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Home > Dogs > Dog Breeds > French Bulldog: Breed Guide, Info, Pictures, Care & More!

French Bulldog: Breed Guide, Info, Pictures, Care & More!

french bulldog on the grass

Standing only a foot tall and built like a tank with their signature bat ears, the French Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds out there and is loved by many! Their entertaining personality makes them stand out as people can’t help but admire their colorful antics and over-the-top confidence.

Breed Overview

Height:

Small to medium (11 – 12 inches)

Weight:

20 – 28 pounds for males, 16-24 pounds for females

Lifespan:

10 – 12 years

Colors:

Fawn, fawn and white, fawn brindle, brindle, brindle and white, cream, white and brindle, white and fawn

Suitable for:

Families looking for playful, easy-to-groom lapdogs that does not require a lot of space.

Temperament:

Easygoing, sociable, gentle, friendly, playful, affectionate

If you’re looking for a pet that is sociable, playful, and good with strangers and children alike, then the French Bulldog might just be a breed to look into! Here, we discuss what it is like to own a French Bulldog in our in-depth review of the breed!

French Bulldog Characteristics

Energy:
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High-energy dogs will need a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, while low-energy dogs require minimal physical activity. It’s important when choosing a dog to make sure their energy levels match your lifestyle or vice versa.
Trainability:
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Easy-to-train dogs are more skilled at learning prompts and actions quickly with minimal training. Dogs that are harder to train will require a bit more patience and practice.
Health:
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Some dog breeds are prone to certain genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every dog will have these issues, but they have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan:
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Some breeds, due to their size or their breeds potential genetic health issues, have shorter lifespans than others. Proper exercise, nutrition, and hygiene also play an important role in the lifespan of your pet.
Sociability:
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Some dog breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other dogs. More social dogs have a tendency to run up to strangers for pets and scratches, while less social dogs shy away and are more cautious, even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed, it’s important to socialize your dog and expose them to lots of different situations.

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French Bulldog Puppies

Adorable blue French bulldog puppy
Image By: Jantanee Boonkhaw, Shutterstock

Before you go off and buy your own French Bulldog, there are a few things you must consider:

First, the French bulldog is prone to many health complications. Due to the shape of their snout, they have difficulty breathing and are prone to different respiratory disorders. They are also prone to heatstroke, so a hotter environment may require that they remain in air-conditioned homes, especially during the summer. Frenchies are also known to suffer from disorders that affect the spine, eyes, heart, and joints.

Second, the French Bulldogs’ facial appearance causes the Frenchie to be loud and messy. Their short snout causes them to snort, grunt, and wheeze loudly and their excessive gulping of air makes them a gassy breed. and their drooping lips cause them to drool and slobber when drinking water.

Third, French Bulldogs are stubborn and can be quite manipulative. They are also a relatively slow to housebreak breed which may take around 4 to 6 months.


Temperament & Intelligence of the French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is a very playful and sociable breed. They are generally quiet dogs but are known to bark only to greet a stranger. They can be quite reserved but also love to play. Frenchies are also known to be a stubborn breed, so it is important to show them that you mean what you say as well as using food as a reinforcer during training. Although stubborn, they are quite intelligent and are known to exhibit the things they learned consistently when being trained.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

If you’re looking for a good family dog, the French Bulldog is a great choice indeed. Their affectionate and attention-seeking personality makes them lovable in the household and their playfulness is enjoyed by everyone, especially by children! Frenchies have small, sturdy muscular bodies which make them very active during play but are also very relaxed and will enjoy a snooze on the couch with their owners.

French Bulldogs also make for excellent watchdogs, alerting to strangers, and usually bark only with a purpose. They are loyal and have protective instincts toward their owners. Their size and exercise requirement also make them perfect if you’re living in a household with little space!

man and woman holding a black french bulldog
Image Credit: Jonathan Borba, Unsplash

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Just like any other dog breed, early socialization is crucial in their development. It is important that they are exposed to different people, pets, places, and situations for them to grow up to a well-adjusted adult Frenchie.

If socialized properly at an early age, they do not have a problem with other pets should you have a multi-pet household, dogs, and cats alike.

Overly spoiled French Bulldogs, however, may be prone to jealousy toward other dogs should they receive attention from their owners.

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Things to Know When Owning a French Bulldog:

The French Bulldog is a unique breed of dog. Here, we can take a look at some things we need to consider when caring for a Frenchie.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

french bulldog eating food from bowl
Image Credit: Tienuskin, Shutterstock

It is important to note that French Bulldogs are prone to obesity, which is why calorie intake must be strictly monitored. The recommended feeding for French Bulldogs is 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality, dry dog food to meet your dog’s nutritional needs.

Although difficult to resist, the giving of treats must be done in moderation. Should you decide to give table food, give only sparingly, and avoid bones or food with high-fat content. Frenchies know they’re cute and will try to manipulate you, so try not to give in when your Frenchie begs for extra food!

Exercise 🐕

French Bulldogs do not need a lot of exercise, if anything, they would enjoy just lounging around the house as these dogs have relatively low energy compared to other breeds of their size. But since they are prone to obesity and other health complications, it is recommended that they take short walks for up to 20 minutes a day to stay in shape. They are also very playful and will engage in different activities not limited to just walking!

