10 Tips to Know Before Owning a French Bulldog Puppy

Perhaps the most adored and desired modern dog breed, the French Bulldog is highly popular for many good reasons. Affectionately nicknamed “the Frenchie,” French Bulldogs are engaging, smart, and companionable dogs. They love nothing more than being a focal part of their pup parent’s life, and anyone who owns a Frenchie will agree that they are a constant, loving presence. The French Bulldog breed is easily recognizable with her wrinkled face and bat-shaped ears, and her unique looks are second only to her loving personality. French Bulldogs make great pets because of their distinctive and loyal natures and their versatility as small breed dogs. Interested in adding a French Bulldog puppy to your family? Here are the top 10 tips to know before owning a French Bulldog puppy.

1. The French Bulldog is a personable and intelligent free thinker.

The Frenchie is no ordinary dog. Her high level of intelligence means that you are guaranteed to have a dog who is happy to share her sweet personality with you and your family. The French Bulldog can be comic and humorous, a mischievous goofball, and she often likes to put on a show for family and friends. Frenchies are smart dogs, which means that they are easier to train than many other breeds, provided that you socialize them with positive reinforcement as early as possible. 

Because the French Bulldog is a free thinker, she can be stubborn at times. Thus, the positive training of a French Bulldog puppy will result in a smart, engaging companion dog who retains her spirit while responding to your requests. Food rewards, games, and praise are the way to go to train French Bulldog puppies the right way. 

2. Frenchies are devoted to their people.

The French Bulldog is devoted to her pup’s parents and family. Frenchies thrive on the relationships they develop with their people, so if you want a dog who will shadow your every move, the French Bulldog is the puppy for you. Frenchies typically get along with everyone in the family, including small children and other household pets. An ideal day for a French Bulldog is a brief 15-minute walk or two with lots of snuggling on the couch with their owner in between. This breed will happily lavish love upon you and accept your love in return. 

French Bulldogs love their families so much that they don’t react well to being left alone for long periods. Because they are a short-nosed breed, Frenchies cannot handle extreme hot or cold temperatures and should never be left outside alone. The breed is best suited for a household where there is someone home frequently to prevent the dog from developing separation anxiety or destructive habits.

3. The French Bulldog is an ideal dog for small living spaces.

Although the French Bulldog makes for a good watchdog, the breed is typically quiet and doesn’t bark much. Their small, muscular bodies mean they don’t take up too much room in a home. Because of their anatomy and nature, the Frenchie doesn’t require much exercise; a couple of short walks daily, and some playtime in the backyard will do. This breed loves to play but is not high-energy enough to need hours of exercise or a large yard. The combination of these three qualities means that the Frenchie is a perfect dog for smaller living spaces, such as apartments, condominiums, and small houses. 

4. A French Bulldog puppy will be great with kids.

French Bulldog puppies are especially good-natured breeds who enjoy being around children. Their smaller size and gentle nature make them a natural fit with families, including those with small kids. The Frenchie’s goofy and playful spirit, easygoing personality, and loving heart are reasons why this breed is so popular with families all over the country.

Many French Bulldog breeders will ensure that their puppies are socialized early to be around families. As with any dog, children should always be supervised around canines, and especially puppies which can be nippy and mouthy when they are teething. 

5. French Bulldogs get along well with other animals.

A French Bulldog puppy will be easier to introduce to other pets in the family home than some other dog breeds. Because Frenchies are nonaggressive and laid-back dogs, they are ideal for families that have other pets or who plan to bring other pets into their homes in the future. 

French Bulldog breeders are happy to give tips to prospective pup parents about how to correctly and slowly introduce a French Bulldog puppy to other dogs or cats in the household. Although they are kind-hearted and sweet-tempered, they can sometimes get caught up in play with other pets and play roughly. Always watch your French Bulldog puppy’s interactions with your family’s other dogs or cats and break up anything that seems to be borderline problematic.

6. French Bulldog puppies love to play.

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: a French Bulldog puppy loves to play! In particular, your Frenchie will love to play with you. This dog breed bonds closely with her pup parent and her whole world will soon revolve around you. Your Frenchie puppy will do what she can to gain and hold your attention, including being silly and sometimes a little mischievous. 

A French Bulldog puppy requires a pup parent who is willing and able to spend lots of time with her; Frenchies can suffer from separation anxiety and don’t tolerate being left alone for long periods. As a Frenchie pup parent, expect to dedicate time to interacting and playing with your puppy. In return, she will give you years of unconditional love and companionship. 

7. A French Bulldog puppy doesn’t require lots of exercises.

If you live in an apartment or other small living space, a French Bulldog puppy is a perfect breed for tight quarters because this breed doesn’t require lots of exercises. You may find that your Frenchie loves spending more time curled up next to you on the couch than going for a short walk down the street. 

That said, Frenchies are susceptible to weight gain, so a daily excursion outdoors, even for a few minutes, can keep your pup lean and healthy as she grows up. A little exercise each day also promotes physical and mental stimulation, important components for a happy and healthy dog.

8. French Bulldogs may develop breathing problems.

A French Bulldog breeder will also explain to pup parents that Frenchies should avoid strenuous exercise altogether because of how their bodies are designed. Frenchies are brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs and are therefore prone to breathing issues and overheating. Their smooshed-in faces are adorable, but they also prevent this breed from taking in enough oxygen when they overexert themselves or if they are in extreme cold or hot environments.

As a brachycephalic dog, a French Bulldog puppy is more prone to heatstroke than some other canine breeds. Observe your pup whenever she plays and step in if she becomes too overworked or overheated. Also, be prepared for a pup who snores and is a heavy-breather due to her flat-face.

9. French Bulldogs are moderate shedders.

The French Bulldog’s coat is short, flat, and smooth, but that doesn’t mean this breed is exempt from shedding. Far from it! A French Bulldog puppy is a moderate shedder, and as she grows up, she will shed heavily in the spring and fall. Thankfully, the Frenchie’s coat is easy to care for, and a stripping comb, shedding brush, or rubber brushing glove make grooming and removing loose undercoat hairs simple. Because a French Bulldog puppy will shed, this breed might not be the best choice for family members who suffer from allergies.

10. A French Bulldog puppy won’t bark often.

Frenchies are relatively quiet dogs who don’t often bark unless they really have something to say. Typically, a Frenchie will alert her pup’s parents if someone is at the door or if they spot another dog; otherwise, this breed of dog communicates with a series of other noises, like yips, chirps, warbles. A properly socialized French Bulldog puppy is less likely to engage in anxiety-based barking, and your French Bulldog breeder can offer some advice on how to accomplish this goal. Exposing your puppy to new people, dogs, places, and experiences early on in her life will make her less likely to have separation anxiety and resort to problematic barking.

A French Bulldog puppy may bark for fun while playing or if left alone for too long at home or in a crate. Even in these cases, the Frenchie’s bark is quieter than breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Australian Shepherds, and Akitas. Rarely will a Frenchie respond to stimuli with consistent barking.

Does a French Bulldog puppy sound like a canine match for you and your family? If so, Preferable Pups offers French Bulldog puppies for sale. All our puppies come from reputable French Bulldog breeders, so contact us today for more information. Your new best Frenchie friend is waiting for you.