The Complete French Bulldog Guide: History, Traits & Care

I had always misjudged the nature of the French bulldog till I spent a few weeks with my friend who owned one.

I always felt that the French bulldog was a fierce and rigid animal that took no nonsense from anyone.

Lol!

Well, it has a face that looks like it would attack anytime. So don’t blame me, I was guarding myself.

Well, it turns out that my assumption is totally untrue and everything about the dog contradicts my earlier opinion.

So, I would be sharing all I have learnt about it here today.

We would be discussing its origin, personality traits, characteristics and care.

Let’s go down the history lane.

Origin of the French Bulldog Breed.

The French Bulldog, also known as “Frenchies” are a domestic dog breed, that has been around since the 1800s, and were bred to be companion dogs. Contrary to their name, they are actually not of French origin. They were first bred in Nottingham by lace makers who wanted to create a small version of the English Toy Bulldog.

When the craftsmen moved to France for better opportunities in the 1860s, they brought their little Bulldogs along with them. They became popular there and were given the name “French Bulldogs”.

From the onset, before they were created, the bulldogs were of Greek origin. They were then dispersed around the world by some traders and they became very popular in England where they were used for bull batting; a blood sport. After the sport was banned, they decided to crossbreed them with ratter dogs and they became the new French dog breed used for companionship. Since the lace makers moved to France with them, they got the name, “French Bulldogs”.

Physical Characteristics of the French Bulldog Breed.

Appearance

Head: The French Bulldog has a square head with small dark eyes and large ears that look like that of a bat. Their face is usually flat with a short nose. Generally, the head is usually broad and square.

Neck: They have a short or stout thick neck. There is full flesh around the neck.

Coat: The French Bulldog’s coat is very short and easy to groom. It is not full of fur like some other companion dogs. It is also very smooth and shiny and gives it an attractive look.

Body: The Frenchie’s body is quite full all round. With it’s square face and thin coat, the body is quite broad.

Legs: They have short and muscular legs that fit their full body.

Tail: They also have a very short tail that stands out proudly when it is alert.

Size

Weight: The average French bulldog should weigh between 16 to 28 pounds.

Height: They should be between 10 to 12 inches tall because they are not so big.

Energy Level

The earliest bulldogs were designed for fighting shows but after they were crossed, they became just for companionship. Modern French bulldogs might still have the tendency to fight and the energy to do strong activities but due to the fact that there are now strictly to keep humans company, their energy level is just in between depending on how much you push them to do.

Life Expectancy.

They can live for as long as 14 years.

Barking Tendency

The French bulldogs are not the types to bark anyhow. They are moderate barkers because they don’t bark without reason. You might be surprised that they don’t bark at a strange face that visits your home.

They are quite easygoing at that.

Personality/ Temperament of the French Bulldog.

The French bulldog has some unique traits that differentiate it from the other companion dogs. Some of them are outlined below.

The dog is a very social animal. It is quick to socialize with other pets and accept new faces. It is even quick to accept a new home within a short period. It can live peacefully with other breeds and its owners.

It enjoys human contact. Since that was what it was created for, it does a good job in keeping to it.

It makes one of the best pet companions. It can pay as much attention to you as you would love to pay to it.

It loves playing and having fun. The French bulldog is a very playful one that takes any opportunity you give it to play around with you.

It enjoys calm walks. It is not particularly lazy but it is never in a hurry. So, it loves to go on simple relaxing walks.

It doesn’t bark randomly. There must be a reason for it to bark. So you don’t have to worry about unnecessary barking.

It is sensitive to its environment and doesn’t like being left alone.

Activities the French bulldog can participate in include: fetch and catch, park runs and walks and easy dog shows.

Let’s move on to the care of the Frenchies.

Care of the French Bulldog.

Feeding

Your bulldog needs to eat very well to grow very well. So you should pay detailed attention to what you feed it because you don’t want it falling ill.

They are best fed with dry foods because it is easy for them to chew and digest.

Pay attention to the amount of protein in your dog’s food because it helps build their body and muscles. Also, the carbohydrate should be visible in their meal because they need a lot of energy to jump around.

Also, their Treats should contain all the same essential nutrients as their daily meal.

Always remember to keep a bowl of fresh clean water for them because as they play, their hydration level needs to be maintained.

