— Breed of the Month —

French Bulldog

Le Bouledogue Français (better known to English speakers as the French Bulldog) is one of the world’s favorite dog breeds – the American Kennel Club ranks them 4th out of 193 breeds in terms of popularity. French Bulldogs are compact in size, with iconic, upright “bat ears,” infectious personalities, and easygoing (but occasionally stubborn) natures. Frenchies are intelligent, adaptable, and adorable dogs that are well-suited for city life and companionship.

Back to Breed of the Month

Breed Traits and Characteristics

According to the American Kennel Club, here are some breed characteristic you can find in French Bulldogs. 

 

  • Height

    11-13 inches

  • Weight

    Under 28 pounds

  • Life Expectancy

    10-12 years

  • Coat Type/Length

    Smooth/Short

  • 100 Affectionate with Family
  • 100 Good with Young Children
  • 80 Good with Other Dogs
  • 80 Trainability Level
  • 60 Energy Level
  • 20 Barking Level
  • 60 Shedding Level
  • 60 Drooling Level

History

French Bulldogs evolved from their English cousins around the time of the first Industrial Revolution. Lacemakers in the city of Nottingham were emigrating to France, where traditional manufacturing methods had yet to be replaced by machine-based production. They took their English Bulldogs, whose size and ratting ability made them convenient travel mates, along with them. Over time, they were crossed with terriers and pugs, creating a new, distinct bulldog breed.

While French Bulldogs soon became status symbols among the French societal elite, they were remarkably democratic in their appeal, equally beloved by everyone from ladies of the night to royalty. Wealthy Americans on visits abroad were also charmed by the adorable breed and began returning home with their own French Bulldogs. It is American breeders who are credited with cementing the iconic bat ear – rather than the rose ear inherent to their English counterparts – as a defining trait of French Bulldogs. The breed’s popularity grew steadily across Europe and America throughout the end of the 19th century and continues to expand to this day.

French Bulldog Personality & Temperament

French Bulldogs are intelligent, curious, and cute dogs with very stable and predictable temperaments. T heir easygoing personalities are adaptable to a variety of living situations: they can coexist peacefully with other breeds but are just as happy to live alone; they are capable of assimilating to life on acreage or living in an apartment.

French Bulldogs are not barkers, though their alertness and intelligence make them natural watchdogs. They are extremely loyal, but their natural curiosity and propensity towards stubbornness necessitates early, consistent training to avoid future behavioral issues.

If you are thinking of purchasing a French Bulldog, it is important to source from a responsible breeder who is breeding for not only looks, but health and temperament as well. Rescues are also great options for prospective Frenchie owners. Contact your local Bark Busters trainer today to learn about great breeders and rescue organizations near you!

French Bulldog Physical Characteristics

French Bulldogs are strong, compact dogs that come in a variety of colors. Their bat ears and screw tails are among their most distinguishing features.

Class & Color

Class

  • Non-Sporting Group

Color

  • Brindle, Brindle & White, Cream, Fawn, Fawn & White, Fawn Brindle, White

Size & Life Expectancy

Size

  • Small to Medium
  • Height: 11 - 13 inches
  • Weight: under 28 pounds

Life expectancy

  • French Bulldogs typically live between 10 and 12 years.

Other Traits

  • Large, erect, “bat ears”
  • Short nose with heavy wrinkles
  • Smooth, brilliant coat

Bark Busters Trainer Jeff Drier on the French Bulldog

Who can resist Frenchies? Their adorable bat ears, big eyes, and friendly, inquisitive nature towards both people and animals make them practically irresistible. While not typically problematic, French Bulldogs can be headstrong, and like all dogs, they do require leadership, education, and consistency to avoid behavioral issues.

Training Case Study

Take Chloe, a three-year-old Frenchie. Chloe was very sweet and loving in most circumstances, but she had one unignorable behavioral problem – she was extremely possessive of her owner, Sarah’s, shoes quickly turning into a growling, biting Cujo if Sarah tried to get them back. It didn’t take long for Sarah to reach her wit’s end, to the point she was (very reluctantly) considering finding another home for Chloe if the issued could not be resolved.

We spent some time getting to know Sarah and Chloe’s relationship and history. We discovered Sarah had gotten Chloe as a 10-week-old puppy and had even taken her to puppy classes, where Chloe did well. She learned all her commands and would mostly respond to them, but Sarah would occasionally resort to using treats to get Chloe to obey.

Sarah loved Chloe, and it became apparent she would give in to Chloe’s every request. If Sarah sat on the couch, so did Chloe, who would immediately ask for (and receive) attention and affection. When Chloe was hungry, she would claw at where her food was kept and Sarah would feed her; when Chloe wanted out, Sarah would drop what she was doing to take her for a walk, with Chloe leading the way.

