French Bulldog
Other names: Frenchies
Origin
There are many conflicting references as to the origin of the French Bulldog. Some breeders claim the origin can be traced to Britain during the advent of the industrial revolution. The theory is that as mechanisation spread, the lacemakers of Nottingham, some of whom had been breeding toy or miniature bulldogs, were pushed out of their jobs. Many left England for Brittany and France where their skills were in demand. They took with them some of these small bulldogs, many of which had bat (upright) ears. This new style of dog appealed to the French and demand increased so much that breeders began breeding up the 'French style' to supply the demand in Paris. The breed became popular in England in the 1900's and then in America as Americans in Paris fell in love with them and took them home. Breeders say the French Bulldog has been in Australia since the late 1940's and was developed from imported English bloodlines.
Description
The French Bulldog is a sturdy, compact, stocky little dog, with a large square head that has a rounded forehead. The muzzle is broad and deep with a well defined stop. The nose is black, but may be lighter in lighter colored dogs. The upper lips hang down over the lower lips. The teeth meet in an under bite and the lower jaw is square and deep. The round, prominent eyes are set wide apart and are dark in color. The bat ears stand erect, are broad at the base narrowing in a triangular shape and rounded at the tips. The tail is either straight or cork-screw. The chest is broad and deep with the front of the dog being wider than the back end, forming a pear shape.
| Size | Medium |
| Colour | Colours include brindle (which can have white but is mostly brindle), pied (mostly white), and fawn. |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Weight/Height Range | The French Bulldog should stand around 30 cm in height and weighing 10-15kg |
| Ailments | This breed does have some potential health problems. Among those to watch is a weakness in the back which can be aggravated by the dog jumping down from furniture, particularly when young. Other potential problems with the breed include luxating patellas (dislocating knee joints) and soft palate problems in some lines. French Bulldogs are very susceptible to overheating and must have shelter and fresh water available at all times. They can experience breathing difficulties in hot weather |
Feeding & Ownership
You must be very careful to avoid overfeeding with this breed. Also, many dogs have skin problems and may need to be on special diets.
| Food Cost | $10 to $15 |
Personality
The French Bulldog is a pleasant, easy-care companion, who is playful, alert and affectionate. Enthusiastic and lively, but are not yappy and loud. Curious, sweet and absolutely hilarious; they have a very comical personality and love to clown around. They are bright and easygoing. The Frenchie gets along fairly well with strangers and other animals and enjoys being with their owners. They play well with other dogs. Most cannot swim so take caution around water.
| Intelligence | French Bulldog are intelligent, courageous and clownish. To train them use consistency and firmness but beware that this dog is very sensitive to the voice. It will not take kindly to being screamed at and will probably choose to end the training session and curl up on the sofa to studiously ignore you. |
| Energy | Medium |
| Suitability for Children | High |
| Tendency to Bark | Medium |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | A daily walk is, however, good to maintain the dog's fitness. A fenced suburban backyard is ideal. French Bulldogs should not be exercised in the heat of the day. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Low |
| Ease of Transportation | Low |
| Level of Aggression | Medium |
| Other Animal Compatibility | High |
Grooming
The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush on a regular basis with a firm bristle brush, and bathe once every two weeks in the warmer months and bathe once a month in the colder months. It is also recommended to rub them down with a piece of towelling or chamois as this will make their coat shine.
| Grooming Requirements | Once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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