The French Bulldog is a companion dog—nothing more, nothing less. He was not bred to find a bird in the field or to chase a rabbit down a hole. He is smart and sophisticated and he was bred to be a companion to man. However, just because he likes to sit with his master on the sofa and watch television with an occasional tidbit popped into his mouth, it does not mean that he is not fun-loving or active!
The Frenchie is considered to be the clown of the canine family. Some dogs will tolerate wearing party hats and sitting in front of a birthday cake while their pictures are being taken, and other dogs will wear T-shirts and caps and let their little mistresses push them around in strollers. The Frenchie actually enjoys these antics and participates fully. He likes hats and caps and Mickey Mouse ears, and he loves the badger collar that has been a part of his dress since the late 1800s. He also likes sunglasses in any size. He likes to ride and you will find pictures of Frenchies in carts, in cars, in wagons and on bicycles. And some Frenchies pull carts as well as ride in them. They also like to do things in pairs. If a Frenchie likes to dress up for a birthday party, he likes to have another Frenchie companion with him—also dressed, of course. There is nothing better for a Frenchie who enjoys leaning against his master in the evening on the sofa than to have another Frenchie leaning against him!
LEARN TO LIKE THEM
Will Judy wrote in the 1936 Dog Encyclopedia (along with a photograph of a Frenchie sitting at a table, wearing a nice white shirt, contemplating blowing out the candles on a birthday cake in front of him), “One must learn to like the Frenchie just as he learns to like olives, but once having learned to like the Frenchie, he will never cease to speak the praises of the breed. Not only in name but in mannerism, the breed is French…He may look serious but he is a laughing philosopher, laughing not only with his mouth and eyes but with his entire body. He is always a clown, always ready for tricks but when he is at ease, he is the soul of dignity.”
Ooh, la, la! Who can resist the charm and magnetism of this French lady?
SMALL COMPANION
The French Bulldog makes a wonderful dog for dog folk who live in a small condo or apartment. His weight is under 28 pounds, his grooming requirements are minimal and he is intelligent and easily trained. He does not need a lot of exercise and he is a quiet dog, barking very little. You will find him a smart companion, trotting at your side as you take your exercise through the park.
The English standard notes that he is vivacious, affectionate and intelligent. The American standard has many more adjectives: well-behaved, adaptable and comfortable companions; affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert and playful but not unduly boisterous.
Frenchies can be worked in obedience and have made a respectable showing in the ring. There are few better sights than the Frenchie flying over the hurdles. If you train your dog in obedience, you must be prepared to belong to an obedience club where they have the proper facilities and equipment, and you must work a short while every day with your dog in order to succeed.
Agility is one of the fastest growing activities in dogdom, and Frenchies can certainly participate in this very exciting sport. Attend a large dog show in your area to witness these events firsthand—it is a lot of exercise for both dog and handler! As with obedience, you must belong to a training club where there are proper facilities and equipment.
A big advantage of the Frenchie over many other breeds is that there is a minimum of grooming, and it will consist of primarily a weekly “once-over.” The Frenchie’s coat is fine and short, making it easier to brush than those of dogs with long, curly or dense coats. Nevertheless, all dogs shed, and brushing your Frenchie once a week will limit the shedding to a minimum. The French Bulldog is one of the brachycephalic breeds. This group includes the Frenchie, Boxer, Bulldog, Pug and Boston Terrier—the flat-faced, short-nosed dogs. These breeds have abnormally small openings to the nostrils and relatively long palates. Dogs prefer to breathe through their noses, and for these breeds it becomes more difficult for them to breathe because of the small nasal openings.
All brachycephalic breeds, because of their small nasal openings, are very susceptible to heat and cold. The Frenchie must not be allowed to do strenuous activities in the summer months and he must never be left in the car in the sun. Likewise, if you are in a northern climate, your little buddy will not stay out in the cold very long.
SNORTING AND SNORING
You will get used to the snorting and snoring that come from your dog, as Frenchies are quite noisy because of their flat faces and small nasal openings. When I bought my first Frenchie, my breeder, a Frenchwoman, said, “Quand vous achetez un Bulldogue Français, vous demandez ‘Qu’il gronger? etpete?’Si les reponses sont ‘Oui!.’ Alors vous avez un bon chien!”(“When you buy a Frenchie you ask, ‘Does he snore?’ ‘Does he fart?’ If the answer is yes to both, you have a good dog!”)
Some Frenchies have very short screw tails and can be prone to anal gland impaction. The dog has two anal glands that are located on either side of the rectum. Because of the screw tail, it is more difficult to clean these glands in the Frenchie than in many other breeds. When you take your dog in for his check-up, you should have your vet check the anal glands to see if they need to be expressed.
Premature degeneration of the vertebral discs can be a problem in the breed. Symptoms are protruding or stiff neck, lameness in either front or rear legs and loss of bladder control. You must see your vet if the situation arises, and treatment will probably be with either drugs or surgery.
Natural births are uncommon due to the Frenchie’s large head, large shoulders and small pelvis, and Caesarean sections will almost always be called for. Juvenile cataracts can also be a problem. This is an inherited disorder and you should inquire of your breeder to see if he has this problem in his line.
The Frenchie’s personality easily endears him to dog people, especially those who appreciate the special advantages he offers.
You must have a good vet who is familiar with the breed and its health problems. It is the wise new Frenchie owner who is aware of the various health problems that affect the French Bulldog. Unfortunately, most pure-bred dogs have certain health defects with which to contend, and the Frenchie is not spared. Never be too shy to ask your chosen breeder about these and other problems that may affect the breed.
The bat ear sported by French Bulldogs is an immediately recognizable breed characteristic.
Although known for their comical antics, French Bulldogs have a truly regal air.