This year the long-reigning Labrador met with some tough competition in the race for America’s most popular breed of dog.
The challenge came from the French bulldog, which has made its way into US homes in ever-increasing numbers lately.
That’s because the French bulldog breed has a fantastic personality and in many cases makes an ideal companion dog. It’s non-aggressive and good with other pets and children. They are best known for their Friendly behavior.
If you are interested to own a dog, French bulldog could be your best choice because there are several reasons why this breed is so famous and loved these days
You might have this question in your mind:
Is French bulldog a good family dog?
Yes, the French bulldog is a good family dog because of its small size and friendly behavior with humans. This breed can easily be adjusted with family.
Keep reading to find more facts about French bulldogs
French Bulldogs are extremely popular for many reasons. Let’s learn more about the French Bulldog breed in this Article.
History of the French Bulldog Breed
The French bulldog breed came about at the end of the industrial revolution, when migrant workers from England arrived in France, bringing their English bulldogs with them.
Since there weren’t many breed societies around to monitor things in those days, many of these dogs interbred with other popular French breeds like pugs, terriers, and griffons.
Some of these crosses were more popular with the French folk than others and eventually, some with distinct characteristics became predominant. One cross, called the Terrier-Boule, looked much like the French bulldog of today.
The breed attracted the attention of emerging breed societies and the Club du Bouledogue Français formed in 1888. Shortly after that, the breed was formally recognized as a good breed.
Owning a French Bulldog
Are you intrigued by this interesting breed and considering getting a French Bulldog?
There are a total of 14 kinds of French bulldogs
1. Fawn Frenchie
2. Brindle,
3. Tiger Brindle French Bulldog,
4. White French Bulldog
5. Pied French Bulldog
6. Lilac French Bulldog
7. Pure Black French Bulldog
8. Cream French Bulldogs
9. Chocolate French-Bulldog
10. Sable French BullDog
11. Blue Sable
12. Merle
13. Blue Frenchie
14. Isabella
These dogs are easy to care for but there are a few basics you need to know before you go and buy yourself a cute French bulldog.
Choosing a Breeder
Thanks to the popularity of French bulldogs, there are several hosts of disreputable people breeding French bulldogs. Always consider getting a puppy from a registered breeder and ask to see both parents if possible before directly buying a French bulldog.
The best French bulldog puppies come from people who are genuinely interested in their animals and they’ll happily share all the information you require. It’s very wise to ask as many questions as you want about the dog you want to buy or adopt
The American Kennel Union is your source of information on all breeds of dogs in America and they’ll help you find a legitimate breeder in your area.
You might have to travel to find the best puppy for you, but if you think of owning a dog as a long-term investment, you won’t mind going the extra mile.
Adopting a French Bulldog
Before you set off, check out your local rescue centers. These places sometimes get letters from people who’ve fallen on hard times and you might find the dog that’s destined for you there.
A rescue center is a good place to pick up an older dog too. Some people don’t like all the fuss that goes with a new puppy, and an older dog’s likely to have their basic training in place already. The Average cost of a French bulldog is $800 to $3000 that you can reduce by adoring or rescuing an already trained French bulldog.
As far as possible, always consider adopting a dog first. It will also save your time and money that you will have to spend on a trainer for your French bulldog.
So, you’ll get all the benefits of owning a French bulldog without having to go through house training and teething.
Besides, some of the most elite breeders will only allow their dogs to breed when they already have a waiting list for puppies and a hefty deposit in place. That means you’ll need to wait for at least eight weeks while your puppy grows up.
Basic Care for Your French Bulldog
As soon as you get your puppy, whisk them off to your local vet for a check-up. They’ll inspect the puppy for any potential illnesses or inherited problems, they will give them a dewormer, vaccinate them and give you a record book to keep track of their health checks.
Once your puppy’s registered with a vet, you’ll receive reminders whenever their next shot or dose of wormer’s due, which makes your life a lot easier and you will not have to worry about their health issues anymore.