Chloe had become the authority figure in their relationship, and felt it was her responsibility to “take care” of Sarah. We explained this dynamic to Sarah and introduced her to some simple exercises and communication methods to correct the imbalance.

Chloe responded immediately, offering zero pushback when corrected. To gauge her progress, we decided to test Chloe with a pair of Sarah’s shoes. We asked Sarah to correct Chloe as soon as she noticed them and were pleased to find that Chloe walked away and laid down near Sarah when commanded. When Sarah approached the shoes and put them on, Chloe didn’t move or make a sound! We left Sarah with instructions on how to continue the process over the next couple of weeks and told her to contact us immediately with any questions or issues.

Sarah called us a week later with an update – things were going great! The new, consistent approach was paying off, and Chloe continued to respond to the exercises. She seemed happier and more relaxed and, much to Sarah’s delight, had even stopped some of her other demanding behaviors. We congratulated Sarah and encouraged her to keep up the great work.

French Bulldogs are not usually troublesome, but inconsistency and lack of training can lead to behavioral concerns. Your local Bark Busters trainer can help establish a pattern of consistency, resolve any and all issues, and help you nurture a relationship with your Frenchie built on mutual understanding, trust, respect, and love.

Tips for Potential French Bulldog Owners

Short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs have inherent health risks resulting from their shorter snouts. It is important to consult with a veterinarian about the best ways to care for a short-nosed dog before adopting one.

French Bulldogs do not require a lot of space or activity, making them excellent dogs for apartment and city dwellers.

French Bulldogs are great mimickers, and their adorable appearance can lead to leeway on unwanted behaviors. By monitoring your own actions, you can make a big change in your Frenchie.

Early basic obedience training is vitally important to ensure your French Bulldog understands and follows your rules.

We are standing by to help you develop a consistent, compassionate approach to good behavior for your French Bulldog. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our trainers today!

Connect with Us!

Need help training your French Bulldog? Call 1-877-500-BARK (2275)or enter your zip code.

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French Bulldog Health & Grooming

Health

Frenchies are a brachycephalic (literally meaning ‘short-headed’) breed, and their short snouts can place them at risk of developing breathing problems, especially in hot or humid weather.

Grooming

French Bulldogs require minimal (but necessary) grooming maintenance. Due to their stubborn nature, it is best to introduce Frenchies to grooming early in their life and maintain a consistent schedule. The American Kennel Club recommends weekly brushing for their coats, regular nail trimmings, and routine cleaning and drying of its facial folds and ears.

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Hear from Bark Busters Clients Who Have a French Bulldog

When I tell you Karina changed my life, this is not an understatement. As the owner of two french bulldogs, one, in particular, my 6-year-old boy had shown signs of aggression and had bit my fiance and me on occasion. Frustrated, scared, and sad in our own space we were at the end of our rope and I came across Bark Busters.

Karina came in and immediately got started, in a caring, compassionate and authoritative matter she trained me to talk to my dogs and to command the respect that allows us all to live comfortably and enjoy our time together.

Karina left after our first visit and I cried. Actual tears. There was a relief, there was understanding and most importantly light at the end of the tunnel.

Knowing we have access to Bark Busters for life is the reassurance we needed. Both of my babies have thrived with the tools Karina has imposed on us. I will truly never be able to thank Karina and Bark Busters for their support and knowledge.

If you're feeling like you're defeated - don't give up on your babies. Invest in this. It truly works.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Our french bulldog is incredible hostile and bit in the past. One session and we learned skills to resolve his behavior and exercises to continue.
Josh is amazing! At first I thought he'd have to make some return visits because I thought, how can one improve a dog's behavior in one day's time, but low an behold he did it. Baxter, my French bulldog, used to hyperactively jump at my legs whenever I returned to my apartment, jump on to the couch at his leisure, and when taking him for walks he would walk me with his incessant pulling. Josh provided me with the knowledge and commands to properly train Baxter consistently, and not even 4 days later he's like a new dog. He no longer jumps, he stays off of the couch, and now he walks by my side. I HIGHLY recommend Josh. He's very kind and you can tell he really cares about his craft.
James was amazing! He played a defining role in making my French Bulldog, Sullivan, the awesome, well-mannered dog he is today! James was there for me from day 1, as Sullivan was only a couple months old when we began training. He taught me everything I know about raising a puppy and was so supportive throughout Sullivan's puppyhood. James is a complete professional, was always on time, and available via text, email and phone- which was awesome for the busy lifestyle we all lead. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Bark Busters! :)
One Month Later—Still Blown Away

I wanted to wait a full month before writing this because I didn’t want to get too excited too fast… but I can say now, without a doubt: Patrick and Bark Busters are absolutely incredible.

