Are you wondering if French Bulldogs are loving and loyal to their owners, even to the point of making good watchdogs?
French Bulldogs are well known for being obsessed with their humans. Once you form a bond with a French Bulldog, they are sure to remain loyal to you for the full extent of your time together. Sometimes, this loyalty can even veer a little too far into over-protectiveness. However, French Bulldogs and their loyalty means that they make excellent family dogs—and watchdogs.
This article will discuss why French Bulldogs are so loyal, whether they make good family dogs, and whether your Frenchie can be a watchdog.
Are French Bulldogs loyal?
Are French Bulldogs loyal? Yes, these dogs are extremely attached to their owners, even to the point of obsession. They absolutely love to be loved on, and they do especially well in single-person homes where they don’t have to compete for the affection of more than one person.
It is crucial to make sure you are giving your Frenchie enough attention if you want to maintain their love—especially in a household with more than one person. While they are loyal, if they are not getting love from you, they can easily switch their affection to the person who is giving them love.
Why are French Bulldogs so attached to their owners?
Since they are bred to be a companion breed, French Bulldogs have actually been selectively bred to be dependent on their owners. Due to this, they can sometimes exhibit not only loyal behavior, but sometimes they can even be clingy. With the proper amount of exercise and mental stimulation, however, your pup should easily adapt to being able to spend time without you.
Do French Bulldogs like to be held and snuggled?
Yes, Frenchies are very snuggly pups! They love humans and want to feel as though they are close to you, the pack leader. Not every dog will like to be held high up in the air, but in general, French Bulldogs love being snuggled and cuddled. If you hold them in your lap while you are sitting, they will absolutely love it.
Cuddles can actually cause health benefits to your dog, including reduced anxiety, depression, and stress.
Do French Bulldogs make good family dogs?
French Bulldogs do make good family pets! Although we said earlier that Frenchies often do well in single-person households, this is not always the case. As long as your French Bulldog does not feel as though they are competing for affection from people in the household, they can do well with multiple owners.
Since they are smaller, as well as being relatively sturdy for a small dog, this provides a bonus to many families. They also do not have a very high level of necessary exercise, making them an ideal choice for busy families, especially with children.
Are French Bulldogs good with kids?
Yes, Frenchies are great with children! They are gentle and loving, and their small size means that they are not at risk of knocking over or accidentally hurting your kids.
However, it is important to keep in mind that your French Bulldog must always be socialized to make sure that they are used to children. It is best to do this from the time that your Frenchie is a puppy, but we realize that this is not always possible.
If you cannot socialize your Frenchie from puppy age, we recommend taking the introduction to your children slowly, and ensuring that everyone—kids and dog—are always supervised in their interaction for maximum safety.
Are French Bulldogs good with other pets?
Most of the time, French Bulldogs will get along very well with other dogs. Just like with children, this requires socialization to get your dog used to other dogs.
As for cats, this is a bit more dependent on the individual dog. Frenchies do not have a very high prey drive, so they are unlikely to want to attack your cat. However, you should make sure that the introduction is done slowly and carefully, and that you are always supervising the interactions until you are sure that the dog and cat both get along.
Do French Bulldogs make good watchdogs?
Because they are so protective of their owners, French Bulldogs can make great watchdogs. They are unlikely to bark for no reason, so you can be sure that when your Frenchie is alerting you, it is because there is something going on. They can also tend to be a bit territorial, meaning that they are likely to alert you when someone new is on the property.
Are French Bulldogs aggressive?
Despite the fact that they make good watchdogs, French Bulldogs have a very low level of aggression. They were, once again, bred to be human companions, so it is very unlikely that a Frenchie would attack anyone, especially without provocation.
With this being said, all dogs are different, and you should always learn to read your own dog’s body language and signals. They will tell you if they are feeling uncomfortable or pressured, which can lead to aggression in some cases.
Do French Bulldogs have separation anxiety?
Are French Bulldogs loyal? As we have discussed, YES! This means that, unfortunately, Frenchies are slightly more prone to separation anxiety than some other breeds. These dogs are highly intelligent and extremely attached to their owners. So, when you leave them alone, French Bulldogs can sometimes become uncomfortable to the point of anxiety.
Separation anxiety can be bad because it can result in your dog becoming scared, upset, aggressive, and even destructive.
How can I tell if my French Bulldog has separation anxiety?
When asking yourself if your French Bulldog may be suffering from separation anxiety, there are a few things you can look out for. It can sometimes be hard to tell since a lot of the time, the behaviors that indicate separation anxiety happens when you are not home. Try pretending to leave and seeing if your dog does any of the following:
- Excessive barking, whining, and/or howling
- Chewing furniture
- Scratching at the door, carpet, or walls
- Pacing
- Potty accidents
- Unusual acts of aggression such as growling or snapping, especially when you try to leave the house
These can all be signs of separation anxiety. Once again, it is most important to pay attention to when these behaviors occur. If they only happen when you are either out of the house or getting ready to leave, chances are high that they are due to separation anxiety. If these behaviors happen when you are active around your Frenchie, they could be signs of a different problem.
How can I fix my Frenchie’s separation anxiety?
The best thing to do is to nip separation anxiety in the bud before it happens. When your Frenchie is still a puppy, try to get them used to be alone for periods of time. Start with a few minutes at a time, but work your way up to a few hours. This will show them that it is okay to be alone and you will always come back.
However, we understand that starting from puppyhood is not always possible, especially if you adopt your French Bulldog as an adult. Your Frenchie may also develop separation anxiety after a big life change such as a move or a death in the family.
If you are trying to cure your dog of separation anxiety which already exists, there are a few things you can try. The main ones are training and exercise. Try training your French Bulldog to get used to being alone. You may not be able to do this from the time they are a puppy, but you can take the same approach.
Start by leaving for five to ten minutes at a time, using a puzzle toy or high-value treat to keep your pup occupied while you are gone. Then, when you come back and they have not displayed any anxious behaviors, reward them and love them as much as possible!
You can also try exercising your Frenchie before you leave so that they will be tired out. They may just sleep the day away while you are gone and not have the energy for their anxiety.
What if my French Bulldog is still anxious?
If you have tried the above tactics and your Frenchie is still anxious, there are a couple of possibilities. One, you may simply need to spend more time training them to be less anxious. If this is not the case, however, you may consider that it is not separation anxiety, but generalized anxiety. Some dogs can suffer from this.
If you believe this might be the case, it is best to seek veterinary help. Your vet may have other training suggestions or even medications that you may try on your Frenchie.
Conclusion
Are French Bulldogs loyal? The answer is a resounding YES! These dogs are so loving, friendly, and attached to their owners that you will find no better family dog, companion, or even watchdog. However, their extreme loyalty may result in more negative behaviors like separation anxiety, so it is a good idea to keep an eye on your pup to make sure they do not develop these.