The French Bulldog or as the French say, "Le Bouledogue Français", is one of the world's favourite dog breeds. French Bulldogs are compact in size, with iconic, upright "bat ears", infectious personalities, and easy going, but occasionally stubborn, natures. Frenchies are intelligent, adaptable, and adorable dogs that are well-suited for city life and companionship.
Physical Characteristics
These strong, compact dogs come in a variety of colours. Their bat ears and screw tails are among their most distinguishing features. Frenchies, as they are affectionately known, are a brachycephalic breed, literally meaning 'shortened head', and their short snouts can place them at risk of developing breathing problems, especially in hot or humid weather.
History
French Bulldogs evolved from their English cousins around the time of the first Industrial Revolution. Due to industrial disputes, Lacemakers in the city of Nottingham were emigrating to France, to find work, where traditional manufacturing methods had yet to be replaced by machine-based production. They took their English Bulldogs along with them, whose size and ratting ability made them convenient travel mates. Over time, they were crossed with terriers and pugs, creating a new, distinct bulldog breed.
While French Bulldogs soon became status symbols among the French societal elite, they were remarkably democratic in their appeal, equally beloved by everyone from ladies of the night to royalty. Wealthy Americans on visits abroad were also charmed by the adorable breed and began returning home with their own French Bulldogs. It is American breeders who are credited with cementing the iconic bat ear as a defining trait of French Bulldogs, rather than the rose ear inherent to their English counterparts. The breed's popularity grew steadily across Europe and America throughout the end of the 19th century and continues to expand to this day.
Personality and Temperament
French Bulldogs are intelligent, curious, and cute dogs with very stable and predictable temperaments. Their easy-going personalities are adaptable to a variety of living situations. They can coexist peacefully with other breeds but are just as happy to live alone. They can adapt to life in the home or mainly living outdoors.
French Bulldogs are not generally barkers, though their alertness and intelligence make them natural watchdogs. They are extremely loyal, but their natural curiosity and propensity towards stubbornness necessitates early, consistent training to avoid future behaviour problems.
Grooming
French Bulldogs require minimal, but necessary, grooming maintenance. Due to their stubborn nature, it is best to introduce them to grooming early in their life and maintain a consistent schedule. It is recommended their coats be brushed weekly, they have regular nail trimmings, and get routine cleaning and drying of their facial folds and ears, to prevent any infections.
Training your French Bulldog
BARK BUSTERS INTERNATIONAL HEAD TRAINER - DONNA RYAN
Who can resist Frenchies? Their adorable bat ears, big eyes, and friendly, inquisitive nature towards both people and animals, make them practically irresistible. While not typically problematic, French Bulldogs can be headstrong, and like all dogs, they do require leadership, education, and consistency to avoid behaviour problems.
Training Case study
Take Chloe, a three-year-old Frenchie. Chloe was very sweet and loving in most circumstances, but she had one unignorable behaviour problem. She was extremely possessive of her owner, Sarah, shoes. She quickly turned into a growling, biting snapper if Sarah tried to get them back. It didn't take long for Sarah to reach her wits' end, to the point she was, very reluctantly, considering finding another home for Chloe if the problem could not be resolved.
We spent some time getting to know Sarah and Chloe's relationship and history. We discovered Sarah had Chloe as a 10-week-old puppy and had even taken her to puppy classes, where Chloe did well. She learned all her commands and would mostly respond to them, but Sarah would occasionally resort to using treats to get Chloe to obey.
Sarah loved Chloe, and it became apparent she would give in to Chloe's every request. If Sarah sat on the couch, so did Chloe, who would immediately ask for and receive attention and affection. When Chloe was hungry, she would claw at where her food was kept, and Sarah would feed her. When Chloe wanted to go out, Sarah would drop what she was doing to take her for a walk, with Chloe leading the way.
Chloe had become the demanding figure in their relationship, and felt it was her responsibility to "take care" of Sarah. We explained this dynamic to Sarah and introduced her to some simple exercises and communication methods to correct the imbalance.
