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French Bulldog personality & health issues

French Bulldog insurance

Discover the benefits of insuring your French Bulldog with Agria

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Our guide to living with a French Bulldog

Living with a French Bulldog is a long-term commitment, and understanding their health and wellbeing needs is an important part of responsible ownership. While French Bulldogs are affectionate and playful companions, they can develop health conditions throughout their lives. Frenchies are particularly prone to breathing issues linked to their flat faces, which may require ongoing care. Taking out pet insurance early can help protect against unexpected vet bills and ensure your French Bulldog gets the care they need.

French Bulldog on the beach

French Bulldog quick facts

  • Size: 30cm at withers
  • Average lifespan: 10-14 years
  • Weight: 11-12½kgs
  • Colours: Brindle, fawn and pied
  • Temperament : Affectionate, social, playful and loyal
  • Common health issues: Breathing difficulties and skin infections
  • Country of origin: France / England

We're a Which? Best Buy for Dog Insurance 2026

You can trust us with your French Bulldog

Agria's Lifetime Premium £20,000 dog policy has been the highest-scoring Best Buy for 3 years. We are also a Which? Best Buy for our Lifetime and Lifetime Plus dog insurance products. **

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** Which? policy score ratings are based on an analysis of policy cover levels conducted in November 2025. Best Buy providers have a high policy score and a good track record for paying claims. 

Where does the French Bulldog come from?

You might think there’d be an easy answer to this one, but there’s some debate over the history of the French Bulldog. It’s thought they’re a cross between English Bulldogs and terriers, and were taken to France during the industrial revolution. The other theory is they’re from ancient Greece, making them a very old breed indeed.

French Bulldog personality

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 giggle, check out this Reddit thread of nicknames owners have given their Frenchies.

Do French Bulldogs bark a lot?

Frenchies don’t tend to be massive barkers. Most only bark occasionally, but this will also depend on numerous factors - including whether they’ve been properly socialised.

If you think your Frenchie is barking excessively, it may be worth taking them to an accredited behaviourist.

Are French Bulldogs good family dogs?

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.

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

Can a French Bulldog be left alone?

Frenchies love company. They are prone to separation anxiety, and it's best not to leave them for too long by themselves. With training, you can work your way up to leaving them for longer and longer periods - but you should never leave them for more than four hours. Depending on your individual dog, it may be less than this.

If you leave your Frenchie alone for any length of time, make sure that they have:

  • Access to fresh water
  • Toys for mental stimulation
  • Comforts, including their favourite blanket or toy
  • A comfortable area for sleeping

French Bulldog size & appearance

French Bulldogs are compact and sturdy dogs with a smushed face and bat-like ears. They have large, expressive eyes and a short, broad snout. Frenchies also have a pronounced square jaw and a wrinkled forehead. They’re short-haired and come in a variety of colours, although the Kennel Club only recognises brindle, fawn and pied. Their tails are naturally short, and can be straight or screwed.

Powerfully built and muscular, French Bulldogs are fairly small dogs. They grow to around 30cm at the wither, which is the point where the shoulders meet the spine. Males are slightly larger than females and will weigh between 11-12½kgs.

Thinking of getting a French Bulldog puppy?

What to expect week-by-week from your first year

We've laid out what to expect from your first year with your new puppy with a series of videos and helpful guides, so you can stay on top of your training, keep your pup healthy, and help them settle in to their new life.

Puppy milestonesPuppy guides & advice

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.

It helps if you trim your dog's nails every 3 to 4 weeks to stop them from curling and causing discomfort. Ensure you ask a professional how to cut their nails, as they can be sensitive. 

French Bulldog on the beach

French Bulldog training

  1. 1

    Start training early

    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.

  2. 2

    Beware of treats

    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.

  3. 3

    Socialise them young

    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.

  4. 4

    Focus on recall

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

  5. 5

    Use positive reinforcement

    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.

