The French Bulldog aka Frenchie Dog: A Perfect Companion
What is a Frenchie Dog?
The French Bulldog is a companion breed that originated in the early 1800’s. At that time, the old English Bulldog was popular in England and was used for “bull-baiting” in the fighting ring. This became frowned upon and legislation was passed which prevented the activity.
Because of this, breeders began to work hard at preserving the breed in the show ring and as a companion animal. Through selection, smaller versions of the bulldog were kept and bred, which resulted in a miniature bulldog.
These small bulldogs gained popularity when they caught the eye of the Lace Makers of Nottingham. They made them their official mascot due to their size, which allowed them to sit on their laps.
The Industrial Revolution caused the Lace Makers to move to France and they took their miniature bulldogs with them. This miniature bulldog was bred with a French ratter terrier which created the French Bulldog.
By the end of the Nineteenth Century, the Frenchie dog became widely popular and began being introduced into America.
French Bulldog Breed Standard
When the French Bulldog came to America, some of the dogs were bred with “rose” ears that looked similar to those of an English Bulldog. Others were bred with “bat” ears like the French Bulldog of today.
The “bat” ears became more popular in America. Breeders wanted to preserve this feature as a breed standard in the show ring.
As a result, the French Bulldog Club of America was formed in 1897 and the type was set. Along with the erect ear, the standard size is 28 lbs. or less, measuring at 11-13 inches at the shoulder.
According to AKC, the French Bulldog should be well proportioned with a square frame, so that he appears compact and well-balanced.
In the mid-1900’s the breed almost died out, but thankfully a few passionate breeders kept the breed alive. Their numbers grew in the late 1900’s as more Frenchies were shown in the show ring.
Today, the number of French Bulldogs registered with the AKC grows yearly. As a result, the Frenchie dog is the #1 most popular breed in 2023.
What is a Mini French Bulldog?
The mini French Bulldog, which is sometimes called a miniature French Bulldog or Teacup French Bulldog, is really just a micro version of the standard Frenchie that has been bred to be smaller.
Just as it was in the origins of the breed, some breeders choose to keep smaller adult dogs and breed them to produce smaller puppies.
Whether standard or small, the French Bulldog is usually an even-tempered, fun-loving, comical creature who is active and playful but not excessively. This breed loves to be with their humans no matter what we are doing.
They are very adaptable to their surroundings. They don’t require a lot of room so they can thrive in a small apartment. Also, they tend to be a quiet dog but will bark to alert their owners if they hear a strange sound.
Their flat, squishy, wrinkly face is oh so easy to fall in love with, and they gladly show affection by giving lots of wet kisses. When raised and socialized properly, Frenchies get along well with other animals and people of all ages. If cared for properly, the Frenchie dog should live to be 10-12 years old.
French Bulldog Care
Are French Bulldogs shedding dogs? Well, Frenchie dogs do have short, smooth coats that do shed somewhat. They don’t require a lot of grooming, just brush their coat now and then to keep shedding to a minimum.
It is important to keep their wrinkles, tail pockets and ears clean so these areas do not grow bacteria and get infected. Feeding from stainless steel bowls and offering filtered water helps to reduce or eliminate staining in the wrinkle folds of their adorable faces.
A happy Frenchie is a trim Frenchie, so it is important to make sure that this breed doesn’t become overweight. Frenchie dogs don’t need much exercise, so a daily walk or short session of fetch should do it. This, along with a proper diet, is all that’s needed to keep him at a healthy weight.
Part of what makes this breed so adorable is his big square head. Because of that aspect, if he is left unsupervised around water it can make for a dangerous situation. Some Frenchies can swim, but most should wear a life jacket anytime they are near a pool or body of water due to this.
No matter what type of play a French Bulldog engages in, it is important to watch him to make sure he doesn’t get overheated. Regular breaks to cool down and a climate controlled environment is best, for instance.
French Bulldog Health
A potential owner should be aware of the French Bulldog’s health issues. The adorable, smushy face and short, cobby structure that identify the breed unfortunately can affect their health.
Consequently, these little guys are more susceptible to Brachycephalic Respiratory Syndrome, eye issues and hip and spine problems. This is more prevalent when breeders do not use excellent breeding practices like we do. To learn more about these issues, read this article.
Even the most well-bred Frenchie can be injured and should not be permitted to jump down from high places. Special care must be taken to make sure they are not dropped or could fall from furniture, stairs or landings.
We at RickJenn Frenchies do all that we can during their first 8 weeks of life to ensure that they have an environment that promotes proper growth of joints and skeletal frame. Unfortunately, one tumble or fall in their new home can cause a bone to break or can contribute to dysplastic elbow and hip joints.
Puppies under 6 months old are especially susceptible to joint, back and bone injury if not protected. We urge you to learn more about this important aspect of puppy development by clicking here.
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