French Bulldog
Compiled and researched by Izelle de Klerk (BSc) - Dodgy Dogs & Crazy Cats
Canine & Feline Behaviourist
Canine & Feline Behaviourist
Pic from Ladoogle French Bulldogs.
https://www.facebook.com/ladooglebulldogs/photos/a.693039020857894/1782968718531580/
The French Bulldog originated in 19th Century Nottingham, England, where lace makers decided to make a smaller, miniature, lap version of the English Bulldog, these dogs were referred to as a "toy" bulldog. In the 1860s, when the Industrial Revolution drove the craftsmen to France, they took their dogs with them. There - although records were not kept of the breed's development - it is believed that these “toy” bulldogs were bred with Terriers and Pugs to develop traits such as the breed's long straight ears, and the roundness of their eyes. Although these dogs originated in England they became so popular in France that they were given the name "French Bulldog."
The French Bulldog are small with sturdy, compact, stocky bodies, “bat-like” ears, round prominent dark eyes and short thick tails. The skin is loose, forming wrinkles around the head and shoulders. Their coat is fine, short and smooth and comes in combinations of brindle, fawn, tan and white.
Personality
These little dogs are intelligent, affectionate, easygoing, loving, caring, alert and playful. They have very outgoing, curious, comical personality with a bit of a mischievous side - they love to clown around.
Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Frenchies are good for apartment life, they can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. In fact they are indoor dogs, because of their bulk and compromised breathing system they struggle to regulate their body temperature efficiently - so they can easily overheat in hot weather.
These little dogs have fairly minimal exercise needs, but do require at least daily walks. They also love to run and play and can play for hours if you let them. Generally they have short bursts of high energy, but these are interspersed with long periods of napping and lounging around. Be careful not to over exercise them, especially if it is hot out to prevent heatstroke.
They can be territorial and protective, and will sometimes alert their owners to danger, but not all the time -for this reason they don’t make great watchdogs, or guard dogs for that matter. Some never bark at intruders, rather they are typically a quite breed that does not bark excessively. When they do bark it's often to draw attention, to point out that they needs something or just because they are not happy.
Like a lot of small breeds the French Bulldog is prone to developing Small Dog Syndrome, this is where the dog believes that they are boss and is due to the fact that the owner is too lenient with them and lets them get away with more than they should because they are so small and cute. This can lead to the dog becoming demanding, headstrong, protective, aggressive towards other dogs, suspicious of strangers and bark excessively. To prevent this you need to give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do; be firm and consistent.
They are particularly affectionate toward their owners, and can even be a bit possessive. They need to be a part of the family and will want to be in close contact with you. They love nothing more than to cuddle on the couch, romp on the carpet or play in the yard - their favourite pastime is to act as a lap-warmer and you will need to be willing to share your favourite chair. Do not leave them alone in the house for too long, they are people-oriented dogs that crave attention and interaction and if they do not get it they can develop behavioural problems.
They are happy-natured dogs that rarely lose their cool, snap or bark. These loyal little guys are the ideal housedog; they are clean (most will try to avoid puddles), compact and quite. However, they often snort when excited, drool and slobber quite a bit, are frequently gassy (have flatulence), and snore loudly. In addition, they are top heavy and therefore have difficulty in swimming
In a nutshell, a French Bulldog is for you if you:
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from reputable breeders! One can contact the Kennel Union Of South Africa (KUSA). They have a list of breeders who have puppies available and also from KUSA affiliated breed clubs
Always try and meet both parents of the puppies. This is not always possible as the sire (father) may be an imported dog. Definitely ask to see the mother.
Please read our articles on how to choose a reputable breeder on the Puppies page.
The French Bulldog are small with sturdy, compact, stocky bodies, “bat-like” ears, round prominent dark eyes and short thick tails. The skin is loose, forming wrinkles around the head and shoulders. Their coat is fine, short and smooth and comes in combinations of brindle, fawn, tan and white.
Personality
These little dogs are intelligent, affectionate, easygoing, loving, caring, alert and playful. They have very outgoing, curious, comical personality with a bit of a mischievous side - they love to clown around.
Is this the correct pup for you, which is the best home and why?
Frenchies are good for apartment life, they can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. In fact they are indoor dogs, because of their bulk and compromised breathing system they struggle to regulate their body temperature efficiently - so they can easily overheat in hot weather.
