Breed of the Month

This month’s breed - The 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.

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. 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.

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 travelmates, 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 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.

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.

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.

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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.

• 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.
• 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 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!

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