French Bulldogs - The Basics

French Bulldogs originated in England as miniature English Bulldogs. In the 1860s, French dog breeders transferred some of these dogs to Great Britain and crossed them with French Terriers. France had a fondness for these dogs which is how the name �French Bulldog� came about. When the breed eventually made it back to Britain, there was a huge conflict regarding the name because the Bulldog was a symbol of English culture.

French Bulldogs look very similar to English Bulldogs but significantly smaller. These little Bulldogs have long, erect, bat ears. They have a powerful muzzle and their noses are similar to a Pug’s. They have square heads but they’re not as big as the English Bulldogs. Their foreheads are rounded. These dogs are usually pear-shaped and their shoulders are wider than their backs. They have short and soft hair that comes in a variety of colors like brindle, fawn, white, or a combo of all three. They have big dark eyes and usually have under-bites. They are about 12 inches in height and they fall into two weight classes: 19-22 pounds and 22-28 pounds.

French Bulldogs are wonderful companions. They are sweet and playful. They have very funny personalities and they like to goof off. French Bulldogs get along well with people and other animals but they often will have a strong bond with one person. They can play well with other dogs but sometimes males are aggressive with other dogs and sometimes not. French Bulldogs will not have quality lives without companionship, they cannot be ignored. This is not a dog that you can buy and then put in the backyard for long periods of time, especially when you and your family is home. They like people and enjoy being around them.

They can be trained but as with all breeds of dogs, they do not do well with hitting or jerking. They respond reasonably well to most training and do well with verbal praise as a reward for demonstrating good behaviors. They can easily gain weight so be careful with using treats as a training aid. They have trouble being totally quiet but they’re not loud, yappy, or annoying either. French Bulldogs are family dogs but they do better with older children and they act as like hunters when they see mice or other small animals.

French Bulldogs are prone to eye and respiratory problems. If overweight, French Bulldogs may develop breathing problems because of a swollen abdomen. Sometimes they wheeze, snore, and have a lot of gas. French Bulldogs cannot swim because of the way that they’re built so take caution if you live near any body of water.

French Bulldogs are very sensitive to any extreme temperatures, high or low. Like English Bulldogs, they can easily get heat stroke if they’re in high temperatures. They prefer cooler temperatures but not freezing. They can be active indoors and it is not necessary to have a yard. They do need to be taken on daily walks and they enjoy playing. Some may have more energy than others and they are average shedders! French Bulldogs are a great breed of dog that is suitable for a wide range of people and they make wonderful companions if cared for properly.