  6. 6

    Keep them mentally active

    They also need to be mentally active, and you can do obedience training, search tasks or maybe try agility.

French Bulldog health issues

French Bulldogs are loving, popular companions, but they can develop health issues during their lifetime. For example, they’re more prone than many breeds to breathing, skin, and eye problems. These may need ongoing treatment, repeat vet visits, long-term medication, surgery, or specialist care. Without the right cover, costs can add up quickly. That’s why many owners choose to insure their French Bulldog early, before any conditions arise.

  • Breathing difficulties

    French Bulldogs have flat faces and narrow nostrils, which means they can be prone to brachycephalic airway problems, often referred to as brachycephalic syndrome or BOAS. This can affect their breathing, exercise tolerance, sleep, and overall comfort. Depending on the severity of the issue, treatment may involve investigations, ongoing management, or even surgery and specialist referral.

  • Skin infections

    Skin infections are common in French Bulldogs because of their skin folds and the amount of excess skin around the face and body. These folds can trap moisture and bacteria, leading to skin-fold dermatitis, irritation, and recurring infections. These issues can often need repeat appointments, medication, regular cleaning, and long-term management to keep flare-ups under control.

  • Bone problems

    French Bulldogs can be prone to bone and joint issues, including hip dysplasia and other orthopaedic problems linked to their body shape. These conditions can affect their movement, comfort, and quality of life, and in some cases may need pain relief, lifestyle changes, regular monitoring, physiotherapy, or more advanced treatment.

  • Eye issues

    French Bulldogs are known for their large, expressive eyes, but their prominent shape can also make them more vulnerable to eye problems. Because of their flat faces, their eyes are less protected, which means they’re more likely to develop issues such as conjunctivitis caused by allergies or irritation. They can also be prone to corneal ulcers, which are scratches on the surface of the eye and can happen after rough play or from dust and debris.

To reduce the chances of your dog having certain conditions, it’s a good idea to make sure the parents of your puppy have had all the relevant health screening. Seek advice from respected breeders, clubs or vets for more information. 

Common conditions for the French Bulldog

Many of the most common health conditions seen in French Bulldogs can require long-term management rather than one-off treatment.

This may include ongoing medication, repeat consultations, surgery, specialist referrals, or lifelong veterinary support, which is why lifetime dog insurance can be an important consideration for French Bulldog owners.

Here are the top 5 most commonly-claimed health conditions for the French Bulldog breed, based on Agria pet insurance claims data for French Bulldogs in 2024.

  1. 1

    Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder

  2. 2

    Ulcerative keratitis (Corneal ulceration)

  3. 3

    Atopy finding

  4. 4

    Intervertebral disc extrusion/herniation/prolapse

  5. 5

    Brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS)

Having insurance in place early can help ensure these kinds of conditions are covered throughout your French Bulldog’s life, without the worry of unexpected vet bills if ongoing care is needed. For dog breeders and puppy buyers, it’s also important to note that Royal Kennel Club recommends checking the puppy’s mum for a number of specific genetic conditions.

Health tips for your French Bulldog

French Bulldog exercise

Despite their small size, French Bulldogs need around an hour of exercise every day. It's essential to give them a good workout to avoid too much weight gain. Walking is the best form of exercise - ideally split into two walks, especially when the weather gets warmer. You can include fun games, but be careful not to overdo it as they’re a brachycephalic (short-nosed) breed - meaning they'll have trouble breathing if over-exercised.

French Bulldog training 

French Bulldogs can be challenging to train as they’re known to be stubborn. Luckily, they’re also known to be highly driven by food treats, so you can use this to (occasionally) reward them. Train them over short periods to keep them engaged and interested in the activity.  It's recommended to start with house training as there are fewer distractions at home. Some breeders will have started toilet training your French Bulldog as a puppy, which can make it easier as they get older.