If you don’t read any further, just know this—Patrick is the real deal. His guidance and the Bark Busters method made a noticeable difference in our home right away. But—and this is important—you have to do the work. There’s no shortcut. It takes consistency, every day, every moment. But if you’re committed, the results are real.

We have two Labs—one’s 3 years old and the other was 8 months when we reached out for help. We thought the older one was well-behaved because he was “calm,” but in hindsight… maybe not so much. Meanwhile, the puppy was jumping, barking at the door, overwhelmed by visitors, and hadn’t even been introduced to our older dog yet.

Patrick showed up and within minutes he helped us start “speaking dog.” The transformation with our puppy was almost immediate. He gave us tools to lead with clarity—not by being harsh, but by setting limits and being consistent. By the time Patrick left, the energy in the house was completely different. The dogs were calmer, and we felt more in control.

And yes—there’s homework. Every day. But it’s doable. And Patrick is always just a call or text away if you need help.
A month later, things are better than we could have imagined. The dogs are now introduced, they play together, hang out calmly, and we’ve set real boundaries that make everyday life much more enjoyable. Just this week we even realized our “well-behaved” older dog may have been part of the problem all along—turns out we had some habits to break too. Patrick helped us see that, and now we’re working on recall and public behavior with both dogs.

Bottom line: if you’re struggling at all—whether it’s big issues or just small things that are adding up—call Patrick. The Bark Busters system works, and Patrick really knows what he’s doing. We're so grateful we made the call.
We had our first session today, 6/11/2025. Michelle was great to work with. Easy to understand and immediate results.
We are looking forward to practice what she taught us and looking forward to improvement daily.
We have enjoyed having Ryanne come to our home. She really listens to our concerns and issues with our French Bulldog. We have seen incredible progress in just a few weeks. We especially enjoy the overall training methods of no shock collars, treats or severe punishment. Our dog seems much more happy and we are too! We look forward to our training lessons.
I would highly recommend Bark Busters and Ryanne.
Bark Busters has been a game changer for our Keith! We, self admittedly, let Keith run the house - I mean, with a face like that, can you blame us?! As our puppy grew up, there were more instances of behavior that was unbecoming of a gentleman. I had a dog growing up who snipped at people and it got to a point where my mom “took the dog to the farm” and I was going to make certain that did NOT happen with Keith. From session 1, he’s a completely different pup and it’s been made easy with Ryanne’s help. 10/10 HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Bark Busters home training is the best. My two dogs have Improved so much it is just Wonderful to watch them learn so easily with the skills the trainers have taught us. The trainers are patient and kind and understanding.
Great improvement in my dog in a short time.
Orlando is very knowledgeable, compassionate and showed us how to be pack leaders.
John was absolutely very informative and educated in dog/pet behavior. He was very patient with all our questions. It was an absolute pleasure to learn from him!
Michael and Lydia have been really wonderful to work with, and our pup Sunny just loves them! We wanted to get in-home training help with our pup when we first got her because we could tell she was going to be stubborn, sassy, and have lots of opinions. We knew she needed boundaries, but we had no idea where to begin, even after all of the research and YouTube videos. Doing your own research only goes so far until you need a professional to help you with YOUR specific dog and their personality! I was initially hesitant to hire Bark Busters with the one-time flat fee for the dog's entire life, but once I met Michael at our first session and he taught me how to understand my dog and how to gain authority in my home while still giving her all the love and attention she needed, I was so sold. They focus on training that is sustainable and is highly effective without the use of harmful items like shock collars and electric fences. Truly any time we have struggled with any behavioral issues with Sunny, Bark Busters is just a call, text, or audio message away. They are great communicators, so very patient and kind, you can tell they always know what they're doing and how to gain control over the dog in countless scenarios. They walk you through every step, and they focus on teaching YOU how to train your dog well in and out of the home, rather than just doing the training FOR you. They are always there for us when we need them. I already recommend them to our friends and family, and will continue to do so! We love you, Michael and Lydia! Sunny's and our quality of life have improved SO MUCH since you started helping us! Thank you!!!
Lee was great! He opened our eyes and gave great examples that explained a lot of things about our two dogs. My daughter came over later after Lee left, my husband said"BAH" and they didn't jump on her or start barking. Our dogs so different now. Can't wait for Lee to teach us some more.
I started working with Bark Busters 8 years ago when my dog was experiencing separation anxiety. The knowledge, ongoing support and training helped my dog to reduce his anxiety in a short period of time. I was incredibly pleased. Recently, as our dog has aged, he has been resorting to barking when we leave the house, because I was so please in the past, I reached out to them a gain. I received an immediate response and the advice and support was incredible. I have in interesting situation because I live in both the US and Canada. During the time of my dog's struggles, I worked with both a trainer in Canada and the US. I cannot express how please I was with both trainer's support. I have worked closest with Pat Conn in the US. What a wise and supportive person he is. As you can imagine, when you know your dog's barking is disturbing your neighbors, it is stressful. Pat not only gave me incredible guidance (consistently), but he also reduced my stress. I highly recommend Bark Busters and would be happy to answer any questions that someone may have.
I reached out to Tommy feeling overwhelmed, heartbroken, and honestly scared about the direction things were heading with my 3yr old English Bulldog. What started as subtle behavioral changes had grown into serious issues—aggression, overstimulation, and a complete breakdown in communication. I felt lost.

