French Bulldog | Dog Breed Information & Facts – Pictures

Last Updated on January 10, 2022 by Pets Feed

One of the most popular breeds is the French Bulldog. These, at first glance, clumsy dogs can be found on city streets and in the countryside.

The French Bulldog is easy to recognize by its large bat ears. Small dog with a flat face, it has a short and shiny coat which can be brindle, quail or fawn.

In any case, the owners lead their pets on a leash, since the dogs are not clumsy at all, on the contrary, they are too nimble, they need constant monitoring. The formidable look is deceiving, the French Bulldog is very kind and sociable. A distinctive feature of the breed is its bat-shaped ears.

In this ‘ Pets Feed ‘ breed sheet, we will share with you everything you need to know about the origin, physical characteristics, character, care, and health of the French Bulldog, as well as some facts about the breed.

The Main Differences Between French Bulldog And Boston Terrier

French Bulldog photos

French Bulldog characteristics

The French Bulldog is descended from molosser type dogs, a shape that it retains despite being much more compact and smaller. Although it is a small breed, it is also strong and robust, and quite muscular. It is distinguished by its square shape and a large head proportional to the rest of the body, very wide. In addition, its muzzle is flattened, one of its most recognizable and original characteristics, although it is also the source of some French Bulldog health problems. His eyes, large and slightly domed, and his large, erect ears, called bat ears, also hit his face.

The legs are not too long, but they are wide and strong. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front, which makes the French Bulldog’s appearance unique among all breeds of dogs. It also has skin folds and wrinkles all over the body, especially around the neck and head. In addition, its tail is short from birth, and it usually remains curly and attached to the buttocks. All its physical aspect is very striking, and it is that it has unique characteristics which are not easy to find in other breeds.

Size

The French Bulldog is a small breed dog, which generally does not measure more than 30 centimeters in height up to the withers. As for the weight, it remains between 8 and 14 kilos. A small compact dog which is nevertheless heavier than it seems. He always appears well proportioned, agile, athletic and strong, and is the perfect size to live in houses of all kinds.

Coat

The French Bulldog’s coat is short, dense and soft to the touch. It can come in a multitude of colors, like fawn or tabby, although it can also be completely black or have white spots. It is an easy to care for and maintain coat, although special care should be given to the areas where they create wrinkles, as some problems can arise if not taken care of properly.

Character of the French bulldog

The temperament of the French bulldog corresponds perfectly to that of pet dogs. These dogs are friendly, playful, very sociable and kind. You can tell they are the perfect dogs.

Bulldogs tend to socialize easily with people, dogs or other animals. It usually gets along very well with children, but it can be a very demanding company and pamper for very young children. Despite this, it is important to socialize these dogs from an early age to avoid becoming shy in adulthood.

This breed does not tend to be very problematic, but because of its great need for companionship, it can develop some separation anxiety. This means that the French Bulldog can become a destructive dog if it stays alone for long periods. It is not a dog to leave isolated in a room, a patio or a garden.

On the other hand, these dogs can be excellent pets for most people. Because of their friendly and sociable nature, they become excellent pets for families with big kids and singles.

However, we must consider that the French Bulldog requires a lot of company and that he is very player, so he is not suitable for people who spend most of their time outdoors. This is also a good dog for new owners, as long as they are aware of the time they should devote to their animals.

French bulldog health

When properly kept and well cared for, French Bulldogs live 10-12 years. By nature, this type of dog is rewarded with good health, but there are features that the owner should pay attention to. The fact is that due to the special structure of the muzzle, the French Bulldog has difficulty breathing, as a result, there is an additional load on the heart. In order not to harm the pet, it is necessary to exclude walking in hot weather, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and high physical activity.

It is also worth knowing about the diseases characteristic of the French Bulldog:

• Food Allergy – Affects the digestive system. The main symptoms of allergies are bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. The dog becomes lethargic.
• Hypotrichosis – characterized by hair loss.
• Entropion is a twist of the eyelid, requires surgical intervention.
• Interdigital dermatitis – the claw and paw pads become inflamed.
• Dermatitis of the skin fold on the face – appears due to the accumulation of moisture inside the fold.
• Difficult childbirth – because of the large head, puppies in most cases cannot get out on their own. As a result, a cesarean section is required.
• Urolithiasis – a genetic predisposition caused by urates, can manifest itself in a pet as early as one year of age.

