French Bulldog Dog Breed Information & Characteristics

French Bulldog Origin

Originating from England in the 1800s as working dogs, the French bulldogs were bred for bull-baiting at first. When the activity was outlawed, a lot of people started owning them as pets. Eventually, folks in France started importing them en masse due to their attractive and playful disposition. People in arts owned a lot of them and eventually, aristocrats took them as prized animal companions. Their gentle nature and friendliness made them a winner with children.

From Europe, French bulldogs have made their way to America where a lot of families own one. In fact, a good number of celebrities own this breed. It has made its way into society due to its cuteness, versatility and easy maintenance.

French Bulldog Features

The French bulldog also called Frenchie is a small, muscular dog with a squashed nose, round, big eyes and round bat-like ears. It’s a nice companion dog that a lot of dog parents enjoy owning as pets. French bulldog personality is generally friendly, lively and playful. These dogs usually don’t weigh more than 15 – 30 pounds at the most and come in a variety of colors. Female Frenchies are typically smaller than their male counterpart. But overall, their short, smooth coat comes in black, brown, fawn, merle, brindle and blue, etc.

If you’ve been asking, what does a French bulldog looks like; the above description is what to look out for. It is easy to train a Frenchies because they’re mostly smart and with proper effort, your pup will learn fast.

French Bulldog Personality

Why not particularly beautiful in the real sense of the word, the French bulldog is unique and stands out wherever you find one. As a playful companion dog, the French bulldog loves games and activity but can still be calm. Most Frenchies try to mirror the lifestyle of their owners as much as they’re a freethinking dog breed. Once in a while, their bully nature brings out their stubbornness making it difficult to compel them at times.

French bulldogs are territorial breeds and often prefer their humans and space. Therefore, it’s important to socialize this breed early as they are quite protective too. Once bonded to their human or humans, they will either chill at a spot with you or follow you around from place to place.

If you live in a small space but need a dog that will do just right, a Frenchie is an excellent choice to own. It doesn’t need a lot of room to move around and can cope with 10-15 minutes every day to stay fit. Please do not leave this dog outside on a hot day for long for any reason.

French Bulldog Health

Just like any other dog breed, French bulldogs have some health concerns that are unique to them. While it’s important to give vaccines to dogs, knowing the disease conditions without vaccines to avoid is important too.

Below are some French bulldog concerns to look out for:

• Brachycephalic Syndrome – It leads to a poor development of the air passage due to the dog’s physical features. Dogs with squashed nose, narrow nostrils and short heads often have this problem.

• Hip Dysplasia – This is an inheritable defect characterized by the femur not fitting properly into the pelvic socket of the joints of the hip.

• Spinal Bifida – It is a congenital defect where the spinal cord isn’t fully covered by the vertebrae leading to nerve problems.

• Patella Luxation – Small dogs typically have this challenge where their patella isn’t well-aligned causing lameness or a poor gait. It’s a congenital concern that can be fixed with surgery.

• Intervertebral Disc Disease – IVDD is a health concern that happens when one of the vertebral discs pushes into the spinal cord affecting the nerves. Age and accidents are the usual causes.

• Cleft Palate – This is a congenital disease that affects the palate. Resolving it is by surgical operation at an animal hospital like Safarivet.

• Skin Fold Dermatitis – Dogs that have too much skin folds like the French bulldog sometimes suffer from skin fold dermatitis. Topical application of antibacterials usually works on it. Regular cleaning of the dog’s folds is a good way to prevent its occurrence in the first place.

• Allergies – Frenchies also known as the French terrier dog can have allergies, ranging from inhalant, contact and food. Once noticed, make it a point of duty to remove the allergy completely to protect the dog.

French Bulldog Care

Due to French bulldog characteristics, caring for them isn’t difficult. They’re small, easy-going dogs that do well in small spaces. As lively and friendly as they can be, French bulldogs are mostly low-energy and chill. People living in small apartments do really well with dogs as small as the Frenchie.

Exercise can be as little as a 15-minutes walk within the neighborhood. The French is quite susceptible to heat stroke so do not keep one outside for long when the weather is hot. This breed is intelligent and thinks freely so teach them with treats and reward good behavior accordingly to reinforce it.

French bulldogs are short-haired and their coat has a smooth, soft feel to it. Colors can be in different variety, with some being mixed. Start grooming early so the pup gets used to it – brush the coat occasionally, clip nails and brush teeth once a week. Inspect your Frenchie several times a week to check for abnormalities.

Visit Safarivet if there are concerns, and have a vet look at any developments you’re comfortable with. Once-a-month baths are recommended to keep the animal clean and in good health. If you’re a busy pet parent, paying a pet specialist monthly can be included in your spending budget.

French Bulldog Feeding

Feeding your French bull dog is easy as long as it’s a high quality meal. Feed your dog high quality dry food twice a day to help it live a robust life. High protein diet with lots of vitamins and minerals is recommended for proper functioning and health. Don’t forget to give treats too as dogs love being petted and offered treats.

Frequently Asked Questions