These little dogs have fairly minimal exercise needs, but do require at least daily walks. They also love to run and play and can play for hours if you let them. Generally they have short bursts of high energy, but these are interspersed with long periods of napping and lounging around. Be careful not to over exercise them, especially if it is hot out to prevent heatstroke.
They can be territorial and protective, and will sometimes alert their owners to danger, but not all the time -for this reason they don’t make great watchdogs, or guard dogs for that matter. Some never bark at intruders, rather they are typically a quite breed that does not bark excessively. When they do bark it's often to draw attention, to point out that they needs something or just because they are not happy.
Like a lot of small breeds the French Bulldog is prone to developing Small Dog Syndrome, this is where the dog believes that they are boss and is due to the fact that the owner is too lenient with them and lets them get away with more than they should because they are so small and cute. This can lead to the dog becoming demanding, headstrong, protective, aggressive towards other dogs, suspicious of strangers and bark excessively. To prevent this you need to give this dog rules, and limits to what they are and are not allowed to do; be firm and consistent.
They are particularly affectionate toward their owners, and can even be a bit possessive. They need to be a part of the family and will want to be in close contact with you. They love nothing more than to cuddle on the couch, romp on the carpet or play in the yard - their favourite pastime is to act as a lap-warmer and you will need to be willing to share your favourite chair. Do not leave them alone in the house for too long, they are people-oriented dogs that crave attention and interaction and if they do not get it they can develop behavioural problems.
They are happy-natured dogs that rarely lose their cool, snap or bark. These loyal little guys are the ideal housedog; they are clean (most will try to avoid puddles), compact and quite. However, they often snort when excited, drool and slobber quite a bit, are frequently gassy (have flatulence), and snore loudly. In addition, they are top heavy and therefore have difficulty in swimming
In a nutshell, a French Bulldog is for you if you:
- Want a small dog that is happy to lay on your lap all day
- Want a dog that is easy to groom
- Are not looking for a watch/guard dog
- Have a lot of time to give them a lot of attention
- Want a dog that will be part of the family
- Are not active and don’t want a dog to do exercise with
- Are not interested in taking part in dog sports
- Are willing to take the time to train and socialize them
- Don’t mind spending money at the vet
- Want a quite clean indoor dog
- You have a firm hand and won’t let the dog get away with murder
Where do I get my pup from?
Only from reputable breeders! One can contact the Kennel Union Of South Africa (KUSA). They have a list of breeders who have puppies available and also from KUSA affiliated breed clubs
Always try and meet both parents of the puppies. This is not always possible as the sire (father) may be an imported dog. Definitely ask to see the mother.
Please read our articles on how to choose a reputable breeder on the Puppies page.
Which other breeds are most compatible with the French Bulldog?
They will get along with most other breeds of dog, just keep in mind that they are small dogs and can get huts by larger breed dogs.
A good choice of breed would naturally be another French Bulldog, Boxer, Greyhound, Labrador (although they can be very boisterous when young and may play a bit rough, but they do calm down as they get older), Bulldog, etc.
Herding dogs (collies, Australian shepherds, etc) might not be the best choice as they tend to try and "herd" and nip at a running French Bulldog.
Dogs like Pit Bulls or Staffies can get irritated by the French Bulldog’s clownish nature and this can lead to disaster.
Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed?
Most definitely, this is the most ideal situation as they understand each other. Preferably have a male and female. Two females will also get along as long as they are introduced as puppies. An older female will get on with a puppy female but it is not advisable to introduce two fully grown females. Always have only one male unless you have a lot of experience handling dogs.
Should I get two pups together?
This is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Please read ‘Placing Littermates in the same home’ and ‘Double Trouble - (why you shouldn’t get two puppies)’ on our website for more information.
Is it wise to keep same-sex dogs?
To keep two or more same-sex dogs of a rather dominant breed together, is often a recipe for conflict. They can get along fine, until they are ‘triggered’ by a ball or a bone lying on the lawn, when both might want to take possession of it, or by someone delivering mail and when they rush for the gate and can’t get to the ‘intruder’, they go for one another. That is very unlikely to happen with dogs of the opposite sex.
Do they get on well with other animals?
The Frenchie gets along fairly well with other animals and plays well with other dogs, but some may struggle with cats.
