The French Bulldog is a so-called fashion dog and enjoys immense popularity. However, due to overbreeding, representatives of this breed often have major health problems. What you should pay attention to when choosing a puppy from the breeder and when keeping a “Bully”, you can find out here.

French Bulldog – from Rat Biter to Family Dog

The French Bulldog is one of the most popular dog breeds. No wonder, because hardly anyone who has taken dogs to their heart can escape their charm, their loyal gaze and their playfulness. With their balanced character, the “Frenchies”, as the French Bulldog is also called, are suitable for a life in the city. However, you should take into account their pronounced urge to move – no matter where you live.
Unfortunately, the demand for certain breeds is often accompanied by breeding negligence, which has led to shortness of breath in many French Bulldogs. If you are considering buying a French Bulldog, you should definitely contact a reputable breeder. You can find out how to find this later in the text.

The French Bulldog: Origin and Ancestry

French bulldogs, like pugs and Dogues de Bordeaux, belong to the Molossian family. They are descended from the English Bulldog: Dogs of this breed were bred on the British Isles from the 13th century for bloody bite fights until they were banned by law in the 19th century. In the second half of the 19th century, the “Bull Biter” became a loving companion and working dog in just a few years.

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From the island to the mainland

With British textile workers, the English Bulldogs arrived in France at the end of the 19th century. There they initially functioned as typical worker, coachman and butcher dogs, whose task was mainly to bite rats. The English weavers and lacemakers bred the animals as a hobby and crossed them with dog breeds native to France such as pugs, lace and terriers. The result was the French Bulldog as we know it today. From the dog of the working and lower classes, the new dog breed quickly developed into the favorite dog of the noble, wealthy and artists.

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Breed standards and classification

In 1880, the first breed club was founded in Paris. However, it would take more than 70 years before the French Bulldog was recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). The largest umbrella organization for cynology to date was also founded in Paris in 1911 and recognized the French Bulldog as an independent dog breed in 1954.
The Pug and the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel also belong to this FCI group.

French Bulldog – Colors and Size

The so-called breed standards of the French Bulldog allow a variety of colors: white, black, piebald and fawn, red, with or without current, and piebald dogs. According to the breed guidelines, however, colorations such as black with red “brand” and blue or silver dogs are not desired.

French Bulldog “Blue”

The French Bulldog “Blue” enjoys great popularity, but its breeding is prohibited according to the breed standard for good reason: The blue hue in the French Bulldog, as in other dog breeds such as the Labrador, is caused by the so-called dilute gene. This can lead to health problems in the dogs. These include:

• a weakened immune system
• Skin and coat problems
• Slowed wound healing
• Allergies

In many cases, dogs with a dilute gene also suffer from behavioral problems such as hyperactivity or lack of concentration. Blue Bullies therefore have a lower life expectancy. A reputable breeder will usually not offer you such a French Bulldog in the first place.

Size and weight

Compared to the English Bulldog, the French Bulldog is a rather small dog breed and is usually fully grown at about one year. Adult French Bulldogs reach a shoulder height of up to 35 centimeters and a weight of between eight and 14 kilograms. As with most dog breeds, are usually somewhat smaller and lighter than males.

Character of the French Bulldog

High bat ears, a wrinkled forehead and drooping lips: The French Bulldog looks a little grim at first glance. But this impression is hugely deceptive, because it is characterized by a balanced and good-natured character.

Temperament
The vigilant and loyal French Bulldog is an ideal companion dog and always wants to be close to her humans. She is affectionate, very cuddly, but can also be lively and stubborn. She loves children more than anything.
The loyal cheerful nature absolutely needs close family ties and is absolutely not suitable for kennel keeping. She much prefers to sleep next to or directly in bed and snores unmistakably.
French Bulldogs are good guard dogs and have little hunting instinct. This makes walks in nature uncomplicated. Dealing with strangers and other animals is usually not a problem.
French Bulldogs are very people-oriented and like to adapt to the rhythm of life of their family. The popular dog breed is not classified as dangerous and is therefore not considered a fighting or list dog.

