10 facts about French bulldogs

French bulldogs, affectionately called Frenchies, are one of the most popular breeds in the world. They are loved for their affectionate, playful natures, large eyes, and adorable bat-like ears. However, there’s much more to this breed than good looks and an amicable temperament. Frenchies have a long, proud history as effective ratters and beloved companions for everyone from farmers to royalty.

Despite the name, French bulldogs are not actually French. They were first bred in the early 19th century in Nottingham, as a miniature English bulldog breed after bull baiting was banned in England. They became particularly popular with female lace workers, although no one is certain why. Maybe it was because they ate less than other breeds making them relatively cheap and easy to feed, or because they made the perfect lap dogs. Whatever the reason, they were so beloved that they were taken over to Normandy after many lace workers lost their jobs during the industrial revolution.

In France, their popularity exploded within various levels of society, including socialites and royalty. This earned them the name ‘Bouledogue Francais,’ meaning French bulldog.

Maybe it’s their sweet-natured personalities or their small size, but many Hollywood celebrities adore Frenchies. Famous singer-songwriter Lady Gaga has three French bulldogs named Koji, Asia, and Gustav. Hugh Jackman, star of the popular X-Men films, has a French bulldog named Dali. Other famous Frenchie owners include Reese Witherspoon, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Martha Stewart.

The French bulldog is a brachycephalic breed, which basically means ‘flat-faced’. This means they’re prone to developing respiratory health problems, including a chronic airway disease called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source . This can make them more vulnerable to air quality and temperature changes on flights, especially if their crate has limited ventilation or if they get stressed. Think of it like sucking through a straw: if you breathe gently you will have no problem. However, if you try to breathe more rapidly, you will run out of air quite quickly.

Many airlines will not allow a brachycephalic breed to travel in the cargo hold because of risks to the dog’s health. Instead, it’s recommended that you have them in a suitable travel carrier and placed under the seat in front of you. Speak to your vet if you plan to fly with your dog to make sure they remain safe throughout the flight.

👉 It’s a good idea to teach your dog to accept their carrier before you travel by using positive reinforcement training. This will ensure a stress-free flight with your dog. 

French bulldogs have a bulky, muscular body structure and short legs, which aren’t ideal for swimming! In addition, their brachycephalic facial structure requires them to tilt their heads up to keep their nostrils above water. When they do this, their center of gravity shifts lower, which makes it more difficult for them to stay afloat. French bulldogs must be supervised any time they are around water, and they should wear a lifejacket if they are in water for any length of time.

You should pay particular attention to your French bulldog in warm weather because they are prone to overheating due to their brachycephalic features, leading to heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

French bulldogs have large, protruding eyes vulnerable to injury. Punctures or scrapes on the cornea are fairly common in these dogs and can cause ulcers, infection, or vision issues. Furthermore, Frenchies are prone to developing a number of eye problems including cataracts, Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source entropion Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source (abnormal inward-rolling of the eyelids), and cherry eye. Trusted Source VCA Hospitals Community of veterinarians with up-to-date veterinary information. Go to source

Frenchies are low-energy dogs that don’t require much exercise. This trait, combined with their calm, affectionate natures and small size, makes them the perfect apartment dog. However, they do need someone to be home for most of the day because these are clingy dogs prone to separation anxiety.

French bulldogs aren’t known to bark excessively. However, they can certainly make a statement with their variety of howls, growls, yips, yawns, and gargles. These dogs always have something to say but they are not as loud as other breeds, such as Siberian huskies and basset hounds. In fact, their wide vocal repertoire is one of their most endearing characteristics.

French bulldogs can be fertile but there are high risks associated with natural breeding and births because of their bulky body composition and narrow hips. So, most Frenchie puppies are born through artificial insemination. Natural births are generally fraught with complications, such as the puppies getting stuck in the birth canal.

Frenchies are known to have a fairly lazy disposition. That means they’re prone to obesity. Dog owners need to ensure they feed their French bulldog a strict diet consisting of quality protein, healthy vegetables, vitamins, and minerals to prevent them from piling on the pounds. Obesity can exacerbate muscle and bone deformities such as hip dysplasia and even increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

Frenchies have a reputation for being unintelligent, but this is simply to do with their stubborn streak! French bulldogs were bred to be companion dogs so they are very in tune with human emotions. They have even been known to adapt their behavior depending on their owner’s mood. Positive reinforcement is the best way to get the most out of this breed.