French Bulldog
French Bulldogs are compact little comedians, physically defined by their low center of gravity, wide body, muscular build, and large, square head with soft loose skin forming wrinkles about the head and shoulders. Frenchies are wiggly, fun, and enthusiastic lap dogs who love to entertain at home. Alert and curious, their distinctive bat ears make them seem even more so.
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Need to Know
- Dog suitable for non-experienced owners
- Basic training required
- Need to be aware of potential health issues
- Enjoys gentle walks
- Small dog
- Some drool
- Requires frequent grooming
- Quiet dog
- Barks and alerts to visitors/anything unusual
- Generally friendly with other dogs
- Gets along with other pets with training
- May need additional supervision to live with children
- Needs a small yard or can happily live in the city
- Can be left alone with training
- AKC Registered Breed
Personality
Clowning around comes naturally to the French Bulldog, who enjoys playing and enchanting their families. They make excellent cuddle buddies and are very happy simply snoozing next to their favorite person. Amiable, sweet, companionable, and willing to please, they make excellent companion dogs.
The Bulldog was fairly popular in England in the 19th century, especially around Nottingham. When many of the lace workers of the region went to France for work in the mid-1800s, they took their “toy” bulldogs with them. French women were particularly enchanted by the small Bulldogs, especially those with erect, bat-like ears, something the British found to be unattractive. The dogs made their way to France where they soon became a la mode, as the French would say.
In America in 1898, there was a dog show solely for French Bulldogs, one of the most elegant dog shows ever held. The gracious and glamorous event attracted the wealthy, who fell in love with the goofy, charismatic dogs.
French Bulldogs do well with family life and are particularly good with young children. They are playful and make good watchdogs.