are as follows:
This breed is describe as affectionate, alert, energetic, gentle, lively, playful, and a social dog. Bred as a companion dog more than anything else, the French Bulldog requires close human interaction in its day to day living. It thrives on human companionship and will suffer if left alone for a long period of time. It is active and sweet-tempered and is full of fun. It is an ideal companion dog for a stay-at-home owner who likes a discretely silent house dog. It generally forms a strong attachment to a single family member and is wary of strangers. The French Bulldog has a very good memory and is a fearless dog, owing to its Bullenbeisser lineage. It is sometimes referred to as a “frog dog” because the way it sits with his hind legs spread out. It is also called the “clown dog” because of its fun-loving clownish character.
The Frenchie is an excellent choice for first time owner’s because they are easily trained and aim to please. They make amazing companions and are very loving. They love to receive attention and will happily spend most of their day chilling out with their loved ones.
This dog breed is highly adaptable. They’re happy to live in an apartment of home. As long as they receive the love from their family and the correct amount of daily exercise, this dog breed will thrive and be a happy and healthy dog breed. A dog that doesn’t receive the correct care can easily become bored, depressed and destructive.
Generally, the Frenchie is well behaved and has a fantastic temperament. Providing they receive the correct training from a young age, this dog breed will go on to be a happy and obedient dog.
The French bulldog is very affectionate and will happily spend majority of their day showering their owner with lots of wet kisses and warm snuggles. This beautiful dog breed aims to please and will go out of their way to keep you happy. They equally love the same amount of love and attention back from their owner.
This dog breed is known for being rather silly and playful. They love to entertain their owners and this has to be one of their most beautiful qualities; resulting in them becoming one of the most popular dog breeds in the UK. They’re known for displaying their puppy-like behaviour right up until adulthood.
This dog breed is not really known for being vocal. French bulldogs need to be taught from a young age not to bark too loud. This must be done in a caring way to ensure they understand what is expected of them and done in a way that doesn’t frighten them. This will ensure they grow up to be well-balanced dogs.
The French bulldog is not particularly territorial. However, they do need to be trained form a young age to understand where they sit within the pack and to know what good and naughty behaviour is. Teaching them when they’re young will prevent them from displaying negative behavioural traits and from becoming territorial.
The French Bulldog ranks at the lower portion of the canine intelligence scale, which makes training a bit challenging. However, the key to teaching a dog is to start out young. This means that training the French Bulldog to follow basic and essential commands (such as come, stay, sit, etc.) should start during puppyhood. Basic commands are essential for the dog to learn early, progressing into a wide range of commands as the dog gets older. Fun and upbeat training coupled with positive reinforcement methods are the best training style suitable for the French Bulldog.
The French Bulldog has a short, smooth, shiny coat with loose and wrinkled skin in the head and shoulders. The coat is quite easy to groom and only needs occasional brushing. Check the skin for any sign of allergies or infections as well as skin lesions. Clean the ears on a regular basis using a damp cloth. Dry ear edges can be treated with mineral oil or baby oil. Inspect the facial wrinkles and make sure they are free from bacterial infections. Dry the coat and skin thoroughly after bathing to prevent the onset of bacterial infections.
The French Bulldog has a bulky body and a short muzzle that is known to have breathing problems. These factors make it rather difficult for the dog to regulate body temperatures. In hot weather conditions, it may suffer from heat stroke if left under the heat for a long period. Its short single coat on the other hand, makes the dog intolerable of cold weather particularly during winter and requires warm clothing.
With a lifespan of 12 to 14 years, the French Bulldog is generally a healthy breed with a few health predispositions, including:
Some French Bulldogs have been known to suffer with deafness, which Is more commonly seen in Frenchie’s that are white, Pied or Merle coloured coats. They can be tested, which is normally carried out when they’re 6 weeks of age. Frenchie’s can also suffer with Stenosis, which is a condition that is often seen within this dog breed. Stenosis is recognisable when they’re young and can be treated if spotted early. This condition affects the outer and inner part of the dog’s nostril and impacts their breathing. A dog suffering with this condition then goes on to suffer with BOAS if not treated early enough.
The French Bull Dog can suffer with thyroid issues, which can have an affect their skin. Generally, this dog’s skin condition is very good, although they can also suffer with grass allergies. Allergies within dogs are often hard to detect and therefore treat. To better understand what could be triggering your dog to suffer with allergens you will need to eliminate certain food groups, cleaning products and possibly airborne allergies.
