Happy French Bulldog with their owner

French Bulldog Insurance, Care and Health Advice

They’re chunky. They’re lively. They’re bat-eared and beautiful. French Bulldogs might be small, but their larger than life personalities make sure they never go unnoticed. Frenchies love company and constant attention, they’ve got a lotta love to give and can’t wait to share it around.

Frenchie’s have a reputation for playing the class clown, and can hold the attention of a whole room without even trying thanks to that ‘endearing’ stream of grunts, snorts, and flatulence! They’re usually well behaved and pretty chilled out, but really don’t like being alone, and will pine and sulk if you’re gone for a long time.

French Bulldog Facts

Dog breed type icon
Type
Non-sporting
Dog breed lifespan icon
Lifespan
10 - 12 years
Dog breed size icon
Size
Small
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Weight
8 - 12 kg
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Height
28 - 30 cm
Dog breed temperament icon
Temperament
Affectionate, sociable and playful
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Exercise
60 mins per day
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Grooming
Low maintenance

Is a French Bulldog Right for Me?

Frenchies are relatively low maintenance. Most need a couple of walks each day, but they’re no athlete: 15 mins for each trip should do it. Fave hobbies include chasing balls around the house or garden - and kicking back on the sofa in front of the TV. Anyone looking for a dog that’s small but sturdy, perfect if you don’t have that much space. Frenchies make great family pets or buddies for the elderly.

A very happy French Bulldog puppy smiling

What are French Bulldog Puppies Like?

French Bulldogs are a lively breed and puppies can be a handful! They can be stubborn which can make training difficult. Socialise them by introducing them to different places, people and other dogs to prevent anxiety issues in the future. They love human interaction so separation anxiety can be an issue if they’re left alone too long. Try not to exercise too much when they’re puppies to protect their growing joints – around 2 minutes exercise for every month of age is usually recommended.

French Bulldog dog lying in the grass

Life with French Bulldogs

When meeting new people or pets, Frenchie’s can suffer from “little dog syndrome”. They might be snappy and territorial at first, but once the intros are over they’re super chilled and will generally get on well with everyone. Barking, however, can be a problem wheren Frenchies are left alone for long periods - so if there’s no-one at home all day, this breed might not be for you.

Caring for Your French Bulldog Dog

French Bulldog puppies should be fed 3-4 times a day, and adult dogs twice a day. Guidelines for how much food to give your dog can be found on the back of the food packaging, along with the nutritional content. Speak to your vet if you are unsure which food to buy.

Frenchies have a tendency to becoming overweight so it’s always a good idea to weigh your dog’s food to make sure they’re not overfed. If they become obese, any health problems will worsen.

A short smooth coat means no clipping, and no need for trips to the groomer. Frenchie’s are low-to-moderate shedders - just give your buddy a weekly brush to help keep this under control. French bulldogs are especially prone to sun stroke - so in the summer, try to walk early in the morning or late in the day. When out and about in the heat, take it slow and have plenty of water and ice at hand.

Give your buddy a monthly mani pedi to keep toenails in check. To help keep halitosis at bay and keep teeth and gums healthy, teeth should be brushed several times a week. Those big bat ears also need regular cleaning to reduce the chances of infection. Use ear rinse and a cotton swab - but be careful not to go into the actual canal or you could end up impacting more dirt into the ear!

As adorable as those wrinkles are, moisture can quickly build up, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. Reduce the risk of infection by cleaning with warm water - only use soap or shampoo if your vet tells you to.

Frenchie’s are known to be smart but stubborn. They love a game, but can find it hard to see the ‘fun’ in training. The trick for training your Frenchie is short sessions, a few times a day. Try and mix up the routine to keep it fresh and stop your buddy from losing interest.

Let’s just say, Frenchie’s don't take criticism well. If they think they’re being told off, they’ll bark and sulk. This means house training can be a long process! A crate can help: slowly increasing the length of time your French bulldog is in the crate helps him to learn to “hold it in”.

French bulldogs will need an hour of exercise every day - this can be split up into several shorter walks. Remember not to overexert them when the weather is hot. 

French Bulldog Insurance

French Bulldogs cute as they may be, unfortunately that cuteness can come at a cost as they are prone to health issues. An Everypaw Lifetime Dog Insurance policy can be there for you and your Frenchie when you need it most. With a variety of Lifetime cover to choose from, and our 24/7 Petcall vet service at your disposal, we have your Frenchie’s healthcare at heart.

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Common French Bulldog Health Problems by Vetstream

If you’re thinking of buying a French bulldog puppy, make sure you to do your research first. Frenchies can unfortunately suffer from a number of health problems. Vet experts Vetstream have put together a list of the most common conditions French Bulldogs may suffer from.

Having a flat-face means that Frenchies are brachycephalic (brachy = short, cephalic = head). This can lead to a range of health issues including breathing difficulties, skin, dental and eye problems.

Excess soft tissue in their nose and throat can cause them to pant or have noisy breathing. Narrow nostrils can cause breathing issues while excess skin folds around their face can make them more prone to skin infections. A shortened head means that teeth can become overcrowded and shallow eye sockets mean that their eyes become more prominent and more susceptible to problems.

French Bulldogs are at risk of hereditary cataracts. The lens in the eye becomes cloudy and, if left untreated, the dog will become blind. Phacoemulsification cataract surgery using high frequency ultrasound is used to break down and remove the cataract. A DNA test is available to identify dogs with the gene mutation responsible for the condition.

Small breed dogs like the French Bulldog can be affected by a luxating patella – a painful condition where the kneecap slips out of place. Dogs with a luxated patella may be seen hopping on one their back legs while carrying the other leg (especially when running). The kneecap can slip back in place but, in most cases, it doesn’t, and surgery will be needed to put it back in the correct position. If untreated, arthritis may develop, causing further pain and lameness

French Bulldogs are more prone to having difficult births (known as dystocia). With their narrow hips and large heads, problems can occur during labour and birth. Medical or surgical intervention such as a Caesarean section is likely to be needed to deliver the puppies. Sadly, some puppies may not survive birth.

Quick French Bulldog Q&A

The life expectancy of French Bulldogs is 11-14 years if well cared for. Always buy from a reputable breeder to ensure your dog will be free from any inherited health problems. Brachycephalic dogs are prone to various health issues, especially if they’re overweight, and this can shorten their lifespan.

With their short, smooth coats, French Bulldogs don’t tend to shed much. Like all dogs, they will shed a bit more during spring and autumn. Excess hair can be removed with a grooming brush or mitt. The rest of the year, they just need brushing once a week and perhaps a bath every 4 weeks to keep their coats clean and in good condition.

As French Bulldogs find it difficult to keep their noses above water (like other brachycephalic breeds), they’re not good swimmers. If they lift their head, their bums drop and this causes them to sink. They should always be supervised or wear a life jacket if near deep water.

French Bulldogs have more of a short stump than a tail. These can have a short curve or screw shape. Their tails aren’t docked as some may think, they just don’t grow much.

That’s All You Need to Know About Frenchies

This small, sturdy breed has a larger-than-life personality with lots of love to give. They love chasing a ball but are quite happy just chilling on the sofa too. If you live in a small house they’ll fit right in and make great family pets or companions for the elderly. This breed is known for having a few health issues though, so make sure you’re up to speed with these before you buy your next canine companion.

Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

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