Are French Bulldogs High Maintenance?

Owning a dog as a pet is certainly fun and exciting – especially if you are thinking of getting a French Bulldog. French Bulldogs are cute, adorable, loyal, playful, energetic, and much more. However, the real question is, are French Bulldogs high maintenance?

Well, the short answer to this question is YES. French Bulldogs are small dog breeds. Compared to other small dogs out there, they are certainly high maintenance. As they are a cross breed, they are prone to several health issues, piling up a huge stack of vet bills. Moreover, French Bulldogs require proper grooming and regular bathing with a healthy diet.

If you want to know why French Bulldogs are considered high maintenance, keep on reading.

Are French Bulldogs High Maintenance – 10 Potential Needs

 

 

The wrinkly appearance and unbeatable loyalty make French Bulldogs one of the most popular dog breeds out there. Originally, they were bred to be companions and lapdogs for lacemakers in England. However, French Bulldogs have become popular family dogs due to their gentle temperament.

French Bulldogs are considered family dogs for several reasons. While they are cute and adorable, Frenchies are also quite energetic. They can play for hours and then take a nap to make those cute snoring sounds. Moreover, French Bulldogs are great with kids.

Frenchies might be energetic, but they are not hyperactive. So they will not hurt your kid while playing. Plus, they can get really attached to their owners and family, making them one of the most loyal and affectionate dog breeds out there.

But owning a Frenchie is certainly not that budget-friendly. They can cost you a lot of bucks in the long run. Here are some of the potential needs that make a French Bulldog high maintenance:

Socialization

Whether you have purchased your little furball from a respected breeder or got it as a gift from your loved ones, you need to give socialization training to your French Bulldog. Socializing with your dog is a must if you want to keep him in control.

Through socialization, you train your dog to remain lovable and friendly around other people, cats, children, and animals. If you don’t give this training to your Frenchie, it might hurt your kid or become an excessive barker.

You can introduce your little furball to more people, situations, and places at a young age. Socialization might not seem like an expensive thing, but you’ll need to take your dog to different dog-friendly locations, parks, and sometimes to training classes. This will undoubtedly take your precious time and cost you several bucks.

Training a Bulldog

Socialization is not the only aspect of training that your French Bulldog needs. You will also have to offer obedience training to control your Frenchie. Obedience training is important if your dog is barking a lot without any reason.

Frenchies are usually smart and intelligent. Therefore, it is recommended to train your dog at a young age. However, they are known to be stubborn. If you are stuck with a stubborn French Bulldog, it might cost you a lot of money.

While training a stubborn Frenchie, you will have to get their attention. For this approach, you can make the training lessons more fun by offering treats and positive reinforcement. Keep in mind that although French Bulldogs are intelligent, they are still animals. So, you need to be patient while training your buddy!

Feeding your Frenchie

Feeding your French Bulldog is undoubtedly the most important thing to consider. You cannot just give your little furball human food. Therefore, you’ll have to go shopping and get dog food for your French Bulldog. However, selecting dog food for French Bulldogs is quite a pickle.

French Bulldogs usually have delicate bellies. So, even a little imbalance in their diet can lead to severe health complications. Therefore, you have to get the best dog food for your buddy, which is perfect for his sensitive stomach.

Keep in mind that no two dog foods are the same. Most dog foods are either designed for adults or pups. So, make sure to check the description before buying a certain product. Also, select a dog food for your French Bulldog that is free from allergic ingredients.

Generally speaking, French Bulldogs are allergic to gluten. So, get dog food that is free from soy and wheat. Moreover, if your Frenchie’s belly cannot handle chicken meat, get a product with fish-based meat to offer all the necessary nutrients and proteins.

Cleaning your Frenchie’s Teeth

 

 

Just like humans, your Frenchie’s teeth also need a proper clean-up after a happy meal. If you don’t clean up your Frenchie’s teeth regularly, they can experience several dental issues, including infections, gingivitis, plague, and halitosis.

Bad breath is one of the most common issues that you might face. As Frenchies were bred to be companions, they liked to show affection by licking your face. So, if your little furball has bad breath, it can cause a lot of problems for you as well!

Fortunately, there are thousands of doggy toothpaste and toothbrushes available on the market. You can pick any toothbrush, depending on your preferences and budget. However, always use toothbrushes specially designed for dogs.

If you clean your dog’s teeth regularly, it will reduce the chances of plaque build-up, making it easier for them to eat their dog food properly!

Cleaning Your Frenchie’s Ears

While cleaning your French Bulldog’s teeth, you should also take a look at its ears. Their adorable fluffy ears can collect debris and dirt, leading to an ear infection. Therefore, it is essential to gently swab both ears on a regular basis to remove debris.

