For the Love of a Frenchie

Have you been enamored by a French bulldog yet? If not, you’re in for a treat. If so, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about here! The adorable French bulldog, or Frenchie as it is more affectionately addressed, is by no stretch of the imagination, one of the top companion dogs in the world. But, why?

The French bulldog is a small dog with a muscular and sturdy build. Their coats are super easy to care for, making these pups one of the more minimal effort dogs when it comes to grooming.

Frenchies are known to be very friendly dogs who love to play, but don’t worry, these pups also enjoy lounging on the couch. French bulldogs are very intelligent; this means that if you keep training fun it will be easy to train them. This breed is also known for being free thinkers! The intelligence of these big-eared dogs along with their free thinking is also known to lead to a bit of a stubborn streak—it’s just in their nature. You can expect your Frenchie to be both funny and naturally mischievous. It is important to realize that these pups need to live with an owner who is consistent, patient, yet firm (not aggressive). This breed is also known for being protective of their home and family.

French bulldogs notoriously love. They need human contact—meaning that they shouldn’t be subjected to being left on their own for long periods of time. It is equally important to know that these are not pups that can live or spend extensive time outdoors. These social dogs enjoy an abundance of loving interaction with their humans.

If you are the proud parent of a Frenchie, you need to realize the importance of keeping your pup in a cool, comfortable place as Frenchies are susceptible to heat exhaustion. Never leave your Frenchie outside on a hot day and keep rigorous exercise to a minimum. Short bursts are fine!

While this breed does not need a whole ton of exercise, they still need daily walks to keep them at a healthy weight as they can easily become obese. Generally, you will find that this breed grows to about 11 to 12 inches tall. Males weigh between 20 and 28 pounds, and females are often smaller weighing 16 to 24 pounds.

If socialized (as all dogs need to be) Frenchies are excellent with children and other dogs, they are also good apartment dogs. However, these dogs can be super protective of their families and home which can lead to barking. This is something that can be dealt with through early socialization, patience and proper training.

Frenchie owners should also be aware that these dogs are more susceptible to a number of medical conditions just like many other breeds. These conditions include Hip Dysplasia, Brachycephalic Syndrome, Patellar Luxation, Intervertebral Disc, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cleft Palate, Elongated Soft Palate.

If you are in the process of getting a Frenchie, it is very important that you choose an ethical breeder who will show you the pup’s health clearances. There are also rescues that specialize in French bulldog rescue and adoption. As always, do your research before you bring any breed of dog into your life. Dogs are generally NOT one size fits all. Do yourself and the dog a favor by bringing home a dog that fits your lifestyle!