— 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.

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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.

Tips For Every Dog Owner

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Back to School Tips for Your Dog

As summer winds down and school begins, everyone in the household – whether two- or four-legged – begins to adjust to new routines. Abrupt changes to day-to-day life can affect our canine companions but with training and the right combination of food, shelter, and entertainment, everyone can quickly and smoothly adapt to the new normal.

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! :)
Erin was so great - she worked with all of us as a family and taught us some wonderful new skills to work on with our pups! Looking forward to a continued partnership!
Amazing! Erin spent much longer with us than stated in our initial session to help with our rescued Fox Hound's bed aggression and a battery of other behavior/obedience issues. The results after one day have been more better than I expected! I highly recommend their services if you're willing to put time into daily training exercises (it IS do-able) - your pet is worth it!
Amber is the best in TEXAS. When she arrived are dog was very unruly. At the end of the session we did not recognize our dog. (GREAT EXPERIENCE) Needed all the help in the world.
Who knew the dog was training me? Loved the tips and insights. Now we have a lot of work to do but lots of hope!
Coco responded well today. He listened to John and with John's guidance he listened to me. I believe we have a lot of work to do but now I know what I'm doing. Thank you.
Our session with John was very productive. Bay was very responsive and showed noticeable changes in behaviors we want to adjust. The approach is very intuitive and should be easy to implement.
The training went very well. John explained everything very well and gave us great tips.
John was outstanding! Our dog responded right away to his techniques. We would recommend Bark Busters to all our friends who have dogs.
The training session was amazing. I learned so many things that I never knew in regards to training of myself and my dog, even though I have had dogs my entire life.
If you are looking for help in dealing with a challenging training situation with a puppy or adult dog, Kyle Milwit at Bark Busters should be the first person you call! We have a young puppy & wanted to head off some problems before they became major issues down the road. After just a short period of time with Kyle, utilizing the techniques he taught us, our puppy has done a complete turnaround with painful nipping & biting. It is amazing to see how effective the tools that Kyle gave us are working.
The thing I really appreciate about Kyle’s training approach is that he clearly loves his work, loves dogs, & believes that all dogs just need to be taught what is expected of them. Once they are, & proper techniques are used, (no physical or harmful methods), dogs respond quickly. Kyle taught us that it’s all about “learning to speak dog!”

Kyle was immediately responsive to us when we reached out, & followed up our in-home training session with additional videos & resources. I love that once you become a Bark Busters client, you’re a client for life for no additional cost. It’s also extremely helpful that all training is done in our home, in our puppy’s environment, so Kyle can see & address training issues where they occur, rather than in a class in a different setting. It’s also a huge help to be able to talk & text with Kyle as additional questions come up, to get reassurance & direction to address issues right away.
Kyle is our guy for Richmond and he has changed our lives! My partner and I got our first dog Poppy-a 6 month puppy from the shelter. Within the first week of having her, she ripped out of her crate while we were both at work and chewed anything she could get her paws on. We did a quick google search and found Bark Busters and signed up that night. We are currently on the 3rd visit and our pup is an angel! Kyle has taught us how to effectively communicate with Poppy which has led to a strong puppy human relationship. I can rest well at night knowing that the only thing she will be chewing on will be the Nylabones we give her. Im so happy I will never have to research and pay for any other dog training services ever again!
Orlando was Great!!
I felt the training was great! I was nervous and not sure what to expect. It went great and we saw immediate results! Looking forward to following and implementing what we learned today!
The training session really helped to make a plan and understand what is going on with my dog. I can't wait to have her fully trained.
Fantastic and fun first session. Both my dogs showed improvement and listen so much better. Less barking, it's a miracle. Thank you, Joshua! I'm excited to do the homework with my dogs!
- Met and exceeded expectations
- Kind to our situation
- Got to know our Ruby
Orlando was great at explaining everything necessary detail in depth. The changes I wanted to see in my dogs were visible and I am excited to see them become even better/well behaved dogs.
If you have any doubts, questions, worries or are just plain interested in hearing a personal testimonial from someone who has enlisted the services of Mike and Cassidy of Bark Busters, please, please take a moment to read this review! I want to start out by saying my husband and I have had dogs all of our lives. We thought we knew all the training techniques, and have utilized different trainers, programs, and internet taught methods. And we’ve always had very well-behaved, affectionate dogs. Then came our German Shepherd Greta… We got her at a very young age from a reputable trainer known for dealing with reputable breeders. Someone we’ve worked with in the past and with whom we trusted. But from day one Greta was like no other dog we ever had. She was a very anxious puppy and as her anxiety grew, so did her aggression. We took her to standard dog training with someone who is highly respected in our local community, but that was not what she needed. We needed to get to the bottom of why she was behaving the way she was before we could figure out how to correct it. That’s where Mike and Cassidy came in and they were spot on. I found I was answering “yes” to so many of the questions they were asking about her history. It’s like they knew her to a “T” after observing and spending just a little while with her. They were not at all judgmental about techniques I had tried in the past, when I was desperate.
The patience they both showed in working with not only my dog Greta but with my family and me has been amazing. They worked with me time and again until I understood all the subtle nuances of the training. They took time to hear me out, answer any questions, and demonstrate and walk me through techniques until I got it just right. The techniques are not difficult but the timing and the follow-through make all the difference in the world. And as I said previously, they so kindly went over things as many times as I needed until I got it just right. They took time and time again to explain the “why” behind the “how” of all of their techniques. I am truly so impressed and thankful. I could tell immediately that they are not in it for the paycheck, Mike and Cassidy actually truly care about you and your dog!
All of these kind things you’ll read in these reviews about Mike and Cassidy, they are 100% true. So if you are reading this and are feeling overwhelmed and helpless like I was, please know there is help, there is a solution!
Luis is knowledgeable, patient and genuinely takes the time to understand not only your dog, but the unique bond and family dynamics as well. I rescued my dog as a puppy and while he had always been very social, when he got to about a year and a half I started noticing some reactive behaviors that were confusing. I read plenty of reviews and researched different companies and appreciated the way Bark Busters communicated their approach. From my first call with them, it was clear that they did not take a "one size fits all" approach and understood what I was hoping to accomplish and we had booked our first appointment with the lifetime guarantee.

