Find a French Bulldog Breeder
Place an Ad

Rescue a French Bulldog
List Your Rescue

Pronunciation

Description

The French Bulldog is a sturdy, compact, stocky little dog, with a large square head that has a rounded forehead. The muzzle is broad and deep with a well defined stop. The nose is black, but may be lighter in lighter colored dogs. The upper lips hang down over the lower lips. The teeth meet in an under bite and the lower jaw is square and deep. The round, prominent eyes are set wide apart and are dark in color. The bat ears stand erect, are broad at the base narrowing in a triangular shape and rounded at the tips. The height at the withers to the ground should be approximately the same as the length from withers to the base of the tail. The tail is either straight or cork-screw. The chest is broad and deep with the front of the dog being wider than the back end, forming a pear shape. The Dewclaws may be removed. The medium-fine coat is short and smooth. The skin is loose forming wrinkles around the head and shoulders. Coat colors include brindle, fawn, white, and combinations of brindle or fawn with white.

Temperament

The French Bulldog is a pleasant, easy-care companion, who is playful, alert and affectionate. Enthusiastic and lively, but are not yappy and loud. Curious, sweet and absolutely hilarious; they have a very comical personality and love to clown around. They are bright and easygoing. The Frenchie gets along fairly well with strangers and other animals and enjoys being with their owners. They play well with other dogs. Those Frenchies who are allowed to believe they are alpha may become dog aggressive. This breed needs leadership and will not thrive without it. The Frenchie cannot be owned and ignored. When they sense an owner is meek or passive towards them they will become very stubborn and even snappish. They can be trained if the owner is calm, but firm, consistent and patient. Proper human to canine communication is essential. Do not give them affection or sweet talk them if they are displaying any type of unwanted behaviors, instead correct them sternly with a air of calm authority. French Bulldogs are clean, and most will try to avoid puddles. Most cannot swim so take caution around water. This breed does best with considerate children who know how to display proper leadership. This breed may drool and slobber; however a good percentage of them do not. They are also a relentless hunter of mice. Do not allow this sweet little bully to develop Small Dog Syndrome.

Height, Weight

Health Problems

French Bulldogs are prone to joint diseases, spinal disorders, heart defects and eye problems. Dams often have to deliver pups by cesarean section, because pups have relatively large heads. They often have respiratory problems. They tend to wheeze and snore and have trouble in hot weather. Prone to heat stroke. An overweight Frenchie may have trouble breathing, because of a swollen abdomen. Do not overfeed this breed. Putting them under anesthesia is risky because of their breathing issues. French Bulldogs are high maintenance and potential owners need to be aware that their vet bills may be high. Take this into consideration before choosing a Frenchie puppy.

Living Conditions

Frenchies are good for apartment life. They can be fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard. Does not do well in temperature extremes.

Exercise

Life Expectancy

Grooming

Origin

The French Bulldog originated in 19th Century Nottingham, England, where Lace makers decided to make a smaller, miniature, lap version of the English Bulldog, that were referred to as "toy" bulldogs. In the 1860's when the Industrial Revolution drove the craftsmen to France they took their dogs with them. The toy bulldogs became popular in France and were given the name the, "French Bulldog". The breed eventually made its way back to England for dog shows. The Britts were not happy with the name "French" given to a dog that was originally from England, however the name "French Bulldog" stuck.

Group

Recognition

CKC, FCI, AKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR, DRA, NAPR

CKC = Continental Kennel Club
FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
NAPR = North American Purebred Registry, Inc.

The Material contained herein may not be reproduced without the prior written approval of the author. Contents & Graphics Copyright © Dog Breed Info Center® (C) 1998-. All Rights Reserved. Our work is not Public Domain.