If you’ve ever met a French Bulldog, you probably think cute, wrinkly, and friendly. These are just a few words to describe this fun-loving, spunky pet. They’re also easy to groom, cuddly, great with kids, stubborn, and well, pretty expensive.
For anyone who is wondering are French Bulldogs good pets, there are lots to consider when answering this question. Today, we answer that question and give all the details on the good, bad, and ugly of having a Frenchie as a pet. I personally love my french bulldog and wouldn’t trade him for anything.
A Quick French Bulldog History Lesson
The history of a French Bulldog is quite interesting, but can certainly begin to answer the question: are French Bulldogs good pets?
French Bulldogs came to be in the 1800s after English Bulldogs started to be bred into toy-sized pups. In the 18th century, French Bulldogs were quite different than what they are today, but they were great lap-dogs for lacemakers in England.
Eventually, Frenchies made their way to France as the British immigrated. The French grew to love these adorable dogs and started breeding them even more. This is when their looks evolved more into what we see today.
During the 19th century, travelers from the United States to France saw the French Bulldog and started bringing them back to the US. Their popularity has continued to grow ever since.
In 2019, the French Bulldog was named the 4th most popular breed by the American Kennel Club.
Pros of a Having A French Bulldog for a Pet
As you may know by now, French Bulldogs have quite a few traits that make them incredible pets. If you’re considering getting one, you will undoubtedly find lots of joy in this decision. Let’s get down to it!
Great Personality
French Bulldogs have some of the best traits you can have in a furry family member: social, laid back, and full of zest just when you need it!
Frenchies are down to hang out in your lap at home (they’ve been lapdogs for hundreds of years, after all), or hang out with friends, or have some playtime. They’re typically thrilled for any and all of it.
The Best Companion
French Bulldogs make the best support animal, friend, and sidekick. Whatever you need, they’ve got you covered. They’re loyal and will stick by your side.
Easy to Groom
Because French Bulldogs have short hair and stay indoors more than not, brushing and bathing them is quite simple. They shed a small amount, usually twice a year, to lose their undercoat, so regular hair brushing can help with this.
Bath time isn’t too difficult since Frenchies are so small and only require about four baths a year. More is okay, but keep in mind that very regular baths can result in dry skin.
Fairly Quiet
Don’t want a vocal dog? French Bulldogs don’t have much to say unless they feel a warning is necessary. While Frenchies aren’t typically barkers, they are good watchdogs and will alert you if needed.
Don’t Require Much Exercise
Because French Bulldogs have a short snout, they are known to have Brachycephalic Syndrome (BOS). Dogs with BOS can have obstructive breathing, especially if they exercise too much or go on long walks.
With that said, Frenchies shouldn’t exercise too much and don’t need to since they don’t have an abundance of energy. They’re happy with toys to occupy them indoors and 1-2 short walks a day.
Small Size
The average French Bulldog weight is about 18 – 28 pounds which is a key factor in making French Bulldog good pets for many. There are several upsides to having a little pet including:
- Cost less (eat less food; small beds, collars, and toys cost less)
- Easier to cuddle with
- Grooming is less time consuming
- Fairly simple to transport
- Take up less space/can easily live in a small space
Trainable
While French Bulldogs can be stubborn, they are always ready to please. With patience, love, and treats, you can train your French Bulldog to follow all the basic commands.
Good for Families
Whether you live solo or have a family with children, Frenchies will likely thrive with any and every family who shows care. French Bulldogs are known to have a calm and happy demeanor.
They show affection, and cuddling is their middle name. If you have hyperactive children, most French Bulldogs are so even-keeled that they will lay back and watch the show.
Get Along with Other Pets
Not only do French Bulldogs get along with kids, but they usually hit it off with other pets. Some dogs may show aggressive behaviors when they meet another pet or if another animal comes into ‘their territory.’ However, a Frenchie is not known to be aggressive and is quite accepting.
Make sure a meeting with a new dog is successful by checking out 5 simple steps to train your French Bulldog to get along with other dogs.
An Easy First Pet
Are you new to dog ownership? That’s okay! The easy-going Frenchie can adjust to your learning, is going to love you unconditionally, and properly caring for it should be more than manageable.
