French Bulldog

The Essential Guide to the French Bulldog

The French Bulldog, also known as a Frenchie, is one of the most well-known breeds, and one breed above all that makes people smile. And owning a Frenchie is pure fun! Renowned for their silly natures and comic facial expressions, the French Bulldog has risen to the very top of the popularity stakes. 

An all-around friendly, happy and loving breed that can be both active and lazy is well suited to most people of most ages. If you're looking for a French Bulldog puppy for sale that will bring joy to your home, then read all about the French Bulldog.

Fast Facts

Group- Non-sporting

Height- 11-12 inches

Weight- 22-28 pounds

Hair Length- Short 

Shedding - Light 

Lifespan- 10-14 years

Unmistakable Physical Characteristics of the French Bulldog 

That big, wrinkled face, both cute and serious at the same time, is the number one feature that makes the Frenchie so popular. They have deep folds over their face, a flat nose, and a strong head.

The French Bulldog has big floppy ears that are much bigger than the rest of the body. These floppy bat-like ears are unmistakable. An always-grinning mouth that's pretty big and wide is also a trademark. The Frenchie is short-haired, although the fluffy French Bulldog is becoming slightly more common and has a long-haired gene. 

There is also a Mini French Bulldog, also called a Teacup French Bulldog, which isn't an official breed. It's a smaller version of the standard. They will be less than 11 inches tall and also weigh less than the normal Frenchie.

For such a cute breed, the Frenchie is quite strongly built, with the thick legs of the Bulldog and a squat and solid body.

The French Bulldog is sometimes mistaken for the Boston Terrier for a couple of reasons. If you look at the French Bulldog vs the Boston Terrier, you'll notice they both are flat-faced. Both breeds of dog also have erect ears. However, the differences include head shape and ear shape, and a Frenchie will tend to be more squat and solid than a Boston Terrier.

What Colors does a French Bulldog come in?

A lot of people have the image of the traditional fawn French Bulldog in their minds. However there is quite the kaleidoscope of colors when it comes to the Frenchie. The approved colors for a show dog include:

• Cream
• Fawn (light fawn to dark)
• Brindle
• White
• Tan
• Brindle & White
• Pied

The Blue French Bulldog isn't an approved color but is increasingly popular and increasingly common while still quite pricey. The Chocolate French Bulldog is a rare color that shows through a recessive gene. There are also solid black, mouse, liver, and black with tan varieties. These are not acceptable colors for a show dog Frenchie according to the AKC.

While the breed’s colors might vary, the dog has a consistent temperament that hasn't changed much.

The Nature of the Frenchie

Playfulness and laziness. Happiness and joy. Love and faithfulness. The Frenchie has it all!

A French Bulldogs are a great companion because they want to spend time with all family members. They are an affectionate breed that will make a great household pet since they love kids and attention. They are simply happiest around people, being played with and being fussed over.

Despite their size and comic, cute appearance, the Frenchie is quite the protective breed and is very loyal to their family. Don’t be surprised if your Frenchie tries to ward off strangers!

This dog doesn’t bark often and will only bark if excited, which is why they make great alarm systems. They don't need much exercise to make a great companion for a disabled or older person who cannot get around very well. This breed does enjoy short walks around the block but isn’t a dog to take on a long hike or a run.

They are very famous for their short bursts of energy, often in the house, called ‘zoomies’. Seemingly out of nowhere, a Frenchie can start racing from end to end of the room, flying off furniture and propelling themselves in all directions. This often lasts for just a few minutes but can happen daily. 

A Frenchie will enjoy the company of other animals too, so don't worry if you're bringing this dog into a multi-pet household. They tend to love to play with all dogs, once socialized at an early age. You'll find that the Frenchie will snore and snort regularly and does enjoy a good nap as we all do. 

One area where the French Bulldog’s happy nature pays off is when it comes to training, and you'll find they can be quite obedient when taught right.

Training a French Bulldog is Fairly Simple

A Frenchie is fairly easy to train since they are people-pleasing animals. Positive reinforcement is the best way to get the French Bulldog to learn commands. Rewards to offer include food, playtime, and treats. It's always advised to socialize the dog early in life so they get used to other people and pets.

They can be stubborn. However, once they know what you want they often aim to please and will do as you want. But a little patience will be required, and you should not give in to that cute, innocent face.

Does the French Bulldog Need Much Grooming?

