The French bulldog has sky rocketed in popularity over the last decade. In 2003, the French bulldog was the 54th most popular dog breed, and in only 12 years they have been promoted to the 9th most popular dog breed.
The French bulldog is gaining popularity all over the world. Britain’s Kennel Club received 6,990 new registrations for French bulldogs last year, an increase of 49% over the previous year, and a 1,000% increase since 2003. Every day, more people are falling head over paws for French bulldogs. With or without a famous owner, a number of Frenchies have rose to fame via social media simply because they are so darn cute!
The French bulldog was bred in England as a miniature version of traditional bulldogs, and was originally recognized as an official breed by the AKC in 1898. Since then, these cute and cuddly pups with a squashed snout and bulging eyes have won the world over. If you are seeking out French bulldog breeders in your area you are certainly not alone. But is a French bulldog the right breed for you and your family?
French Bulldog Personality
Every dog has his or her own unique personality, but in general French bulldogs make excellent companion dogs due to their naturally pleasant and affectionate nature. French bulldogs are also known for their humor, as they love to clown around and keep you laughing. Curious and playful, there’s never a dull moment when you have a French bulldog.
Due to their bull and terrier roots, some can be more aggressive than others. French bulldogs can be successfully trained into very well behaved dogs with calm but firm training and plenty of positive reinforcement. French bulldogs are great with children, but just like most breeds they are best with considerate children that know how to act around a dog.
While some French bulldogs are known to slobber and drool frequently, most are pretty clean and may even avoid stepping in puddles. French bulldogs require less exercise than other breeds, but require even more attention. Some Frenchie dogs have way more energy than others, but most can play for hours on end before tiring out. Since they are small and not the biggest movers, they can get a lot of their exercise simply playing indoors.
French bulldogs make great apartment dogs. As long as they get plenty of love and at least one longer walk each day, your Frenchie will be just as happy in an apartment as big house on 10 acres… and that’s not something you can say for all dog breeds!
More Facts About French Bulldogs
The average French bulldog stands around 12 inches in height and can vary in weight depending on a dog’s particular weight class. Smaller Frenchie dogs tend to weigh around 19-22 pounds, while larger Frenchie dogs weigh 22-28 pounds.
The average French bulldog lives between 10 and 12 years.
The French bulldog is high maintenance in many regards, but at least they don’t require much brushing. This breed has a medium-fine coat that sheds an average amount compared with other dog breeds.
French bulldogs are very sensitive, and they don’t do well in any extreme temperatures. If it is very hot you must be careful leaving them outside as they can overheat and experience related complications.
French bulldogs come in a wide variety of colors. The AKC standard recognizes all combinations of bridle, fawn, and white. The AKC disqualifies French bulldogs that are solid black, liver, black and tan, black and white, mouse, and white with black.
Common French Bulldog Health Complications
This breed looks sturdy but they are prone to a number of potential health issues. The French bulldog is high maintenance and is likely to cost more in vet visits than other dog breeds. French bulldogs often incur spinal disorders, heart defects, joint disease and eye problems. Like all brachycephalic breeds, the French bulldog also has a few unique health conditions concerning their nose and respiratory function.
At Natural Dog Company we soothe a lot of dry, crusty French bulldog noses. Many Frenchies suffer endlessly with dry nose issues, and nothing seems to work to fix the problem. We are crazy for canines, which is why we created Snout Soother, an organic balm for dog noses that offers a safe, affordable and 100% natural way to heal damaged skin in as little as a couple days.