Pros and cons of French Bulldog dogs

What do French bulldogs look like?

According to one version, this breed originally originated in England and was bred on the basis of English bulldogs. At first, these dogs were used as fighting dogs, but after the ban on cruel entertainment, they switched to a different status. Working families began to have such bulldogs as good rat catchers and just pets. During the Industrial Revolution, dogs and their owners moved to France. There they quickly gained popularity, and over time became known throughout the world. According to another version, the ancestors of this breed include Spanish bulldogs, which no longer exist.

French bulldogs are very popular because of their unusual appearance. Photo: Patryk_Kosmider / Depositphotos

Modern French bulldogs are small dogs with expressive eyes. Their body is massive, with well-developed muscles. The head is quite large, with folds and wrinkles. The ears are small, with rounded edges. The coat of the “Frenchies” is smooth, straight, short and quite soft. The colors are different.

What is the character of French bulldogs?

Puppies of this breed are very active and playful, but over the years they become a little calmer. French bulldogs are imposing and sedate, but they still don’t mind frolicking with their owner. Another feature of them is stubbornness, which can manifest itself in different situations.

Take care of your pet's education. Photo: AndrewLozovyi / Depositphotos

The “Frenchies” are very smart and amenable to education and training. Aggression is practically not characteristic of these dogs at any age, although they are always ready to protect a person.

How do French Bulldogs get along with adults?

Dogs of this breed are good-natured, get along well with people and feel good both in large families and as partners for singles. They are loyal, attentive, understand the mood well and can adapt to it. French bulldogs take part in the general fun with equal enthusiasm and simply spend time quietly next to their owner.

Left alone for a long time, these dogs begin to feel sad, although they practically do not express their dissatisfaction by barking or whining.

French Bulldogs love to be the center of attention and enjoy being with people. They are also quite friendly with strangers, so they will receive guests with pleasure.

How do French bulldogs get along with children?

Dogs get along well with children, enjoy playing and having fun with them. Although the first time after the pet appears in the house, it is worth monitoring their communication so that children do not inadvertently hurt the dog or injure it.

French bulldogs do not show aggression towards their young owners, and if they are not in the mood for fun, they simply retreat to their bed.

How do French bulldogs get along with other animals?

Dogs live well together with cats and other dogs, do not show hostility, but do not allow themselves to be offended. They are especially peaceful towards the pets with whom they grew up. But when new animals appear in the house, they may be jealous at first, although this goes away over time.

Raising a French Bulldog in a family with children

The most important thing to remember when getting a Frenchie in a family with children is that the dog is kind, but vindictive, touchy, proud and stubborn . She requires respectful and affectionate treatment. When getting such an animal, treat it like a full member of the family . Yes, this is a dog, but not the simplest one, capable of independent decisions and self-defense.

Advice! It is best to get a bulldog in a family where there are children of primary school age or teenagers. Then the child will develop a respectful attitude towards our smaller brothers, and the dog will be happy to play with his little owners and protect them.

A separate story is the situation when a newborn appears in the house, and the bulldog was already living there and was the center of attention of the owners.
Then you need to clearly explain by behavior that he is still important to them, but now there is someone in the house who should be protected and loved just like the owners.

Make sure that the dog, while staying in the same room with the baby, cannot get to him under any circumstances if you are not sure of the reaction to the child. The baby may try to grab the dog by the ears or tail, which the dog may not like.

Accustom your animal to the commands “Guard”, “Sit”, “Lie down”, “Place” so that it knows exactly how to behave in a given situation.

Important! If you have a French bulldog for several years, the appearance of a child may confuse him and even make him hostile towards the baby. It is necessary to monitor the dog’s behavior and in case of aggressive (uncharacteristic) behavior, take the pet to a dog handler, sparing no expense on training and accustoming him to new routines.

What living conditions do French bulldogs require?

As soon as the dog appears in your home, give him his own place to rest and sleep. Moreover, it is better to place the bed where there are no drafts, and also away from radiators and doors.

