Not to be confused with their sober-faced counterpart, the English bulldog, the French bulldog is energetic and a bundle of fun. The American Kennel Club describes cute little Frenchies as being playful, smart, and adaptable.
Jumping from 76th to 4th in popularity over the last 20 years, the French bulldog is now showing its third popularity peak. The first peak was when it took 6th place in the 1910s and the second peak in 2015-2016.
The reasons for choosing this bundle of joy are many. Read on to learn everything you need to know about the French bulldog personality and why it is a must-have addition to your family.
Physical Traits
The French Bulldog on average weighs under 28 pounds and grows to a height of 11-13 inches. With a life expectancy of 9-11 years, this adorable dog will provide years of enjoyment.
The small size of Frenchies is what makes them popular with city dwellers and the most popular small-dog breed in the world. Their appearance is similar to a standard bulldog, except for their petite size and large, erect “bat ears.” Their unusual ears are the trademark of the breed.
Other physical characteristics include a large, square head with heavy wrinkles above a very cute pug nose. Their body is smooth, compact, and muscular with a brilliant coat. Coloring can be blue merle, lilac merle, blue pied, brindle, fawn, white, a mixture of brindle and white, or a mixture of fawn and white (pied).
French Bulldog Personality Traits
If you want a conversationalist, the Frenchie is not for you. Don’t let that fool you though. They may not bark much, but Frenchies are very alert, making them an excellent watchdog.
Easily adaptable to their environment, they function well with a single owner, couples, or in a large family. They love making human friends and get along with other animals. Their affectionate nature and even disposition make them an ideal pet for children.
Frenchies like to please their owners, making them easy to train, especially with a treat as motivation. They are very successful in obedience training and have even been used as therapy dogs in schools, hospitals, and nursing home settings. Of course, they can be a bit stubborn too.
Don’t be put off by a little bit of stubbornness, because French bulldogs adore attention. They will always let you know how happy they are to be in your company. Swinging from a lazy nap in the sunny spot of the couch to being assertive if they feel they are being ignored, your Frenchie will keep you on your toes.
The bottom line is, just like with children, dogs develop personality traits relative to their surroundings and the treatment they receive. As puppies Frenchies are funny and like to play. They chew on their toys and anything else they can find. Highly intelligent, they adapt to their environment, observe what is going on around them, and become a loving and loyal companion.
This Is What You Get
This little bundle of friendliness will provide you with years of joy if you are seeking:
- A small but sturdy lap dog
- Large, expressive eyes
- Easy-care coat in a variety of colors
- Polite and friendly
- Loves to chase balls and play games
- Needs little exercise
- Doesn’t bark much
- A bit of flatulence, but they can always be your scapegoat
- Deep loving devotion to its humans
Then the French Bulldog personality is for you. If you choose a puppy from the right breeder, you will receive a quality companion that can adapt to your lifestyle as they grow.
One of the most important things for your puppy is early socialization. After they have received all their vaccines, take them out into the world and let them become accustomed to being out and about in their environment. This helps prevent them from becoming depressed and lonely, in addition to making them adaptable to all environments.
French Bulldog General Care
This breed does not require a lot of exercise, making it an ideal pet for celebrities and anyone who lives in the city or in a small home. They do not require a lot of grooming, making them easy to maintain when you have a busy schedule. Occasional brushing, nail trimming, cleaning of the folds in their face, and cleaning their ears will keep them looking good.
Recommendations include not allowing your Frenchie to run free. They should be allowed outdoors only on a leash or in a fenced yard. They are most comfortable in moderate temperatures and need careful supervision in climates where temperatures are high or low.
Excessive exposure to either the cold or heat results in panting or shivering. In areas that are humid and warmer than 70 degrees, air conditioning in both the home and automobile is necessary. You will want to exercise them during the time of day when temperatures are more moderate.
Being poor swimmers, you never want to leave your French bulldog around water without supervision. It is very easy for Frenchies to drown due to their body structure being front-heavy.
Don’t let their compact size fool you. Frenchies have powerful bulldog jaws that can destroy small dog toys easily. Indestructible dog toys are a must. Do not give your Frenchie rawhide chews because they can soften and lodge in the throat of the French bulldog.
The French Bulldog Community
If you are looking for a social outlet, look no further than the elite group of French bulldog owners. The American Kennel Club (AKC) has breed clubs in every state.
The French Bulldog Club of America was the first specialty club for this breed. Their first show was held in 1898 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. It is now the oldest club in the world dedicated to this breed.
Press coverage gave their popularity a boost and in 1913 a total of 100 French bulldogs entered the Westminster Kennel Club.
Get Your Frenchie Today
If you are ready to get a fun-loving, attentive companion, look no further. Poetic French Bulldogs is dedicated to breeding the healthiest, prettiest, most unique French bulldog puppies in Florida. We are happy to answer any additional questions on the breed and pricing before you make your selection.
The French bulldog personality will astound you, as will their beauty when you select from our rare colors such as merle, chocolate, blue, and lilac. Our puppies grow up smaller and more compact than most Frenchies, making them an adorable addition to your home. If you do not want to travel to southern Florida for your puppy, we have Poetic Flight Nannies who will deliver your Frenchie to you.
Check out our selection today and your Frenchie will soon be on its way into your heart.