French Bulldogs

Appearance:

Body: Low, powerful, compact, muscular, heavily boned, and well-rounded with solid well-muscled thighs.

Coat: Short, smooth, and reasonably fine.

Color: Brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white. Also found, but not accepted by AKC Standards are solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black.

Ears: Bat-like and set high with a broad base and rounded tips.

Eyes: Dark, round, wide apart and set low but not sunken.

Feet: Medium size, compact, and cat-like with tight toes, high knuckles and short thick nails.

Head: Very large and square with a short face, snub nose, broad muzzle and slanted nostrils. Skull is flat between the ears and somewhat curved with a dome-like appearance.

Legs: Forelegs are straight, well-muscled, wide-set and slightly shorter than the hind legs. Hind legs are strong, and powerful with well let down hocks.

Neck: Short, dense, muscular, and well-arched.

Size:
Weight: 20 - 28 pounds
Height: 11 - 14 inches

Tail: Straight, kinked, or screwed and short, set below the top line and tapering to a thin point. The bend in the kinked or screw tail is due to an acceptable malformation.

Behavior

Recommended for novice dog handlers
Good with children
Well known for their flatulence (gas)
Not recommended around pools - Frenchies are unable to swim

Most recognized for his bat-like ears, the French Bulldog is happy, quiet and energetic. He prefers the company of people over other dogs and is remarkably adaptable to small apartments or large areas. He's an impressively powerful dog for his size.

Michele Welton, author of Your Purebred Puppy says the French Bulldog is "one of the sweetest, most amusing, and dependably amiable of all breeds."

AKC Standards say they are "well behaved, adaptable and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert and playful, but not unduly boisterous."

He is a sensitive breed, often stubborn but easily trained with a patient, positive, reward-type approach.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Non-Sporting Group
Though once used to bait bulls, the French Bull Dog is an excellent pet and companion. Be sure to keep the facial wrinkle clean and dry to avoid skin problems.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Light exercise two to three times daily with a weekly walk.

Grooming: Brush one to two times weekly, daily during shedding season. Bath five to six times yearly or as needed.

Health

Life Expectancy: 10 - 12 Years

Possible Problems:
Breathing problems - due to his short windpipe
Gluacoma - an increase in pressure within the eyeball
Gastrointestinal problems
Hip Dysplasia
Low Thyroid
Skin irritation among the facial wrinkles if not kept clean
Spinal defects
vWD - a blood disorder

Recommended Certificates:
CERF (eyes)
OFA (hips)

He may have a negative reaction to anesthetics and other drugs. Use of medication should only be as a last resort.

Because of his large head, whelping can be difficult often resulting in caesarian birth.

The Frenchie is unable to properly regulate his own body temperature and is susceptible to sunstroke and other problems from extreme weather conditions. Be sure he gets lots of water and shade in the extreme heat and a sweater or coat to protect him from extreme cold temperatures.

Country of Origin

France - 1800s