Are you planning on bringing a French Bulldog puppy to your home? We totally understand, as there’s something irresistible about this small dog breed with their short noses, cute wrinkles, unique bat ears, ear mites, and above all, their friendly personality.
French Bulldogs are sociable by nature, making them the perfect companion whether you’re living alone or have roommates or family members in the house. You’ve probably found yourself in one of those loopholes of online videos of Bulldog puppies playing with kids, so you know that your kids will definitely love them.
However, due to their unique body build and cosmetic features, Frenchies require special care and attention. Buckle up as we walk you through all the ins and outs of taking care of Bulldog puppies, so you know exactly what to expect when welcoming the newest members to the family.
Tips to Take Care of Your French Bulldog Puppy
Proper Cleaning of the Face and Body Folds
The French Bulldogs’ most distinctive feature is, of course, their skin folds. Bacteria can colonize such areas thanks to the moisture conditions that favor bacterial colony growth leading to plenty of skin infection problems. That’s why pet owners need to keep an eye on such hidden areas when grooming and bathing their Bulldog puppies.
That said, you need to clean your puppy’s folds using a damp cloth or alcohol-free wet wipes on a regular basis. A weekly cleaning schedule should get the trick done in most cases; however, if you take your pup out for a walk, or get into outdoors dog sports, make sure you clean him up once you’re home, as you don’t want dirt to build up and lead to contact allergies.
It’s worth noting that grooming your Bulldog’s folds isn’t an alternative to his regular showers. Bring your trusty dog shampoo and soak your pup in freshwater, and never miss your Bulldog’s weekly bath.
When shower time is over, make sure you dry all your pup’s folds. Remember, you don’t want moisture to build up, so some people even recommend putting cornstarch in the Bulldog’s skin folds to absorb excess humidity and body oils.
Avoid Exposure to Extreme Heat
French Bulldogs are one of those dog breeds which can’t stand extreme changes in temperature. Frenchies are prone to heat exhaustion, as they have small, flat noses that can’t let in large amounts of air to cool off their bodies.
That’s why they’re better kept indoors on hot summer days with proper airflow or an air-conditioner adjusted at around 77 degrees to keep their bodies cool.
Make sure you check your dog’s water bowl every day, as hydration is key to prevent heat-related health issues. If you notice that your little Frenchie is drooling and weaker than usual, sprinkle him with some cold water to keep his body temperature within a safe range.
Follow a Healthy Dietary Routine
Generally speaking, Frenchies have low energy levels and are susceptible to put on weight easily. In order to mitigate this, you need to keep your dog on a healthy dietary routine and moderate exercise.
Don’t let your Bulldog’s innocent appearance deceive you, as it shares a similar digestive system with other canine breeds, and it has all that it needs to take care of raw meats.
The diet should be adjusted according to the activity level of your Frenchie, and make sure you toss in a lot of raw, organic food that is rich in calories and protein instead of relying on dried foods. Since your Frenchie pup is prone to obesity, you want to be moderate with the treats. Make sure treats are spaced over long periods and don’t have high-fat content.
It goes without saying that feeding Blue French Bulldog puppies is a whole different story from feeding the adult dog. After the puppies are weaned, you should start them off on frenchie puppy food. 1.5 scoops should cover their nutritional needs for the upcoming six months before they can move on to the raw healthy diet.
In order to avoid overfeeding your adult Frenchie, divide the food portions for the day into two meals that are well-spaced over the day. Again, 1.5 cups of a natural food diet should be enough in most cases.
Weighing your dog from time to time can also be a handy way to ensure you’re moving in the right direction with your feeding routine. Adults should weigh less than 28 pounds.
Pick a Comfortable Harness for Your Frenchie
Since your French Bulldog has a short neck with a narrow trachea, it’s susceptible to developing a condition known as brachycephalic syndrome. Medical jargon aside, such a condition is associated with difficulty in breathing as a result of an upper airway abnormality. This can involve a neck injury, elongated soft palate, or narrowed nostrils.