Moreover, make sure your Frenchie’s ears stay dry – especially after being in the rain. With regular clean-up, your dog won’t suffer from an ear infection, saving you a lot of bucks in terms of vet bills. Moreover, this approach will also reduce scratching and itching on or around the ears.

If you don’t clean your Frenchie’s ear for a long time period, it can lead to yeast infection. Yeast infection in dogs can cause excessive scratching, swelling, redness, and hair loss around the ears.

Nail Clipping

If you are a cat owner as well, you probably know the importance of nail clipping. However, just like cats, dogs also need their nails clipped properly and regularly. Clipping your dog’s nails is undoubtedly one of the most challenging things to do.

French Bulldogs do not like strange things and sounds. Usually, they are afraid of the clipping sound. Moreover, some dogs don’t like others touching their paws. Therefore, it’s best to associate this practice with some positive reinforcement.

You can gently press your Frenchie’s paws after nail clipping to lessen anxiety or offer their favorite treats. Most dogs usually manage their nails running outside. However, as Frenchies are small in size, they can run as long as the biggest dog breed. Therefore, you’ll need to manage their nails!

Grooming

Grooming is not just a cat thing. Dogs also need proper grooming on a regular basis. Frenchies feature a single-layered, short, and smooth coat. As they have a single-layered coat, they don’t feature any undercoats.

Generally speaking, French Bulldogs do not shed a lot. If you have a healthy Frenchie, you will notice some seasonal shedding. In summer, French Bulldogs will shed their thick coat to survive hot weather. Alternatively, they will lose their old hair to grow a thicker coat for winter.

Besides that, you will only need to brush your Frenchie once or twice a week. You can use a grooming mitt or bristle brush for this approach. However, keep in mind that some other causes can lead to a French Bulldog shedding excessively.

For instance, if your dog is anxious or stressed, he will scratch intensively, leading to bald patches. Moreover, if your dog is injured or seriously ill, he will lose his hair excessively. In that scenario, it’s best to consult your vet and follow his instructions.

Bathing

When it comes to French Bulldogs, bathing too frequently is not a good thing. This is because your Frenchie has sensitive skin. If you bathe him too frequently, it will make their skin dry, causing irritation. That being said, you shouldn’t let your Frenchie stay dirty all day long.

If your dog was outside, you should do a spot wash. Keep in mind that French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, making it hard for them to groom themselves on their own. Therefore, you need to clean all the areas which they cannot reach, for instance, inside their ears and their genitals.

French Bulldogs are known for their wrinkly appearance. While this makes them cute and adorable, it also creates a spot for bacteria growth. This is the main reason why you should clean your Frenchie folds and dry them immediately. You can use wipes to clean the folds!  

Exercise

French Bulldogs might not need hours of exercise each day, but they DO require some exercise. As your little furball is playful and energetic, you will need to take him on a walk daily. Otherwise, your dog will release this pent-up energy by negative means.

If you don’t have kids, take your dog outside for a daily walk. However, you will need to be more flexible. On a hot or rainy day, the walk might be shortened. In that scenario, you’ll need to play with your dog inside. As Frenchies are not hyperactive, they will use all of their energy within an hour.

Alternatively, you might not even have to worry about exercise if you have kids in your home. French Bulldogs are excellent with kids. They will spend most of their time together playing inside or outside. However, it would be best if you still supervised both your kid and dog to avoid accidents.

Exercise is the most important thing for French Bulldogs. Frenchies can become overweight quickly. Therefore, take him for a walk regularly. Otherwise, you might end up visiting the vet’s office with an overweight Frenchie!

Pros And Cons of a French Bulldog

 

 

Compared to other small dog breeds out there, French Bulldogs are certainly high maintenance. They require your constant attention and affection. Moreover, you cannot even leave them alone for a few hours. Otherwise, they will become anxious and stressed.

Therefore, it is completely reasonable to ask what the pros and cons of having a French Bulldog are:

Pros

Let’s start with the pros. Why should you get yourself a French Bulldog? Well, there are countless reasons why this breed is an excellent family pet. They don’t bark a lot. They are energetic but not hyperactive. They are good with kids.

To give you a better perspective, below, we have compiled a list of advantages of a French Bulldog:

Adorable

No matter what others say, the biggest selling point of a French Bulldog is its adorable and cute appearance. French Bulldogs are one of the most adorable dog breeds available out there that actually have a gentle temperament.

French Bulldogs love to cuddle. As they were bred to be affectionate, they would show love and affection as much as possible. Due to their nature, French Bulldogs can help you in your tough time. They can even help you reduce anxiety and stress.

