French Bulldog owner's guide

The French Bulldog - bat-eared buddies!

French Bulldogs have become one of the most popular dogs in the UK in recent years. It’s easy to see why. They’re friendly, love people, and are a joy to own. And of course, they’re very cute!

Are French Bulldogs family friendly?

Most definitely. Provided they’re properly socialised, Frenchies love being with their family. They’re great with children and other pets, so should fit in with ease.

Like with all dogs - purely as a precaution - it’s best not to leave your French Bulldog unsupervised with very young children.

French Bulldog temperament

Frenchies commonly display the following traits:

• Affectionate. They like close physical contact, and thrive on companionship.
• Sociable. They’re friendly, and get on well with other pets and people.
• Playful. These fun-loving dogs really enjoy games and playtime.
• Loyal. They form strong bonds with their owners, and are protective of loved ones.
• Adaptable. They’re comfortable in any-sized home.
• Stubborn. They can sometimes have a stubborn streak, which can make training challenging.

If you fancy a LOL, check out this Reddit thread of nicknames owners have given their Frenchies.

French Bulldog grooming

With short hair and a low shed, French Bulldogs don’t require lots of grooming. But they can develop skin conditions and become smelly. Special attention needs to be given to the skin folds and tails to avoid dermatitis.

French Bulldog health tips

Some Frenchies are bred to have a flatter, squashed face. While this may look appealing, this shape means that they can overheat quickly in hot weather. This is because they’re unable to breathe and pant sufficiently enough to cool them down. Dogs with very flat faces struggle to exercise and have fun as they so desperately want to, because they simply cannot get enough oxygen to cope.

However, buying from a reputable Kennel Club breeder will ensure they’ve been bred responsibly, and screened for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). This is a condition which causes severe breathing problems due to shorter faces.

Find out more about French Bulldog exercise, training, feeding and grooming at our French Bulldog pet insurance page.

French Bulldog training and socialisation

All dogs need to start their training and socialisation from an early age and the Frenchie is no exception. They love humans and are eager to please with good temperaments, which is helpful when you begin training.

They are food-orientated, which is an extremely useful trait when training dogs. However, French Bulldogs do have a tendency towards obesity, so beware of giving them too many tasty treats.

Taking your Frenchie puppy to socialisation classes is a good plan. By allowing them to meet lots of other dogs when they’re young, you’re setting up good habits for life. They aren’t naturally aggressive towards other dogs, but you could end up with problems if you don’t put the work in when they’re pups.

They have a high-prey drive, and will chase cats and small furries if you don’t get their recall sorted.

French Bulldogs do have a stubborn side to their nature. Use positive training methods and don’t pamper them too much. They have the potential to develop ‘small dog syndrome’ if allowed to do as they please.

Wondering whether to buy a French Bulldog puppy or adopt a rescue French Bulldog? It’s not a decision to take lightly. There are various things which need careful consideration. Find out more about whether you should get a rescue dog or puppy here.

Decided to buy a French Bulldog?

If you’re looking for a jolly, family dog that loves humans, French Bulldogs make a great choice. Contact The Kennel Club to find registered breeders, ensuring your Frenchie puppy has come from good breeding stock, and has been well cared for in their first few weeks.