The French Bulldog is among America’s most beloved breeds. According to the American Kennel Club, Frenchies are the nation’s fourth-most popular pup, and the breed ranks highly across the Atlantic Ocean as well. The breed’s coveted status among canine enthusiasts has unfortunately made them a common target for dognappers. In 2021, Lady Gaga’s dog walker suffered gunshot wounds when an assailant attacked him and made off with two of the pop star’s Frenchies. Fortunately, the dogs were safely returned and the victim, Ryan Fischer, made a full recovery.
French Bulldog
Compact, chic, and totally captivating with their bat ears, it’s no wonder the Frenchie’s a worldwide favorite. This charmer will instantly make you the center of their world but won’t demand much exercise.
Country of Origin
United Kingdom
Breed Group
Non-Sporting Group
Height
Male 11-13 In
Female 11-13 In
Weight
Male 20-28 Ib
Female 16-24 Ib
Life Span
11-14 years
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In a Nutshell
The French Bulldog’s cheerful and easy-going personality make them an ideal dog for first-time owners and apartment dwellers alike. They’re even fairly quiet in comparison to other small-breed dogs. They’ll connect with families of all types – settling in among children and other dogs. Their attachment style can make them quite anxious when they don’t get all the attention they crave, so if you are a busy dog lover who’ll be out of the house often, you should think twice before selecting this breed. Oh, and one more thing…keep in mind that the breed is prone to snoring and farting too. And we mean big time.
Life With a French Bulldog
Low (1)
High (5)
Energy level
Trainability Level
Amount of Shedding
Tendency of Barking
Exercise Needs
Kid Friendly
Pet Friendly
Looks & Personality
There’s no doubt that this is a dog that can easily star in any Disney movie. French Bulldogs have sturdy, flattened and large heads compared to their bodies. They’ve also got long, bat-like ears, protruding tongues, short and smooth fur, and soft, loose skin that creates delicate folds. Frenchies have the most skin folds around their necks and shoulders. The breed’s feet are tiny and round.
And what about the breed’s character? What else can be said about a breed that is often referred to as a “little clown” because of the love and humor they bring with them everywhere? French Bulldogs are serious charmers who’ll do anything for attention. They’re playful, smart, mischievous, and occasionally a little stubborn.
These aren’t the types of dogs who can just sit in the backyard. They prefer close bonding alongside their families. That said, bonding doesn’t have to include exercise. French Bulldogs aren’t especially keen on the great outdoors, requiring just short walks during the day.
Common Health Problems
French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have small, flat faces. The dog’s cute, distinctive features make them prone to a number of breathing problems. Short snouts, a longer-than-average upper palate, and laryngeal sacs can all spell trouble. The breed is also prone to spinal defects, various eye problems, skin infections, intestinal disorders and issues related to excess weight gain.
A tip from a vet
The unique physical properties of French Bulldogs – notably, their broad, flat faces – make them particularly sensitive to heat. Under no circumstances should they be left alone in the heat. Remember that French Bulldogs love to play, but can often “abuse” their toys with destructive chewing. Make sure any toy you give your French Bulldog is durable enough to avoid presenting choking or suffocation risks and soft enough to avoid injuries to the gums and teeth.
A tip from a trainer
French Bulldogs are known for their tenacity. This can sometimes make training a challenge. Owners need to establish expectations and ground rules from Day 1 and maintain a patient, persistent attitude.
Did You Know
Swimming is off limits for French Bulldogs. The breed’s heavy head makes it too difficult for them to stay afloat.
Most French Bulldogs are bred with the help of artificial insemination and most female Frenchies give birth via C-section.
French bulldogs are heavy snorers because of their flat faces which can make breathing quite turbulent for them while they are sleeping.
In The News
The History Behind the Breed
Despite its name, the French Bulldog actually originated in England. The breed first earned admirers in the lace factories of Nottingham. Factory workers were amused by the dogs and especially appreciated their help contending with rats.
Shortly after the Industrial Revolution, all those dedicated workers were no longer needed and some were forced to move to France. Many brought their beloved pets with them. There, the Bulldogs began to “mingle” with other dog breeds (probably, Pugs and various types of terriers). The result was a new breed named “Bulldog Francis”. The dog became a fixture of Parisian cafés, appearing in paintings from artists like Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.
Famous French Bulldog Owners
Leonardo Dicaprio, Lady Gaga, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson
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Why Get Pet Insurance For Your French Bulldog?
A new study by the Journal canine medicine and genetics suggests that French bulldogs have a higher chance of being diagnosed with 20 common disorders compared with other breeds. The team behind randomly selected veterinary records for the breed with other randomly selected files of other breeds. What the team found was that French bulldogs are a breed like no other.
Data showed that French bulldogs were at “significantly greater risk” in developing disorders such as a 42-times greater chance of narrowed nostrils, a 30-times greater chance of obstructive airways syndrome, an 11-times greater chance of skin dermatitis and a nine-times greater chance of having difficulty giving birth.
And if that isn’t enough, your French Bulldog has a 1 in 3 chance of requiring emergency treatment in any given year. In fact, every pet will statistically suffer 6 significant health episodes in their lifetime. Each incident costs an average of $1,100+. Animalia pet insurance reimburses up to 90% of your vet bills as the unexpected is…well, expected.
Frequently Asked Questions About French Bulldog Pet Insurance
How long do French Bulldogs live?
French bulldogs typically live between 10-12 years.
What are French Bulldog’s most common health problems and are they covered by pet insurance?
Some of the conditions Frenchies may develop include: Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) which can cause severe breathing problems, luxating patellas where the kneecaps slipping temporarily out of place, dental problems, a range of eye problems including cataracts, back problems such as Intervertebral disc disease and skin conditions such as skin fold dermatitis where the skin in their wrinkles gets inflamed or even infected.
Some pet insurance companies have full or partial limitations on genetic and hereditary illnesses, leaving some French Bulldog health issues without coverage. Animalia has none. For your French Bulldog to live a happy, healthy life, you, the dog parent, must be alert about all the potential medical issues he might encounter and make sure you have pet insurance to cover costly treatments.
Can I visit any vet after enrolling my French Bulldog in pet insurance?
Yes, Animalia’s pet insurance gives you the freedom to pick the vet that works best for you and your French Bulldog. For Animalia pet Insurance, ‘vet’ means any veterinarian, veterinary specialist, animal hospital, animal clinic, or animal surgery, who is currently registered in the US.