The characterful French Bulldog or “Bouledogue Français” is one of the most popular companion dog breeds around the world. They were ranked as the 3^rd most popular dog breed in December 2021 across the UK.

Whilst small and compact, this loving breed is well known for their bat like ears and box shaped face along with their entertaining personality.

This friendly and loving breed is sure to bring a lot of happiness into your life. They really do make the perfect household pet.

We are going to cover many aspects of the breed from characteristics and the potential health implications that come with owning one. If you are considering a French Bulldog, this will tell you a lot there is to know about them.

In This Blog

Breed Overview

Characteristics Of A French Bulldog

Frenchie’s have boisterous and defined character and personality traits. They can be very affectionate and friendly, and they love to play all day long.

They are known to be good with children but may be nervous when initially introduced to the little ones. Fortunately, this can be remedied with plenty of socialisation from a young age. Remember each dog can be different in temperament and can respond differently!

If you live in a built-up urban area, or you are too busy to be walking them for hours on end, the Frenchie will be a perfect companion pooch for you due to their minimal daily exercise requirements.

It is recommended to walk them at least once per day, but be aware of the potential risk of them overheating and breathing problems occurring due to their short nose.

They are intelligent dogs, but not the smartest, so it may take a little while longer to train them as well as other dogs.

Diet and Nutrition

When feeding your French Bulldog, make sure you are feeding an age-appropriate food.

Feeding a Frenchie an age-inappropriate food can be unhealthy and if fed to them regularly, can cause long-term health issues.

Keep in mind that senior dog food has less protein and fats than adult or puppy food and includes more carbohydrates.

Frenchies are prone to becoming overweight which can lead to further health complications or potentially shorten their life span if left untreated. To prevent this, discuss with your vet about an ideal feeding plan and exercise regime.

Training and Exercise

As with any breed, the best way to get a head start on your Frenchie pups is to start training them early in their life. The sooner you begin with the basic commands of ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, the easier it will make both of your lives in the long run.

The key to a Frenchie’s heart is food! If you want to teach them a new command or trick, offer low-calorie, natural treats to aid with your training for when they get it right.

They can be stubborn when they are tired or bored, so don’t be frustrated and feel deflated if you are half-way through a training session and they suddenly say ‘no’ to doing anymore.

It might be a good idea to find a local puppy training class. This will really help get your puppy socialised and help aid in training.

If they have been socialised correctly from a young age, Frenchie’s are known to be playful with other household pets. They love to play with other dogs and to have play dates in the park with another Frenchie!

History Of The French Bulldog

This small and compact breed originated from England (not France) in the 1800s as a miniature version of the English Bulldog.

They were used to chase away the rats for lace-makers. After machines were invented to make lace, many makers relocated elsewhere including France, as they moved, so did their dogs and eventually the French became smitten with them.

After years of crossbreeding, the bat ears were formed, and soon enough, the “Bouledogue Français” came into being!

Word soon spread about this new breed and people from everywhere fell in love with them and it wasn’t long until they were a hit in the U.S.

They are rapidly growing more and more popular each year. But why wouldn’t they? Their sweet face and kind nature is just irresistible.

Grooming Your French Bulldog

Due to their short, smooth coat, they don’t require extensive grooming. But they still need a weekly brushing to remove the shedding hair and to maintain the coats healthy shine.

By brushing once per week, you will help create new hair growth and spread the skins natural oil throughout the coat.

It is also recommended to bathe them once a month, paying particular attention to their wrinkles as these can harbour dirt, debris and bacteria and become infected if they dry out.

Between baths, regularly clean between their facial folds with a baby wipe or a wet flannel. Make sure you dry them thoroughly, so they don’t become chapped.

Remember, as with any dog, their nails should be trimmed regularly to avoid them becoming ingrown and causing pain and discomfort.

Health Conditions

The only high maintenance drawback to this breed is their overall health. Due to the excessive crossbreeding by the French, over the years they have developed a few health issues. Luckily, French Bulldogs which are bred to the highest breed standard shouldn’t face as many health issues.

The conditions you should look out for with your Frenchie include things like Brachycephalic syndrome, hip dysplasia, skin issues, allergies, and overheating.

Brachycephalic syndrome covers abnormalities within the upper airway and can cause partial obstruction affecting your dog’s breathing. If a dog has this, it’s usually alongside another condition such as, an elongated soft palate, where the palate is too long as it sits in the airway restricting air into their lungs.

Another Frenchie health condition to be aware of is Everted Stenotic Nares where the nostrils of the dog are too narrow or have collapsed inwards which restricts your dog’s ability to breathe through their nose.

Either one of these health conditions can cause an issue to your Frenchie and make it difficult for them to breathe. They will need to be addressed correctly by a vet to offer your dog the best healthy lifestyle.

Fun Facts

To finish off this insightful fact file on French Bulldogs, here are some interesting and fun facts.

1. Don’t let your Frenchie near a pool! With their big heads and small frames, they are not designed to stay afloat. So, hold off on the waterplay!
2. Frenchie’s are very highly regarded in the fashion industry and with celebrities. Many famous people have turned their head to owning a French Bulldog and some are making a huge success in modelling dog clothing wear.
3. Originally, they didn’t have the bat shaped ears, they were originally bred with rose-shaped ears, like the English Bulldog. The British loved this look and fought for the look to stay. But eventually the Americans won out, and the bat-shaped ears were introduced and have stuck ever since.

Now that you’ve read through this, we hope you have a stronger understanding about the French Bulldog breed.

If you decide to buy one, you now know a lot more about their characteristic traits, health conditions, and their upkeep which will help you in providing the best care to your fabulous, Frenchie friend.