Of course, you need to know the basics, such as properly feeding your pup and possible health issues, such as cherry eye, but the most important part is that you cherish your fur baby in the way it deserves.
Cons of a Having A French Bulldog for a Pet
As we hear from time to time, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Are French Bulldogs good pets? Absolutely. But, there are certainly some downfalls to know about and understand before you make the decision of bringing this adorable, friendly, laid-back pup home.
Health Issues
The biggest drawback to French Bulldogs is that they are so popular that they’ve been bred for many years by many different people. They have a long list of health issues, many of which are because of their genetics, such as obstructive breathing and cherry eye as mentioned earlier.
Other health issues include:
- Intertrigo: inflammation of the skin due to skin folds rubbing together
- Atopic Dermatitis: an allergy to a substance in the environment
- Perineal Hernia: displaced pelvic abdominal organs
- Luxating Patella: dislocation of the kneecap
- Epilepsy: recurring seizures
While there are a number of responsible breeders out there breeding the most healthy Frenchies they can, there’s never a guarantee. Pet insurance can relieve some financial stress brought on by possible medical problems.
Gassy
Did you know that a lot of French Bulldogs fart a lot? There are several reasons you may be dealing with a smelly pup if you bring a French Bulldog home, but there are also some solutions, so don’t run away yet!
- Food sensitivities or allergies: If a Frenchie, or any dog for that matter, has a stomach that doesn’t agree with what it’s eating, it may pass gas. Avoid feeding your pup table food and try other dog foods if you notice there may be an issue.
- Gobbling: When dogs gobble, they gulp air that releases. A slow feed bowl can easily be the fix if this is the problem.
- Nutrition: Check ingredients and avoid foods such as soybeans, peas, dairy, and high-fat products.
- SLOWS DOWN EATING UP TO 10X: Outward Hound uniquely designed Fun Feeder dog bowls feature meal-lengthening ridges to help slow down your dog’s eating time by 10X!
- AIDS IN PROPER DIGESTION: Common issues that arise in fast-eating dogs include bloating, regurgitation, and canine obesity. Our Fun Feeder Slo Bowls both challenge and engage your dog during mealtime while helping reduce overeating behavior.
- MADE WITH NON-SLIP BASE AND FOOD SAFE MATERIALS: Outward Hound's Fun Feeder Slo Bowl, slow feeder dog bowls are made to hold in both fun and food as your dog forages through the fun patterns with its non-slip base. Bowls are BPA, PVC, and phthalate free.
Stubborn
While French Bulldogs are loyal and aim to please their owner, they can be stubborn. If you aren’t patient, training your Frenchie puppy probably won’t be pleasurable.
The best bet for teaching your pup all the tricks and commands you want it to learn is to stay calm and provide lots of praise. Treats go a long way, too!
High Price Tag
You might be here wanting to know are French Bulldogs good pets? At this point, you probably have your answer. Most would say that they’re one of the best pets out there. Their popularity comes with a price because Frenchies are quite expensive pets.
If you purchase from a top-notch breeder, you’ll be paying anywhere from $1,500 – $8,000. This large amount is due to the fact that a reputable breeder has an abundance of financial responsibilities if they are breeding high-quality French Bulldogs.
These include screening potential Frenchie parents, artificial insemination, vet visits, 24/7 care of the mother after birth, and more. In addition to the cost of your pup, you are required to pay for vet visits, food, toys, and grooming supplies once you bring it home.
Rare breeds dogs such a Blue French Bulldog are a lot harder to come by and cost even more than your standard Frenchie.
If you choose to rescue your Frenchie from a shelter, you may save some cost.
Are French Bulldogs Good Pets and Should I Get One?
Choosing and bringing home a new fur baby is certainly not a decision to make lightly. There’s so much that goes into raising a French Bulldog.
If you’re still working on making a decision, keep in mind the pros, such as their excellent and chill personality, small size, and loyalty. Their cons are important to consider, too: potential health problems, sometimes funky smell, and high price tag.
The one thing you can be certain of is that a French Bulldog has so many exceptional features that make it the perfect pet for the right person!