French Bulldog

Very attached to his social group, this small dog can be just as needy as he is discrete. Despite this ambivalence, he remains a very pleasant companion that loves being the centre of attention, whether to entertain his onlookers or to be cuddled.

His overflowing affection can drive him to be somewhat possessive towards his owner.

As an active and happy pup, the French Bulldog loves to play and as a result, can be very helpful in lightening the mood. He loves playing with children, but parental supervision will be necessary to initiate the beginning and end of the game especially. This little dog won’t always know when to stop - exhaustion is usually his only reason! 

Naturally both joyful and peaceful, this pet can wear both hats. Which way he leans will mostly depend on his training, temperament and lineage. 

In any case, whether he’s with children or seniors, he will be able to adapt to exert the appropriate level of energy. 

This pup is indeed smart, but he is often not recognised for it. Often thought of as a simple pet that merely snores and sleeps on the sofa, his abilities are often forgotten about.

The French Bulldog will demonstrate his abilities if his owner takes the time to provide him with adapted training sessions and if he is rewarded for his good behaviour. 

Far from being a hunter, the predator instinct is barely present in the French Bulldog. Around other species, he will sometimes by playful, other times ignorant. 

The French Bulldog is not at all shy or aggressive towards strangers. He will happily greet guests or anyone else that offers him attention.

That said, as a rather possessive pet, he will always prioritise contact with his owner if he is present.

This dog can be very clingy with members of his social group. However, it is not uncommon for him to take more distance, particularly if it’s to lie down on the bed or sofa. 

You might think this makes for a certain independence, but on the contrary: the French Bulldog may leave his owner’s side, but he will always choose a resting spot that smells strongly of him or her.

His sensitivity and attachment to his owner makes him a dog that does not allow for much solitude. To thrive, he has to be in company, so he shouldn’t be left alone for long days. 

The French Bulldog’s stubbornness is a trait that his owners can find disconcerting. However, a patient, firm and coherent approach will manage to convince this hard-headed pup to cooperate. 

Training should start early, and he must learn the basics quickly to allow him to properly integrate into his social group and society overall. 

Despite what it may seem, the French Bulldog has a sensitive personality, with aggressive and coercive approaches only damaging his relationship with his owner. 
The approach to training this dog will have to be softened so as not to harm him, both physically and emotionally. Fun training environments should be fostered, with games and/or treats given as rewards. 

For this pet, the expression to use “an iron fist a velvet glove” could not be more appropriate. 

Finally, his training shouldn’t be neglected on the pretext that he is a small dog. Regardless of the size of the dog we adopt, proper training is always necessary. 

These little dogs are famous for "singing", and indeed, they do have an unusual way of conveying their excitement, discontent and impatience.

However, this little Bulldog never barks for no reason; if he barks, it is advisable to try to pinpoint the cause to solve the issue.

Far too attached to his social group and his comfort in particular, this pet would never think to run away, thanks to his unwavering loyalty to his owners.

Especially when he is a puppy, the French Bulldog can prove destructive if he’s teething, wanting attention or simply looking for something to do.

It’s a good idea to provide him with chew toys and not to give in to his constant demands for attention, instead engaging him in regular activities so that destruction is merely a passing phase and not a habit.

Gluttony is arguably the biggest fault of this dog. He would willingly hand over an arm and a leg for a little piece of ham!

Joking aside, you need to be vigilant regarding this aspect of his character, as many French Bulldogs suffer from obesity as a result of this vice. 

Not overly intimidating appearance-wise despite his muscular physique, this little pup can nevertheless serve as a good alert dog. However, keep your wits about you, as his protectiveness can be easily softened with a little treat or stroke. 

Life in a flat suits this little dog perfectly. Mostly calm in nature, especially during adulthood, he doesn’t need intense exercise and knows how to keep himself entertained in a small indoor space. 

A house with a garden would also suit him, but make sure you don’t leave him outside in the intense heat or cold. His flat nose and lack of undercoat don’t make for much resistance.

Moreover, as a very poor swimmer with a tendency to sink, the presence of water in his environment could represent a danger. 

This Brachycephalic (flat-nosed) breed is not built to engage in intense physical exercise, but this stocky dog nonetheless needs daily outings to remain content.

His strong muscles and skeleton need to be kept in shape and moderate exercise is necessary, since this dog can quickly put on weight if he isn’t active enough.

The French Bulldog’s small stature has the potential to make traveling with him relatively easy. However, this isn’t always the case. This Brachycephalic dog’s flat snout means that he can have difficulty breathing, so he won’t be at ease in confined and poorly-aerated areas, which classic means of transport often are (car, train, plane). 

If he is exposed to cats from a young age, the French Bulldog can live with a feline problem-free. He will be playful as a puppy, and more distant - even ignorant - as an adult.

While this dog is very sociable around humans, he isn’t that welcoming towards his canine counterparts. His strong attachment to his social group can result in a very exclusive attitude, which makes sharing difficult for him.

To encourage a successful cohabitation, it will be necessary to have the dogs grow up together and establish an early socialisation process. 

Be aware that uncastrated males will not tolerate the presence of other dogs of the same sex. With a combative and bold nature, the French Bulldog will have no qualms in starting a fight.

This little muscular dog loves children. He loves to entertain his onlookers and will very much appreciate the attention that little kids will pay him.

That said, it’s still important to be vigilant: children will need to respect the dog in order to avoid any conflict.

It may also be necessary to intervene to bring the playing to a halt, as this enthusiastic pup can quickly get a bit too excited.

Since he doesn’t require much exercise or intense physical activity, this dog is very well suited to less active owners.

His adversity to solitude is also more compatible with owners that spend a lot of time in the house than those who are more active. 

The qualities and size of this dog make him the perfect pet for first-time owners. He is also suited to a number of different profiles, easily adapting to one person for example (but beware of his possessiveness), a family with kids or a retired couple.