French Bulldog
The French Bulldog or “Frenchie” has had a surge in popularity in recent times, but they come with an inherent set of problems that compromise their health and welfare.
French Bulldogs were bred in France from now-extinct Toy Bulldogs as companions.
They are a small dog and their size ranges from 20 to 28 cm and weight from 4 to 7kg. Females tend to be a bit smaller than males. French Bulldogs come in a variety of colours including brindle, pied, fawn, black, cream and blue. They are a brachycephalic breed with a very flat face, and many facial wrinkles. This conformation has led to serious health problems faced by the breed today.
French Bulldog breed facts & characteristics
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | France |
| Dog Breed Group | Companion |
| Height | 30 cm |
| Weight range | 10 to 15kgs |
| Colours | Fawn, pied, brindle |
| Life expectancy | 10 to 14 years |
| Coat | Short |
| Temperament | Energetic, easy going, playful |
| Exercise requirements | Medium |
| Best suited for | Households with someone who is home most of the time |
| Apartment friendly | Yes |
Personality
Bred as a companion, the French Bulldog is friendly and playful. They are popular with families for their good-natured disposition and if socialised when they are young, they will generally get along well with other pets.
They are well suited to apartment living, but daily exercise is vital. They can have a stubborn streak and can be difficult to train.
Grooming
They have a short coat that requires minimal grooming. However, skin folds on the face and tail need regular cleansing to help prevent infections which are common in the breed. Regular ear cleaning should also be a part of the regular grooming schedule to help keep the ears clean and free from debris as they are prone to ear infections.
French Bulldog’s are prone to dental problems so teeth cleaning should also be a part of the maintenance routine. Prevent parasites by ensuring your French Bulldog is on flea control all year round and tick prevention if you are in a paralysis tick area.
French Bulldog Feeding
When choosing a food for your French Bulldog, select a premium food appropriate to your dog’s age and life stage. Make sure your pup always has a supply of fresh, clean water available.
Royal Canin French Bulldog Dog Food
Royal Canin understand that every dog is unique. They research breed-specific traits and combine scientific and nutritional research from their network of experts to create precise nutrition for your dog.
Royal Canin French Bulldog puppy and adult formulas feature high-quality protein sources, unique nutrients, and are designed with specific shape, size and texture to meet your French Bulldog’s facial jaw structure and biting pattern.
Benefits:
- Immune System Support
French Bulldog Puppy helps support your puppy’s natural defences thanks particularly to a complex of antioxidants including Vitamin E. - Muscle Mass Condition
French Bulldog Adult contributes to maintaining muscle mass thanks to optimal protein content. This formula also contains L-Carnitine for healthy fat metabolism. - Odour Reduction
French Bulldog Adult contributes to reducing intestinal fermentation which may cause digestive disorders, flatulence and bad stool odour. - Healthy Skin
Both formulas help support the skin’s barrier role and helps maintain skin health (EPA and DHA). - Tailor Made Kibble
Kibble is designed specifically for the French Bulldog’s brachycephalic jaw, making it easier to pick up and to encourage them to chew.
Key Ingredients
French Bulldog Adult: Rice, wheat, animal fats, dehydrated pork protein, vegetable protein isolate*, dehydrated poultry protein, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, minerals, fish oil, soya oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides, hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), marigold extract (source of lutein), hydrolysed cartilage (source of chonodroitin).*L.I.P.: protein selected for its very high digestibility.
French Bulldog Puppy: Rice, dehydrated poultry protein, wheat, vegetable protein isolate*,animal fats, hydrolysed animal proteins, beet pulp, dehydrated pork protein, minerals, soya oil, fish oil, fructo-oligo-saccharides (0.34%), hydrolysed yeast (source of mannan-oligo-saccharides), hydrolysed crustaceans (source of glucosamine), yeast extracts (source of beta glucans), marigold extract (source of lutein), hydrolysed cartilage (source of chondroitin).*L.I.P.: protein selected for its very high digestibility.
Lifestage
French Bulldog Adult: Over 12 months
French Bulldog Puppy: 2 months – 12 months
Common Health Concerns
According to PetSure data from 2013 to 2018, brachycephalic breeds have a higher prevalence for many major health problems including patella luxation, skin conditions, eye conditions, anal gland problems, digestive diseases, and ear infections. Brachycephalic airway syndrome is caused by changes in the airways which can result in lifelong breathing problems and poses a significant welfare risk to these dogs.
In 2019 French Bulldogs commonly went to the vet for skin conditions, such as allergies, skin fold infections and ear infections.
With their big, bulging eyes, French Bulldog’s are prone to eye injuries, resulting in corneal ulcers as well as other eye problems including “dry eye” (keratoconjunctivitis sicca), and conjunctivitis. Digestive problems are also common in the French Bulldog. These often manifest as diarrhoea, flatulence and vomiting.
Other serious problems seen in French Bulldogs include Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and Hip dysplasia. Treatment for these conditions can run into the many thousands.
Popular French Bulldog Names
- Luna
- Archie
- Charlie
- Frankie
- Coco
- Bella
- Daisy
- Ruby
- Buddy
- Milo
Did you know?
Often, French bulldog mothers require caesarean sections due to the inability to give birth naturally. This is because of selective breeding for dogs with large heads and narrow pelvises meaning the puppies can’t pass through the birth canal.
French Bulldog FAQs
How much is a French Bulldog in Australia?
In Australia, French Bulldogs are priced between $3500 to $4500. Show breeders place a heavier cost on Frenchies because of their specific breeding characteristics but on an average, French Bulldogs can be quite expensive as breeding them with artificial insemination and C-section births can incur upto $3000 on the breeders.
What to feed a French Bulldog puppy?
French Bulldog puppies need healthy and nutrient-rich puppy food to grow and develop into a mature and functioning adult dog.
A Frenchies diet can also include all lean, raw meats that are safe for humans to eat too. Until they are at their adult height, keep them on a puppy diet.
How much to feed a French Bulldog?
As a baseline, all French Bulldogs must be fed 25 to 30 calories per pound of their body weight daily. On an average, French Bulldogs eat around 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dog food split between 2 meals a day, each given within a 12-hour interval.
What are the best toys for French Bulldogs?
French Bulldogs love all kinds of attention from their human partners and enjoy playing with them. Objects like chew toys, fetching sticks and ropes keep French Bulldogs entertained while the company of other dogs, play fighting, cuddling and games with humans stimulates their happy hormones.
Where can I get a French bulldog?
Before buying a French bulldog, consider the serious health concerns that brachycephalic (flat faced) breeds have. While they may look cute, these problems have long term welfare implications. RSPCA Australia and the Australian Veterinary Association are calling for a shift in the way these dogs are bred, and decreasing demand for flat-faced dogs is one way you can help improve the future for these breeds.
You may be able to adopt a French Bulldog from a French Bulldog specific rescue organisation.
Also be sure to visit your local pet rescue shelters where you might find an alternate small breed dog and your new best friend!