Basic care

French Bulldogs are ideal animals for housing. These dogs are small in size, they do not emit an unpleasant smell, they shed almost imperceptibly and do not require regular walking.

When a French Bulldog appears in the house, it is necessary to allocate a place for it. This takes into account the fact that the pet cannot sleep near heating appliances, in a draft, in a cold or hot place. He should not be too far from the owner’s room, as he does not tolerate loneliness. On the territory allotted for the dog, install a bed or lay a mattress. Choose a sleeping place that is spacious, clean and not too soft. It is also determined where the dog will eat, there are utensils for water and food.

Frequent walks and great physical activity are not necessary for the French Bulldog. Due to the specific structure of the nose, it is difficult for him to breathe. This does not mean that the dog sleeps on a bed for days, the bulldog likes to play with different toys, tries to attract household members to the game. He is also very curious, during a walk it is better not to let him off the leash if the territory does not have a fence. A pet, feeling free and seeing, for example, a cat or another dog, can run away.

With regard to hygiene procedures, special attention should be paid to the skin folds located on the face. They need to be gently wiped daily with a piece of soft cloth, and then lubricated with cream or petroleum jelly. Such a procedure will cleanse the skin of dust and dirt, protect wrinkles and folds from drying out and prevent cracks.

There are a number of hygienic procedures that must be performed for a French Bulldog:

• Clean your dog’s ears once every 14-16 days. They rarely get dirty due to their special structure. When brushing, watch for inflammation or excessive secretions that indicate infection.
• Due to the slight bulge, the eyes must be wiped daily with a tissue to keep them clean and shiny.
• Shear nails once every 15-20 days. This procedure requires skills and accuracy from the owner. It is better if a specialist does it.
• Bathing is carried out 2 times a year or in cases of heavy pollution. During water procedures, the water temperature should be 38 degrees. The shampoo used is mild. After bathing, dry the dog with a natural towel. Make sure that the dog does not freeze and does not catch a cold, getting into a draft or cold with wet fur. Frequent bathing can cause itching or dandruff.

Caring for the short hair of the French Bulldog will not take a lot of time and effort from the owner. It is enough to comb the dog 2-3 times every 7-9 days. Such a massage is not only useful, but also pleasant for the pet. During the procedure, a special glove and massage brush are used. Hand movements go from the head to the growth of the coat.

Exercise

Exercise requirements are low for the French bulldog. Although it is a very playful dog, it gets tired quickly and can do most of the physical exercises indoors. Even in this case, it is advisable to plan a moderate daily walk to stimulate your mind and allow it to socialize, while offering moments of play little intense.

Because of its flat nose, the French bulldog does not tolerate hot climates well. It is not good either to allow it or to force it to do intense exercises, because it can easily suffer a thermal shock.

He’s not a good swimmer so it’s important to watch it permanently if there are swimming pools, lakes or bodies of water nearby. French bulldogs usually have trouble swimming because their heads are very heavy compared to the rest of their body and they can easily drown.

Diet

The diet and nutritional norms are selected individually for each pet. The ideal is the portion that the French Bulldog eats the whole and even licks the bowl. The number of feedings depends on the age of the animal. For example, until the age of two months, a puppy should eat 6 times a day. As you grow older, you need to feed your pet less often. From one year old, the dog is fed 2 times a day.

It is forbidden to overfeed the puppy. His limbs are too weak, the overcrowded intestines are very difficult for them. In addition, overeating can cause vomiting and lead to rickets. There are the following feeding rules to be followed:

• From the first feedings, teach your puppy to all healthy foods.
• If the dog refuses to eat, begging for a change in diet, do not follow his lead. Hungry, she will eat what the owner has suggested. This is provided that the refusal to eat is not caused by health problems.
• With systematic overeating, the dog becomes inactive and apathetic. As a consequence, obesity occurs. Do not overfeed!
• Do not throw feed on the floor.
• Nutrition should be balanced with the right amount of vitamins, minerals and proteins. An improperly formulated diet will lead to stomach problems and vitamin deficiency.
• If there is a need to change the type of feed, this should be done gradually.