Some breeders arrange the initial veterinary visit on your behalf and will provide you with the puppy’s veterinary records before you take it home. In this case, it’s still a good idea to register them with your local vet so they don’t miss any vital vaccinations going forward.
Feeding Your Frenchie
Feeding a pet is the most important part here, French bulldogs are a small breed of dog and rarely grow over a foot in height. Puppies should get about one and a half cups of high-protein puppy food every day, spread out across several meals. You need to manage by yourself how to set your Frenchie meal timetable or you can simply ask the breeder for it.
When they reach six months of age you can increase their food to two cups per day, split into two meals. Adult dogs need about 2 and a half cups of food daily from the age of nine months old.
French bulldogs are gluttons, so keep tabs on their weight and adjust their food intake accordingly. The more active your dog is, the more food it’ll need.
Exercise Requirements for French Bulldogs
French bulldogs don’t need a lot of exercise to stay in shape, however, a little walk of an hour could be good for them. In fact, you should make sure they don’t exert themselves as this can worsen their breathing problems.
They’re happy with a walk now and again or a trip to dog training sessions. Remember, you’ll need specialized French bulldog accessories like a harness to protect their spine and a cooling bandana for hot days.
If you’ve got a swimming pool in your home, you need to know that French dogs are bad at swimming therefore if you want your Frenchie to join you in swimming make sure to get your dog an inflatable vest to keep him floating over the surface.
French Bulldog Breed Problems
Do French bulldogs have health problems?
Unfortunately, since they’re a highly specialized breed, some French bulldogs suffer from genetic issues. Most of these relate to ongoing attempts to make their noses shorter.
French bulldog breed issues that may develop as your puppy grows up include:
- Allergies
- Breathing problems
- Cherry Eye
- Bladder stones
- Cleft Palate
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Heat Exhaustion
- Hemivertebrae
- Hip Dysplasia
- Soft Palate
- Stenotic Nares
- Tracheal Collapse
Some of these are mentioned below:
Allergies
Just like any other dog French bulldog could have two types of allergies: Environmental and Food. Both allergies can be treated with medication.If your French bulldog is licking, scratching, or rubbing his body a lot then your need to get him to vet for a checkup.
Breathing problems
Because of their flat face and small skull, they can have breathing problems if they are not properly cared for in the hot summer season.
Cherry Eye
French bulldogs have big beautiful eyes but because of their flat face ,they get less protection for their eyes that cause some serious issues and one of them is cherry eye. If you observe a reddish lump in your dog’s eye It is caused by a lump in the third eyelid that swells part of the eye. You immediately need to seek a vet for medical treatment of your French bulldog.
Bladder stones
A diet with a rich amount of Alkaline can be the cause of bladder stones for your French bulldog. You can minimize this risk by giving your dog wet food and drinking him a lot of water.
Heat Exhaustion
Dogs can’t control their body temperature by sweating, as we humans do because dogs do not have sweat glands. Therefore they are much more sensitive to heat. The case is the same with French bulldogs in fact French bulldogs are more sensitive to heat than other dogs. Some of the symptoms of heatstroke includes
- Fast breathing of your French your bulldog than usual
- Turning of your dog’s turn into slightly blue
- Struggling in walking or falling on the floor
If you observe any of these signs seek immediately a vet for treatment of your French bulldog.
You can greatly reduce your risk of owning a dog with health issues by buying puppies from a registered breeder, getting it vet-checked in advance, or getting an older healthy dog from a rescue center.
Make Responsible Decisions
Now that you know more about French bulldogs as well as their pros and cons, you’re in a better position to consider owning one of these dogs.
Make sure you’re emotionally and financially prepared for everything that can go wrong with the French bulldog breed before you commit and shop carefully when looking for a dog.
For more information on everything about canine care, explore some more of our blog articles and don’t forget to share this information with your friends that love dogs.
