Pros and cons of French Bulldog breed
French Bulldogs, despite their rather serious and slightly formidable appearance, are distinguished by their good-naturedness and cheerful disposition. The ancestors of the breed were the English Bulldogs, which were brought with them by workers from England. At first, dogs were not particularly popular in France, but over time they became the favorites of the aristocracy and the elite.
Breed characteristics
French Bulldogs have a distinctive appearance that sets them apart from their English and American counterparts. "French" belong to decorative dogs, because they are small in size. The main parameters of the French Bulldog:
- height 28-35 cm;
- weight 8-14 kg;
- the body is compact, dense, with well-developed muscles and a strong skeleton;
- the head is rather large, the transition from the forehead to the nose is very expressive;
- eyes set wide;
- ears are large, erect, have narrowed tips;
- the muzzle is short, with a slightly raised black nose;
- muscular short neck;
- the limbs of the animal are squat;
- the chest is rather wide;
- tight belly;
- narrow pelvis;
- the tail is drooping, thin;
- the approved color is white, brindle, fawn, spotted (although there are blue, black, cream and brown bulldogs);
- the coat is short and smooth, without undercoat;
- life expectancy from 10 to 13 years.
The "French" are very good-natured and welcoming. Thanks to their cheerful character and sociability, puppies quickly and easily establish contacts with children, they are very curious and active, they love different games, in addition, they are distinguished by the absence of aggression, which is important. With age, the dog becomes more passive, a characteristic feature of the breed begins to appear: laziness.
French Bulldogs are not hostile to other pets and strangers.though they are considered good guards. Dogs of this breed love to be in the spotlight. They also differ in intelligence, they quickly learn commands.
Despite their kindness, they can, if necessary, defend the owner, not paying attention to the size of the opponent.
Advantages and disadvantages
Like any animals, French Bulldogs have their pros and cons that should be considered when choosing a pet. The positive aspects, first of all, include the simplicity of maintenance and the easy character of the dog.
- The animal has a compact size, which is very convenient, especially if the apartment is small.
- They quickly adapt to different surroundings, they can sleep with pleasure both in the hands of the owners and on a couch.
- Short paws do not prevent dogs from being active and agile: animals love to run and play.
- Despite their small size, dogs are excellent guards, they will always let you know about someone approaching or some kind of noise.
- They are able to protect the owner, even if the enemy is much larger.
- They are kind to other animals (with the right upbringing) and to people. They get along very well with children, they like to play active games with them.
- Thanks to their quick wit and intelligence, bulldogs learn commands quite quickly, but it is important not to forget to praise and encourage the pet.
- Due to the short coat, the breed is quite easy to care for, there is no unpleasant smell and the need to wash the animal frequently.
- The tail does not need to be docked as it is naturally broken.
- They do not need long walks, and they can go to the toilet in a tray or on a diaper.
- They can be left alone in the apartment, without making unnecessary noise.
In addition to a large number of advantages, French Bulldogs also have some disadvantages, which are due to the peculiarities of physiology.
- Due to their short hair, animals are sensitive to temperature conditions. Overheating in the sun should be avoided in summer and overalls should be worn in winter. Dogs are sensitive to drafts and cold water, catch colds easily.
- Due to the peculiar structure of the skull and airways, dogs snore during sleep and sometimes make sounds similar to grunting.
- For the same reason, the "French" have increased salivation.
- Quite often, dogs have problems with the digestive system, in particular, flatulence. Your pet's stomach may not be able to digest certain foods.
- They are prone to allergies to certain foods, eye and cardiovascular diseases, as well as obesity and back problems.
- The skin of French Bulldogs requires careful maintenance. Fungal infections and foci of inflammation or suppuration may appear in the folds on the face and in the area of the tightly adjacent tail.
- Big ears need cleaning, which animals actively resist.
- Traits such as stubbornness and laziness are characteristic of the breed, therefore, their training requires sufficient patience on the part of the owner.
- Due to their fearlessness, they can get injured, especially if the opponent is dominant in size.
- Bulldogs do not tolerate long loneliness badly, they need to communicate with the owner.
- Most dogs are afraid of water, and a large head makes it difficult for them to swim.
- Due to their specific physique, females have a hard time giving birth, and almost always childbirth occurs with a caesarean section.
- Life expectancy, in comparison with other breeds, is not too long.
Who are they suitable for?
The French Bulldog is considered a companion dog that will brighten up life and, if necessary, protect. The dog does not require much attention, you do not need to walk with him for a long time and, besides that, the care is quite simple. Animals of this breed treat children very well, they are patient and non-aggressive. "French" are great for families with children, because they get along well with them and find in their person faithful partners for the game.
Thanks to the characteristic good nature of the bulldogs, you can safely leave the kids with them (if the puppy is well-bred).
The dog finds a common language with all members of the family, loves to be in the spotlight. Although the animal loves company, it is by its nature very calm and balanced. It will never obsessively demand attention, but quietly waits for the owner to want to play. For a lonely person, the French Bulldog will create a pleasant company and brighten up life, since it is able to distinguish a person's mood and has a sense of humor. The animal can be alone in the apartment, but not too long.
Due to this the breed is not suitable for busy people who are rarely at home and are not able to devote time to their pet... Prolonged loneliness can stress the animal. It is better for active people and athletes not to choose a "Frenchman" for their pets. He is not designed for long runs or walks, hikes, and also does not like bodies of water.
Owner reviews
Reviews of French Bulldogs are mostly positive. Many owners note the loyalty, kindness and friendliness of the "French". In addition, they mention the excellent qualities of a guard and fearlessness of dogs, which are able to protect their owner, despite their small size. Owners often talk about a calm, balanced character of a pet, a good attitude towards other pets. A tolerant attitude towards children is also noted.
But the owners also complain about the rather poor health of their pets, allergies and frequent illnesses. Many bulldog owners mention snoring and snoring, although some say they are absent. They also note that despite very rare bathing, the dog does not have a characteristic unpleasant odor.
It is impossible not to fall in love with the pretty face of the French Bulldog. They conquer with kindness and give all the love of their little heart, demanding in return only a little attention.
For the pros and cons of the French Bulldog, see the next video.