How to toilet train a puppy

French Bulldog feeding

It’s recommended to feed a French Bulldog puppy three or four times daily, while increasing the portion sizes as they age. Adults can be fed twice daily, and you'll want to weigh their food using the food packaging guidelines. When your French Bulldog is a puppy, you should avoid changing the food type or brand too often, as it may cause problems with digestion. If you need clarification on nutritional requirements, speak to your vet. 

Sadly, French Bulldogs are all too frequent visitors to my surgery. Very cute as puppies, but as they grow older, we often see breathing difficulties that can require major surgery and specialist referral. We also see chronic problems with eyes and skin that can need treatment for life and frequent visits to the vet.

Robin Hargreaves

Agria Vet Panel Lead, Veterinary Surgeon for 30 years and former British Veterinary Association President.

Robin Hargreaves, veterinarian - Agria Pet Insurance

What we love most about French Bulldogs

Cuddle monsters

French Bulldogs are loving, cuddly and thrive on human attention. This makes them terrific lap dogs.

Totally charming

With their playful, quirky nature and expressive faces, they’re endlessly entertaining and full of character.

Super chill

They’re happy with short walks and relaxed playtime, suiting owners who prefer a more laid-back lifestyle.

Things to consider before getting a French Bulldog

As with any breed, there are some things you need to consider before embarking on a French Bulldog adventure. We've compiled our top 3 here.

  1. 1

    Prone to health problems

    Unfortunately, the breed is prone to breathing problems and other diseases, and this means that you as a buyer must be extra careful when looking for your new friend. You must make sure that your French bulldog puppy comes from a litter where the mother and father are healthy, where they have been tested for the diseases that can be screened for, and where there is a good BOAS (brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) status.

  2. 2

    Can be a bit rude

    French bulldogs can be a bit of a loudmouth – especially in their body language. This can be overwhelming to other dogs, and can lead to arguments. It is ideal for the puppy to be socialised and trained from a young age so that it can learn to behave better.

  3. 3

    They can be stubborn

    French bulldogs can have their own opinions on things and be a little stubborn. This doesn't mean they are particularly difficult to train, but you do need to be a little extra patient and resourceful sometimes.

Should I rescue a French Bulldog or buy a French Bulldog puppy?

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.

Stuck on what to call your French Bulldog puppy?

Looking for name ideas? Check out the most popular puppy names our customers chose for their French Bulldog in 2024!

Top 10 names based on Agria Pet Insurance policies purchased for French Bulldog's in 2024

  • Tick icon

    Lola

  • Tick icon

    Luna

  • Tick icon

    Bella

  • Tick icon

    Bruno

  • Tick icon

    Frank

  • Tick icon

    Indi

  • Tick icon

    Reggie

  • Tick icon

    Willow

French Bulldog on the beach

For more name inspiration, discover our top puppy names of 2025.

French Bulldog insurance with Agria

With Agria, it's lifetime, every time

At Agria, we believe pet insurance should last your pet’s lifetime. Our policies provide lifelong vet fees cover for illnesses and injuries. This means that, provided your policy is renewed each year, your maximum benefit will be refreshed, providing cover for ongoing conditions.

So, whatever happens throughout your French Bulldog's life, we’ll always be there for you and your dog!

Agria Pet Insurance has been awarded 'best pet insurance overall' from The Telegraph.

Up to £20,000 towards vet bills every year

So your dog can get the care they need.

We pay 98% of claims*

And we can pay your vet directly, so you can focus on your dog.

No increase in your premiums when you claim

So you don’t have to worry about the cost of insurance when you go to the vet.

Free vet video calls, 24/7

Which means help is always on hand if you’re worried.

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Dotty about dogs? Get a 5% multi-pet discount when you insure more than one pet with us.

*Based on all Agria Pet Insurance claims received between November 2023 and May 2024.

 

Want to know about our insurance policies? From multi-pet coverage to pre-existing conditions, we have lifetime insurance options for cats, rabbits, horses, and dogs, including older dogs.

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