You just saw the cutest little dog and learned the breed is a French Bulldog and are curious. Just how easy is that adorable dog to take care of?
Like any other dog, French Bulldogs require a lifelong commitment to them and their care. Happily, the French Bulldog breed is one of the easiest to take care of.
Follow along with me and I’ll explain why these playful “Frenchies” will bring you years of joy as your new best friend. I’ve outlined the areas you need to consider before adopting or buying a French Bulldog.
Are French Bulldogs Easy To Take Care Of?
This toy breed, affectionally known as “Frenchies” is apartment-friendly and is an indoor dog. Since they are small, weighing less than 28 pounds, and standing less than 13 inches, they are perfect for living in high-rise condos in bigger cities and small homes in the suburbs. They don’t need a lot of roaming room or big yards, preferring to snuggle on a couch next to you. If you love to cuddle and want a movie night companion, this breed should be on your shortlist.
One thing to consider if you live in hot or humid areas is you’ll need air conditioning. One disadvantage to those cute little snouts is their breathing. Because of the short nasal passage, they have difficulty breathing, causing them to be prone to heat exhaustion if in the sun or outside too long, especially in high temperatures. When you’re hot, they’re hot so it’s best to keep them cool inside with you.
How much time do they need for exercise and training?
French Bulldogs are miniature clowns disguised, enjoying short daily walks and chasing their favorite balls. As mentioned above, because of their pug noses and breathing issues, long periods of exercise are discouraged. Are you more of a couch potato versus a running geek? This breed will fit nicely into your lifestyle.
Are French Bulldogs easy to take care of when training them?
While these little guys are comical and provide lots of laughs but they can drive you a bit crazy with their stubbornness. This can give you house training headaches and will require patience and consistent follow-through. Stick to a schedule and invest in learning how to train your French Bulldog.
Using positive reinforcements with gentle yet firm commands and low-fat treats for rewards will go a long way in your success. Keep in mind they are happy creatures and highly sensitive to scolding or loud tones. The saying “you catch more flies with honey than vinegar” really applies to French Bulldogs.
What care is needed around cats and other dogs?
If you already have a cat or dog, chances are bringing in a French Bulldog will not cause any issues. Do the introduction slowly and give each of them time to adjust. A crate will be your lifesaver for your new roomie. A baby gate is another great way to let them get the territories figured out while keeping the fur in check.
Overall, the only concern you may have with a French Bulldog is when you first bring them into a home. They can be territorial with their owners and will want full attention. Make sure you give extra love to your Frenchie as the cat or dog adjusts to each other.
French Bulldogs are generally very open to new situations, adapting with love and a let’s play attitude so if you take care in the introduction, everybody will soon be running in circles of fun.
How do they behave around children?
The French Bulldog’s lovable grin brings smiles and laughs to everyone but how are they around your babies? While they tend to be small guard dogs, barking when someone comes to the house, they are tender babysitters too. They allow tail tugs, pulled ears, tight hugs, and enjoy licking ice cream from toddlers’ faces.
On those days the kids are jumping around the house wearing capes and swinging in the backyard, your little Frenchie will be just as excited and dying to join the fun. Chasing feet and hands will quickly become one of their favorite games.
Do they have special diet needs?
This is one area of care that can be a concern. French Bulldogs are prone to becoming overweight because they love to eat. It’s very important to keep their weight down to avoid future breathing problems. Controlling their meals with measuring scoops and limiting treats is something you must monitor. Look for small low calorie no sugar treats that contain natural ingredients such as sweet potatoes, blueberries, or dry chicken skin. Your yearly vet visits will closely watch their weight and will adjust the diet as needed.
Our neighbor had an adorable French Bulldog named Tootsie. She was so much fun to be around in her typical Frenchie personality, playing hide and seek games with her toys and us. She did have some digestive issues that were easily solved by changing her diet to raw natural foods made up of lean proteins. Following this diet also kept her weight in control.
What are the costs of caring for a French Bulldog?
French Bulldogs are considered a designer breed so there are long waits for puppies. Always consider adoptions first! A good breeder typically charges anywhere from $1500-$3000. Adoptions run $300-500.
Your yearly vet cost and food bill will run you around another $1000 a year.
The cost of daily care for your French Bulldog is mainly food once you’ve gotten the startup dog necessities. You’ll need a bed and crate, leash and harness, bowls, and food. Don’t forget toys and balls and training treats. Plan on spending at least $150 – $200 for these essentials. Grooming supplies will cost less than $50.
You shouldn’t need a daily dog walker unless you’re gone from home for long periods. If you are, look into doggy daycare a few times a week. French Bulldogs demand attention and are high-energy.
What type of grooming care is required?
You’re in luck with grooming these little dogs. They don’t shed very much except a few times a year when they lose their undercoats, typically in Spring and Fall. They are not hypoallergenic dogs.
Their hair is short and fine so daily brushing isn’t necessary either. You don’t even need a brush. Put on a grooming hand mitt or glove and pet them all over a few times. A once-a-week glove pet will remove loose hair and as a bonus, they will get that attention they crave. It’s a win-win for the dog and owner.
Besides a weekly glove petting session, a monthly bath is another requirement. You will need a vet-recommended shampoo (they can have allergies) and avoid getting their face wet. That adorable face folds you fell in love with need special attention so make sure you dry the face gently and thoroughly. If moisture remains behind, infections can occur. Baby wipes do a great job in a quick clean and dry face pat.
The last care needed is nail trimming. Invest in a good pair of trimmers! Their nails do grow fast and will need a trim every two to three weeks. You’ll know it’s time when you hear clickety, clickety on your floors. But are French Bulldogs easy to take care of when trimming their nails? The secret is food. Hold them tight, distract them with a peanut butter treat and clip quickly. Keep that favor treat just for nail trimming and you’ll have them running to you for nail trim time.
What care is needed when you’re not home?
Invest in a good crate. This helps with house training and will be their den when you’re away for long periods of time. Slowly build up the time spent in the crate. Start with a few hours and within several weeks, they will know the crate is their safe space and will willingly go into it. Make sure they have water and a busy bone along with their favorite toys.
What if they don’t like their crate?
You can set up a designated area or playpen as well. The beauty of this breed is their size. They don’t need big spaces to be happy, making the French Bulldog easy to take care of in the home.
What type of temperament do they have?
These small companion dogs come with goofy personalities and fierce loyalty to their owners. They love everybody, insist on complete attention and if there is an open lap around, they want to own it.
If they are meeting you for the first time, be prepared for loads of excitement. They will wiggle, roll and run towards you with the joy of a flying furball, quickly demanding all over pets and belly rubs. Then they’ll run around and come back expecting more of the same.
As they age, they will calm down, but this small package is known for high energy so it’s something you need to consider. Ask you yourself if you are ready for a big bundle of love and can you commit to caring for a French Bulldog?
So going back to the original question, “Are French Bulldogs easy to take care of?” we believe the information provided supports a resounding “YES” however do review carefully and see if owning a French Bulldog is right for you and your lifestyle. If you have a small home, hate hair on your white couch, prefer a good movie to sweat on a long run, I think a French Bulldog is a perfect breed for you.
They will be your little shadow, following you everywhere, and will quickly become your best friend. You will always be number one in their eyes and their loyalty to you unyielding. If you are ready to commit to 9-11 years of unconditional love, cuddles, and funny antics, you should start your search immediately. Remember, owning a dog, especially a Frenchie, is always a privilege and a responsibility.