Welcome To French Bulldog 101
So, you have decided to get a new dog and like many people, you quite like the idea of having a cute little Frenchie.
Well, before you buy a new dog, you could do with some helpful advice to ensure that you are ready for this new addition to your household.
That’s where we can help.
Below is a handy guide that should help answer any questions you have in regards to your new dog, as well as facts and tips on how to care for them.
I will be updating this regularly so be sure to check back from time to time to see what’s new.
What Are French Bulldogs?
The French Bulldog is a small dog breed that is just adorable.
They started off as the result of breeding bulldogs (from England) and other small dogs (Paris ratters) in the 1800s
Today, they are known as being one of the most popular dogs around. They are also a celebrity favorite.
General Appearance
The French Bulldog is a sturdy, small dog with a short coat and bat ears.
Different types of French Bulldogs
Frenchies come in many different colors.
The breed standard colors for French Bulldogs are:
Brindle
A mixture of black and fawn hairs
Fawn
Fawn colored, with or without a black mask
Pied
Mostly white along with brindle patches
French Bulldog Lifespan
The average lifespan of a French Bulldog is about 10-13 years, with some living as old as 18 years.
That’s not bad for a small dog.
To be sure that your dog has the best chance of a long lifespan, you should make sure that you buy one from a high-quality breeder.
Doing this can minimize the chance that you get one without many health issues.
How Big Does A French Bulldog Get?
How big do French Bulldogs grow?
By measuring from the floor, up to the shoulder, a healthy adult Frenchie averages about 30cm tall
How heavy do French Bulldogs get?
The males average weight is around 12 kg whereas the females average around 11 kg
Best French Bulldog Breeder
You should always go for the best breeder you can afford.
High-quality breeders should be American Kennel Club registered and have clean, comfortable living conditions for their dogs.
To help you find a good breeder, I highly recommend that you check out the AKC website, where they have online breeder classifieds, full of breeders from all over America.
Just make sure that you understand that finding a quality breeder, you may have to travel a little further than expected.
This does put a few people off the idea, but in my eyes, it’s worth it to ensure you get a well-bred pup.
Alternatively, you could make things a little easier for yourself and skip the classifieds and just give the AKC a call.
They will be more than happy to help you find your nearest breeder
Adopting French Bulldogs
Don’t want to put up with all the destruction a new puppy comes with?
Try adopting.
By adopting an adult dog, you will be getting a dog that already has its own personality, and is already potty trained.
It is also always good to give a dog a home.
French Bulldog Temperament
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Frenchies are fun little dogs that have an easy-going temperament.
I have yet to see an unfriendly one (that not to say they don’t exist)
They have a huge personality that is way bigger than itself.
They are perfect dogs to have around kids and make wonderful pets for the elderly
Are French Bulldogs Good With Babies?
First things first. Never leave any sort of dog alone with a baby.
With that said, having a French bulldog in the same house as your newborn could be possible.
Most experts will recommend that you buy or adopt your dog as a puppy before introducing them into a house with babies/kids. Doing this will get the dog used to the child as well as everyone else in the house.
If you already have an adult canine, then you should slowly introduce them to your new arrival to get them used to having them around.
One tip that I found is, bring home the blanket that is wrapped around your baby when he first comes into the world, and let your dog sleep with it.
Doing this will help your dog get used to the smell of the child.
French Bulldog Barking
As with all dogs, your little french companion will bark at times.
Are they ‘yappy’? Not really
Unlike most other small dogs, French bulldogs are not known for being one of those annoying noisemakers that at least one of your neighbors will own, that keeps the whole street awake at night.
French Bulldog Health Issues
One of the only downsides of Frenchies is the number of health problems they come with.
From breathing troubles and ear infections, to eye problems and joint diseases, they will have issues.
To minimize the chances of your pup having all of these problems, I recommend that you get your dog from a high-quality breeder with a good history of breeding healthy dogs.
Do French Bulldogs Shed?
French Bulldogs don’t shed too much. They will shed their undercoat twice per year, but due to them having a short, smooth coat, they are very easy to groom.
I recommend that you use a good de-shedding comb or glove one per week to get rid of any excess hairs. Especially if you have allergies
This will only take around five minutes and you will be able to keep your home hair-free (almost) by using a good brush.
What do you feed them?
Feeding could not be any simpler.
It’s just a matter of finding the best diet for French Bulldogs and choosing the best slow feed dog bowl that you can afford.
If you decide to train your Frenchie, or just want to give them a treat every now and then, I recommend taking a look at my post on ‘9 Of The Best Treats for French Bulldogs‘