French Bulldog

Theres too much to love about the French Bulldog breed. For one, their size makes them perfect for a loving, goofy companion just for your lap. The French Bulldog doesnt have as much energy compared to other breeds of similar sizes, however, their playful personality makes them the perfect breed for families who are looking for a low maintenance friend to have around the house.

On average, these bundles of fun live to be between 8-10 years of age and remain relatively small compared to other dog breeds. They are intelligent dogs with a distinct personality that teeters on the border of stubbornness and playfulness. Lets dive into what make the French Bulldog a perfect companion pet for anyone.

Behavior

As I mentioned before, the French Bulldog has, in general, a mild temperament. This breed does not require much exercise, but like with most other breeds, it is a good idea to take the French Bulldog on daily walks. The French Bulldog is notoriously quiet, usually only barking for the essentials (water, food, maybe even intruders). Another well-known characteristic of French Bulldog behavior, is that they are especially protective of children in families that adopt them.

Like many dogs, the French Bulldog can get territorial and may have episodes of wanting to be the center of attention, which can lead to behavioral problems if these episodes are not dealt with appropriately. Leaving a French Bulldog alone for long periods of time can shunt the dogs ability to thrive and grow into happy, healthy dogs. While French Bulldogs are an intelligent breed, their stubborn natures can make them difficult to train. Patience, repetition, and early socialization are required for training this breed.

Appearance

Like many Bulldog breeds, the French Bulldogs are stout, muscular, and have large ears that resemble the ears of a bat (in fact, this is one sure-fire way to tell a French Bulldog from other similar bulldog breeds). Their noses mostly resemble those of a pug. The coat of this breed is short, shiny and smooth and the color can range between fawn, brindle, or white, with any combination in between. Their skin is soft and loose which turns petting one of these fellas into an enjoyable indulgence.

The heads of this breed are usually large and square. French Bulldogs have an underbite and large round eyes. Tails are either straight or cork-screw. Most characterize the French Bulldog as having a square shape, however you may find that their bodies are mildly pear-shaped. Adult French Bulldogs weigh between 25-28 pounds and are generally 12 inches tall while standing normally.

Grooming

While French Bulldogs do not require their coats to be clipped, a weekly brush of the coat will keep it shiny and healthy. Monthly nail clippings are highly suggested due to the breeds inability to wear down nails on their own. Bathe the French Bulldog as needed, which should be easy as this breed is so small and easy to handle! French Bulldogs can develop halitosis (bad breath to the extreme), so it is recommended that you brush your companions teeth several times a week.

Ear cleaning should be done on a regular basis with a warm damp cloth, and cotton swabs should never be used for this process. It should be noted that the French Bulldog should be housed inside as they dont have the means to self-regulate their temperature like other dog breeds.

History

It is believed that the French Bulldog descends from the dogs of an ancient Greek tribe known as the Molossians. British Molossian dogs were developed into the Mastiff which contained as a sub-family the Bullenbeisser(German Bulldog). Early bulldogs were used for bull-baiting in Western Europe, where specially trained dogs were sent to antagonize bulls that were roped to an anchor in the ground. Bull-baiting became outlawed in England in 1835, leaving bulldogs to only be bred for non-sporting reasons.

Bulldogs were bred with terriers and pugs to reduce their size at the beginning of the 1800s. While the popularity of these Toy Bulldogs shifted throughout history, they were mainly sought after by society ladies, Parisian prostitutes, artists, writers, and fashion designers. After many generations of breeding, the French had produced a bulldog with erect ears that distinguished them from their English Bulldog cousins. They named this breed Bouledogue Francais until 1912 when the name was changed to French Bulldog. After the formation of the French Bulldog Club of America, a breed standard for the French Bulldog was created in which the fully erect bat ear became the correct type, as opposed to ears that folded at the tip.