The French bulldog is a small but robust dog. Bat ears and a flattened face are its two most notable characteristics, in addition to its temperament good-natured and affectionate It comes from the first bulldogs in England, like all variants of this breed, and like their compatriots, they are animals that need a lot of attention and company. Therefore, they are highly recommended for families with large children or people who live alone. If you want to know which are the best dog breeds for children, don't miss this article.
In this tab on our site we tell you everything you need to know about the origin, physical characteristics, character, care, education and he alth of the french bulldog.
Origin of the French bulldog
In the second half of the 19th century, during the industrial revolution, many English workers migrated to France. A large part of these workers came from the English city of Nottingham, where bulldogs were highly valued and were brought to France by their owners. Some of these bulldogs were very small in size and some also had erect ears, a condition that was not highly appreciated in England. In France, however, the little prick-eared bulldogs caused a sensation, especially among women. Therefore, pet traders took it upon themselves to import more and more of those little bulldogs that were already beginning to be known as bouledogue Francais or French bulldogs.
By the late 19th century, French breeders had successfully bred these little "bat-eared" dogs consistently and some French bulldogs had been acquired by high-ranking families. It is from then on that the breed gained greater prominence in the French dog community and was more widely spread abroad. The favoritism of the privileged classes for these dogs helped catapult the breed, which was later exported to America, where it became quite popular.
Today the French bulldog is a dog known almost all over the world and much appreciated as a pet and companion. It can also be found at dog shows around the world, and the odd one works as a therapy dog.
Physical Characteristics of the French Bulldog
The weight of these little bulldogs should not be less than eight kilograms nor more than 14 kilograms, both for males and females. The size is not indicated in the breed standard, but must be proportional to the weight. Obviously, they are small dogs. This bulldog is a stocky, solid-boned dog despite being small and plump He is a typical small molossoid.
The upper line of this dog's body rises to the level of the loin and then drops sharply towards the tail. The back is broad and muscular, the loin is wide and short, and the croup is oblique. The chest of the French bulldog is cylindrical and deep, with a very wide forechest. The flanks are raised to the level of the belly, but they do not acquire a sloping shape.
The French bulldog has a broad, square head, with folds and wrinkles in its skin. The face is flattened and the stop very marked. The nose is wide, very short and raised. The dark, large, rounded, slightly bulging eyes have an alert expression. The ears are medium, wide at the base and rounded at the end. They are erect and set high.
This dog's tail is short from the start and set low. Thick at its base, its central portion can be knotted or naturally folded to end in a point. Even when the bulldog is active, it carries its tail below horizontal.
This bulldog's fur is very beautiful and striking. It is smooth, tight, shiny and smooth. According to the breed standard published by the International Cinological Federation (FCI), the coat can be fawn or fawn brindle, with white patches.
French bulldog character
The temperament of French bulldogs corresponds perfectly to that of companion dogs. These dogs are friendly, playful, very social and sweet. It can be said that they are the perfect lapdogs. These bulldogs tend to easily socialize whether with people, dogs, or other animals. They usually get along very well with children, but they can be very demanding of company and pampering for very young children. Despite this, it is important to socialize these dogs from an early age to prevent them from becoming shy as adults.
This breed does not tend to be very problematic, but due to its great need for companionship it can develop separation anxiety quite easily. That means the French bulldog can become a destructive dog if left alone for long periods of time. This is not a dog to leave isolated in a room, the patio or the garden.
On the other hand, these dogs can make great pets for most people. Due to their friendly and sociable character, they become excellent pets for families with large children and single people However, we must consider that they require a lot of company and are very playful, so they are not suitable for people who spend most of their time outdoors. They are also good dogs for first-time owners, as long as they are mindful of the time they need to spend with their pets.
French bulldog care
Coat care is easier and simpler than in other companion dog breeds, since their short hair does not demand many demands. weekly brushing is usually enough to remove loose hair and the occasional bath, only when the dog is dirty or once a month. However, you have to clean the wrinkles on your face frequently, to prevent dirt from accumulating in them. To do this, simply wipe gently with a damp cloth and then gently dry as well.
Exercise requirements are low for the French bulldog. Although he is a very playful dog, he tires quickly and can do most of his physical exercise indoors. Still, it's wise to give him a daily moderate walk to stimulate his mind and allow him to socialize, and offer some light playtime. Due to its flattened nose, the French bulldog does not tolerate hot climates well and can be hypersensitive to anesthesia. It is also not a good idea to allow or force him to do strenuous exercise, as he can easily go into heat shock.
He is not a good swimmer,so it is important to supervise him constantly if there are pools, lakes or bodies of water nearby. French bulldogs often have trouble swimming, as their heads are very heavy in proportion to the rest of their bodies, and they can easily drown.
These dogs adapt very easily to life in apartments and big cities, so they can be excellent pets for most cosmopolitan people. However, it must be taken into account that their company needs are very high and they cannot be left alone for a long time or live isolated in a room, a garden or a patio. These dogs need to share with their families most of the time.
French bulldog education
This is one of the breeds that doesn't excel in dog training and many "old school" trainers label French bulldogs as stubborn and dominant dogs. However, the real reason these dogs are difficult to train is because they don't respond well to traditional training
On the other hand, when trained by clicker training, or another variant of positive training, French bulldogs can learn easily. The only aspect that may take longer than for other breeds is potty training, because these little puppies need to go more often than medium or large breed dogs.
French Bulldog He alth
Unfortunately, the French bulldog is prone to various dog diseases, many related to its flattened snout Among the most frequent are: stenotic nostrils, elongated soft palate, intervertebral disc degeneration and canine hemivertebra. Less frequently, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, entropion, distichiasis, cataracts, and deafness are also diagnosed in this breed.
