A French bulldog photographed in side profile.

French Bulldog

Height
12’’
Weight
20-28 Ibs
Type
Non-Sporting
Life Expectancy
10-14 years
Area of Origin
Great Britain
The French Bulldog is a popular, charming, and loving companion. They are primarily bred to be lap dogs and provide endless comedy and entertainment with their large "bat-ears" and vivacious personalities. This couch potato is extremely affectionate and the perfect size and temperament for city living, which is why they're one of the most popular breeds in metropolitan areas.
Energy Level
2
Playfulness
4
Friendliness to dogs
2
Friendliness to strangers
3
exercise requirements
1
affection level
4
friendliness to other pets
3
watchfulness
3
Grooming Requirements
2
Vocality
2

Where Are French Bulldogs From?

French Bulldogs are, in fact, not French in origin, but British. In the early 1850’s, the bulldog was bred to be smaller and serve primarily as an indoor companion. The English city of Nottingham was the center of the lace making industry and the toy bulldog became the mascot for local lace makers.

Due to the birth of the Industrial Revolution, lacemakers relocated from Nottingham to northern France in search of labor opportunities. They brought their tiny bulldogs with them and introduced this companion to French society. The breed became extremely popular in their new home and were bred deliberately to exaggerate the size of their ears. Over several generations of breeding, these little companions developed a variety of skills, including rat hunting.

In the 1890s, the French Bulldog breed was reviewed for membership in the British Kennel club, but was not recognized as a separate breed until 1906 by the Kennel Club in London, under their official name of Bouledogue Français. The French Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1898.

Caring for a French Bulldog

Do French Bulldogs Have Allergies?

Do French Bulldogs Have Allergies?

French Bulldogs are prone to inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies. They can develop food allergies to dairy products, beef, chicken, lamb, fish, corn, wheat, soy, and a variety of ingredients found in dog food. If your dog has a food allergy, you may notice vomiting, gas, diarrhea, excessive itching, and gastrointestinal distress. Please seek veterinary diagnosis and testing to determine which diet best suits your pet.

How to Groom a French Bulldog

How to Groom a French Bulldog

The coat is short, smooth, and easy to care for, requiring only weekly brushing and bathing. Shedding is moderate at its worst.

Do French Bulldogs Have Health Problems?

Do French Bulldogs Have Health Problems?

Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed and therefore predisposed to a large number of health problems. They are deliberately bred with structural changes to their upper airway to give them a characteristic look. Respiratory issues can range from moderate to severe, and many owners become concerned when they hear their French Bulldog breathing heavily. These issues could be caused by the physical makeup of the dog’s airway, which may be benign, or it could be something more severe, like brachycephalic airway syndrome.

If you are considering the French Bulldog breed, or are already a proud parent, you need to familiarize yourself with their breathing problems and know what to avoid in order to keep your pet healthy. You should also prepare yourself for French Bulldog costs related to treatment.

Brachycephalic breeds are prone to respiratory problems associated with their “smooshed” face, including elongated soft palate, stenotic nares, and everted saccules. They are also prone to gastroesophageal reflux. This breed also suffers from heart disease, joint and spinal issues, and ocular ailments.

Bulldogs are predisposed to: pulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, atopic dermatitis, brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, ulcerative colitis, patellar luxation, corneal ulcers, and dystocia.

Can You Train a French Bulldog?

Can You Train a French Bulldog?

French Bulldogs are notoriously stubborn, but quite intelligent. Because of this, they do well with positive reinforcement training that includes large amounts of food rewards, praise, and play. Frenchies need to be socialized with other dogs and people from a young age. For the socialization to be effective, experts recommend introducing your dog to new people and pets by 14 weeks of age.

How Much Should a French Bulldog Exercise?

How Much Should a French Bulldog Exercise?

This breed requires very little exercise and should not be overexerted. A 10 to 15-minute walk each day should be enough to keep your French Bulldog happy and healthy. Due to their brachycephalic conformation, French Bulldogs are prone to overheating and respiratory distress. Brachycephalic breeds should always have access to water and air-conditioning, even in relatively mild temperatures.

What Are the Traits of a French Bulldog?

What Does a French Bulldog Look Like?
The French Bulldog is a miniaturized, bat-eared bulldog with a height of only 12 inches and weight between 20 – 28 lb. They have a stocky build, diminutive size, flat/wrinkled face, and oversized ears. Their top lip overhangs the bottom lip for a characteristic underbite.
How Big Are French Bulldogs' Heads?
French Bulldogs’ heads are rather large and square in shape. Their eyes are dark in color, set apart, and sunken deep in the skull. They are round in shape, but not bulging. Frenchies’ ears have a distinctive “bat” size and shape.
Are French Bulldogs Muscular?
The body is short with a broad, deep chest. Frenchies are very muscular and should not be overweight, as this can exacerbate their underlying health problems.
What Does a French Bulldog's Tail Look Like?
The tail is screwed or straight, short, and has a thick base. When grooming a Frenchie, ensure that the tight wrinkle at the tail base is cleaned thoroughly, as this can be an area for bacterial and yeast overgrowth.
French Bulldog Fore Legs
Frenchies’ forelegs are shorter than their haunch, strong, and set apart.
What Colors Are Common for French Bulldogs?
The French Bulldog comes in a variety of colors, including brindle, fawn, white, and black.
French Bulldog Hind Legs
Hind legs are longer and stronger than their counterparts in the front, which places the loin region above the shoulder.

French Bulldog Facts

The French Bulldog was popularized as a radical fashion accessory in Paris. They were at first made famous by the Belles de Nuit (Ladies of the Night), where they were paraded proudly up and down the Champs-Elysees.
French artists Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec famously immortalized the breed in their paintings of Parisian social life.
Tragically, a French Bulldog was the only pet to perish during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.

Other Breeds to Explore

References

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