Are you strong enough to resist the urge to play with a cuddly little French Bulldog puppy? Neither are we! But before you find a French Bulldog for sale, just like with any other dog breed — you should learn the basics of taking care of them! Don’t worry; these are extremely loveable and playful little doggos. And although they’re quite energetic, Frenchies don’t tend to have a difficult temperament.
You’ll find them easygoing, which is why many families with children choose them as their pets. Unlike many other dog breeds, they don’t usually bark at every movement and sound; which means a lot when you’ve got infants or small children who need a lot of sleep.
With this in mind, we’ll review some of the basic dos and don’ts you should keep in mind if you’re getting a French Bulldog!
Buying French Bulldogs 101
As we’ve mentioned in the beginning, Frenchies aren’t really a handful; most people find them one of the easiest dog breeds to take care of. That being said, you should prepare for regular vet trips if you want to maintain their proper health. You may want to consider getting pet insurance right away; shop around for policies, and you might find one that covers dog grooming costs as well.
However, far more importantly, you must ensure your Frenchie doesn’t go anywhere near open water. That goes double if they don’t have supervision. They’re a gentle but stocky breed, meaning they may find it difficult to rescue themselves from water, even if it’s shallow.
Also, you may need to make some lifestyle adjustments. For example, your home should be as smoke-free as possible. French Bulldogs have notoriously irritable respiratory systems. So, air pollutants like cigarette smoke will likely harm their health in the long run.
Naturally, French Bulldogs need a proper, balanced diet to thrive and develop properly. However, in their specific case, balanced meals are even more important; Frenchies are known for excessive flatulence and other digestive issues. When your doggo arrives, start giving them dog food that was specifically made for canines of their size, and with the best whole foods.
What To Avoid With French Bulldogs?
First, the good news — with French Bulldogs, you won’t have to worry about space. They’re happy to get their exercise and extremely playful; but they don’t need a large backyard or a lot of indoor space. That’s why Frenchies are among the favorite apartment dogs. And even better if you’ve got a house with a tiny yard. For these doggos, it’s more important that they get enough attention.
However, we don’t advise setting up your Frenchie’s sleeping area in your bedroom, at least if you’re not a sound sleeper. Their respiratory issues result in a lot of snoring—often quite loudly. And there’s no real long-term solution for this, so if you don’t want to be kept up all night; let them sleep somewhere else.
Also, while French Bulldogs are an extremely intelligent dog breed, don’t assume training them will be simple. When it comes to potty training, they’ll behave like any other dog, so you’ll need plenty of patience and consistency. Give it time (and effort), and your Frenchie will soon know to take their business outside.
Speaking of going outside — always remember that these pups are quite sensitive to hot weather. So, although they enjoy play sessions and short walks; they’ll still stay fit if you skip an outdoor trip when it’s particularly hot. If you live in a climate that sees huge temperature spikes during the day, time your walks to late evenings and early mornings.
Besides heat sensitivity and respiratory problems, Frenchies also often develop back issues. So, if you notice that your doggo is having trouble with their back leg movement, consult a veterinarian right away; that could be a symptom of discus hernia or degenerative myelopathy. And we mean “right away” literally; early intervention is vital for any health issues with your pet.
Don’t be surprised if you notice they’re developing eye problems too; any discharge, swelling, or unusual redness will probably require a trip to the vet as well. Finally, you should also watch out for insect allergies, especially fleas.
If you think they’re allergic to something, it doesn’t necessarily have to be an insect—sometimes, they react to specific cleaning products and fabric softeners you’re using around the house. You’ll usually be able to see the source of the problem by the spots your Frenchie repeatedly chews on or licks.
All in all, being a French Bulldog owner is a joyous experience. Any attention and love you give them will be doubly returned through plenty of happy moments. They’re also a great choice if you’re a brand-new pet owner; you can gain some much-needed experience with handling dogs while bonding with one of the most loveable breeds out there!