You might wonder why we brought this up when talking about picking a harness for your Frenchie? The answer is pretty simple, as a comfortable harness can give your French Bulldog the proper support and prevent neck injuries associated with breathing difficulties.
A harness is always a better option than a leash, especially in a small dog breed like the French Bulldog.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun with Your French Bulldog Puppy
Let’s wrap up our tips list with one final light-hearted entry. Don’t be stressed out with all the instructions we’ve thrown your way, as you’ll have tons of fun with your new Frenchie, enough to make you forget any hassles.
It’s worth noting that Bulldog puppies don’t require a lot of exercises, so a play session shouldn’t feel like a chore intended to burn a set number of calories. Instead, it’s simply you and your dog connecting and having fun. Toss in some tug toys, chewable, and rubber balls, and your Bulldog will be thrilled.
Finally, some dog breeds are hard to train, but thankfully, French Bulldogs aren’t one of them. You can be looking at a period of four to six months before your Frenchie becomes totally obedient.
This isn’t too long by any means, and considering that training sessions as brief as five to ten minutes per day can get the job done is a relief for many dog owners out there who have busy schedules.
Why Are French Bulldogs High Maintenance?
By now, you should have a solid idea about what exactly you’re signing up for when bringing a Frenchie to your home. Nevertheless, there’s one particular aspect that makes French Bulldogs high maintenance to some folks, which is that Frenchies don’t like to be left alone.
A French Bulldog is one of those animals craving continuous attention, and you’ll notice that he’ll keep following you around wherever you go. A Frenchie’s life is centered around the presence of his pet owner, as such a french bulldog breed is notorious for developing separation anxiety, and hence the name Velcro dogs.
So, whenever you’re going out, you can slip your Frenchie in one of those dedicated newborn puppy backpacks and not have to worry about walking him around the busy city streets. Bear in mind that you still need to prioritize your dog’s safety and keep him inside on those hot days.
French Bulldog Health Concerns
On average, the life expectancy of a French Bulldog ranges between 10 to 12 years; that’s why getting a puppy is the way to go. Even with your best efforts to deliver high-quality care to your French Bulldog, there are some health conditions that show higher prevalence in such a dog breed.
We’ll walk you through some of those inherited disease processes to help you identify them early and seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Eye Issues/Eye Injuries
French Bulldogs have a relatively higher risk of developing eye conditions. These can range from an early onset of cataracts, corneal ulcers, or pigmentation around the eyes, which is especially visible in dogs with a light-colored coat.
Hip Dysplasia
This is a degenerative condition/degenerative myelopathy that can affect one or both hip joints and lead to limited mobility. Here, the senior French Bulldog suffers from abnormalities in the hip joint, leading to the erosion of cartilage and fusion of the joint bones.
Hemivertebrae
As the name implies, Frenchies with such a condition suffer from an abnormality of one or more vertebrae/intervertebral disc disease, causing increased pressure on the spinal cord. This can lead to paralysis, weakness, or recurring pain.
Patellar Luxation
Another joint problem that Bulldogs might suffer from is patellar luxation. The condition involves the knees and can become severe enough to cause bowing of the hind limbs. All such bone abnormalities require surgical intervention/surgical correction to correct the underlying cause.
Allergies
Finally, French Bulldogs are also susceptible to a number of allergies, including inhalant allergies, food allergies, or contact dermatitis. In such cases, your dog might require special conditions, like modifying the diet or changing the cosmetics you use, like the dog shampoo.
In Conclusion
Now that we’ve come to the end of our guide, you should be able to appreciate how the older French Bulldog is a unique breed that can bring joy to your life. With their dreamy cute eyes, distinctive bat ears, and adorable folds, French Bulldogs require special considerations when it comes to cleaning and feeding.
Now that you’re all caught up on the most important tips for how to take care of an English Bulldog, we’ll leave you with one more piece of advice before we blast off. When buying a puppy, make sure you get it from a well-known french bulldog breeder who provides you with all the health clearances that ensure your new buddy’s wellbeing and health.
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