From our very first session, everything started to shift. Tommy gave us structure, clarity, and a completely new way of communicating with our dogs that brought an immediate sense of calm into the home. The chaos we were used to—dogs fighting over toys, barking, ignoring commands—was replaced with peaceful routines, respectful behavior, and visible relief in everyone, even our older dogs who used to stay out of the fray.

One of the best parts? The support doesn’t end after a session. Tommy provides a detailed plan, tons of practical tools, and follow-up that truly feels like a partnership. The Lifetime Guarantee means we’re never on our own, and that kind of reassurance is invaluable when you’re dealing with complex behavior. He checks in, answers questions, and genuinely wants to see our household thrive.
We have been amazed by the progress our 2.5 yr old rescue dog and 5 month old rescue puppy have had with our 2 training sessions with Michael so far! In just the initial session, our 2 dogs went from excessive barking and jumping when guests would come to our house to being calm and quiet. We have learned how to "speak dog" and help our pups feel more comfortable and less reactive. We can now have guests come over without the extra stress of dogs that may bark and lunge towards the guests the entire time. We are so excited to see additional progress as we continue our work with Bark Busters.
Sarah is simply amazing! Her approach to dog training is incredible. Today she came to help us work on our dog’s jumping behaviors, and by this evening, our dog hadn’t jumped up on anyone! She is patient and very thorough in explaining the techniques that she is teaching us and she answers all of our questions. She’s very quick to respond to text messages and to set up appointments when we need her to come for a visit. I am so glad I took the recommendation. I was given to call Bark Busters for training.
good friends of mine I used there company for the first time they did excellent and taught me new things about my dog
My wife and I are very pleased I highly recommend
Very eye opening. Once we understood more of how a dog thinks and what we need to provide to our fur babies everything started to flow! Improved behaviors Day 1!
We gained excellent insight into why our dog behaves and responds to us the way she does and what we can do to change that.
The first lesson with Jeri outlined the training process and established responsibility for using the bark buster technique for modifying dog behavior. After just one lesson I could see improvement in my puppy’s behavior. Some of my dog’s behavior will be difficult to modify because of physical limitations, but I’m confident in the long run that consistently using the program will yield the desired result. The first lesson presents a lot of information, but it all made a lot of sense and now it’s a matter of execution.
Deb was wonderful to work with! She has incredible insight to what a dog thinks and needs. In less than a week I have already seen great improvement with my dog.
Natalie with Bark Busters is terrific to work with and has made a huge difference in only 2 visits. She very helpfully explained the reasoning behind some of his behaviors and showed us how to immediately make a correction. Not only have we seen a difference in Blayze, but our confidence and comfort levels have improved as well. Highly recommend Natalie as well as Bark Busters as a company - they stand behind their lifetime guarantee.
Natalie has completely changed the game when it comes to puppy training. Skipper is walking well, learning not to jump, and overall learning commands so quickly. We love how she’s tailored the style to us and makes it a positive experience all around!!
Wow. I mean.. WOW. I was a bit skeptical at first at the price and short amount of time frame but once Pat told me I wouldn’t pay unless I saw major results in the hours, I was sold.

Fully prepared to not have to pay, I was utterly shocked at how efficient this man is. God really blessed me finding this trainer because he not only was beyond efficient in the duration of training but teaches something that REALLY works. Not gonna give away his secrets… but you’ll have to book with him to find out ;)
So insightful and changed my perspective on training and my relationship with my dog. Saw a big difference in just one session.
Derrick is the best! We met him walking at the District. We had just adopted our dog who was severely abused. We had trouble controlling her in public. Derrick noticed me struggling and quickly offered advice in a very nonjudgmental way. He spent a lot of time with me - at no cost just because he cared. We did several follow Ups with him. He came to our house and kept in contact with us. He gave me several ideas that’s other trainers did not. He truly loves animals and is a great people person! I highly recommend him.

Need Dog Training Assistance with Your Frenchie? Find Your Local Trainer Now!

CALL TODAY 1-877-500-BARK (2275)

Please begin by confirming your zip code.