A few weeks later, Luis came into our lives. Luis genuinely wanted to understand all about Gadget, our time together, the experiences we had and the behaviors we wanted to address. It was clear he wanted to help us truly get as close as we could to the root causes and not just apply a bandaid to behaviors. He started by giving me better tools to understand what Gadget was going through and to make sure I was equipped with the right knowledge and tactics to address these things. Gadget took to Luis and what he was teaching both of us immediately. It is amazing what you can accomplish with Luis and how quickly you can see a difference. By the end of our first session we had both learned so much... With no treats, no toys, just genuine patience and understanding.

We've now seen Luis 3 times and to be honest, the second and third time really have been more refreshers for me or opportunities to have Luis guide us through the best things to do in particular situations (also, both Gadget and I enjoy our time with Luis and the new things we learn that we get endless compliments on).

In between sessions, Luis is also communicative and always willing to assist or offer insight when needed. Luis understands the bonds and wants to give you opportunities to truly build the relationship, without compromising personalities or ever putting your fur baby or you in any kind of distress.

I cannot think of anyone better to help if you're dealing with reactivity and want to just help your pup (and you) live your best lives together. We're very grateful to Luis and his tactis - and proud of all we accomplished in our first visit and the fun we've gotten to have since!
Cassidy with Bark Busters is the best! Our two labradors, ages 4 and 6 are so lovable, but they ruled the house. They jumped on people when someone came through the front door, pulled us on their walks, begged at the dinner table and needed overall reinforcement on human/pet boundaries.
Cassidy addressed our specific issues with a clear and consistent approach. Guests can now walk in the front door without being bombarded, our walks are enjoyable (*bonus I can walk both dogs at the same time) the begging has stopped, and friends have commented on how “calm and well behaved” our dogs are.
The training, expertise and guidance Bark Busters provides is a game changer and worth every penny. Their approach doesn’t involve choke collars, correction collars or treats, so the training can be implemented anywhere you and your pet are.
Kayla was very informative. We are very happy with our decision to get some training. The dogs have responded very well to the tips and tools she gave us. She asked a lot of questions to help figure out what the best way is to help our dogs out with behavior and anxiety issues. She even helped us with their eating habits too! Overall, we are very, very impressed with the way training went and we are excited to continue the lessons taught to us from Kayla. She is AWESOME. I will be recommending her to all of our friends! Well worth the money!
Contacted Mariah from Bark busters to work on a few manners related issues with our GSP. Mariah is knowledgeable, effective, and communicative with the entire process. Mariah is passionate about training and it shows! If you want a very easy play book to dog training, contact Mariah at Bark Busters. We’ve been very happy with the results!
Thank you muchly for your insight and helpful instructions!
Just had my first session with Mariah from Bark Busters and boy am I so glad I reached out! By the end of the first session, the behavior of my 5 dogs had already improved leaps and bounds. I feel empowered and capable of following through with the training. Bark Busters is well worth the investment.

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.