Keep in mind that, like with all dogs, the level at which these dogs get along with other animals depends greatly on how well they were socialized as pups
Are they good with children?
They are excellent with children, if they get irritated they will rather get up and walk away than bite. But because of their size they are recommended for older children who have learnt to treat them gently, as younger children can get a bit rough and get hurt them by accident. They, like any other breed, should never be left unsupervised with small children.
They will get along with most other breeds of dog, just keep in mind that they are small dogs and can get huts by larger breed dogs.
A good choice of breed would naturally be another French Bulldog, Boxer, Greyhound, Labrador (although they can be very boisterous when young and may play a bit rough, but they do calm down as they get older), Bulldog, etc.
Herding dogs (collies, Australian shepherds, etc) might not be the best choice as they tend to try and "herd" and nip at a running French Bulldog.
Dogs like Pit Bulls or Staffies can get irritated by the French Bulldog’s clownish nature and this can lead to disaster.
Is it wise to have two or more of the same breed?
Most definitely, this is the most ideal situation as they understand each other. Preferably have a male and female. Two females will also get along as long as they are introduced as puppies. An older female will get on with a puppy female but it is not advisable to introduce two fully grown females. Always have only one male unless you have a lot of experience handling dogs.
Should I get two pups together?
This is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
- Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
- Will stress without the other dog being around
- Fight with each other
- Be more destructive and boisterous
- Two pups together often leads to one being more assertive and the other more submissive. This could well end up in a situation where the more submissive dog will never develop its full potential.
- Mature later
Please read ‘Placing Littermates in the same home’ and ‘Double Trouble - (why you shouldn’t get two puppies)’ on our website for more information.
Is it wise to keep same-sex dogs?
To keep two or more same-sex dogs of a rather dominant breed together, is often a recipe for conflict. They can get along fine, until they are ‘triggered’ by a ball or a bone lying on the lawn, when both might want to take possession of it, or by someone delivering mail and when they rush for the gate and can’t get to the ‘intruder’, they go for one another. That is very unlikely to happen with dogs of the opposite sex.
Do they get on well with other animals?
The Frenchie gets along fairly well with other animals and plays well with other dogs, but some may struggle with cats.
Keep in mind that, like with all dogs, the level at which these dogs get along with other animals depends greatly on how well they were socialized as pups
Are they good with children?
They are excellent with children, if they get irritated they will rather get up and walk away than bite. But because of their size they are recommended for older children who have learnt to treat them gently, as younger children can get a bit rough and get hurt them by accident. They, like any other breed, should never be left unsupervised with small children.
Training requirements and grooming
Training
These dogs are trainable but they are harder to train and learn new commands slower than most other breeds. They can be stubborn, and will do best when they are convinced that they are interested in the task at hand. You need a lot of patience and a firm, consistent, calm hand to train them.
Harsh training techniques or physical punishment will get you nowhere except damage your relationship with the dog. They best way is to use positive reinforcement techniques along with their favourite reward - be it a toy or a treat.
Grooming
This breed is one of the easiest breeds to groom, their short coat only requires brushing about once a week, you can also rub them down with a damp cloth to keep their coats shiny. But during change of season they will shed a bit more and will need more frequent brushing to remove loose hair. Bath them only when necessary, as this removes the natural oils and can dry out their skin. The skin folds under their eyes should be cleaned regularly and kept dry to prevent infection.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. You also need to clean their teeth about once a week as well as trim their nail if they don’t wear them down naturally. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Health concerns
French Bulldogs have a few health issues that they are prone to, including:
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Life expectancy
About 10-12 years.
Interesting Facts
Training
These dogs are trainable but they are harder to train and learn new commands slower than most other breeds. They can be stubborn, and will do best when they are convinced that they are interested in the task at hand. You need a lot of patience and a firm, consistent, calm hand to train them.
Harsh training techniques or physical punishment will get you nowhere except damage your relationship with the dog. They best way is to use positive reinforcement techniques along with their favourite reward - be it a toy or a treat.
Grooming
This breed is one of the easiest breeds to groom, their short coat only requires brushing about once a week, you can also rub them down with a damp cloth to keep their coats shiny. But during change of season they will shed a bit more and will need more frequent brushing to remove loose hair. Bath them only when necessary, as this removes the natural oils and can dry out their skin. The skin folds under their eyes should be cleaned regularly and kept dry to prevent infection.
