French Bulldog

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Bouledogue Français (nick Frenchie )

Basic Info

The French Bulldog is a dog breed that first emerged in France in the mid- to late 19th century. French Bulldogs average 22 to 25 pounds (10 to 12 kg) and are considered out-of-breed if they are over 28 pounds (13 kg). Their physical appearance is characterized by naturally occurring 'bat ears' that are pointy and stick straight up. Their tails are naturally short, not cropped. Otherwise, their body shape is similar to that of an English Bulldog. There are several color variations allowed by the AKC that are disallowed in Europe, including the cream color. French Bulldogs have their own variations in the amount of brindle, darkness of their coat, and amount of white areas.

Health

French bulldogs frequently require Caesarean section to give birth. Brindle is a more common color for the French Bulldog. Due to the nature of short windpipe, they tend to have breathing difficulties, and can easily suffer problems in hot weather as a result. For this reason, veterinarians consider them difficult to intubate for surgery. They should only be anesthetized if absolutely necessary, as they can also be overly sensitive to anesthesia. Frenchies can have other problems related to breathing, such as elongated soft palates or cleft palates, but these problems are unusual. French bulldogs can be prone to spinal issues, such as herniated disks. Otherwise, they are generally considered a healthier breed than the English Bulldog, with a lower occurrence of problems such as hip dysplasia. Like their larger cousin the English Bulldog, French Bulldogs are prone to gastro-intestinal problems such as gas. The facial wrinkles often trap dirt, tears, and mucous, and can become irritated and infected. Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years.

Habitat

N/A

Behavior

The French Bulldog is a gentle breed that typically has a happy-go-lucky attitude. Like many other companion dog breeds they require close contact with humans. They usually do well around other dogs and children, though they should be monitored closely during their initial encounters. They tend to "bulldoze" small children, and may knock them down unintentionally. They tend to not bark a lot and are of manageable size; these qualities may make them a good candidate for apartment living. Although they are sensitive to heat and need to live indoors, they require regular exercise and are more athletic than they appear upon first glance.

Origin

France

History

The breed emerged as English Bulldogs were bred with Toy Bulldogs by the artistic community in Paris, after Toy Bulldogs were marginalized by British kennel clubs as weakening the English Bulldog breed. Toy Bulldogs were popular amongst the artistic and gay communities in Britain. The breeding of the minuscule Toy Bulldog (averaging 8 pounds (3.5 kg)) and the English Bulldog (which can vary in size, but is usually around 50 pounds (23 kg)) produced the medium-sized French Bulldog. French ladies of the evening were known to carry French bulldogs around town as a discreet sign of their profession. The Tsar's family in Russia is believed to have had a French bulldog as a beloved family pet at the time of their overthrow.

Common Foods

pellet dog food