Once you have decided on the right type of breed for you then the next important decision you will have to make is which sex to go for, a male or female, or put in the correct terms a “dog” or a “bitch”. Don’t let the term “bitch” put you off, however crude it may seem, unfortunately in the dog world “bitch” is the correct terminology for a female puppy or dog. There are both good and bad points with either sex just as there is in humans and your personal preference for either sex might sway you, but here are some tips to help you should you be undecided:

The male dog

The pros

* Male dogs can tend to be more lovable towards their owner.

* Male dogs can be more outgoing, more vigorous and more in your face.

* Male dogs can be less prone to mood swings.

* Male dogs can be more reliable.

* Male dogs can be more comical, clumsy and silly acting more like overgrown kids (is this a pro!!!).

* Male dogs will usually want to please their master more.

The cons

* Most male dogs can show dominance and test their owner.

* Male dogs will generally test their owner more during the adolescent months.

* Adolescence can last up to three years in male breeds of the larger dogs.

* Male dogs posses more obvious genitals which they sometimes pride themselves on and often splay their legs open at the most embarrassing times, such as when you have guests.

* Some males especially during adolescence will hump everything in sight regardless of what or who that may be.

* Most male dogs cock their legs when going to the bathroom even on your favourite shrub or garden gnome.

* Most males will territorially mark their domain spraying everything in sight.

The female dog

The pros

* Female dogs are usually more subtle than males.

* Female dogs are usually quicker to learn and housebreak.

* Female dogs are less distracted than males.

* Female dogs are less defiant than males.

* Female dogs are less likely to involve you in dominance struggles.

* Female dogs are usually quieter than males.

The cons

* Female dogs are more prone to mood swings.

* Female dogs are experts when it comes to sulking.

* Female dogs can be prone to theatrics.

* Female dogs can be ingenious when it comes to getting their own way.

* You will have to keep a close eye on your female when she is in season (ready to breed).

Whichever breed of dog you are looking to buy it is important that you choose a good breeder from which to purchase your puppy, a reputable breeder will always ask you several questions before they will let you buy a puppy and of course you should have several questions of your own for the breeder. Of course when you are buying a puppy you should first determine what role the dog will play, if you want a puppy as a companion and pet or if you will want to show the dog.

Puppies bred specifically for showing are of course more expensive than ones who are to be just pets, the only difference being a show dog will have to meet strict requirements set out for the breed while the pet may have colour miss-markings or some such trait that it doesn’t meet up to the high standards required for showing. Points you should look for when choosing a breeder are:

* A breeder who keeps the dogs in the house rather than in pens or runs outside.

* The puppies look happy and healthy and don’t shy away from strangers but are adventurous when meeting new people.

* The area where the dogs are kept is clean and hygiene is maintained.

* The breeder shows you the puppies parents or at the very least their mother.

* Choose a breeder who only breeds one type of dog and who knows the breed well.

* The breeder can show you vets records and has a medical history of the dogs and puppies.

* The breeder can offer you advice on the breed and is willing to provide after care once you have bought a puppy.

* A breeder who is willing to provide references to other people who have bought puppies in the past.

* A breeder who feeds a premium brand of dog food.

* A breeder who encourage multiple visits before you buy the puppy and who encourages all the family to visit before buying.

* A breeder who can give you a written contract regarding the health of the puppy.

The breeder should never just sell puppies to anyone without first asking questions about the buyer, common questions the breeder should ask of you are:

* Why you want a puppy.

* Ask about which vet you would be considering using after buying the puppy.

* Ask about your accommodation, making sure you have adequate space for a dog.

* Ask if you are home to take care of the dog during the day.

* Ask about what you know about the breed of the dog.

* Make sure you understand any health problems relating to the particular breed of the dog.

The French bulldog or “Frenchie” as they are charmingly nicknamed is a delightful little animal which can make an excellent companion, guard dog and is also excellent around children.

It is however a breed that doesn’t like to be left alone for long periods of time but rather loves spending time with a companion and is regarded as a faithful companion dog. The French bulldog has earned itself several nicknames which includes “a clown”, “fearless” and “gay” and due to its small size needs very limited space so is ideal for those that live in apartments.