Make sure your dog has his own cozy place to rest. Photo: IgorVetushko / Depositphotos

As adults, dogs of this breed are not very active, but this does not mean that they do not need daily walks in the fresh air.

French Bulldogs do not tolerate cold weather very well. Therefore, when getting ready for a walk in cold weather or bad weather, it is better to dress them in warm clothes for dogs. If your pet does not have a special suit, the duration of the promenade should be shortened so that the dog does not become hypothermic.

In summer you also need to be careful. You should not go outside in the sun and especially in the midday heat; it is better to prefer early morning or late evening to go out.

As for the duration of walks, it is advisable for an adult dog to be in the air a couple of times a day for an hour and a half. During this time, the dog will be able to throw out all the energy that it has accumulated. But too high a pace is not suitable for French bulldogs; for example, on long runs they will quickly become exhausted. You should also avoid high jumps, which can cause injuries. You also need to be careful when playing in parks or forests so that your dog does not injure his eyes on sharp branches.

Characteristics of the French Bulldog, pros and cons

This breed is not very active, but is much faster than its English ancestors.

Despite the rather menacing expression of its muzzle, the French bulldog does not have guarding qualities and is not intended for protection. He is quite playful and cheerful, especially as a puppy.

The disadvantages of the breed include the difficulty of training.

It is very difficult to force this dog to follow commands, so training must begin at an early age. If you have purchased an adult dog, be sure to consult or work with dog handlers.

Disadvantages of the breed:

due to their body structure, bulldogs cannot swim;
large ears often get dirty and need to be cleaned regularly;
due to the tight fit of the tail to the body, diaper rash may appear;
the anatomy of the muzzle causes snoring during sleep;
does not tolerate both high and low temperatures;
prone to allergies.

Despite the obvious disadvantages of the breed, positive qualities still prevail and make the French Bulldog incredibly popular.

Attitude towards people . Very good natured and friendly.
Content . An excellent apartment option for a dog.
Behavior . Does not show aggression, but is fearless. Rarely enters into conflicts.
Noise . Although puppies can still cause trouble in an apartment, an adult French bulldog is distinguished by its calm behavior and rarely barks or makes noise.

The French Bulldog is an excellent pet for a school-aged child, an elderly person, or a family that does not have much experience in dog breeding.

How to feed French bulldogs

The simplest solution is ready-made food, which contains all the nutrients and beneficial substances that a dog’s body needs. You can choose an option, for example, from lines of different brands that are designed specifically for this breed. There are also separate diets for dogs with allergies and other health problems.

Choose your dog's diet carefully. Photo: IgorVetushko / Depositphotos

How to Groom French Bulldogs

Caring for dogs of this breed will not be difficult. To keep the coat in good shape, it is enough to comb it several times a week, and even more often during the molting period.

A French Bulldog needs to be bathed on average every three months. This can be done more often if the dog gets very dirty during a walk and it is not possible to simply wipe it off with a damp towel.

Regular wiping of the folds on the face and body with a soft cloth soaked in a special product, which is best chosen with the help of a veterinarian, will also help keep the dog clean.

Special attention should be paid to the area near the eyes. Discharge may appear in their corners, which sometimes even slightly stains the fur and forms tear tracks. It is better to remove such “tears” with a soft paper napkin. If the discharge is excessive, consult your veterinarian.

Your pet's ears also need to be cleaned with a special lotion. Typically this procedure is done several times a month.

French bulldogs, like other dogs, need their nails trimmed. You can shorten them at home or in a veterinary clinic if you can’t do it yourself.

What do French bulldogs suffer from?

Funny dogs of this breed are prone to certain diseases. Although this does not mean that your pet will have all of the listed health problems. But if any of them occur, it is better to consult a veterinarian.