Listed below are some of the most common allergy triggers:
The French bulldog should be given their initial vaccination after they’re sold. This is the new owners responsibility to ensure that the puppy then has their follow-up injects within the given time period. The following is recommended time frame:
10-12 weeks of age. Please note that a puppy will not have the full protection straight away, but will be fully protected 2 weeks after they have then received their second vaccination.
Vets recommend that owners should wait until their dog is slightly older before they are neutered. This normally ranges between 6 to 9 months of age and applies to both male and female dogs and all dog breeds. Mypetzilla suggests you seek professional advice from your veterinary practice regarding this matter.
The French Bull dog needs to be groomed on a regular basis to help keep their coat in great condition. This dog breed needs to be exercised on a regular basis to prevent them from becoming overweight and staying in optimum condition. As with all dog breeds, the Frenchie needs to be fed a high quality diet to keep them healthy and happy.
French bulldog puppies are typically very playful, boisterous and loving. They love playtime and bonding with their loved ones. This dog breed is relatively easy to train and will learn when and where they need to do their toilet business. As with any puppy during their toilet training, there might be the odd accident in the house. If this does happen, it is important that you use gentle guidance and the correct direction as to where they need to go. It is very important that you don’t shout and scare the puppy as this will cause them anxiety and further issues down the line.
When you first bring your Frenchie home, it is important that they are not left on their own. The puppy can feel rather stressed out and anxious after leaving their mother and litter mates. As such, you should aim to bring the puppy home when you have a few days off that you can spend with them, so they’re not left alone. This period is rather short but very important.
You should aim to start their training from an early age as this will then benefit them as they grow into an adult dog and they also learn their place within the home. An obedient dog is a happy dog. Training must be gentle, clear and consistent. You must never be too rough when handling your dog as not only will this stress them out and cause them to be sacred, it will also cause behavioural problems as they grow into an adult dog.
Your Frenchie will need their own quiet area to sleep, eat and play. This should be away from any noise and the hustle and bustle of a busy house. They still need to be close to the family so you can check on them regularly if needed. They will need a very comfortable bed, with a blanket and lots of toy to play with. They will also need access to fresh drinking water.
The puppy should have received their first worming treatment before being sold and the breeder should provide all documentation to prove this, as well as information regarding their microchip. Their working treatment should be given as follows:
As with any senior dog, the Frenchie will need extra care as they become older. Senior dogs are at more risk of developing health conditions as they age. Older dogs tend to become less tolerant to change and respond less to what is happening around them because of their impaired vision and hearing. Typically, the French bulldog’s muzzle will go grey and they may potentially develop other conditions such as:
Older dogs tend to need extra care and attention. This means moving them onto a food that maybe more suitable and monitoring the amount of exercise they have. You may also need to change their bed to make it easier to access and more comfortable.
As with any dog that is aging. They will need access to fresh drinking water as older dogs are prone to developing conditions with the kidney.
This breed has a fairly minimal exercise requirements but it still needs at least a daily short walk to stay fit. However, it must only be taken for a walk when the temperature outside is cool. It is typically inactive indoors and will make a great companion to someone who lives in an apartment or house or to someone who typically stays at home. It is recommended that you take your Frenchie for a minimum of two walks a day of 45 minutes each. Exercising your dog and making sure they spend time outdoors playing and exploring will ensure they becomes a healthy happy dog.
Frenchie’s struggle to regulate their body temperature and therefore you should aim to walk them during the cooler times of the day. This also applies to when it’s cold. You should place a small jacket or jumper on your Frenchie to keep them insulated and warm.
The French bulldog is patient and highly affectionate with its owners, especially with children regardless of age. It has no problem living with other dogs and animals in the house especially if it is introduced with them from an early age.
The Frenchie generally gets on very well with other animals and family pets. Because of their playful nature, they particularly like the company of younger children. The Frenchie has a lot of patience and they’re extremely kind, meaning a child of any age is safe to play with this dog. However, as with any dog breed, they must be supervised at all times during playtime to protect both the child and the dog.
When visiting to buy a puppy or dog, there are several important questions you must the breeder/seller. Here is an article on dog breeder questions you might want to ask.
Listed below are some very important considerations Mypetzilla recommends you ask before committing to buying a French bulldog:
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