As you groom, check for sores, rashes, or signs of infection such as redness, tenderness, or inflammation on the skin, in the ears, nose, mouth, and eyes, and on the feet. Ears should smell good, without too much wax or gunk inside, and eyes should be clear, with no redness or discharge. You also need to clean their teeth about once a week as well as trim their nail if they don’t wear them down naturally. Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early.
Health concerns
French Bulldogs have a few health issues that they are prone to, including:
- Joint diseases like Patellar luxation (dislocation/slipping of the kneecap)
- Spinal disorders, this is due to the fact that they were bred to be small
- Heart defects
- Eye problems like cherry eye, everted third eyelid, glaucoma, retinal fold dysplasia, corneal ulcers and juvenile cataracts
- They often have respiratory problems due to their compacted airway and this can cause all kinds of issues:
- They may develop an inability to effectively regulate temperature and this can easily lead to heatstroke. While a regular canine may suffer to some degree from the heat, to a Frenchie it can be lethal.
- An overweight Frenchie may have trouble breathing, because of a swollen abdomen so it is important not to overfeed them.
- Putting them under anesthesia is risky because of their breathing issues.
- Reproduction can also cause some problems:
- They frequently require caesarean section to give birth because pups have relatively large heads, over 80% of litters are delivered this way.
- Many stud dogs are incapable of naturally breeding, because they have very slim hips - making the male unable to mount the female to reproduce naturally. Typically, breeders must undertake artificial insemination.
- Females can also suffer from erratic or 'silent' heats, which may be a side effect of thyroid disease or impaired thyroid function.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Life expectancy
About 10-12 years.
Interesting Facts
- Because they are a brachycephalic breed, French Bulldogs are banned by several commercial airlines due to the numbers that have died while in the air. This is because dogs with snub noses find it difficult to breathe when they are hot and stressed out; the cargo space in an aircraft can rise as high as 30C when waiting on the runway.
- Frenchies are born with short tails (sometimes almost no tail) – they are not surgically docked.
- In 2010, a Canadian French Bulldog named Ch. Robobull Fabelhaft I'm On Fire became the first of his breed to win the Non-Sporting Group and make it through for consideration at the Best in Show round, eventually losing to Scottish Terrier Ch. Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot.
- Jason Schwartzman's French Bulldog made a cameo in his detective comedy Bored to Death in October 2010.
- Well known owners of French Bulldogs include Hugh Jackman, Jeremy Renner and David and Victoria Beckham
- French Bulldogs have also featured in the 2010 movie Due Date.
- The only French Bulldog aboard the Titanic went down with the ship. Robert Daniel, a 27 year old banker, had purchased the dog, named Gamin de Pycombe, for £150 (the equivalent of $17,000 in today’s prices). A surviving passenger was later quoted as having seen a French Bulldog swimming in the ocean after the ship sank.
- Famed restaurant elBulli (Five-time "Best Restaurant in the World" in S.Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants, and three-Michelin Star winner) was named after the French Bulldog; the restaurant's name is the Catalan term for the breed.
- Yuko Shimizu, the creator of Hello Kitty, launched her new character, a French Bulldog named Rebecca Bonbon, in July 2011. As part of the design, the dog will adorn clothing, bags and a variety of accessories.
- On the ABC sitcom Modern Family, Jay and Gloria's dog Stella is a French bulldog.
- In recent volumes of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware mystery series, Delaware and his girlfriend own a French bulldog named Blanche.
- A French Bulldog named Mirco is famous for the YouTube videos of his daily life with his family in Japan. Mirco has appeared in the Japanese television show "Shimura Zoo" and even has his own comic book.
Do`s and Don`ts of this breed
Do’s
Don’ts
Reference
http://www.petsplace.co.za/French.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Bulldog
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/frenchbulldog.htm
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/french-bulldog.html
www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/French_Bulldog
Do’s
- Take the to puppy socialization and continue socialization
- Give them lots of attention
- Make them part of the family
- Socialize and train them from an early age
- Give them daily exercise
Don’ts
- Over exercise them
- Leave them alone for long periods of time without human companionship
- Leave them outside in the heat
- Spoil them
Reference
http://www.petsplace.co.za/French.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Bulldog
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/frenchbulldog.htm
http://www.justdogbreeds.com/french-bulldog.html
www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/French_Bulldog