Are French Bulldogs Good Pets?
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What makes a dog the best pet for you and your family? Every dog has a unique personality and temperament. Dogs are incredibly loyal, good at cuddles, make you laugh, stave off loneliness – the list goes on and on. A dog’s attitude, temperament, grooming requirements, and exercise needs are some of the factors that can help you choose the right one for your family. But the most important ingredient in the making of a good pet is an owner who loves the animal and is willing to spend time with them. The French bulldog is one such breed that thrives when they have human contact.
So are French bulldogs good pets? A French bulldog is one of the world’s most popular small dog breed. They are adaptable, smart, irresistible with big bat ears and make wonderful pets. French bulldogs are friendly, inquisitive, like new places, new people and are still loyal to their owners.
French Bulldog’s Temperament and Personality
French bulldog’s temperament mainly depends upon that of their parents, how they are bred, their upbringing, and the amount of training they receive when they are puppies. The developmental years are considered the most crucial in the life of a dog. These years help the dogs develop and shape their temperaments and personalities in adulthood.
Male French bulldogs are more playful and assertive, while females are a bit timid and more affectionate between the two. Some of the best qualities of a French bulldog are his charm and adaptability. They are protective of their owners but usually do fine around strangers.
French bulldogs are amicable by nature but can have a stubborn streak. Positive reinforcement and gentle motivation techniques can do the trick especially while training them. They are not an aggressive breed and suffer from separation anxiety.
This shows how much they love their owners. They constantly crave attention to the extent that they get very depressed and anxious if left alone for long. They are relatively docile and easier to train. Although their attention spans are extremely short.
French bulldog puppies are extremely energetic. They like to play rough by chewing through their toys, play tug-of-war with inanimate things and even dig. But adult French bulldogs are calmer, less energetic and prefer sitting on someone’s lap.
As they age, French bulldogs can become increasingly stubborn and start refusing to learn or follow rules and even become aggressive. Proper training can curb this poor behavior.
Is French Bulldog a Good Family Dog?
All dogs are wonderful and amazing, but there can be no other breed so emotional, loving, friendly, and comical like a French bulldog. French bulldogs are of small to medium stature with a lean and muscular body. They have large heads and short legs.
French bulldogs love their families and particularly their laps. They can adapt to most environments and love spending time with their families. They don’t need a lot of space to keep them occupied and therefore do well in smaller apartments.
French bulldogs do not bark excessively, which makes them a great choice for apartment dwellers. They bark only when they find a real cause for excitement. They are low endurance dogs and only need a moderate amount of exercise. They have a sweet gentle disposition. They are dependable and predictable.
They are amazing family pets and loving to most children. They do well in a family where someone is home most of the day. That means they cannot live in a backyard or a garage but inside the house as a member of the family.
French bulldogs are average shedders and just giving them one wipe every day is enough to keep them clean and free from parasites and infections. They are low maintenance when it comes to grooming and easier to handle.
Is French Bulldog the Right Breed for a Family with Kids?
French bulldogs are great with kids. They are affectionate, loving, playful, and excellent companions. The females, in particular, are extremely protective of the children in the family. Their small size and gentle temperament make them perfect for families with younger or older children.
Because of their size, they are not much of a risk to smaller children. Still, it is imperative that small children are being watched while playing with them. French bulldogs like other small-dog breeds are generally considered the best choice for children. Proper socialization with children early on is the key.
Some older dogs like to nibble and are heavy to lift. Sometimes young kids can also be unknowingly rough and must also be taught how to play with a Frenchie. French bulldogs tend to be relaxed and move slowly, which means you don’t have to worry about them chasing kids who play.
French bulldogs don’t require a lot of physical exercises to keep them fit and can be easily entertained by chasing toys around the house. This makes them ideal companions for kids because children can easily keep up with this breed’s stamina.
French bulldogs are very protective and loyal to their owner and their family, especially when they are surrounded by children. They see kids as playmates and feel the urge to protect them. This trait can make them defensive towards other people your child may be playing with. This behavior is purely out of love but should be discouraged and can be prevented through early socialization.
A French bulldog puppy should be taken to a nearby dog park and should be introduced to new people regularly. Although making your Frenchie comfortable around strangers can be an uphill task because of their stubborn streak. But it is necessary, otherwise it can become a continual behavioral problem.
Once properly trained, French bulldogs get along with strangers quite well. Which is a bonus for people with children. French bulldogs are attention-seekers and always crave for human attention. Therefore, keeping them around kids can make them happy and allay separation anxiety in them.
Health Problems in French Bulldogs
French bulldogs are so popular because of their short muzzles, big expressive eyes, and child-like appearances. This distinctive look is both a blessing and a curse. Some of these traits, which were deliberately bred in them, are unfortunately the main cause of the many health issues that they have to endure.
French bulldogs are susceptible to respiratory distress because of their smushed faces and compromised respiratory system. They also often are prone to heart defects, spinal disorders, joint diseases, and eye problems. So be prepared for the vet bills!
Brachycephalic Syndrome
The first and the foremost health problem a French bulldog suffers from is the brachycephalic airway syndrome. This syndrome affects all brachycephalic( flat-faced) dogs including French bulldogs. Most of the affected dogs have noisy breathing, will snort and grunt when excited, and snore when asleep or even relaxed.
Other symptoms of the syndrome may include gagging, coughing, vomiting, and retching. All these symptoms can get worse in hot and humid weather.
Allergies
Apart from respiratory issues, French bulldogs are susceptible to developing allergies, like seasonal allergies, environmental allergies, allergies related to certain foods such as chicken, beef, pork, eggs, soy, etc and even prescription drugs.
Tracheal Collapse
French bulldogs are also prone to tracheal collapse. This disease is a chronic and progressive disease of the trachea or windpipe and causes honking cough, difficulty in breathing, wheezy noise when breathing inward, exercise intolerance, and even fainting.
Hip Dysplasia
French bulldogs are predisposed to developing hip looseness that can increase the progression of the disease.
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is the disorder of the third eyelid present in the eyes of the dogs and cats. This third eyelid serves to protect the eyes from debris, and infections and also produces tears. The disorder causes the tear gland to protrude from the eye as a red fleshy mass.
Cherry eye is more common in younger French bulldogs. If left untreated, it can result in a chronic dry eye and can seriously impair the vision of your French bulldog.
Stenotic Nares
Stenotic nares is a common disorder in brachycephalic dogs and is just a fancy way of saying – narrow nostrils. This can result in difficulty in breathing through the nose, snoring and snorting. The disorder can affect the quality of life of dogs considerably, making it harder for them to breathe, exercise, and tolerate heat.
French bulldogs are an expensive breed because they require artificial insemination and c-sections to reproduce. Also, the heavy vet bills, high-quality foods for the puppies escalates the cost of breeding them. But these adorable canines can be worth every penny!
So are you ready to get this four-legged bundle of fun home? French bulldogs are great additions to any family they join. If you want a dog who is small yet sturdy, has a polite demeanor, does not need much exercise, and barks infrequently, then French bulldog may be the perfect dog for you.
All these endearing traits and characteristics make them wonderful family companions. But you can’t ignore some of the health issues and the odd noises, grunts, and snorts you will have to put up with. Nevertheless, their cute and curious expressions, hilarious antics, and sweet and playful personality will surely brighten up your life!
