French Bulldogs
For the first time in 31 years, the US has a new number one most popular dog breed and you guessed it, it's the French Bulldog or Frenchie.
French bulldogs are one of a kind with their large bat ears and even-keel disposition, it is no wonder they are now the most popular dog breed in the US. The Frenchie is playful, alert, adaptable and is irresistibly adorable. The French bulldog resembles a small bulldog with the exception of the breed trademark - their tall, large, erect ears, lovingly called bat ears. They have a large, square head, with heavy wrinkles leading to a short nose. They are known for their compact, muscular bodies underneath a smooth coat. Frenchies are dogs of only a few words, as they are not known to bark very much, but they do make great watch dogs as they are always alert. French bulldogs are known to be great in many family situations as well as with companion animals as they are easy going and usually do not need much exercise. This breed is very popular in cities as they are good apartment dogs as well.
Now that we have had a brief overview of the Frenchie, let’s dive in and go back to where this breed originated from. In the mid-1800’s, a toy sized bulldog found popularity in some English cities, including Nottingham, a then epicenter for lace making. The toy Bulldog became a bit of a mascot for the lace makers in Nottingham. This was during the height of the Industrial Revolution in England and trades such as lace making were increasingly threatened. This caused many lacemakers to make the journey to northern France, and of course, they had their toy Bulldogs in tow. These little pups quickly became popular in the French countryside where the lacemakers settled. Over the span of decades, the toy bulldogs were crossed with other dog breeds such as terriers and pugs and somewhere along the way developed their infamous bat ears. This newly emerged breed was named Bouledogue Francais or French Bulldog.
This new breed quickly found its way to Paris and this is where the Frenchie’s reputation as a city dog began. The breed became associated with the Paris cafe life. Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec were known for adding French Bulldogs into their paintings of the Paris demimonde. By the end of the 19th century the Frenchie’s popularity spread all across Europe and America, however the French Bulldog was a tough sell in England as the Bulldog was a national symbol. The American Kennel Club or AKC recognized the French Bulldog as an official breed in 1898.
According to the AKC “Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.” This is knowing about the breed you are bringing into your home. Always make sure to do your research and make sure any pet is a good fit for your lifestyle.
Let’s dive in and talk about French Bulldog breed specifics and how this breed might be a great addition to your family. Let’s begin with family life breed specifics. French Bulldogs are known for being great family dogs. They are friendly and happy when with their family. Being a great family dog also means they are good with children. When socialized properly they are great play companions to children. Frenchies are also known for being a good companion pet to other dogs and in general this breed likes other dogs. Frenchie’s are a breed who may enjoy dog parks and daycare, but also enjoy spending quiet time at home.
We will talk about the physical characteristics of the Frenchie next. Frenchie’s average about 11-13 inches in height, so they are a small breed dog and they should be no more than about 28 pounds. This breed has a life expectancy of about 10-12 years, which is a bit shorter than some other small breeds. They are moderate shedders, so sweeping and vacuuming regularly will be necessary. However, they are low on grooming needs with their short and shiny coats. As all Bulldogs, Frenchie’s are known to be moderate droolers and sometimes messy drinkers. Frenchie’s breed standard colors are Brindle, Brindle and White, Cream, Fawn, Fawn and White, Fawn Brindle, White, White and Brindle, Fawn Brindle and White, White and Fawn. There are Blue Frenchie’s out there according to the AKC, but that is not a standard breed color and somewhere down the line a French Bulldog was bred with another breed to create the Blue coloring. This is just one more reason why responsible breeding practices need to be regulated. Ticked markings in the coat are another trait that is not standard, but we are seeing within the breed. Other standard markings are Black, White, Brindle, Piebald and Black mask markings.
Social breed characteristics are important to consider when selecting a breed. Frenchies are known to be very social and open to strangers and new people. They have a high playfulness so you need to be sure to make time everyday, sometimes multiple times per day, to play with your pup. While their even demeanor may not make them the most protective of breeds, their alertness makes this breed great watch dogs. They are also highly adaptive pups and introducing them to new places, people and things is very exciting to this breed.
French Bulldog personalities, while all slightly different depending on the dog, are fun. They are fairly easy to train and with their moderate to high energy level, they are a fun breed. French Bulldogs are not big barkers either. Frenchies require a moderate level of mental stimulation throughout the day to remain content. A puzzle feeder or treat toy is a great way to get your Frenchie to use their brain power.
Like any pure breed pups, there are some health concerns with the French Bulldog. Because of their front-heavy stature, Frenchies cannot swim. They should never be left alone near a pool, in the tub or near any body of water. Frenchie’s are brachycephalic, or a flat face breed. Because of this they are prone to breathing issues and do not do well in hot, humid weather. This also makes them a breed that is more sensitive to anesthesia. French Bulldogs occasionally have eye issues such as juvenile cataracts, cherry eye; skin allergies and autoimmune skin disorders are also known to occur within the breed. A responsible breeder will take advantage of the tests that are available to screen for these conditions that can ultimately affect the breed.
We mentioned the low grooming needs and short hair before, but a good weekly brushing with a medium bristle brush to remove shed hairs will keep your Frenchie looking their best. Brushing helps promote hair growth and like with many pets, brushing helps to distribute skin oils throughout the fur, keeping it healthy. Frenchie’s facial folds should be kept clean and dry.
We mentioned French Bulldogs are playful, but that does not mean they need a lot of exercise. A short walk or outdoor play session everyday will be enough to keep your pup happy and in shape. Frenchies enjoy participating in canine sports such as obedience, agility and rally.
While Frenchies are fairly easy to train, you want to start puppy training and socialization early to ensure your pup develops into a well adjusted adult dog. Puppy training class is a great way to begin the socialization process and they help to promote good behavior. While they are easy to train, because Frenchies have big personalities they may need a fair amount. They are also known for being a bit stubborn, but at heart they are people pleasers. French Bulldogs are known to be food motivated and this helps the training process.
Like all pets, French Bulldogs require a high-quality food that is age appropriate (puppy, adult, senior). Frenchies are prone to obesity, which can damage their structure and puts them at higher risk for some of the breed’s health issues, so it is vital to monitor their weight.
We hope you have enjoyed learning a bit more about the US’s new favorite dog breed. At The Pet Lady, Dog walking and Pet Sitting, we have seen an uptick in the number of Frenchie clients we have. I can attest, they are a fun, spunky breed. They are model four legged clients as well.
If you are in Naperville, Elmhurst, Villa Park or Lombard, IL communities and are in need of dog walking, pet sitting or cat care, give The Pet Lady a call at 847.802.9534 or contact us here.