Diseases that French Bulldogs are susceptible to include:

Allergies. The most common are allergic reactions to food, such as poultry, beef, and others. Also, the animal’s body can react to household chemicals, cosmetics and other external factors. As a result, skin inflammation occurs (contact dermatitis).
Brachycephalic syndrome is associated with a structural feature of the dog’s muzzle and manifests itself in the form of breathing problems and other associated symptoms.
Eye problems - conjunctivitis, prolapse (prolapse) of the lacrimal gland of the third eyelid, as well as mechanical injuries.
Problems with the spine - the formation of “wedge-shaped vertebrae,” which usually occurs in adulthood, vertebral hernias, and more.

Carefully monitor the dog’s condition, his behavior and even his mood. Any changes could be a sign of potential health problems.

Description of the French Bulldog breed

The French Bulldog is one of the three most popular dog breeds. This is a decorative dog that comes in a wide variety of colors. It can be kept in an apartment, which is why bulldogs are so popular in big cities.

Bulldogs' ancestors were used for dog fighting, but now they are a companion dog that gets along well with children and adults of all ages. The brave heart of this animal makes it a protector of its owner. He is good-natured and treats his person’s friends well, but is extremely unfriendly towards his master’s enemies. When walking, keep your pet under control if you encounter other people's dogs. The bulldog's fighting nature will not allow him to soberly assess the situation, and he will rush to defend his owner.

It is necessary to train this dog, but this process is quite labor-intensive. And the point here is not at all a matter of low intelligence, but of waywardness. In order for a French bulldog to learn a command, it must be repeated several dozen times.

What to look for when buying a French Bulldog

Prices for puppies depend on many factors, including the class of the dog. Therefore, when buying, first decide why you need a French bulldog. If you are simply choosing a pet for your soul, pay attention to the “pet” class. For breeding, it is better to buy puppies of the "breed" class, and for participation in exhibitions - potential champions of the "show" class.

Carefully approach the choice of your future pet. Photo: Patryk_Kosmider / Depositphotos

The future pet itself needs to be assessed. The puppy must be cheerful, active, physically developed and sufficiently well-fed. Pay attention to the living conditions to make sure that the puppy lived in a clean and sanitary environment. Ask the parents of the future pet, and if possible, look at them live.

When you make your choice, make sure that all the documents are given to you along with the animal. These include a purchase and sale agreement and a veterinary passport with information on all vaccinations that must be given at the time of purchase. A metric (puppy card) is also issued, on the basis of which you can then obtain a pedigree, and a certificate of microchipping, if done.

Choosing a French Bulldog Puppy

After you have studied the French bulldog breed standard, characteristics, pros and cons, you can begin choosing a puppy. Experts recommend choosing from those who are already 45 days old, since at this age it becomes clear whether the animal will be a breeder or will be sent to culling. By the way, when reading advertisements like: “French bulldog in good hands Moscow,” remember that such animals are mainly the product of culling or unscheduled matings, and from them you will not be able to get offspring with a pedigree.

Before purchasing a puppy, ask its owner for documents confirming its pedigree, as well as a certificate confirming its vaccination and examination by a veterinarian. At the same time, you can pick up a puppy only with the permission of the breeder. By the way, you should choose him if you have positive reviews about the breeder from acquaintances and friends, since currently there are a large number of scammers who, instead of purebred animals, sell mixed breeds to inexperienced dog lovers.

For example, in Russia, French bulldogs from Lomonosova are known, who have won competitions more than once and become laureates of various exhibitions. If you do not plan to conduct breeding activities, and you just need a companion, then you can take a puppy from an advertisement like: “French bulldog as a gift Moscow.” In this case, you can save a lot, since the prices for puppies of this breed (even without a pedigree) are $120-350.

At the same time, by purchasing an animal from a trusted breeder or a well-known nursery, you can be guaranteed to get a healthy puppy. For example, he should have clear skin and shiny fur, a non-bloated belly and a small layer of fat. In addition, your future pet should be active and playful, as well as sociable.

As for an adult dog purchased through advertisements: “French bulldog found or lost,” there will be much more problems with it than with a puppy. The fact is that she will have already formed habits that you are unlikely to be able to change. The French bulldog forum can help you with this, where you can ask experienced dog breeders for advice or take advice on a particular issue of breeding animals of this breed.