French bulldogs are an extremely popular dog breed loved by all dog lovers worldwide. No matter where you are, you can easily spot a French bulldog.
These dogs have a lot of unique characteristics, but they also share many of them with their bigger cousins. So, unlike other small dog breeds, these dogs indeed have a large dog personality. Contrary to their small size, these dogs are bold and full of confidence.
If you wonder about adopting a Frenchie, you must not spend even a minute contemplating and getting one.
Here are some distinguishing characteristics of a French bulldog from its bigger counterparts, such as an English Bulldog.
- They are not super active dogs like a German shepherd, but they are playful. This is why you should not expect them to run a marathon with you, but they will surely be happy to walk long distances.
- Owing to their nose and the structure of their face, French bulldogs do not adapt well to the heat. So, if you live in a warm environment, you would have to take special care of them as these dogs tend to get much hotter, and they cannot cool themselves because of their stubbed nose.
- French bulldogs are a great companion for kids. With just a little bit of training, they can be a good nanny for your children. Even if you have a toddler at home, you do not have to worry about the Frenchie being aggressive with them.
- Their bodies are heavy-boned so they are not the best swimmers. As they enter a pool, their faces are submerged underwater due to their hefty body weight. So, if you plan to take them swimming, invest in an inflatable vest for them.
- French bulldogs are smaller than other types of bulldogs. Ideally, they only grow up to thirteen inches in height and weigh eight pounds.
- Unlike other bulldogs, their ears are shaped like the ears of a bat. It is a distinguishing trait of French bulldogs as you will not find any other bulldog with such ears.
- These dogs have a longer lifespan than other fellow bulldog breeds. A Frenchie can comfortably live up to ten to twelve years.
These were some of the distinguishing characteristics of a Frenchie, proving that they are not just a mini version of English bulldogs. Along with knowing their unique characteristics, there are some more things you need to know about French bulldogs.
Things You Need to Know Before Adopting a French Bulldog
- They Do Not Need Much Exercise
Since they are a small dog breed, they do not need much exercise. Moreover, if you try to exert them, they will give up and lie down wherever they are. This makes Frenchies the perfect pet for city-dwellers and those who have busy schedules. A quick walk around the block will keep your Frenchie happy.
However, they are not lazy like other bulldogs as they are highly energetic and eager to play most of the time.
- They Do Not Bark Much
Most of the dogs only bark, but Frenchies take advantage of other sounds to communicate with their parents. For instance, they will yips, yawn, whine, gargle, or tilt their head to communicate with you. The next time you play with a Frenchie, try talking to them; if they start tilting their head sideways means they are communicating with you.
Frenchies are very communicative, unlike other dog breeds, but they do not bark much.
- Easy to Groom
Most dog breeds are heavy shedders, but Frenchies, on the other hand, do not shed much due to their short coats. The only time you would have to pay extra attention to their grooming is during the shedding seasons.
This makes them a perfect apartment dog as you will not find strands of long hair flying around in your apartment.
- They are Smart
French bulldogs are smart and easy to train. Most of the other bulldogs or their sub-breeds are lazy and not trainable. On the other hand, Frenchies are eager to learn; they need their parents to accomplish tasks. As a pet parent, you must always ensure that you keep them engaged in one thing or another. Even if you are not around, you must invest in ample toys or games for them to play in your absence.
Start teaching them tricks from an early age, and you would be surprised to see how much these little dogs can learn.
So, these are some distinct characteristics of a Frenchie and some of the things you need to know before adopting a French bulldog. Once you have made up your mind, ensure you spend quality time with your puppy to get to know them properly and learn how to best take care of them.