Chloe responded immediately, offering zero pushback. To gauge her progress, we decided to test Chloe with a pair of Sarah's shoes. As soon as Chloe noticed the shoes, we asked Sarah to use the methods we had taught her, and we were pleased to find that Chloe walked away and laid down near Sarah, when commanded to do so. When Sarah approached the shoes and put them on, Chloe didn't move or make a sound. We left Sarah with training instructions on how to continue the process over the next couple of weeks and asked her to contact us with a progress update or immediately if she had any questions or further problems.
Sarah called us a week later with an update and things were going great! The new communication and consistent approach were paying off, and Chloe continued to respond to the exercises. She seemed happier and more relaxed and, much to Sarah's delight, had even stopped some of her other demanding behaviours too. We congratulated Sarah and encouraged her to keep up the great work she had been doing.
French Bulldogs are not usually troublesome, but inconsistency and lack of training can lead to behaviour problems, as with any dog. Your local Bark Busters trainer can help establish a pattern of consistency, help to resolve any and all problems, and help you nurture a relationship with your Frenchie built on mutual understanding, trust, respect, and love.
Tips for Potential Dog Owners
Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs have inherent health risks resulting from their shorter snouts. It is important to consult with a veterinarian about the best ways to care for a short-nosed dog before adopting one.
French Bulldogs do not require a lot of space or activity, making them excellent dogs for apartment and city dwellers.
If you are thinking of purchasing a French Bulldog, it is important to source from a responsible breeder who is breeding for not only looks, but health and temperament too. Rescues are also a great option for prospective Frenchie owners.
French Bulldogs are great mimickers, and their adorable appearance can lead to unwanted behaviours. By monitoring your own actions, you can make a big change in your French Bulldog's behaviour.
Early basic obedience training is vitally important to ensure your French Bulldog understands and follows your rules.
We are standing by to help you develop a consistent, compassionate approach to good behaviour for your French Bulldog. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our trainers today!
Puppy Selection
It is always better to get the right temperament puppy for your family, over picking one based on colour or gender. A pretty face will not matter much if you and your puppy do not get along and does not fit in well with your family's lifestyle.
It is important that you don't remove a puppy from their mother litter before 8 weeks, but 12 weeks would be even better. The time they spend with their mother and siblings is critical to their development. Puppies removed too early tend to be nervous, bark a lot, and bite because appropriate behaviour is learned at their mother's teat. Many long-term behaviour problems can be attributed to a puppy being removed from the litter much too soon.
Socialisation is learned with their littermates, and one that should be ongoing too. Although they are social creatures and generally get along with both people and other dogs, there are always exceptions to the rules. It is important to introduce your dog to new experiences and people, but it must be done carefully and without fear. Never take your dog into fearful situations because traumatic experiences can result in lifelong anxieties.
Introduce your puppy carefully to other dogs that you know could serve as a good role model. Dogs learn a lot from other dogs. Just like you don't want your kids hanging out with bad influences, the same rule should apply to dogs too.
Always choose a reputable breeder and ask for references. French Bulldogs can often cost a pretty penny. That's why we suggest looking at rescue centres, animal welfare shelters or the RSPCA. These dogs are tested for temperament and soundness before being put up for adoption.
If you're out of luck at the recuse centres, then ensure you choose a reputable breeder. Check out the Kennel Club for a list of approved breeders close to you.
Many dogs are abandoned for the wrong reasons and some people are not fully prepared to do what it takes to train and educate a dog. All shelters give their dogs health checks to make sure they are in good shape and up to date on their vaccinations and will make you aware of any behaviour problems too. Bark Busters trainers work with many local shelters to help overcome any behaviour problems before a dog is adopted.
A good breeder will, where possible, try and screen out all the health problems inherent to the breed. They should be happy to answer your questions about temperament and health considerations and should ask you questions about your lifestyle and goals. Reputable breeders are registered, and they abide by certain policies and screening.
Before you decide on a puppy, ask yourself if you would be better off with an adult Frenchie, that would mean lower maintenance and lower energy. Puppies are fun, but they are also a lot of work.
