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French Bulldogs: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about French Bulldog personality and behavior. main page breed review faq health training adopting/buying links My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the French Bulldog, including these excerpts: "Despite his glum expression, the French Bulldog is one of the sweetest, most amusing, and dependably amiable of all breeds. As comfortable in an apartment as he is on a farm, he is more lively than you might suspect from his chunky appearance. French Bulldog puppies are especially frisky; ball chasing is one of their passions. Adults are more dignified and can be champion couch potatoes, but also love to clown around and go for walks in cool weather. Most are friendly and outgoing with everyone; some are politely reserved. French Bulldogs will bark to announce visitors, but are otherwise quiet dogs. Usually peaceful and playful with other animals (some will hunt small rodents), males may bicker with other males. Though stubborn, the French Bulldog is surprisingly sensitive, remembers what he learns, and responds well to early, patient, persistent training that utilizes food motivation. Snorting, snuffling, and flatulence go with the territory of short-faced breeds. Swimming pool owners must exercise caution: Because of his squat build and heavy head, most Frenchies cannot swim and will drown if they fall into a pool." History When British lace workers sought work in France in the nineteenth century, they brought with them undersized English Bulldogs (considered "culls"). These smallish Bulldogs became popular as ratters and also as fashionable favorites of the European artistic set and Parisian belles de nuit. Size 11-14 inches and 20-28 lbs

French Bulldogs What's good about 'em What's bad about 'em If you want a dog who... Is short, squat, and chunky Is round-headed and short-faced, with large expressive eyes Has a short easy-care coat that comes in many colors Is usually amiable with everyone Doesn't need much exercise Doesn't bark much A French Bulldog may be right for you. If you don't want to deal with... Stubbornness Shedding Snorting, snuffling, wheezing, grunting, loud snoring Slobbering Gassiness (flatulence) Slowness to housebreak Serious health problems High cost A French Bulldog may not be right for you. If I were considering a French Bulldog... My major concerns would be: Stubbornness. Despite their sweetness, French Bulldogs are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and can be manipulative. Most French Bulldogs are extremely stubborn. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say. To teach your Frenchie to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My French Bulldog Training Page discusses the program you need. Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, French Bulldogs shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your carpeting, upholstery, and clothing. French Bulldog sounds. Most French Bulldogs snort, snuffle, wheeze, grunt, and snore loudly. The sounds are endearing to some people; nerve-wracking to others. Slobbering. Many French Bulldogs, especially those with loose jowls, slobber and drool, especially after eating or drinking. Housebreaking. French Bulldogs tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training. High cost. French Bulldog breeders charge $1000 to $1500 to cover their costs of artificial insemination (because many French Bulldogs can't mate without assistance) and C-sections (because the puppies' heads are too large to be born normally). Gassiness (flatulence) that can send you running for cover. Fortunately, French Bulldogs who are fed a natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods have much less trouble with gassiness. See my French Bulldog Health Page for more information. Serious health problems. Many French Bulldogs struggle to breathe in hot or humid weather. In the summer they should be kept in air-conditioning and supervised during outside activity so they don't over-exert themselves and become overheated. An alarming number of French Bulldogs suffer from joint diseases, spinal disorders, and heart defects. Their compromised respiratory system makes it very risky to anesthetize them safely. To keep this breed healthy, I strongly recommend following all of the advice on my French Bulldog Health Page. Not all French Bulldogs are alike! There are energetic Frenchies, and placid Frenchies. Hard-headed Frenchies, and sweet-natured Frenchies. Serious Frenchies, and good-natured goofballs. Introverted Frenchies, and Frenchies who love everyone. If you acquire a French Bulldog puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." If you're considering an adult French Bulldog... There are plenty of adult French Bulldogs who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you. When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS. If you would like to link to this review, here is the HTML code: <a href="http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/frenchbulldogs.html">French Bulldogs: What's Good About 'Em, What's Bad About 'Em</a> Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author.