It is a very popular and beloved breed, especially for those who live in apartments.

When they come to the family, they become the joy at home.

If you are curious about the French Bulldog, find out how this breed came to be and what special health care is needed to keep these playful pups healthy.

provenance

The first French Bulldog breed club appeared at the end of the 19th century, years later being officially recognized as a breed in France.

Prior to their appearance, there was only one size of Bulldog in Great Britain, with smaller ones being rejected. This smaller variation of Bulldogs had a greater acceptance in France where, from different crosses with other smaller breeds, they ended up becoming popular.

Before becoming a companion breed, they were used as bull bait in blood sports.

They became quite popular, also in England, when they appeared in paintings by DegasToulouse-Lautrec .

Features

Size

They are medium sized dogs.

They measure between 25 to 35 cm and weigh from 8 to 14 kg, whether male or female.

coat

They have a very short coat and are normally shiny and soft.

As for color, there are Bulldogs of various colors: black, gold and two colors – black and white – are the most found examples.

Average life expectancy

A French Bulldog lives an average of 10 to 12 years.

Behavior

It is by nature a companion breed. They are cheerful, companions, playful and always seek the affection and attention of the whole family. A French Bulldog is a great dog for anyone with children.

Like dogs of breeds with a flattened muzzle, the French Bulldog usually snores a lot, being one of its most striking features.

On the other hand, they bark very little, which turns out to be an advantage for those who live in apartments.

Despite being a playful dog and having peaks of energy during the day, the truth is that this is a breed that does not need much physical activity.

To train a French Bulldog you need a good dose of patience and perseverance because, despite being intelligent, this breed is even more stubborn.

Something we should never do with our French Bulldog is try to swim. Most of these dogs cannot do this. Due to the anatomy of its body – very heavy head and disproportionate to the body – and the respiratory problems common to this breed, we must pay extra attention on a walk by the sea, river or pool.

Health

The French Bulldog is a brachycephalic breed, which means that they have a flat muzzle: they have a normal lower jaw, proportional to their body size, and a recessed upper jaw.

This characteristic, in addition to compromising their respiratory system , also makes them more susceptible to very high temperatures , as they cannot regulate their body temperature as effectively.

Overweight:
This is a dog that tends to gain weight, as it does not like much physical activity. It is therefore essential that we pay special attention to their diet.

Skin cleaning:
We must be attentive to its wrinkles, cleaning them frequently. If we clean them with our own wipes or with saline and gauze, we will avoid the appearance of allergies and infections.

Other precautions to be aware of:

• Do not force physical exercise. A 15-minute walk can be demanding for this little-active breed.
• Most French Bulldogs cannot swim, so we must always be careful when near water.
• Pay attention when we have temperatures above 25º. The French Bulldog easily suffers from hyperthermia – an increase in body temperature above normal values.