French Bulldog

Despite what its name may imply, the French Bulldog was developed in England. These dogs are descendents of English Bulldogs, who were, unfortunately, used for violent "sports" such as bull-baiting. When activities like this were outlawed in England in 1835, the English Bulldog was bred down in size, resulting in the Toy Bulldog. During the Industrial Revolution, these Toy Bulldogs were brought to France by English lace workers, and the French immediately took a liking to the little dog. So, they began to import more and more of the breed. Over time, the Toy Bulldog became a breed of its own, and was eventually named the French Bulldog. By the end of the 19th century, the Frenchie's popularity had spread from Europe to the United States, and the breed remains quite popular today.

French Bulldogs have the appearance of a miniature bulldog, but they have one-of-a-kind ears that stand straight up like bat ears. Their coat is short, fine, and smooth, and is most often brindle in color. Their legs are short and muscular and set wide apart. Their large eyes are either blue or brown, and give their face a look of curiosity.

The French Bulldog's affectionate, easy-going temperament is one of the most appealing features for many owners. Frenchies are very adaptable, so they make great pets for first-time dog owners. They adjust well to other animals, too, and are great with kids. Frenchies are very social and thrive on human interaction, so they shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time or they may experience separation anxiety. Training a French Bulldog isn't difficult, although some Frenchies are on the stubborn side. Still, most, if not all, French Bulldogs respond well to reward-based training and positive reinforcement. As long as they receive the attention and care they need, French Bulldogs make wonderful, easy companions for all types of people.

French Bulldogs are notorious for being susceptible to many different health conditions. Specifically, their flat faces cause breathing problems like brachycephalic syndrome and their build makes it impossible for them to safely swim. These dogs frequently have sensitive skin and skin allergies. Other conditions the French Bulldog is more prone to include eye problems, autoimmune skin disorders, hip dysplasia,

French Bulldogs need to be brushed once a week to keep their fur and skin healthy. French Bulldogs have facial skin folds that will need to be cleaned and dried regularly to keep away infections. Making sure your French Bulldog is thoroughly dried is especially important after baths, which are only needed when the Frenchie gets dirty or on a monthly basis. This breed needs its nails trimmed regularly to prevent painful splits and tears from occurring.

French Bulldogs do not require a large amount of exercise; 30 minutes per day is usually enough to keep them happy. They love going on short walks and playing in the yard with their family. They are a flat-faced breed which can cause some breathing problems. For this reason, they should never be over exercised in hot or humid weather.