Frenchies are prone to heat exhaustion and have difficulty breathing due to their short snout, so it is recommended to do your walks during cool mornings or evenings, and when humidity is relatively low.

Training 🎾

female french bulldog playing ball_
Image Credit: Piqsels

French Bulldogs are very intelligent, yet stubborn dogs. Although eager to please their owners, they have a strong personality and finding what technique or reinforcer suitable for your French Bulldog may be through trial and error. Food is commonly found to be a good reinforcer, but this should be used with caution due to their high risk of obesity. Making training activities fun and play-like are also found to be effective since Frenchies love to play!

Like all puppies, socialization is necessary for dogs to be properly adjusted around different situations, people, and other pets. When exposing your dog to new situations, it is important to let your Frenchie take their time to adjust to the new place, pet, or person. Do not force their interaction, they are intelligent dogs and will adjust when exposed enough. Asking a friend that is meeting your dog for the first time to give him a treat and wait for your Frenchie to approach on his own is a good example!

Frenchies are also known to chew on things around the house. Putting valuables or potential chewable out of reach is recommended to avoid damage around the house, and even your dog choking. When you catch your French Bulldog chewing, do not scold them, and simply give them another toy to chew on to condition him that chewing is allowed on toys and not for furniture. French Bulldogs are very strong, so avoid giving them squeaky or plush chew toys as they will easily destroy them!

Potty training is another difficulty for French Bulldog owners alike. Although stubborn, French Bulldogs are intelligent and develop habits through training. Potty training should be done the minute you take your new Frenchie pup home and must also be monitored to avoid mistakes which may extend the potty-training period. Frenchies have small bladders to you may have to take your dog out quite often while observing for behaviors that may tell you that your pup has to go. Giving your dog a reward when properly relieving himself is also recommended!

Grooming ✂️

French Bulldogs are relatively easy to groom but must be done regularly to avoid any complications or discomfort. If trained at a young age, grooming can be enjoyable and used as a good time to bond with your Frenchie. Occasional brushing is recommended to keep their coat nice and healthy. Training your French Bulldog stand still on an elevated surface like a table can make brushing much easier for you and your dog. When brushing, take the time to check the skin, eyes, ears, and teeth for any signs that may need veterinary attention.

  • Ears: Can be cleaned by rubbing the outer ears with a warm damp cloth. Avoid entering the ear canal and using cotton buds as these may cause skin problems in the ear. If the ear is dry, applying small amounts mineral or baby oil is recommended. Wiping the folds on your French Bulldog’s face is also recommended as sweat and dirt may get trapped in between. Nails must be trimmed at the vet as long, untrimmed nails may hurt and can cause scratches on themselves or their surroundings.
  • Bathing: Can be done as needed, from once a week to once a month using a high-quality shampoo to keep your Frenchie’s skin healthy. Be sure to properly dry them after bathing, including their ears and the folds on their face!

Health and Conditions 🏥

From physique alone, French Bulldogs are prone to a variety of health problems. Most French Bulldogs will have to deal with at least one of the common health conditions their breed experiences within the first 2-3 years of life.

Minor Conditions
Serious Conditions
  • Heat Stroke
  • Brachycephalic
  • Obstructive Airway
  • Intervertebral Disc Disease
  • Dermatitis
  • Corneal Ulcer

Being brachycephalic in nature (short snout), Frenchies are prone to respiratory difficulties and are also prone to heat stroke. This condition is called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome or BOAS. It is recommended that you keep your Frenchie in a cool environment and avoid going out on walks when it is hot outside.

Their facial features make them prone to other infections as well. Their signature bat ears with small ear canals make them prone to ear infections, and their bulging eyes along with their short snout and facial folds also put them at risk for eye and skin infections. Their short back-legs can also cause difficulty in mobility, such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) affecting the spine and the neck.


Male vs Female

In terms of appearance, the Male and Female French Bulldog are similar. They are close in both height and weight, with the males being slightly taller and heavier than the females.

When it comes to temperament and personality, males are commonly more confident, energetic, and mischievous, while females are more relaxed, shy, and timid, making them easier to train than males.

Although females are calmer than males, females are more inconsistent with their emotions making them more prone to aggression compared to males but are usually outgrown and can be managed through training.

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3 Little-Known Facts About the French Bulldog

1. French Bulldogs’ roots come from England.

The French Bulldogs’ roots stem from the English Bulldog. It was said that lace makers had a certain liking to the smaller, toy version of the bulldog and brought them with them to France when the industry moved, where they were eventually bred with terriers which brought about the Frenchies that we know today.


2. Frenchies cannot swim.

Due to their physique, French Bulldogs cannot swim. The short, stocky frame and the size of their head hinder them from floating.


3. They have two different styes of ears.

Known for their unique bat ears, French Bulldogs originally had rose-shaped ears like English Bulldogs which were preferred by English breeders. American breeders, however, preferred the bat ears and eventually bred Frenchies to have their signature bat ears.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dog that loves the spotlight, has enough energy to enjoy playtime, and relaxed enough to enjoy snuggle time without taking up so much space, then the French Bulldog is the dog for you! They have a unique personality and are good around other pets, strangers, and especially children!

Just be mindful of their nutritional and grooming needs, as well as their stubborn personality. Although as stubborn as they are, the French Bulldog is a popular and lovable breed that will surely make you and your family happy!

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Featured Image Credit: CraneBird Studios, Shutterstock

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