French Bulldog
Other names: Frenchie

The French Bulldog is a small-statured, bold and loyal watchdog who is very attached to his social group. His devotion to his group can even sometimes make him a little possessive. A very pleasant pet, he isn’t sporty but very much enjoys playing with both the young and elderly, as long as it doesn’t tire him out too much. From the Brachycephalic race, his flat snout doesn’t allow him enough breathing capacity to endure the intensity of some activities. This dog will particularly appreciate owners who are able to be present frequently, as the breed hates nothing more than being alone. He suits a number of profiles and can adapt to a multitude of situations
Key facts about the French Bulldog
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Origins and history
The history of this pet is rather mysterious. The French claim that he is a dog native to their country, but the English maintain that he descends from the Bulldog. It is likely that he was influenced by the latter, but nonetheless, it is undeniable that the selection and popularity of this breed began in France.
At the beginning, the Bulldog had two uses: as a rat hunter and guard dog. No wonder he was so popular among butchers and wine sellers, whose stables and wine houses he kept.
However, thanks to his lovely and intelligent personality, he quickly left the stables! At the beginning of the 20th century, you could find him in the houses of nobles, the rich and even in the royal courts, but also in poor areas, where he protected prostitutes and naughty boys.
Today, the French Bulldog is very popular in the United Kingdom
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
Section
Section 11 : Small Molossian type Dogs
Physical characteristics of the French Bulldog
Adult size
Female : Between 9 and 13 in
Male : Between 11 and 14 in
Weight
Female : Between 18 and 29 lb
Male : Between 20 and 31 lb
Coat colour
His coat can be a variety of colours:
- Fawn (all shades are possible, from red to beige and lighter to darker)
- Brindle (fawn with stripe-like markings)
- Pied (brindle coat with strong or more subtle white patches)
- Fawn pied (fawn coat with strong or more subtle white patches)
French Bulldogs that are predominantly white are bred, but not so sought after due to their association with deafness. A black mask is particularly desired. However, blue French Bulldogs are not recognised.
Type of coat
This dog’s hair is short.
The hair is dense, shiny and soft. This pet does not have an undercoat.
Eye colour
His eyes are always dark, regardless of the colour of the coat.
Description
Despite his small size, the French Bulldog is powerful. His frame is solid and his body muscular. Everything about him is short and stocky, his brevilineal look making him appear compact. His square head, pointy ears and flat muzzle make him look grumpy at times, which contrasts with his sweet personality.
Good to know
The writer Colette once laughed “I have four dog and a bulldog”, and for good reason, lovers of this little pup agree that he is far from being just a dog: he is without a doubt a mixture of dog, human and cat.
As a result, the attitudes of this dog are often disarming, especially when he sits on the sofa, sat on his bottom with his four paws close together.
Additionally, note that this Brachycephalic dog is a very loud snorer and his heavy breathing can be somewhat disturbing for some people. It is a quality that can often make you smile, but it’s only a consequence of an ever more choosy selection process of this poor dog.
Temperament
Behaviour of the French Bulldog
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French Bulldog to adopt

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Compatibility
Price
The price of a French Bulldog varies depending on its origins, age and sex. You should budget around £3,500 to £4,500 for a Bulldog registered with the KC.
A rough budget between £20 and £30 a month should be accounted for to meet the French Bulldog’s needs and provide him with a good quality diet.
Grooming
The maintenance of the French Bulldog is very small, but should still be regular. A brush a week will be enough to keep his short coat nice and shiny.
You will also need to regularly pay attention to his ears and eyes, as well as his wrinkles and folds.
A little tip: once his folds are clean and dry, it is a good idea to apply some vaseline to protect his skin. The same is true for his nose, which can be prone to cracking.
Shedding
This pet’s hair loss is moderate but consistent. In Spring and Autumn, moulting intensifies, meaning that a daily brush is necessary to get rid of the excess fur.
Nutrition of the French Bulldog
Whether his food is homemade, raw or shop-bought, it is necessary to choose a diet that will allow the French Bulldog to maintain his weight and health.
To make sure this little dog doesn’t put on too much weight, it is advised to feed him once a day while he is alone, at a fixed time and place, preferably during the evening, to allow for a healthy digestion at night.
Under no circumstances should he be allowed to eat as he pleases or between meal times, and it is important not to give into his (often persistent) begging at the dinner table.
Health of the French Bulldog
Life expectancy
The lifespan of the French Bulldog is around 10 years.
Strong / robust
This dog has several weak points that limit his overall strength: his flat nose puts him at risk of breathing problems, his spine is compressed and his lack of undercoat makes him vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, to name just a few of his weaker points.
Withstand heat
Brachycephalic breeds suffer in the heat and overheating can too often prove fatal.
Dogs with flat noses should never be left in confined or poorly-aerated spaces, even if it is not extremely hot.
For example, in the car, a few rays of sunlight are enough to turn a car into an oven, especially for dogs that aren’t able to effectively regulate their core temperature.
Withstand cold
This stocky dog’s lack of undercoat and short hair only provides him with a very small amount of protection against the cold and humidity. You should therefore never leave a Bulldog to sleep outside.
Tendency to put on weight
As a very greedy and relatively unsporty dog, it is important to remain vigilant and consistent when it comes to his daily rations. It is important to provide him with a diet that is adapted to his physical state.
Moreover, with the exception of training sessions, treats should be given sparingly and deviations between meals should not be allowed.
Common illnesses
- Overheating
- Demodicosis (skin disease)
- Herniated disc (disease of the intervertebral discs)
- Canine herpes virus (contagious disease due to the presence of the herpes virus: CHV)
- Dislocation of the nictitating gland (Harder gland)
- Dislocation of the kneecaps (generally congenital disease)
- Elongation of the soft palate
Frequently asked questions
Are French Bulldogs good pets?
French Bulldogs can make good pets for owners who are looking for a bit of a clown at home. They don’t need much exercise and could do well in an apartment. However, Frenchies are stubborn and will only listen to you on occasion. They also suffer from a lot of health issues, typically related to their brachycephalic skulls.
Find out how to train a stubborn dog.
Why shouldn’t you get a French Bulldog?
French Bulldogs have become very popular in recent years, but many vets have spoken out about the many health issues the dogs suffer from. Because of their flat faces, Frenchies struggle to breathe meaning every day life is harder for them. They are particularly prone to heatstroke and run out of breath very quickly when exercising. They tend to snore, cough, snort, wheeze, and fart a lot due to their unusual intake of air. Because they are so top heavy, and have such big heads, they have spinal issues, can’t swim, and can’t give birth naturally. The more people purchase this breed, the more breeders will continue to produce puppies with a host of health issues. If you’re set on getting a French Bulldog, official advice is to look for one who needs rehoming.
Find out more about brachycephalic breeds.
How much should I pay for a French Bulldog?
Pre-pandemic, you could get a French Bulldog puppy for £2,000 - £2,500. However, the pandemic has sent the demand for puppies soaring, and it’s thought that there has been almost a 100% increase in the price of French Bulldogs in the past year. That means you could pay upwards of £4,500 for a well-bred French Bulldog pup today!
Is it normal for French Bulldogs to snore?
French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have squished faces. This affects their airways and they often have trouble breathing. Their breathing often sounds laboured, even when they sleep - hence the snoring. Snoring is essentially normal for this breed, though some Frenchies snore more than others.
Find out more about why your Frenchie is making weird noises.