Owning a French Bulldog: What To Know
In 2018, the French Bulldog reached an all-time high in popularity; it ranked 4th in the list of . When you take one look at the Frenchie, it’s no question as to why people adore this breed so much. With its compact size and lovable personality, this dog seems like the perfect one for any person. But there’s more to these dogs than you think. Are you considering getting a French Bulldog for your household? Then here’s everything you need to know about owning a French Bulldog.
What Is the History of French Bulldogs?
You may hear several stories floating about regarding the French Bulldog history, but here’s the real truth: Frenchies are descendants of the English Bulldog.
The best theory is that English Bulldogs were selectively bred for the smaller dogs in England. Originally, in bulldog history, these dogs were large in stature and very athletic. However, toy bulldogs became very popular, and the English started breeding them to be smaller and smaller.
French Bulldog Breeding 101
These bulldogs were popular with the lace-making artisans in Nottingham. However, once the Industrial Revolution forced them to close up shop, they immigrated to the northern part of France. As you can guess, the English brought their 4-legged friends with them.
In France, the toy bulldog craze caught on as well. Here, they bred them even further to be small dogs they could tote around. This is when the French Bulldog shed the typical jawline found in English Bulldogs and started looking more like their own breed. Frenchies of this era also had both bat-shaped ears and rose-shaped ears.
Then, wealthier Americans who could travel to France and Europe noticed these dogs and also fell in love with them. They brought this breed back to the US with them and bred them to have the bat-shaped ears you find today.
French Bulldogs in America
In 1898, Americans created the French Bull Dog Club of America, which decreed that the standard Frenchie had the bat ear, not rose. However, the Westminster dog show still featured rose-eared dogs, which infuriated the American fanciers. This caused them to organize their own show for bat-eared Frenchies in the Waldorf-Astoria.
The popularity of the French Bulldog died for a bit after World War I for various reasons, such as the rising popularity of the Boston Terrier and the health issues found in Frenchies. However, the demand for the French Bulldog picked back up in the 1980s due to the revival of the French Bull Dog Club of America.
Now that you know a little bit about French Bulldog breed history, let’s move on to what to know when buying a French Bulldog.
Are French Bulldogs Good Companion Animals?
One of the first questions you may be wondering is: Do French Bulldogs make good pets? In general, yes! Companion Frenchies are excellent because of their compact size, friendly disposition, and low energy. They’re a great lapdog, so if you’re looking for a dog to cuddle up with, then this is it.
French Bulldogs are good pets for people who don’t have much space and aren’t too active. They crave attention, so are French Bulldogs good pets? Yes, if you like to shower them with affection!
How Long Is a French Bulldog a Puppy?
The average lifespan for a French Bulldog is 9 to 12 years. You can expect your puppy to become full-grown at around 9 months to a year old. They’ll become fully mature around the age of 2.
Are French Bulldogs Good With Kids?
For the most part, French Bulldogs are good with kids because they’re not aggressive. However, some may tend to nip, so you want to train them not to do so before letting them spend time with any children.
As always, you should always supervise your dog when they’re interacting with kids, as you never know what will happen.
What Is the Temperament of French Bulldogs?
Wondering about French Bulldog temperament? The French Bulldog temperament is affectionate, which means they’ll be eager to please. As a result, you shouldn’t have too tough of a time training your dog.
The French Bulldog temperament is lively too. At first glance, they seem like a pretty lazy breed, but French Bulldogs can be quite active as well. You can expect hours of playtime with your Frenchie.
Also, if you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t bark much, the French Bulldog is it.
French Bulldog Behavior Characteristics
As we mentioned above, French Bulldogs may nip. Also, if you leave them to their own devices, French Bulldog behavior can be a bit destructive. They play rough with anything they deem a toy, and that may be your expensive heels!
However, all of that can be easily corrected if you . If you start them young and set boundaries of what they can and can’t play with, everyone will have an easier time.
As they age, the French Bulldog attitude can become more and more stubborn, so there’s a possibility you might run into behavioral problems in the future. This is why you should always correct bad Frenchie behavior as early as possible.
What Is the Best Environment for a French Bulldog?
Before bringing a French Bulldog puppy home, you should find out if they’re well-suited for your living situation.
The French Bulldog does best in a cool environment, as they’re prone to heat exhaustion. They’re also susceptible to very cold weather.
If you’re looking for pets for homes, then the French Bulldog is an excellent choice. In fact, they do well in apartment settings, so if you don’t have much room, this tiny dog is perfect. So are French Bulldogs good family pets? We’d certainly say so!
Can French Bulldogs Live Outside?
As we’ve said above, French Bulldogs overheat very easily. So it may not be the best idea to keep your Frenchie outside.
Even if the temperature in your area isn’t so bad, you shouldn’t let them live outside. Instead, you can get a dog house for your French Bulldog and let it have some yard time for a little bit every day.
What Is the Upkeep for Grooming for a Frenchie?
A major part of taking care of a dog is grooming, so you’ll want to know how to look after a French Bulldog. Here, we’ll discuss the shedding and bathing of Frenchies.
Do French Bulldogs Shed?
All dogs shed, even ones that breeders claim to be . However, the level of shedding varies from breed to breed.
In general, French Bulldogs shedding hair doesn’t happen much. They’ll have major shedding twice a year: during spring and fall. Your dog may shed more due to a lack of nutrition; your vet can tell you more about using the right grooming tools and feeding the right dog foods to get your pup to shed less.
The French Bulldog puppy coat texture will also change as the dog gets older.
Are French Bulldogs Bad for Allergies?
Unfortunately, when it comes to French Bulldogs and allergies, the two don’t go so well together. However, if you can control how much your dog sheds and take proper measures (such as taking allergy medications and cleaning more often), it may still be worth having a Frenchie in your life.
How to Bathe a French Bulldog
Because they have short hair, you’ll want to use the best shampoo for French Bulldogs you can find. That way, it’ll be better for their skin. You can usually get the best products for French Bulldogs recommended by your vet.
You should only bathe them one time a month at the most. Excessively bathing a French Bulldog will lead to dried-out skin. When you want to keep your pooch clean other times, you can use a wet rag for spot cleaning.
Exercise for French Bulldogs
Getting a Frenchie from a reputable breeder ensures it has as little health problems as possible. This means your dog should be able to keep up with regular exercise; this is necessary to keep it in good health.
How Much Exercise Does a French Bulldog Puppy Need?
Your French Bulldog will need to get exercise at least once a day. French Bulldog exercise needs aren’t that complicated, so even if you go around the block, that can fulfill your dog’s activity needs.
During the wintertime, you can still do some exercise for your French Bulldog, even if you’re cooped up inside. Some interesting French Bulldog exercises include tossing a ball around and playing hide and go seek.
As you can see, reaching your French Bulldog’s exercise needs won’t be difficult at all.
Make Owning a French Bulldog Reality
When it comes to owning a French Bulldog, perhaps it’s been your lifelong dream to own one of these cuties. After reading this article, hopefully, you should have a better picture of how these dogs are like and what it takes to give them a long, happy, and healthy life.
What you need to realize is that even if a Frenchie is your dream dog, that it’s not for every person and/or situation. You may not be in a current situation that’s suitable for owning a French Bulldog, but circumstances can always change.
Adopt a Puppy at The Barking Boutique
So don’t rush getting a Frenchie unless you have the right environment and lifestyle for one. We guarantee it’s worth waiting for if you truly love these dogs. Are you ready to adopt a purebred or purpose-bred French Bulldog? Then contact us here to find your perfect puppy!