Whether you decide on a puppy or an adult make sure you take your dog to the vet soon after adoption to identify and prevent any problems and to check on its immunisation and desexing needs.
Four Basic Needs
Let's examine those four basic needs and why your dog needs them to keep it healthy, balanced and content.
Food - diet / nutrition
Some dogs can be pretty picky about their food. Consult with your veterinarian about which brand of food you should purchase, or which raw diet is best for your dog. Your dog's diet is important to meet their nutritional needs and to maintain the overall health. For puppies, as they are so small, you don't need a lot of food to fill them up!
We promote a diet that is grain free, low in carbohydrates and without any harmful e-numbers, colours and preservatives. Carbohydrates do add energy that the dog needs to burn off and can make an already hyperactive dog more active.
The right diet, grain free and filled with fruits, vegetables and raw meat will have advantages to how your dog will feel, look and act.
If you want to understand why grains can make a dog more energetic, you only need to think of racehorses and how their trainers give them grain to get highly energetic racehorses. Energy in, equals energy out.
Bark Busters dog trainers are not vets or dietitians, so we urge you to do your own research into the best diet for your dog. A diet that you will be comfortable with.
We do however have vast experience of how highly concentrated grain diets effect behaviour and can cause hyperactivity. This is very prominent in Japan, where most dogs are fed high levels of rice in their diet which can adversely affect concentration and focus.
Safety - through leadership and education
All dogs need strong leadership and to know where they fit into the family unit. If they know they have a leader that will make all the decisions, one who is fair and just, they will be happy and content.
On the other hand, if they have no structure in their life, they have inconsistency, and don’t know how things will be from one day to the next, then they will become stressed and may experience health ailments, skin and stomach issues and behaviour problems. Routine and respect must be established. With equal doses of love and structure your dog will feel safe and secure.
Your dog just wants to please you but many times they don't know how. If you don't quickly establish yourself as the leader, your dog will gladly assume this role and chaos could follow.
Shelter - a place to call their own
Dogs love nothing better than to curl up on the couch or in a place they can call their own, even when there is more than one dog. Most dogs are very sociable, and they will think nothing of all snuggling in together. Provide your dog with its own "den", a place where they can call home, and somewhere they can go to for a bit of peace and quiet. Just make sure their "den" is warm, easy to clean and maintain. Also, this breed does not like to be cold, and their shivering is a sign that some warmth is needed.
Entertainment - toys and games
A very important part of your dog's four basic needs is their need to have something to do. If we want to avoid our pets becoming bored and destructive, then they need a way to fill their day.
Dogs thrive with physical and mental exercise. Dogs are highly intelligent animals, and they need to keep their brains active as much as their bodies. Entertainment is an important part of their well-being and essential to your dog's overall mental health.
One great toy is the Bark Busters GameChanger® which helps to prevent boredom, stress, and separation anxiety. By filling it with small treats, your dog will have plenty of fun trying to get the treats to dispense.
Games to Play
What are the right games, you might ask?
Be mindful of your particular dog’s energy levels. Also, remember your French Bulldog's anatomy, especially it’s face / snout, when choosing a game to play. They can easily become exhausted and worn out, especially in hot weather, so don’t overdo it.
Don't play any games that involves rough and tumble as this only encourages biting. 'Tug of War' is okay and playing ball is good, provided your dog is not the type that gets fixated on the ball and refuses to stop playing when requested.
Hide and seek is a great game too. These are games where you hide things from your dog, like toys or a tennis ball or treats and then encourage them to find them. You can increase the degree of difficulty as your dog gets better at the game. Start out where your dog sees you hide the item, then repeat over and over, 'Seek' which is a good command to use for this exercise. Remember to give a lot of praise when they find it. These types of games are more calming for your Yorkie, than those type of games that encourage your dog to become over-excited or teaches them to bark or bite hands.
Fetch - French Bulldogs are great sports and love to chase balls and play with toys. Your dog will love a rousing game of fetch, challenge yourself to see how far you can throw it. Also teach the command of "out" once you dog has brought the object back to you.
