Common Reasons for Surrender
French Bulldogs, like many other breeds, lose their homes for reasons that have little do to with the breed. A couple gets divorced, an owner loses his job, or the family moves, and the French Bulldog is surrendered. Many people also don’t realize the time commitment involved when adopting a French Bulldog, which results in the dog going to rescue.
Pros
Specifically bred as companion dogs, French Bulldogs love and want to be with people. They’re typically laidback, outgoing, and friendly. Forget jogging with your French Bulldog—he’s not the jogging type. French Bulldogs just want to sit on the couch and grab some popcorn from you while you’re watching television. Because of their short, dense coat, French Bulldogs, sometimes affectionately called Frenchies, are easy to groom.
Cons
The French Bulldog is a dwarf breed that was developed as a miniature version of the Bulldog. French Bulldogs often have neck and back issues, which mean you must be able to afford higher-than-normal veterinary care. You’ll also have to keep careful watch of your French Bulldog to ensure he doesn’t jump off furniture or out of the car as the breed is easily injured.
The French Bulldog can be good with children, but the parents need to properly introduce the dog to the children and be sure the children and the French Bulldog are properly supervised together.
Often stubborn, French Bulldogs overheat quickly because they are unable to regulate their temperature like other breeds. You must be careful that your Frenchie doesn’t overexert herself when exercising and keep her from exposure to extreme heat.
Diet
Feeding your French Bulldog is a personal decision, and you may opt for the popular raw diet. Another option is a grain-free diet since dogs generally don’t do well with grains. Be sure to choose a high quality dog food that is made in the United States, which you can typically find in pet stores.
Stick with healthy treats for your French Bulldog. Apples, carrots, and green beans are all healthy options, the latter of which is ideal if your Frenchie needs to lose weight. Rawhides and greenies should not be given to Frenchies. Avoid purchasing any food or treats made in China due recent product recalls.
Exercise
Frenchies don’t require a lot of exercise. If you take your dog for a walk, avoid doing so in the daytime so he doesn’t overheat. If you want to know how it feels for your French Bulldog to go for a walk in the middle of a hot afternoon, just put your hand a few inches about the ground. That’s exactly the heat your Frenchie will feel on his stomach.
Possible Health Issues
Keep your Frenchie out of extreme weather. Because of their flat faces, French Bulldogs are unable to regulate their temperatures, and overheating could be fatal. They can also hurt their backs and their necks easily, so be sure they don’t jump from furniture or out of cars.
Grooming
Your French Bulldog won’t need much grooming. Give him a bath every few weeks and be sure to brush him regularly. You’ll also need to clean his ears and the folds in his face regularly and trim his nails as needed.
Training
Often a stubborn but intelligent breed, French Bulldogs can be trained, but whether they are successful or not really depends on you. You must be consistent and patient with training. Offer your Frenchie plenty of encouragement and reward him with a treat or praise when he does as you ask.
Entertainment
The French Bulldog will not chase a ball but will play with toys you provide, and enjoys playtime with other dogs. A surefire way to tire out and to make your Frenchie happy is to play a game of tug of war with him.
We want to thank The French Bulldog Rescue Network for help with this profile.