The French Bulldog doesn't need an intense grooming routine due to their short coat. Having a short and coarse coat also means minimal to moderate shedding, depending on the time of the year.

The French Bulldog isn't considered a hypoallergenic breed even though they have short hair. It's the coarseness of the hair that can trap dander which is bad if you suffer from allergies.

You can brush the coat once a week with a simple bristle brush or even a grooming mitt or similar tool. Skin oil distribution happens during each brushing. This will promote a healthy coat and new hair growth.

You're going to have to trim the nails often due to long nails causing pain for your dog. Their obedient nature should make this a hassle-free process. 

One thing that is a must is to keep their facial folds clean by giving them a weekly wipe. Make sure to dry off the folds after to prevent bacterial build-up.

The French Bulldog breed does have health issues that they are susceptible to, so you will need to take the next part quite seriously.

What are the Health Issues that French Bulldogs Face?

The main health issues happen due to their body structure: their front is heavy and they have a flat face. Frenchies will be prone to breathing issues and will not do well outdoors in humid or hot weather. In times of extreme temperament, always walk a Frenchie early in the day and late at night. 

Breeds like the French Bulldog should never be in water unattended. You shouldn't toss the dog into the pool or tub due to the breed being so heavy in the front they cannot swim.

Eye issues are also common and include juvenile cataracts and cherry eyes. Frenchies are also more prone to skin allergies and various autoimmune skin diseases. Other medical conditions could occur such as hip dysplasia.

It's important to take your dog to the vet to ensure those health issues aren't developing as your dog ages. There are tests that screen for many common illnesses. Any responsible breeder would run these tests to ensure the health of the dog. And the more responsible the breeder, the less likely your Frenchie will face health issues. 

The French Bulldog has dietary needs like other small dogs making it less complicated than their possible medical issues.

What Do You Feed a French Bulldog?

The activity level, age, and health of your Frenchie are what should be your guide. The best food for a French Bulldog puppy is highly digestible with high protein content.

You don't want byproducts in the food since this breed should eat real protein from lean meat. Complex carbohydrates and lean protein are essential for a growing Frenchie pup. Feeding includes wet or dry food or a combination of the two.

Because the Frenchie can have a narrow throat, it is important not to feed them too much in one go. Make sure to feed your dog at least twice a day. And at least 3 times a day in the first year. This will ensure the portions are small and manageable. 

You've learned a lot about the French Bulldog by now, but one real question remains. Where did this fun companion dog come from?

Know Your History - The French Bulldog Isn't from France

Be prepared for a surprise. The French Bulldog comes from England. Selective breeding started in the 19th century. The aim was to create a miniature lapdog version of the English Bulldog, with the standard Bulldog look. These enthusiasts were predominantly lace makers who ended up in France during the Industrial Revolution as they looked for better work opportunities.

In the late 19th century, the French Bulldog caught on, and they became known as the French Bulldog. In 1902, the French Bulldog Club, which was also founded in England, recognized the breed.

From the 1950s, the French Bulldog started to gain popularity in the United States. That was around the time World War II ended, and the middle class started to become competitive.

Americans wanted to own something that made them appear wealthy, and this dog was a status symbol. Soon after, the American Kennel Club recognized the French Bulldog, and they were allowed to compete in the dog shows. 

French Bulldog Mixes you would like to know about*

Dog crossbreeds or mixes are sometimes called designer dogs. The name fits since you are “designing” a new dog by mating two purebred dogs. It has become popular in recent times, and more and more breeds have several noteworthy crosses we could write about.

The thing with mixed puppies is that it is hard to know which characteristics they will inherit from their parents. You should research as much info as possible on the parent breeds to understand what you can expect. This way, you will find a mix that has all of the characteristics you want and love.

Read on to see the most popular French Bulldog mixes:

• French Bullhuahua - French Bulldog & Chihuahua mix
• Frengle - French Bulldog & Beagle mix
• French Shepherd Dog - French Bulldog & German Shepherd mix
• French Pomerdog - French Bulldog & Pomeranian mix
• Froodle/French Boodle - French Bulldog & Poodle mix
• Frenchton/French Bobulldog - French Bulldog & Boston Terrier mix
• French Bull-Aussie - French Bulldog & Australian Shepherd mix

*Not all breed mixes are equal in quality! Pets4you.com neither condones nor endorses any example of unethical and unhealthy crossbreeding. We encourage everyone to research in detail before they choose to get a crossbreed.