Feeding quantity should be according to their age or size or just how much they can eat. There is no specific feeding quantity, just study your animal and know what works for it.

Environment

Most French bulldogs live inside the house. They are more likely to be family members than security dogs, so it is important that you keep all areas of the house clean. Clean out both their corners and general corners because they move about everywhere.

They love warm and cosy spaces also and this might include your laps. Make sure they are always comfortable.

They don’t thrive very well in a too hot or too cold area. They are best suitable in a warm environment.

Grooming

Grooming your French bulldog isn’t a hard job but it requires your complete attention. Whenever you groom them, try and do a thorough job to remove all hidden and unwanted germs.

Starting with their head, do well to clean out their ears regularly. Check their eyes also to know when something might be wrong. Dental care is also very important to avoid toothache, decay or diseases.

Coat and body grooming is quite easy to achieve. You can brush out the coat daily or as often as you wish to maintain its shiny nature. You can also bathe them thoroughly once or twice a month to get rid of hidden germs and debris. Check beneath the coat for any injuries or infections. Make sure to use good shampoos that they don’t react to.

Trim their nails as soon as it grows out to avoid it causing harm to you or your properties. Also, early trimming can avoid any nail injury to the dog.

Generally, they are easy to groom.

Exercise

The French bulldog does not require a lot of exercises. Going out for simple walks runs around the park and its regular play is enough to keep it fit. If you want to engage it in more serious exercises, then you must study it well and be sure it can handle them.

Training

A Frenchie can be trained to do a few things but not so much. They can play hide and seek, catch objects and appear in mild dog shows. Also, as a new owner, you can check out some simple startup training below

Health Care

This is very important care of the French Bulldog because although not all of them might suffer any health condition, it is still very important you watch out for them.

Frequent visits to the vet are very important. Routine checks help you prevent unseen health issues.

Problems associated with the French bulldogs.

Health Problems

There are various health problems peculiar to this breed and some of them include:

• Cleft Palate: This is when the upper part of the mouth known as the palate does not form well during birth. It is a deformity that causes the mouth to be partially open. The palate is the top part of the mouth that separates the nasal passages. Having a cleft palate can be very difficult for this breed of dogs because it can cause them difficulty in breathing, eating and frequent sneezing. Due to the fact that it is a birth disorder, it can only be corrected through surgery.

• Intervertebral Disc Disease(IVDD): This is a disease that affects the spine of a French bulldog. Due to its stout nature, the bulldog and other stout dogs are prone to this. It can also be caused as a result of frequent falling. This also requires surgery and therapy to cure.

• Von Willebrand’s Disease: This is a blood disease that occurs when the blood begins to clot due to some factors. It can lead to nose bleeding, excessive bleeding from injuries, stooling with blood, sneezing out blood and gum bleeding. Early and proper treatment can stop this.

• Patellar Luxation: This is an abnormality in the way the dog walks and it is caused by a disarrangement in the patella which has three bones. When the patella is not properly arranged from birth formation, it causes the dog to have this disorder which affects its walking and can cause temporary or permanent lameness. It can also lead to arthritis. This disorder needs surgery to correct.

• Brachycephalic Syndrome: This is an ailment that has to do with the dog’s breathing. This syndrome affects its palate due to its short nostrils. It can cause loud and strained breathing and frequent snorts.

Behavioural Problems

The French bulldog is naturally playful, so without much training, it might tend to be any and everywhere; sniffing and nibbling at things. You should try to curb this from start to avoid issues.

Allergies

Like any other animal, they are usually allergic to some things. They can be allergic to food, Treats, water, grooming materials, drugs or medications or new products and the environment. This can lead to shedding, eye itching, sneezing and vomiting. Always check for products contents before using it on them.

Is the French Bulldog Breed a good pet?

I am of the opinion that the French bulldog breed is useful as a pet for the following reasons.

• It was originally bred to be a companion. If you’re looking for a cuddle buddy, it serves that purpose well.

• Also, it is portable and can be carried about.

• It is very friendly and sociable with new and existing faces.

• It is very easy to groom and saves you a lot of stress.

• It is a great playmate for kids also.

Contrarily, if you are looking for a security dog, a helpmate or an errand buddy, this pet does not suit your need. Its playful nature doesn’t allow it to do all that. Just pay close attention to its daily needs and avail yourself for playtime.