Before you adopt a dog, it’s important that you become familiar with the breed’s temperament so you know what to expect. If you want to bring home a Frenchie, you may find yourself wondering “are French Bulldogs aggressive?“
French Bulldogs generally aren’t aggressive dogs. They are known to be very friendly dogs that love to be around people, especially their owners. However, if a Frenchie hasn’t been trained or socialized, it may show signs of aggression.
Are you interested in learning more about the temperament of French Bulldogs? You’re in the right spot! Today, we’re going to talk about how aggressive French Bulldogs can get, what can cause these dogs to become aggressive, and what their owners need to know. Keep reading to learn more.
Are French Bulldogs Aggressive?
If you want to adopt a French Bulldog but don’t want to deal with an aggressive dog, you’re in luck. French Bulldogs typically aren’t an aggressive breed. They are known to be social dogs that are friendly around people. They form good bonds with their owners and can be very affectionate.
Owners who have a good relationship with their French Bulldogs couldn’t imagine the dog possibly being aggressive at all. For the most part, this is true. This is because the Frenchie has been adopted by someone who put the time into training and socializing. The dog doesn’t view other people as threats and knows how to behave in social situations.
Overall, Frenchies are very laid-back dogs when they’re treated right. However, certain situations may cause a well-behaved French Bulldog to act aggressively. Even though these dogs are very well behaved, there are certain times a Frenchie may show signs of aggression.
All About French Bulldog’s Temperament
French Bulldogs are more than just an adorable faces. These dogs have great personalities that dog owners can’t get enough of. Frenchies are known to be loyal dogs that are very affectionate with their favorite person. They are very lively dogs that love to play, but they are also quite content to lay around for the better part of the day.
Since they are patient dogs, they get along well with children and other animals. They are also sociable dogs. While they do have a favorite person, they are known to be friendly towards other people as well.
One of the great qualities of a French Bulldog is that they’re always alert. Your dog will know someone has arrived on your property before you can spot them. However, once the visitor gets closer, your dog won’t act aggressively toward them.
Will French Bulldogs Act Aggressive?
If your Frenchie is socialized and seems to enjoy meeting new people, it’s very rare that it will act aggressively. However, there are no guarantees. There may be a situation that causes your French Bulldog to start acting aggressively.
These dogs won’t start acting aggressive for no reason. If you notice your Frenchie showing aggressive behavior, such as growling, snarling, or snapping, it’s usually caused by one of the following reasons.
Your French Bulldog is Frightened
It’s normal for any dog to show signs of aggression if something is scaring them. If something has frightened your Frenchie and it feels like it can’t escape to a safe place, it may become aggressive. There are many things that can cause a Frenchie to feel fear and begin acting aggressively.
- Frightened by a person or other dog being aggressive toward them
- Fireworks
- Thunder
- Men, children, or strangers
- Separation anxiety
- Car rides
Your French Bulldog is Frustrated
If your French Bulldog is frustrated about something, it may show aggressive behavior. Since Frenchies are easy-going dogs, this doesn’t happen often. A French Bulldog may become aggressive due to frustration if it spends too much time tied up outdoors.
These dogs don’t like to spend too much time by themselves and there are a lot of things outdoors that a dog wants to explore, so it’s frustrating for the dog to be tied up.
French Bulldogs are Possessive
Once a French Bulldog establishes an item as part of its property, it won’t want to share it. It’s common for a Frenchie to become possessive over its favorite toy, bed, or food dish. When another dog or even a person touches these items, the French Bulldog may start acting aggressively.
In some cases, you won’t even have to touch your Frenchie’s favorite item for it to act aggressive about it. If you pet the dog while it’s eating or playing with the toy, it may begin to growl as a warning to you.
Illness or Injury
If your French Bulldog never shows signs of aggression but then begins to one day out of nowhere, it’s likely due to an illness or injury. When the dog is in discomfort or pain, it will have increased anxiety which causes it to act out. If you believe this is the case always make an appointment with the vet for a full examination.
There are several medical conditions that can affect the dog’s behavior. It could be something minor like inflammation or a cut. On the other hand, it could be something more serious, such as a fracture or a disease. This is why it’s important to consult a vet.
The Frenchie Wasn’t Socialized
A French Bulldog that wasn’t socialized is more likely to act aggressively around people it’s not familiar with. This is because it doesn’t understand why the new person or dog is in its presence so it views them as a threat. An unsocialized dog won’t know how to behave properly around other people and may show aggressive signs.
This is why it’s very important to begin socializing your French Bulldog while it’s a puppy. Puppies are more adaptable and won’t be fearful to see new faces. We strongly recommend introducing a young French Bulldog to people of all age groups and genders. This way it won’t fear men or children later on.
Are French Bulldogs Aggressive With Other Dogs?
Since French Bulldogs are friendly dogs, they can get along with other animals. However, they need to be socialized to get along with other dogs. If the Frenchie is socialized, it won’t act aggressive or territorial when there is another dog around. These dogs can also get along well with another dog or cat in the household.
While your French Bulldog may not show signs of aggression, it may show signs of jealousy with other dogs around. When a Frenchie forms a bond with its owner, it wants to be the center of attention all of the time. If you start praising or showing affection to the other dog, your French Bulldog may try to intervene.
Are Males or Females More Aggressive?
When it comes to aggression levels in French Bulldogs, gender doesn’t play a role. While males are known to be more gentle and females are known to be sassier, neither one appears more aggressive than the other. In fact, if you were to ask different breeders, some would say males while others would say, females. This stems down to their own personal experiences.
The owner of the French Bulldog plays a bigger role in its aggression levels than the gender. If the Frenchie has all of its needs taken care of on a daily basis, has been thoroughly trained, and was socialized as a puppy, it’s very rare that it will show aggressive traits.
A French Bulldog that was adopted from the shelter may be more aggressive due to past trauma. The dog may not have been properly trained or socialized. It may have also experienced abuse in the past, making it more fearful around new people.
What to Do About Aggressive French Bulldogs
If your French Bulldog acting aggressive? When your Frenchie starts showing signs of aggression, you should monitor the situation to pinpoint what is causing the aggressive behavior. If it seems like your Frenchie is aggressive due to fear, make sure it has a safe spot set up that it can escape to at all times.
For other issues regarding aggressive behavior, such as meeting new people or acting possessive over items, it’s best to seek help from a licensed professional. Obedience or behavioral training can do a lot to improve the behavior of aggressive French Bulldogs.
Final Thoughts
Are French Bulldogs aggressive? No, French Bulldogs typically aren’t aggressive dogs. Most dog owners will agree that their Frenchies are sweet, loyal, and affectionate little dogs. They are quite social and love to spend time around people. Frenchies are always happy to be the center of attention. You shouldn’t have to worry about your Frenchie acting mean to guests.
While French bulldogs are usually kind and gentle dogs around people, some situations can cause these dogs to act aggressive. The main reason a Frenchie that’s been socialized will act aggressive is because it’s scared and can’t find a safe spot. There are a lot of things that can scare these small dogs from loud noises to aggressive people.