French Bulldog

Description: The French Bulldog, also known as the “Frenchie”, is a small, muscular, and compact dog. It stands about 12 at the withers and generally weighs between 18 and 28 pounds. It has heavy bones and is considered to be a dwarf Mastiff. The French Bulldog has a broad, square head, very short muzzle, and large bat ears. Its face is more pleasant and open than that of the English Bulldog and the wrinkling is not as heavy. The lower jaw is undershot and the tail is naturally abbreviated. The usual coat colors of the French Bulldog are brindle, white, brindle and white, and fawn.

History: It is generally considered that the French Bulldog began as a sort of toy Bulldog, a scaled-down version of the English Bulldog. It was kept by lacemakers in England. During the 1860s, these artisans were forced to leave England for France after being deprived of their livelihood by the industrialization of lace making. Their little dogs, of course, went with them to France. As the dogs gained popularity there, they became known as the French Bulldog. At this point, the French Bulldog had either rose ears or bat ears, this issue had not been settled. American devotees are responsible for establishing the bat ear as the breed standard.

Temperament: The French Bulldog is probably one of the most pleasant dogs in existence. It bonds extremely strongly with its family and requires a lot of attention. However, it gives at least as much affection as it gets, so is a joy around the house. The French Bulldog is extremely intelligent and has a true sense of humor. It is kind, tolerant, and loving with children. The French Bulldog has strong protective instincts and considers it an honor to protect those it loves. The Frenchie is a bit of a clown and will entertain the family with its antics. It should be pointed out, though, that the French Bulldog can be very jealous if attention is given to another pet.

Health Issues: As with all dogs, the French Bulldog is heir to several health conditions and congenital diseases. Von Willebrand’s Disease, a type of hemophilia, can be carried by this dog. A Frenchie should be tested before surgery to see if it has this condition. As the French Bulldog has such a flat face, it can suffer from breathing problems such as snoring. It is also intolerant of heat and must be kept cool to prevent heat stroke.

Grooming: The French Bulldog requires only a weekly grooming and plenty of petting to keep its coat in good condition. The facial wrinkles should be wiped regularly to prevent infection. The nails should be kept short and the ear passages clean.

Living Conditions: The French Bulldog is strictly an indoor dog. It cannot stand extreme heat or cold and cannot live outside. More importantly, the French Bulldog needs to be around the people it loves. The Frenchie wants to interact with the family and will suffer if deprived of this. The French Bulldog is happy living in an apartment, and requires on a daily walk to remain fit.