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French Bulldog: Education and Keeping

The keeping of the French Bulldog is uncomplicated even for beginners, as representatives of this small dog breed are very docile and obedient. Nevertheless, the Bully, like any dog, needs loving and consistent training.

Education
When it comes to training the French Bulldog, there are usually no breed-specific problems – apart from the fact that it is difficult not to be wrapped up in the charm of this four-legged friend. Consistency, patience and perseverance in dog training are also absolutely necessary for the Bullys so that your rocky nose accepts you as an alpha animal.
Whether commands or dog encounters – French Bulldogs learn quickly and are always anxious to please their human. So don’t spare praise!

Keeping
Frenchies are ideal as an apartment dog due to their compact size and sociability. However, the animals should be spared excessive climbing of stairs: An apartment on higher floors is not the right thing for the French Bulldog, unless it is allowed to take an elevator with you.
Stairs are not her strong point – she loves romping, running and playing all the more: Whether sniffing or fetching games – your four-legged friend is up for any fun. However,
due to their short nose and head shape, French Bulldogs tend to be short of breath and must therefore not be physically overloaded. When playing and romping, you should make sure to take breaks in good time. This dog breed is not suitable as a companion for passionate joggers or cyclists. Instead, the Frenchie loves extended but relaxed walks with plenty of time to sniff.

Heat
If the thermometer rises to over 20 degrees in summer, you should shift down a gear with your French Bulldog: Due to the short nose, dogs of this breed have problems regulating their body temperature by panting. This can quickly lead to overheating. The best place for your four-legged friend in summer is therefore a shady and cool place. Water also offers
cooling. However, French Bulldogs are not good swimmers: Their short legs and relatively large head do not offer them the best conditions for this. Nevertheless, they love water and are happy about a small paddling pool in the garden or on the balcony.

Dog sports
You can do moderate dog sports with these lively powerhouses: Dog dance, agility or tracking are sports in which the French Bulldog can really let off steam. Obedience or Degilty are also suitable for this dog breed. Because here the focus is on fun and games and not on endurance performance.

Nutrition
The small and strong breed with its short legs and compact physique tends to be overweight. Therefore, sufficient exercise and a wholesome dog food with a high meat content is the basic prerequisite for an active and vital life.
Any change to a different dog food should always be done slowly, as French Bulldogs tend to flatulence and stomach upset. When it comes to treats and snacks in between, pay attention to low-fat products. Rabbit ears and cattle ears are ideal and clean the teeth on top of that.

Care

• The grooming of the short-haired dog is very simple. Regular brushing, especially during the coat change, is usually done quickly.
• The French Bulldog is sensitive to cold and wet. Dry it well after a walk in the rain and dress your four-legged friend in a warm coat in winter.
• As with other dogs with skin folds, it is important to take care of the face carefully and keep the forehead wrinkles clean and supple to prevent inflammation.
• Since the French Bulldog is prone to food allergies, you should choose the dog food carefully and pay close attention to the ingredients.
• Ears and eyes are more often affected by inflammation in this dog breed than in other breeds. It is best to check the ears and eyes every day and clean them if necessary. Especially the crease under the eyelid must always be kept dry, because it is the optimal breeding ground for bacteria, which are considered to trigger inflammation.

Health problems of the French Bulldog

One of the negative characteristics of the French Bulldog is its health problems, which are largely man-made: Due to overbreeding of the breed, many animals suffer from various diseases. The focus is on the so-called brachycephalic breathing syndrome (BAS).

Brachycephalic breathing syndrome
This medical term refers to the short-headedness of dogs, which leads to serious breathing problems. For decades, the French Bulldog was bred according to the childlike scheme: with a pronounced flat face that is characterized by an extremely short nose. Bullies with this short nose usually have problems breathing and panting.
For example, it is not possible for dogs to regulate their body temperature through breathing. This is because the mucous membranes are not cooled due to the short nose. In addition, a soft palate that is too long and nostrils that are too narrow make breathing difficult. In the event of great heat or exertion, there is a risk of life-threatening heat stroke.
In French Bulldogs, the anatomy of the trachea may cause it to collapse during great exertion (so-called tracheal collapse). The result is also shortness of breath.