However they do require exercising the same as all breeds of dog and enjoy the fresh air but in return for this the “Frenchie” will give you many years of loyalty and devotion. They are regarded as one of the most intelligent breeds of dog and do adapt easily to training, in fact their willingness to please their owner makes training fun, puppies can be very mischievous and when reaching the “teenage” years they can be very independent so perseverance is essential during this time and of course understanding and patience. When it comes to choosing your French bulldog you will of course have to decide what role it is to play, there are puppies that are sold as “show” dogs and those that are sold as companion dogs or pets. The main difference will be the cost of the puppy. A puppy that has been bred for showing will meet the criteria set out for the standard of the American kennel club while a companion dog may fall a little short. However if you don’t have plans to show the dog then there is nothing wrong with choosing a puppy from a companion litter.

When it comes to buying your puppy you should always go to a reputable breeder for your dog, never buy a puppy from a puppy farm or pet store. A reputable breeder will be able to give you all the information you need regarding this charming little dog and this is essential if you know very little about the breed. As with all breeds of dogs the Frenchie isn’t without its problems when it comes to medical conditions and a reputable breeder will have had their puppies checked over and will have given them the necessary inoculations. A reputable breeder will also be there to give advice after the sale of the puppy if you should have any problems. There are French bulldog clubs throughout all States in the USA which can pass a list of breeder’s names onto you and again a club such as this holds vital information and facts regarding the breed.

When looking for a puppy it is often said that a puppy will choose you rather than you it, but some tips for choosing a healthy puppy include choosing one that isn’t shy and comes forward with plenty of curiosity whilst at the same time not being over boisterous. The puppy should show a keen interest and be inquisitive, should have a sheen to its coat and bright alert eyes, don’t choose a puppy that shies away from you, is very quiet or that seems to be very docile, while it could mean the puppy is nothing more than just being shy, it could also indicate problems.

One of the biggest traits of the French bulldog that almost all owners of this delightful little playful dog will tell you is that it is a clown; the breed has been dubbed absolutely hilarious and delightful. If you are looking for a faithful companion pet then you can do no better than the little Frenchie. Here are some useful tips :
The French bulldog has one of the sweetest personalities of any breed of dog and is well known as the joker who is easy going for the majority of the time, although just as with people dogs differ too in personality and while the Frenchie has an excellent temperament they can have their off days just as anyone can.
While the French bulldog will generally get along with anyone and everybody they do tend to choose one person in particular and then stick with that person. The bond that the Frenchie develops with his main carer and owner is like no other and they are completely devoted and thrive on attention and love, they do not do well when left alone for long periods of time. The French bulldog isn’t a dog that you can own and then ignore except for when you want it around, it is a companion dog and it does need lots of attention and above all love from its owner, the Frenchie is not a dog that can be left alone outside in a kennel as it simply will not thrive without love and affection.

The French bulldog’s temperament with other dogs is generally considered to be good; the majority of time they will get along with other dogs and even other pets in the household but the male dog can sometimes be very aggressive with other males.

While the French bulldog is a very sweet adorable clown the breed does tend to have a mind of its own at times and can be very wilful, you do have to have a firm voice when it comes to training but it is essential that you are very persistent but patient when it comes to the training. Never ever be tempted to hit or jerk your French bulldog around if it doesn’t do as you want, they will not respond to this and will more often than not rebel against it.

The French bulldog does have an excellent temperament with children but because of its small size it can feel intimidated and it can tire easily when around boisterous children, it is a relatively good breed but is best not left at the mercy of very small children and is best with older children who are more considerate and will not chase the poor dog around if he should want to rest. On the other hand some French bulldogs simply seem to have all the energy in the world and are continually on the other move almost all day long; they can be over enthusiastic and don’t know when enough is enough, they can make a lot of noise to get your attention although they are not considered to be yappy.

Just as with people dogs do differ and while the above is a relatively true picture of the average breed of the French bulldog the Frenchie can vary, some are more boisterous than others but almost all French bulldogs have the loyalty and love for their owners which makes them an excellent companion.