Dog Group: Non-Sporting Size: 11-13 inches tall, under 28 pounds Lifespan: 10-12 years Energy Level: Average Coat: Short, smooth, and straight Shedding: Moderate
Temperament
The French bulldog temperament is gentle, loyal and loving. French bulldogs are bred to be lap dogs, so they are very friendly to their family and very willing to please. A French bulldog will gladly curl up on your lap to be petted and sleep.
This bat-eared couch potato is content to lounge around and to lavish his owners with love. The French bulldog temperament makes this breed one of the best companion dogs in the world. The Frenchie loves to play, but he also loves to spend his time relaxing on the sofa.
Part of the French bulldog temperament includes a high intelligence. This breed requires mental stimulation, and they benefit from structured positive reinforcement training from a young age. A bored French bulldog can quickly become destructive, so make sure to provide enough mental stimulation for your Frenchie. Although this is a calm and gentle dog, Frenchies can display guarding behaviors toward strangers. That’s why it is so important to socialize a young Frenchie puppy. You should make sure that your French bulldog meets a lot of people and children.
Brief History
In the latter part of the 19th century, the lace makers of Nottingham, England, began selectively breeding a smaller toy Bulldog as a lap pet. Displaced by the Industrial Revolution, many of the lace makers crossed the English Channel, taking their small bulldogs with them to France. Some of these toy or miniature bulldogs made their way to Paris, where well-to-do Americans on the Grand Tour of Europe saw them and began bringing them to the US.
General Care
French Bulldogs don’t require a lot of grooming and generally do well in small living quarters. They are not noisy and most of them are very fond of people, though there are individual differences in how well they get along with other animals.
They should never be allowed to run free, and should only be allowed outdoors in a fenced yard or on a leash. French Bulldogs must never be left unattended around water, as they are poor swimmers and can easily drown due to their front-heavy structure.
French bulldogs do best in moderate temperatures and should be carefully supervised in both high and low temperature ranges. Indestructible dog toys are best, as those powerful bulldog jaws can destroy less durable ones; and rawhide type chews shouldn't be used because they can become lodged their throat.
Occasional brushing keeps the coat shiny, and regular nail trimming is a must since many dogs don’t usually wear their nails down by running. Regular cleaning of the ears and of the deep facial folds will prevent these sensitive areas from becoming irritated.