French Bulldog Breed Information
The French Bulldog is a beautiful little dog that charms with its stocky figure and goofy personality. Frenchies are dogs that fit any owner, being especially great for families with kids. Their nature is as adorable as their appearance, and they make fantastic playmates for small children.
With their goofy personality and eagerness to please their owners, these dogs can keep anyone entertained and happy for hours. They are very playful and thrive with owners that include them in every activity. The Frenchie’s small size also makes them an ideal dog breed for apartment living.
BREED TYPE / MIX
Purebred
ENERGY
Moderate
SHEDDING
Average
TRAINING
Challenge
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate, Independent, Funny, Playful
ADULT WEIGHT
22-28 lbs
ADULT HEIGHT
11-13 in
LIFE SPAN
9-11 yrs
Characteristics
- The signature look of French bulldogs includes a stocky build, bat-like ears, a docked tail, and wide eyes
- French Bulldogs are recognized as a breed under the American Kennel Club’s Non-Sporting Group
- Intelligent and eager to please, French Bulldog puppies can train easily with the right approach
- Given their outgoing personalities and caring nature, Frenchies can make excellent therapy dogs
- Although they shed, French Bulldog grooming involves little effort as their coats are quite short
- Frenchies get along great with everyone they are introduced to. They are excellently behaved around children and make quick friends with other dogs. They are also open to strangers and cats
- French bulldogs typically do well with one or two daily walks. Their exercise needs are low given their relaxed nature
Appearance
The French bulldog is a small, stocky, and muscular dog that is impossible to resist or confuse with another dog breed. Made famous for its bat ears and flat-faced figure, this breed never fails to turn heads wherever it goes.
Frenchies are small dogs, though they can appear quite robust, giving the impression of a larger dog. Their stature is short, with an average of 11 to 13 inches in adulthood. Weight can differ between French Bulldogs, especially given their predisposition to obesity. They average in weight from 22 to 28 pounds but can get bigger if not kept under dietary supervision.
French Bulldogs come in a myriad of colors, one more beautiful than the next. They can have a solid-colored coat or a coat that is made up of 2 or more colors with various shades, patterns, and markings. The most common French Bulldog colors include fawn, white, cream, piebald, brindle, black, gray, blue, brown, and merle.
The French bulldog's appearance can vary, but generally, the dog has a wide skull and short snout. The eyes are round and dark in color with black or brown eyelashes. The ears are large and set high on the head. The tail is usually docked to avoid injury to the animal.
Temperament
French bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in North America, and it's not hard to see why. They're playful, goofy, fun, and sweet. They love their humans immensely and are affectionate to children. They're also cuddly, which is perfect for those who want a pet that they can snuggle up with on the couch.
French bulldogs get along well with other pets, including cats, as long as they are introduced to them at an early age. This breed is not typically aggressive or territorial in nature and will often get along well with other dogs if properly socialized.
Some of the more notable characteristics of the French Bulldog include their cuddly nature, their small size which makes them perfect for apartments or smaller homes, and their ability to be active without too much exercise needed.
Frenchies are also quite the play friends for small children. They are small enough to be held and have the right temperament to entertain toddlers. Shyness is not in their vocabulary, and they aren't known to be reserved or reactive around others, so they make quite excellent family pets.
Care
Grooming
French bulldogs are a popular breed of dog. They are known for their short snouts, bat ears, and wrinkles. As a result of their wrinkles, they can get dirty easily and need to be groomed a bit more often. A French bulldog’s coat should be brushed daily to maintain its natural health and shine. It is also important to bathe your French bulldog regularly because they can get dirty quickly due to the folds in their skin.
It is important to trim your French bulldog’s nails every two weeks and clean behind their ears once or twice a week with cotton swabs or gauze pads moistened with an ear cleaner solution. You should wipe the wrinkles on your French bulldog’s face daily with a damp cloth or grooming glove. Finally, it is important to brush your French bulldog’s teeth at least two times per week - brushing daily may be necessary if your dog has dental problems.
Exercise Needs
A French bulldog's exercise needs are not too demanding, but they do require a few things from the owner: daily walks, a well-balanced diet, and a few fun games that can keep both their minds and bodies stimulated. Ideally, you should take your French Bulldog out for a walk at least two times per day for a few minutes. This will provide them with the opportunity to go potty outdoors, enjoy some fresh air, and get in some exercise.
Indoor games and exercises are also recommended. These beautiful dogs can get lazy when they are not enticed in a game or activity. 30 minutes of indoor exercise are recommended to keep them fit and entertained. They should also have an exercise routine that is tailored to their diet. Frenchies can easily become overweight, which is why it’s important to keep a balanced diet and exercise routine.
Health
French Bulldogs are believed by many to be a sickly breed, but that is not the case when they are bred by reputable breeders who practice careful selective breeding. There are some issues that typically appear in breeds with flat faces. Dogs that have flat faces are unable to regulate their breathing or body temperature as fast as other breeds.
Frenchies can also encounter some of the problems that most dogs do. Among these are allergies, eye issues, skin infections, and dental issues. Health problems can be limited by a good diet, daily exercise, and regular vet checks.
Lifespan
French bulldogs have an average lifespan of 12-14 years. However, some Frenchies can live as long as 16 years old.
French bulldogs need to be taken care of in a certain way in order to maintain their health and longevity. This includes making sure that they are fed a proper diet with high-quality dog food, given regular exercise, and not overfed or underfed.
Training
Training your French Bulldog puppy will be both fun and easy since this breed is an attention-lover. You can expect your Frenchie to pick up on tricks and commands quickly as long as you have delicious treats in your pocket.
The French bulldog is a highly sociable dog that needs plenty of human contact. These sweet dogs thrive on engaging in activities with their owner and other people. They are easy to train when you use positive reinforcement, the right treats, and rewards.
Frenchies can also be stubborn at times and need an owner who is confident, consistent, and patient. They do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Because of their high level of attachment, some Frenchies may experience separation anxiety. Preventing anxiety is much easier than treating it, especially in adult dogs, so it is recommended to train your French Bulldog to be a bit more independent starting at an early age.
History
Although French Bulldogs haven’t been around for as long as other purebreds of their caliber, they have certainly managed to race others to the top of popularity charts. Frenchies, as we know and love them today, are in the top three most popular dog breeds in the world, being especially adored in Europe and the United States.
The origin of the French Bulldog dates back to the early 19th century in Nottingham England where the Frenchie ancestor was a famous ratter in lace factories. Lace workers relied on Toy Bulldogs to rid their factories of small rodents, but they also adored the breed for its unique figure and charming personality. The toy bulldogs, or English bulldogs as some referred to them at that time, played two important roles for lace workers. They were their treasured companion pets and rodent hunters.
When the Industrial Revolution began, lace workers were put out of their jobs and forced to seek work opportunities elsewhere. So, they took their treasured companions and set out to reach Normandy France where jobs were promising. Once in France, the Toy bulldogs quickly caught the eye of high society families, soon becoming the most in-vogue pet to have at the time. Luxury surrounded French Bulldogs as they were also the favorite companions of royals for quite some time.
As the breed continued to be developed and carefully bred to the current size and figure, kennel clubs began recognizing them as a distinct breed from the English Bulldogs. They entered the American Kennel Club’s ranks in 1898. Since then, they have also been selected to be parent breeds for various hybrid mixes such as Frug (French Bulldog x Pug mix), Froodle (french Bulldog x Poodle mix), and Frenchton (French Bulldog x Boston Terrier mix).