Loyal

Dogs are known for their loyalty, and French Bulldogs are no exception. This breed is quite loyal and brave. As they are part Bulldogs, it’s in their nature to protect their owner at all costs. Frenchies might be small in size, but they can help you a lot in your difficult time.

French Bulldogs do not like strangers. In case some intruders enter your property, your dog will start to bark intensively to alert you. This is a good thing as long as your Frenchie has been through obedience training.

Less Shedding

Compared to other dog breeds, French Bulldogs shed less. They only shed their coat to survive the hot summers. They will lose their old hair to grow a thick coat in winter. Besides that, if your dog is healthy, you will not have to worry about hair loss.

Energetic

The best thing about French Bulldogs is that they are energetic but not hyperactive. They will play with you for an hour and then take a nap. This characteristic makes them excellent family pets. Whether you are a senior, an adult, or a kid, this dog will be an excellent companion for you.

Cons

Unfortunately, owning a dog is not all about fun and games. There are some downsides as well that you must consider before getting yourself a French Bulldog, such as:

Stubborn

The biggest issue with French Bulldogs is that they are quite stubborn, making it hard for you to train them. Yes, Frenchies are intelligent and smart. But they can get distracted easily. Therefore, while training your dog, you will need a lot of patience.

Sometimes, this stubbornness is inherited. However, mostly, French Bulldogs get stubborn by observing their surroundings and learning from their owner’s behavior. Therefore, try to act civilized in front of your dog to avoid behavioral issues.

Snoring

Their cute, smushed face might seem adorable, but it causes a lot of problems. Due to their wrinkly appearance, French Bulldogs are prone to snore. In fact, you won’t see a single Frenchie that doesn’t snore while sleeping.

As French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, their face makes it harder for them to breathe properly. This is the main reason why some Frenchies snore even when awake. So, a snoring dog can cause some issues if you’re a light sleeper.

Smell

Frenchies can be disgracefully smelly. French Bulldogs usually stink due to flatulence and dirty skin folds. Moreover, gastrointestinal issues are quite common in this breed. So, you might have to deal with occasional farts as well!

Dealing with a stinky Frenchie is manageable. All you need to offer proper care and diet. You will need to clean your dog regularly by offering him the best food for French Bulldogs with sensitive stomachs. Cleaning your dog regularly can prevent bacterial growth and save him from several health issues.

Health Issues

 

 

French Bulldogs are a crossbreed. So, health problems are inevitable. They are prone to several health issues that can pile up a huge stack of vet bills. Some of the most common health issues that a French Bulldog can face are:

• Hemivertebrae – A spinal cord’s congenital condition where your dog’s vertebrae deform, leading to a rotation in the spin.
• Heat Distress – Due to breathing and respiratory problems, your dog might experience difficulty adapting to body temperature.
• Degenerative Myelopathy – The diseases affecting your Frenchie’s spinal cord, leading to paralysis and hind limb weakness
• Elongated Soft Palate – A long palate blocks the trachea, which can lead to several respiratory issues.
• Tracheal Collapse – Weakness of cartilage that can lead to chronic coughing and several other symptoms.
• Deafness – Deafness is quite common in this breed – especially among the merle Frenchies.
• Heart Diseases – French Bulldogs can also suffer from several heart diseases, including pulmonic and cardiomyopathy.
• Stenotic Nerves – A condition in which the stenotic nares of your French Bulldog get pitched.
• Cleft Palate – A genetic disorder related to the abnormal opening of a dog’s mouth.
• Allergies­ ­– Unfortunately, Frenchies can also suffer from allergies and skin conditions, including food allergies and Atopy.
• Cherry Eyes­ ­– Dogs usually have a third eyelid to protect their eyes from infections, debris, and foreign objects. This eyelid can get irritated or swollen in Frenchies.
• Hip Dysplasia – A genetic disorder leads to an improperly formed hip, especially the socket joint and the ball.
• Respiratory Problems – Due to their narrow nostril and wrinkly appearance, French Bulldogs can experience several respiratory problems.     

In a Nutshell

Are French Bulldogs hard to take care of? French Bulldogs are smart and intelligent, but they are still animals. In fact, they are high maintenance than other small dog breeds.

If you are getting yourself a French Bulldog, you will need to take care of a lot of things, including grooming, bathing, exercise, cleaning, and training. Your French Bulldog might be a little stubborn. In that case, you’ll need to be extra patient while training your dog.

Due to their gentle temperament and adorable appearance, French Bulldogs are certainly worth your time and money! So, don’t think if they are high maintenance or not; get yourself a French Bulldog right now!