Once a puppy is 11 months old, it can be fed with food for adult dogs.

Training and education

The French Bulldog is endowed with intelligence and ingenuity, this could contribute to an easy process of education and training. But stubbornness and, one might say, laziness does not allow the possibility of easy training. Even if the dog knows the command, the owner has to repeat it monotonously a dozen times. The pet understands everything, but is in no hurry to obey.

Cynologists estimate the difficulty of raising this type of dog, at a level below average. But you can find an approach to the French Bulldog. You need to be patient, for each command you complete, encourage the dog with a treat or affection. Under no circumstances should you hit the animal or shout at it.

French Bulldog Dog Breed Highlights

Consider the main advantages of the French Bulldog breed and the main disadvantages. This will help you decide if you need such a pet.

Positive points

• Generally, this dog is good with children, but always watch.
• Very adaptable, it lives happily in an apartment or a house.
• The French bulldog is very player.
• Good choice for new owners because the French Bulldog is one of the smart and quiet dog breeds.
• This dog barks extremely rarely
• Only need short walks several times a day rather than walking particularly long.
  the French bulldog is known to lose little hair.
• Wonderful companions because they are so willing and eager to please without being too demanding.
• The French Bulldog has become the most popular breed in many countries, and for good reason.
• This dog is people oriented, very friendly and extremely adaptable.
• Does not have an unpleasant smell

Negative points

• The French bulldog of high breed is relatively expensive.
• The breed can be slow to train and often takes longer than usual to train at home.
• Can be stubborn and demanding sometimes.
• Suspected of developing “small dog syndrome” if it is too spoiled.
• May be too possessive of owners and families.
• Snores loudly due to the structure of the nose.
• Need to groom each week paying special attention to the folds of the skin and tail.
• The French bulldog may be smelly sometimes if its coat is not properly maintained.
• This dog is subject to certain hereditary and congenital health problems.
• It does not tolerate being alone for a while and often suffers from separation anxiety.
• Tail tight to the body promotes frequent diaper rash
• French bulldogs overheat very quickly in hot weather due to their flatter faces.
• Some French Bulldogs may be deaf with one or two ears and dogs must be tested for BAER at the age of 6 weeks.
• Practically, cannot swim due to the large weight of the head

The disadvantages are half as many as the advantages. The French Bulldog is considered one of the most popular breeds for a reason. By settling such a pet in your house, provide yourself with a cheerful companion and faithful friend for yourself and for the whole family. You won’t be bored with him!

Breed history

For a long time, the history of the origin of the French Bulldog breed remained in question. A whole battle broke out around the question of which country is the homeland of these dogs. Naturally, France and England were arguing among themselves. French dog breeders argued that the breed arose as a result of crossing the English Bulldogs with the now extinct Spanish Bulldogs. The British had their own version on this score, they argued that the French Bulldogs appeared thanks to breeders who worked hard on the genetic fund of toy bulldogs. As a result, the breed was proclaimed a native of England, but its name stuck – French Bulldog.

Interestingly, the popularity of this breed began to gain momentum thanks to the French ladies of easy virtue. If from the very beginning, the first owners of dogs were simple shopkeepers who traded on the streets of the suburbs. Then they became the favorites of the priestesses of love. Naturally, miniature dogs were noticed by creative personalities (artists, poets …). These people have always been closely associated with high society. No wonder that the French Bulldog soon took the place of a pet in the aristocratic world.

As a result, they began to be considered an elite breed. A purebred dog with an excellent pedigree was the price equal to a car or an apartment. Among the owners were well-known politicians, artists, millionaires and even gangsters.

Today, the French bulldog is a dog known almost everywhere in the world and very appreciated as a pet and companion. It can also be found in dog shows around the world, and some serve as therapy dogs.

The French Bulldog is often confused with Boston Terrier dog by many people, but in fact there are significant differences between the two dog breeds, both in appearance and character.