The French Bulldog is currently one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. Last year, the American Kennel Club placed the Frenchie at Number 2 on their most popular breeds list. Lately, the French bulldog is the go-to choice for families looking for a friendly dog. This dog breed is playful, friendly, small, and can easily life in an apartment. What are some more French bulldog facts?
Because it sleeps for most of the day and has no problem going on a walk just two times per day, it is excellent choice for people who do not have as much time.
But before you bring this cute doggo to your home, we have to warn you about some of the things you need to know.
If you think it is easy to take care for this pup, think again. The French bulldog needs specialized care. Here are some things to know before getting a French Bulldog.
They are expensive
If you make up your mind to get a Frenchie be prepared to pay big bucks. These dogs are very expensive. Because of their popularity and rarity, their price can go up. Their litter usually has between 1 and 3 puppies. That makes them harder to obtain.
And if you do want to buy a Frenchie, make sure to get one from a reputable breeder. Check their health history.
Prone to obesity
Usually, a dog owner of a Frenchie puppy forgets that these dogs while do not need lots of exercise, they could still walk a few miles. Weight management is very important for a French bulldog puppy.
If you do not provide your pet with playful environment, he will gain weight. At the same time, you have to prioritize proper diet for your dog.
Suffer from food allergies
Bulldogs in general, and French bulldogs as well, have many food allergies. And these allergies usually take time and money to conquer. You should be ready to spend more money on proper and premium dog food.
Common symptoms of food allergies in dogs include gas, chronic diarrhea, ear inflammation, itching skin, and licking of paws.
Most bulldogs cannot digest grains, poultry, and potato. If you make a mistake with their food, it might take months of trial and error to find out the proper nutrition.
Generally speaking, you should stick to grain-free food. Some proteins that sit well with your pet include lamb, pork, and fish.
Possible health concerns
Food allergies are not the only problem that might arise with your French bulldog puppy. As a flat-nosed puppy, French Bulldogs are prone to several health issues. Now, your pup might not suffer from a single one. But the risk is greater than with other dog breeds.
Beside allergies, these dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, conjunctivitis, deafness, cherry eye, tracheal collapse, heat stress, intervertebral disc disease, brachycephalic respiratory syndrome, cataracts, thyroid issues, and many more.
They love to play
One of the mistake a perspective dog owner makes is that Frenchies are lazy dogs. On the contrary, they love to play. This is why families with kids love them. They are one of the most playful dogs.
But like with other dog breeds, you should introduce them to your children slowly. Supervise their play with kids. Dogs and kids need to learn how to interact with each other.
They need moderate exercise
There are breeds that need lots of outdoor time, including walking, playing, and running. And then there are breeds that do their business and spend the remaining 23 hours or more at home. French Bulldogs fall somewhere in the middle.
They love to play and jump around, but they do not need as much time outside. Be careful not to overexercise your dog. Frenchies can easily throw up because they have troubles breathing during hot months and cannot run for as much.
Do not leave them alone
The general rule for getting a pet is if you do not have time to spend with him, do not get one. And while Frenchies are happy sleeping at home for most of the day, they do not want to sleep alone.
They get extremely attached to their dog owner and become anxious and stressed when left alone for long periods.
So, is the French Bulldog the right dog for you?
There is a reason why this dog is one of the most popular by the American Kennel Club. There are many positives of being a Frenchie owner. But before buying or adopting one, ask yourself questions like Can I afford a breed with expensive vet bills, will I put the effort to give my dog a proper care, do I have time to devote to his needs?
Generally speaking, French bulldog dogs are great for people who:
- Spend a lot of time at home
- Families who spend time at home
- People who are not outside-oriented
- Love snuggling and sleeping with their pet
- Want to interact with their dog (Frenchies are very talkative)
- Know how to take care for their dog
How to take care of your French bulldog?
So, once you get a French bulldog, how do you take care for him? We looked at many French bulldog facts, and we hope you are still determined to get one. We have to note that many bulldogs wind up in shelters with numerous health problems because their pet owner is not prepared for the high vet bills.
With that in mind, here are some basic things pet parents need to know about taking care of their dog:
- Feed him with high quality and nutritious food
- Provide enough exercise
- Keep up with his hygiene, wash his coat when dirty and groom from time to time
- Check your Frenchie for visible health issues
- Go to routine vet check-ups at least once per six months
- Do not expose your Frenchie pup to hot and humid weather, remember, this is a brachycephalic breed
- And always get your companion dog from a reputable French bulldog owner
