French Bulldog
Other name: 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
Life expectancy |
The French Bulldog has a life expectancy of between 9 and 11 years |
Temperament |
|
Size |
Small
|
Adult size |
Female
Between 9 and 13 in
Male
Between 11 and 14 in
|
Adult weight |
Female
Between 18 and 29 lb
Male
Between 20 and 31 lb
|
Coat colour
His coat can be a variety of colours:
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. |
White Sand |
Type of coat
This dog’s hair is short. The hair is dense, shiny and soft. This pet does not have an undercoat. |
Very short |
Eye colour
His eyes are always dark, regardless of the colour of the coat. |
Brown
|
Purchase price |
The French Bulldog costs between £3500 and £4500 |
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.
More details about the French Bulldog
French Bulldog: 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 classification of the French Bulldog
-
Group 9 - Companion and Toy Dogs
-
Section 11 : Small Molossian type Dogs
French Bulldog: Characteristics
French Bulldog: Behaviour
Training a French Bulldog
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.
French Bulldog: Lifestyle
Breed compatibility French Bulldog
French Bulldog: Purchase 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.
French Bulldog: Shedding
Light
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.
French Bulldog: 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.
French Bulldog: Health
The lifespan of the French Bulldog is around 10 years.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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
Do you want a French Bulldog dog ?
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.