* Do French bulldogs make good pets and companions?

The French bulldog makes an excellent companion, the frenchie requires very little exercise and is very easy to groom.

* Do French bulldogs make good guard dogs?

The frenchie can make an excellent guard dog due to its protective and territorial traits.

* Are French bulldogs good with children?

All dogs should be watched carefully when around children however the frenchie is normally good around children.

* Are French bulldogs easy to train?

The French bulldog does like to please its owner however they can be stubborn and hard headed, if you make the training into a game then they are more inclined to learn quicker.

* Doe’s the French bulldog bark a lot?

The French bulldog is rather a quiet dog who generally isn’t regarded as a barker.

* I live in an apartment; will it be big enough for a French bulldog?

French bulldogs are an excellent breed for an apartment as they don’t take up too much room and don’t require a lot of exercise; of course you should always give your dog a walk every day and let it enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise.

* I heard French bulldogs suffer from breathing problems?

Sometimes a French bulldog will have laboured or noisy breathing, their smaller nose openings can sometimes exaggerate their already noisy characteristics.

* Do French bulldogs shed a lot of hair?

The French bulldog has shorter hair and is single coated which means they shed less than many other breeds * Are French bulldogs easy to breed? Assistance may be needed from a vet as the French bulldog can sometimes be difficult to breed naturally; it is one breed that is harder to breed than many others.

* Are there any particular problems during birth?

Due to the shape and size of the French bulldog puppy’s head most puppies are in fact born by caesarean section with the help of a vet, they are not one of the easiest breeds to breed and often need help when giving birth. You should think very carefully before attempting to breed and deliver puppies yourself.

* Is the French bulldog easy to housetrain?

As is the case in all breeds of dog some are easier to housetrain then others, try to encourage them to use a certain area within the home after they eat, before they sleep and first thing on waking.

* I heard the French bulldog snores?

Due to problems with the breeds breathing deficiencies most French bulldogs will snore when they lay down, but providing otherwise your puppy or dog is healthy then this is just a natural trait with the French bulldog.

The French bulldog is a small, compact, short coated dog which weighs around 11kgs, they can be very stubborn particularly when older and training should commence at an early age. The French bulldog is known for its comical expressive face and heavy or noisy breathing due to the squatness of its face and nose, the French bulldog can live a life expectancy of around 9 to 15 years.

French bulldog dietary requirements

Weight can be a problem for the frenchie and this should be monitored constantly as it can lead to serious breathing difficulties, heart problems and back problems in the breed.

French bulldog show characteristics

The French bulldog has a square, squat, large head with a broad deep short muzzle, the head between the ears and face should be flat and wrinkled. The bottom jaw should be turned up and slightly undershot; the eyes should be round, deep set and dark in colour. The ears should be high set and of medium size, they should be broad and always held erect.

The ears have often been described as bat ears. The neck should be thick, powerful and well arched with plenty of loose skin at the throat. The chest should be deep with a short body while being wide at the front and narrow towards the back. The front legs should be straight, short, muscular and strong and should be set wide.

The back legs should be muscular, strong and slightly longer than the front legs. Feet should be well knuckled, strong and compact, with the back feet being longer than the front ones. The tail should be short but not docked and set low, the coat should be short, smooth and fine. The most favourable colours for the breed are fawn, brindle, pied and solid black.

Brief history of the French bulldog

Contrary to its name some suggest that the French bulldog is actually of Spanish origin where it was traditionally used as a bull baiting dog. In the 1860`s these dogs where then transported to France and were thought to have been crossed with the French terrier, this lead to the French bulldog which we know today. It is thought to have first appeared in Britain around 1893 with the earlier breed being called the toy bulldog.

General characteristics of the French bulldog

The French bulldog is a very affectionate breed which can be jealous when they aren’t receiving all your attention, it is also wise not to leave the breed alone for long periods as they can be destructive if left to their own devices. They have a medium energy level needing on average around 20 minutes of exercise daily.

Their level of aggression is low and it isn’t a breed which is prone to barking constantly, they are a breed which will get along with children and other animals well and thrive on human companion ship and being a part of family life.

It is a breed which is particularly easy to groom and one which doesn’t shed a much as other breeds, though special attention should be paid to the wrinkles around the face which do need to be kept clean.

The cost of the French bulldog is mostly determined by the quality of the breed, if you are looking for a dog that meets the standard for the breed to a tee with the option of showing the dog at dog shows then you will pay more for a puppy than you would if you just had in mind to have the dog as a pet.

A French bulldog sold just as a pet will not meet the high standards that are needed and meet the specific criteria that is set out in the breed standard, this might be that the ears are slightly too small than that of the standard or they don’t stand right on the head. This of course doesn’t defer from the dogs appearance and lovability of course and the puppy is worthy of buying if you just want a companion dog and of course they are cheaper, but if you want a dog for show then you will have to ensure that it does meet the exact standards and of course the show breeders will charge a high price for a puppy that come from show stock quality.

While the ears and quality of the French bulldog are the main consideration when it comes to cost, they should appear bat like; there are other factors which can determine how much you pay for your dog or puppy. The French bulldog can be found in a gorgeous array of colours and if you want one of the more exotic colours that are being bred then you can expect to pay more. The more common colours of the French bulldog such as the pied, brindles and cream are a lot cheaper to buy as are black and tan and live and mouse colours.

Perhaps one of the biggest factors which determine the high cost that is associated with the French bulldog is the problems they have when breeding and delivering the puppy or puppies. The French bulldog breed has very small litters due to their small size and usually has just one or two at the most and of course this puts up the cost of the puppy drastically in comparison to breeds that have six or seven puppies to a litter. The majority of puppies are born by caesarean, again due to the size of the mother and the fact that the French bulldog is noted for its big head and ear size which makes giving birth difficult and when it comes to breeding the bitch usually has to be inseminated artificially, which of course is very costly and as such the price of the puppy will reflect this.

The French bulldog is considered to one of the expensive breeds of dogs but of course this is only reflected by the care they need and the means which have to used during conception and birth. You should be very wary of any puppy which is offered as a bargain as this could mean that both the puppy and the parents aren’t registered by the kennel club, they might not have the proper documentation or that the health and care of the puppy and its parents weren’t the best.