Ever since Ed O’Neill’s character Jay Pritchett decided to adopt a French Bulldog on the hit comedy series Modern Family, it seems like just about everywhere you go, someone is walking around with one of these cute little buggers! But that doesn’t necessarily mean a “Frenchie” will be right for you! This is why, in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a French Bulldog so that if you are ever fortunate enough to be able to adopt one (or afford to adopt one), you won’t be disappointed six months later that you did.
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
French Bull Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: England
Original Purpose: Companion Dog
Height: 19-22 inches
Weight: 22-28 pounds
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Group: AKC Non-Sporting
French Bulldogs – Their History and Origin
OK, most times, when a dog breed has a “certain” country’s name in its “official” title, it’s usually a pretty good clue that that dog is from that country. But in the case of the “French” Bulldog, this isn’t the case. You see, the “French” Bulldog isn’t actually from France. Instead, this little guy is from Nottingham, England. France is only his “adopted” country, where they are referred to as “boondoggle Francais.”
And who…
I can blame the French for wanting to make this little guy their own. After all, they’re SUPER cute and great companion animals, so it only makes sense that France would like to adopt these little critters. But the truth is, these guys originally came from England, where they were trendy among “caseworkers” for their ability to hunt and kill rats. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, depending on how you look at it, the “lacemaking” industry gradually started to die out as “machines” were able to replace humans in the lacemaking industry, making these “toy” bulldogs no longer necessary.
Right around this time…
The “French” Bulldog began to find a new home in France. These little guys became appreciated for their looks and personality rather than their uncanny ability to “kill a rat.” By late 1800, these little guys started moving up in the world as the social elite of France began to take notice of them and began “promoting” the classic “bat-like” ear trait that we all know and love in today’s “modern” French Bulldog (much to the “distaste” of English “toy” bulldog breeders).
Around this same time…
This new and “improved” French Bulldog with his bat-like ears were imported to the United State, where he became a hit. So much so that an American “French Bulldog” Club was quickly formed in 1898, which undoubtedly played a role in having the American Kennel Club (AKC) officially recognize the breed in 1898.
Physical Characteristics
The French bulldog has a very distinct appearance, and while some may say that they look a little bit like an English bulldog or a Boston Terrier, the truth is, once you know what a French Bulldog looks like, you’re never going to mistake them for a different type of breed. Now, this could be because these little guys almost always look like they’re smiling at you, or it could be because every time you look at them, you need to keep yourself from smiling back; either way, once you meet one, you’ll never be able to forget what they look like.
What’s strange…
These little guys, while small, are only 22 to 28 pounds in weight and reach up to 19 to 22 inches in height; for some reason, they seem more significant than they are. Perhaps their quiet confidence” makes them “seem” more important than they are; we’re not quite sure. We can tell you it isn’t because of their fu; these guys don’t have much of it.
Regardless of what “color” our Frenchie is, he will have a short,t soft coat with loose, wrinkled skin on his head and shoulders. You’ll have to decide for yourself which color you prefer because, according to the AKC breed standard, it is perfectly acceptable for him to be:
- All white,
- Brindle,
- Fawn,
- Tan,
- Brindle and white
And yes, we know we’re leaving many colors out of this list, but that’s simply because the AKC has some Strict guidelines here. But if you ask us here at IndulgeYourPet, any “color,” Frenchie is OK with us, but you might think differently. If so, be sure to check with the American Kennel Club website before purchasing your French Bulldog if this is something that you are concerned about.
Grooming the FrencBullDogog
The Frenchie does shed when there is a change in season, but not all that much. You’ll want to keep an eye on his ears, skin, and face because these guys occasionally develop ear and eye infections. Also, brushing his teeth occasionally –I’ll ensure you don’t spend too much on his dental care later.
Personality and Temperament
When owning a French Bulldog, you must go out of your way to upset them. We’d venture a guess that if you do have an upset Frenchie on your hands, it’s probably your fault. This is because all these guys want to do is play and be your “buddy.” While it is true that they tend to be a bit “stubborn” at times and aren’t always the easiest dog breeds to train, this is just because they don’t want to listen to you; they play and try to entertain you!
And this…
Desire to “entertain” isn’t just limited to you, his owner; Frenchie also likes to entertain other pets in the house, so we’ll frequently recommend this breed to those who already have another dog or cat in their home. Heck, they’re even really good with kids as well. But if you have children aged 3threeor lunder, it’s better not to bring this toy bulldog home unless you’re sure your kid is well-trained
You see…
Small children “tend” to think of these little guys as “toys.” Toys that can be sat on, pulled, pinched,d, or just “roughed” up by an overzealous child. Interestingly, despite their size, French bulldogs can make excellent watchdogs. Now, they’re probably not going to provide a ton of personal protection unless the stranger is afraid of being “licked” to death, but most of the time, just having a dog on alert barking away is enough to chase off any unwelcome visitors.
So, now you’re probably…
Are you wondering why a French Bulldog wouldn’t make a great pet? And honestly, we really can’t think of many reasons why he wouldn’t accept unless you’re looking for a SUPER active dog. Or perhaps you can take a dog with you on a “job” or along a mountain trail. If that’s the case, you’ll probably not want to adopt a French Bulldog because while these guys will enjoy a nice leisurely walk, they’re not built for speed or stamina!
This brings us to the last topic we want to discuss today regarding the French Bulldog breed: the “health” of the species. Because, as a general rule, these guys aren’t known to be the healthiest breed in the world.
Potential Health Concerns
Some of the common medical issues you’ll want to be on the “lookout” for when choosing to adopt French bulldogs will generally focus on the size and shape of their heads. You see, French Bulldogs are born with enormous heads. A vast charge that can bring about a lot of health issues, including:
- A soft palate,
- Eye problems
And breathing problems (brachycephalic).
And when we say “Big head,” we mean BIG HEAD. Like so big, these little guys can’t be born via “natural birth” and must be delivered via caesarian delivery. And it’s important to know that these guys WON’T be able to swim because they can’t keep their GIANT heads above water!
It should also be…
Noted that not all of the French Bulldog’s health issues are related to the size of their head. You see, these guys may also suffer from
And entropian!
So, needless to say, if you are thinking about purchasing a French Bulldog puppy or, better yet, adopting a French Bulldog rescue dog, you ought to take a moment and see what it might cost you to purchase a pet insurance policy on them. This way, if anything is happy to your little “cuti,e” you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of their medical bills.
For more information about who we currently “feel” is offering the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry, we strongly encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
i hate it. i have a frenchi at home and she is purfect.