Other health impairments
But breathing problems are not the only impairment that the representatives of this dog breed suffer from. In addition, the problems that affect many French Bulldogs include:

• Wedge vertebrae formation
• Herniated discs
• Ear infections
• Eye diseases such as conjunctivitis
• Stomach problems
• Hautfalten-Dermatitis

Due to these health impairments, the breed is often referred to as torture breeding. However, demand regulates the market – this is also the case with dog breeding. Dog breeds with a flat face such as Pugs, Boston Terriers or the French Bulldog are still in demand. However, there is a “counter-movement”.

French Bulldogs with Noses

For some years now, the French Bulldog has been bred with a longer nose again. The so-called French Bulldog with Nose is not a separate breed, but a variation of the French Bulldog.
The longer nose allows the animals to breathe better. They can therefore cope better with heat and physical stress. However, the French Bulldogs with Nose are not immune to common hereditary diseases.
Tip: If you want to buy a French Bulldog, you should contact a reputable and responsible breeder. You can find these, for example, on the website of the VHD (Association for the German Canine Society). Visit your Bully and his family several times before you take him home. You can take a close look at the puppy’s parents: They should have free breathing or a long nose. You should also pay attention to this when you buy a French Bulldog mix. Don’t
be surprised if the breeder takes a close look at you as the new owner. It is considered a good sign, because after all, he is looking for the best home for his protégés.

The
“Torture Breeding Report”, prepared in 1999 on behalf of the Federal Government and with the participation of the German Animal Welfare Association, recommends, among other things, a breeding ban for dog breeds

• with a broad, round and severely shortened skull shape (brachycephaly) and those,
• where extremes in physique (very long back, severely bent legs, spinal changes, excessive fur growth, etc.) make a healthy life impossible.

As a responsible pet owner, who of course attaches great importance to a healthy, unimpaired life for his four-legged friend, these tips should definitely be taken into account when deciding on a suitable breed, as well as the question of excellent character traits.

French Bulldog: the most important things at a glance

• Due to their loving nature, French Bulldogs are ideal for families with children as well as for singles and older active people.
• They can be kept well in a city apartment. To protect their joints, however, the dogs with the short legs are not allowed to run excessively up stairs. A house with an elevator or an apartment on the ground floor is ideal.
• The life expectancy of the animals is about twelve years. Before buying, consider whether you can offer the dog a good home for this period, even if your living conditions change.
• The price of a puppy of this breed depends on the breeder and can vary greatly according to demand.
• French bulldogs like to move, but not endurance athletes. Leisurely walks and dog sports, where fun is in the foreground, suit them best.
• Due to overbreeding, dogs of this breed suffer from various health impairments. As a dog owner, you should be prepared for this.

Other popular French breeds you might like:

• Berger de Picardie: At first glance, you can’t tell from the Berger de Picardie’s ancient pedigree. Beneath his conspicuous fuzzy mane is a running friend with high intelligence and a pronounced protective instinct. Aggression and hunting instinct are alien to him.
•  Bouviers des Flandres: The Bouviers des Flandres is a formidable powerhouse with lively intelligence. Don’t be fooled by his calm composure: his vigilance is always active. For sporty families with older children, the Bouvier likes to become a loving bodyguard.
• Coton de Tuléar: He is also called the “cotton dog”. No wonder: This describes the appearance of the lovable fur ball quite aptly. The lively four-legged friend causes a sensation as a lively companion dog. Especially as a single or active senior, you will find an ideal companion in the bright animal.
• Beauceron: The Beauceron or “Berger de Beauce” is a dog breed that has been bred in France for a long time according to strict standards. The lowland shepherd dog is now enjoying growing popularity beyond France due to its rustic appearance and good character.
• Epagneul Breton: The Epagneul Breton has its home in the heart of Brittany. It is used throughout France as a hunting dog. To this day, the Breton is a working breed that should be kept hunting as much as possible. As a family dog, it needs species-appropriate exercise and exercise in order to be happy.