Walking - This classic form of exercise is still great for all breeds, but make sure you don’t overwork your Frenchie, especially in hot weather.
Child’s Play
All dogs need to be controlled around babies or toddlers so as not to nip at them. They are intelligent and do learn quickly, so spend time educating them as to what is good and what is not. If you are patient and understanding of their capabilities, you will be able to enjoy many great times as a family with your dog.
Puzzle and Treat Dispensing Toys
The GameChanger® by Bark Busters is a great toy. This interactive toy gives dogs hours of entertainment, providing they are food or toy motivated. The GameChanger® is a sturdy educational toy that delivers a treat when the dog spins it the right way. You simply fill the toy with treats and allow your dog to do the rest. They will soon get to work and get the treats flowing. The flexibility of the toy gives persistent chewers the ability to bite down on the toy, giving them a workout. The GameChanger® is highly recommended to prevent destructive behaviour and will also assist in keeping dogs entertained and less bored.
These toys can help your dog to direct his chewing efforts in a positive direction as opposed to chewing your shoes or precious items.
Many dogs go wild for this toy. Unlike hard plastic toys, this toy is very quiet and won’t damage your hardwood floors or furniture. It is flexible, BPA free, and won’t break teeth or hurt your dog’s mouth.
Dog Parks
Taking Your French Bulldog to the Dog Park
Dog parks are one of the most misunderstood dog activities of the modern-day dog world. Some doggie parents love nothing more than to take their dog to a dog park. They have been told they need to socialise their dog and so off they go.
They love the fact that their dog has fun, they get to meet other dog lovers and watch the dog's romp around and play.
That is the upside, but the downside is there are those dog lovers whose dogs don't fit into this world at all. They are those dogs or puppies that were bullied, frightened on their first visit or whose personality does not fit the mould.
These folks agonise over the fact that their dog or puppy does not look forward to its trip there, it hides under the seat of the car, or it has to be carried or enticed into the park.
Many ask us why their dog acts like this and how they can fix it?
Bark Busters do have ways to assist these pet parents, but we do also explain why their dog might not like the dog park because of its personality.
It reminds us of a friend of ours who visited us regularly with her little dog, 'Harry'.
When they would arrive, Harry would walk up to each of us, sniff our legs and walk away.
She questioned us one day on why we never petted Harry when he came up to us.
We explained that this was not what Harry was doing, he was sniffing us, not requesting a pat. If he had been requesting to be petted, after sniffing us, he would have gestured to us to pet him. He did not do that, instead he walked away.
We told her that Harry was not a social dog and preferred not to be touched by anyone other than her and he avoided any interaction with our dogs too. He was a 'one person' dog that did not feel comfortable around others.
It was like a light had been turned on, our friend smiled and told us that this explained a lot to her. She further explained that every time she took Harry to the dog park, that he could not wait to get back to the car when it was time to leave, that he would stand away from the other dogs, never join in the play and snap at other dogs when they came near him.
He was telling her in every way he could that he did not fit into that dog park crowd, just like some humans hate parties!
With today's dog owners having such busy lifestyles, more and more dog owners are turning to dog parks as a way of socialising and exercising their dogs. While this is great fun for most dogs and dog owners, not every dog will do well in this environment.
A breed like the French Bulldog needs to be socialised with dogs of similar size and energy levels or they, or the other dogs, could become fearful, especially those larger than themselves, which could lead to 'dog aggression'.
Some high energy large breeds have little or no regard for little shy or reserved dogs and will think nothing about bowling them over and showing them who is boss of the doggie park.
If your dog doesn't enjoy this type of rough and tumble, or is traumatised by it, then you might have an issue the next time you try to visit the park.
The best way to prevent this behaviour is to see if there is an option at your dog park to match size, and possibly personality, away from the boisterous dogs. If that is not possible, try visiting the dog park in off peak hours and practice gaining focus from your dog before you allow them to run off and play.
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This article is the copyright of Bark Busters® and is intended for information purposes only. Dog owners should fully research any problems that they may have with their dogs.