The French Bulldog Is America’s Favorite Dog

This month has gone to the dogs! January 13th is French Bulldog Day! These cute, adorable dogs definitely have something to celebrate. Fido is now America’s favorite dog! You wouldn’t expect a little dog with bat ears and a squashed face to be our most popular breed, but it’s official. It’s also no small feat to take the top spot, especially given that the Labrador Retriever has been sitting there, cheerfully panting and wagging his tail, for over three decades. A Burlington, ON veterinarian discusses the Frenchie in this article.

French Bulldog Basic Breed Info

A furry roommate that keeps you laughing continuously, the Frenchie is lovable, easy to care for, and a lot of fun. They don’t require very much exercise, and they love snuggling with their owners. These guys typically live for about 10 to 12 years. They usually weigh under 30 pounds. They have short, sleek fur that needs little grooming.

Why Are Frenchies So Attractive to Dognappers?

Unfortunately, French Bulldogs are among the most frequently stolen dogs. Due to their popularity, they fetch high prices. (The rare fluffy Frenchie can go for up to $30,000.) They’re also small enough to be picked up and carried away. As a matter of fact, a woman in Washington D.C. recently received a ransom demand after her Frenchie was stolen. (Fortunately, her pooch is now safe and sound.)

While you don’t need to hire Fido his own security team, you may want to take a few precautions o keep your canine pal safe from dognappers.

• Ensure Fido has an identification tag and a microchip. Remember to update your records! 

• Never leave Fido unattended, especially in public spaces.

• If your dog has not been fixed yet, ask your veterinarian for advice. This can help deter breeders, and is also beneficial for many other reasons.

• For additional peace of mind, consider getting a tracking device, such as a GPS tag.

• Keep all adoption and medical paperwork. In a court case, being able to prove ownership can be crucial. 

What Is The French Bulldog’s Personality?

Fido is the most popular dog in America for a reason. Frenchies are fun, playful, affectionate, and easy to make friends with.

Proper training and petiquette are crucial for these guys, as they can be stubborn and protective. (Did we mention that Frenchies are a little extra?)

Frenchies get very attached to their humans. If left alone too long, they can become lonely and unhappy. If your canine companion will be at home alone most of the time, you may want to either get him a buddy or find a breed that is more independent. As with any dog, we’d recommend doing some breed research before adopting. 

What Health Issues Do French Bulldogs Have?

The Frenchie is prone to a few specific health issues, including respiratory and dental problems. Frenchies are brachycephalic, which means they have narrow airways. This is the reason for their adorable, smooshed faces. Unfortunately, that conformation can also cause a slew of health issues, particularly respiratory issues. 

Fido is also susceptible to dental issues, eye problems, including cherry eye, skin problems, and intervertebral disc disease. Several tests are recommended for this breed, including patella, hip, ophthalmologist, and cardiac exams.  For more information and specific care advice, reach out to  your Burlington, ON veterinarians.

History of the French Bulldog Breed

The French bulldog is a crossbreed of Paris’ ratter dogs and imported toy Bulldogs from England. The pups first trotted onto the scene in the mid-nineteenth century, and soon became a beloved companion among French lace makers. Although the bulldogs in Fido’s ancestry were historically used for bull-baiting and pit fighting, the French bulldog has always been a companion dog. That’s no coincidence: when bull-baiting was outlawed in the 1830s, breeders worked towards removing aggressive traits from the breed. (They also stuck bat ears on Fido.) 

What Makes French Bulldogs So Special?

Fido may not have the intelligence of a Border Collie, the happy-go-lucky attitude of the Labrador (who is now America’s second-favorite dog), or the dignity and work ethic of a German Shepherd, but he certainly does have some unique charms. French Bulldogs are cute, lovable, fun, and loyal. Because they’re also pretty easy to keep, they’re ideal for city dwellers and anyone who lives in an apartment or condo, and make great family pets.

What Should French Bulldogs Eat?

Fido will need a high-quality dog food.  Avoid giving your pet fatty foods. These include fried foods, cheese, bacon and sausages, as well as foods high in salt, which can cause dehydration.

Of course, you’ll also need to avoid giving your pup foods that are unsafe for all of our canine friends, such as chocolate, garlic, grapes and raisins, onions, meat on the bone, and avocado.

Fido is a certified master beggar, and is very, very skilled at cajoling his humans with those sad expressions that are so effective in persuading us to give them yummy snacks. You may need to steel yourself against Fido’s adorable bug eyes and pleading expression. It’s very, very easy for smaller breeds to pack on extra weight!

Ask your Burlington, ON veterinarian for more information, including tips on portion sizes and feeding practices, on foods

Do French Bulldogs Have Dental Problems?

Small pooches often experience dental issues. French Bulldogs are no exception. They don’t have much space for those 42 teeth most adult dogs have! Frenchies are prone to dental problems, such as overcrowding and misalignment. Ask your Burlington, ON vet for specific advice on how to keep your pup’s choppers clean.  Also, watch out for warning signs like drooling, bad breath, swelling, bleeding gums, and tartar buildup.

What Famous People Have French Bulldogs? 

This plucky little pup has a number of notable admirers. The top dog in that group has to be actor and rapper Snoop Dogg. (Note: Dogg’s own dog, a Frenchie named Frank, went missing in 2022, but was eventually reunited with his owner.) Another famous Frenchie fan is Megan Thee Stallion. The star owns six dogs, including two Frenchies. One of them, 4oe, has an Instagram account and even made a guest appearance on The Tonight Show. Some other fellow Frenchie lovers include Reese Witherspoon and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who sadly lost one of his canine companions, Brutus, after consuming a poisonous mushroom.

Caring For A French Bulldog

Like any other pup, Fido requires good food, suitable exercise, and affection. He also requires proper veterinary care.

That said, there are a few things to be aware of. 

Brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies are particularly prone to overheating, because their short airways make it difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. It’s important to prevent your dog from overexerting himself. Take extra precautions on hot days to keep him cool. Consider investing in a cooling mat or vest for your furry friend during the summer months.

Be very, very careful around water, as French Bulldogs are not able to swim. Because they’re so short, they can be in serious danger in just a foot of water.

Also, be mindful about what you have at Fido’s eye level. You don’t have to go overboard, but you should avoid placing sharp, thorny plants in places where he could run into them.
Please contact us, your Burlington, ON animal clinic, for all of your pet’s veterinary care needs. We are committed to providing excellent care in 2024 and beyond.