Hey there guys! I would like to take a moment to share a little bit of information about French Bulldogs! They can be prone to a few issues, but with the proper care and products, you can sit back and just spend time loving your baby for many years to come!
Frenchy care:
Wrinkles: French Bulldogs are SO CUTE with their little wrinkled faces aren’t they? Well, all those wrinkles sometimes need special care. At least once a week, their folds and wrinkles and tail pockets, should be cleaned so that they dont get irritated. There are some amazing products on the market to keep those rolls nice and clean! I will list some products that I love at the bottom of this page.
Anal glands: French Bulldogs have a tendency to get infected anal glands (I know, sounds really bad) but don’t get scared! If you ever see your little pet dragging his booty across the floor seeming to be scratching his or her booty, a trip to the vet might be in order. Your vet can very easily clean those out for you! This is not something that happens all the time, and some dogs dont have a problem with it at all!
Bathing: French Bulldogs sometimes tend to have sensitive skin. So buy a good high quality shampoo that is hypoallergenic or for sensitive skin.
Allergies: Like any bulldog, some Frenchies have allergies. You can consult with your veterinarian about your dog if you think he/she may be expressing allergic reactions. Allergice reactions can express as whelps, hives, dry flaky skin, itching, chewing of paws or base of tail, ear infections, red eyes and such. Sometimes a simple switch in their diet can make all the difference!
Regular vet visits: Before you purchase a French Bulldog, find a vet preferably one that is familiar with the flat faced breeds. Keeping your dog up to date on vaccinations and regular vet visits are a must to keep your baby in tip top shape!
Exercise: French Bulldogs really dont require a lot of exercise. They do very well with about an hour of exercise a day.
Heat and cold Sensitivities: This is probably one of the most important things to remember with French Bulldogs. Because they are a flat faced breed, they are not able to cool themselves as well as other breeds. They are susceptible to heat stroke if they are kept out in weather above 70 degrees for long periods of time. Just watch your baby, when they pant and seem to have trouble, bring them into a cooler area. Always make sure they have access to fresh cool water. They are also sensitive to colder temperatures. Because their ears stick up and catch all that cold wind, and their bellies have little to no hair on them, they can be subject to hypothermia. So on cold days make sure they dont stay outside too long!
Chewing: Bulldogs are AVID CHEWERS. Especially puppies! You wouldn’t think such a small cuddly animal could have such powerful chewing power! But I always recommend indestructible toys, and Marrow bones to keep them busy. Also NO Nyla Bones, NO rawhide as they can chew chunks off and choke on them, not to mention they are cured with all kinds of chemicals that can be toxic to dogs! Kong toys filled with peanut butter (always All Natural Peanut Butter, avoid Peanut butters with Xylitol as it is toxic to dogs) make great chewy toys! I do recommend crate training your puppy as it will help with house training for one, and it keeps your puppy in a safe environment until he gets older and learns not to chew on things that could hurt him.
House Training: French Bulldogs are very very smart! But some can be difficult to house break. I recommend crate training from the moment you bring your puppy home! If the puppy is out of his crate watch him every minute. If he starts to potty on the floor immediately scoop him up and place him in the desired potty area and them give tons of praise as soon as he does his business! Negative attention or punishments do NOT work with French Bulldogs. They are very sensitive and want to please their owners. Praise and positive reinforcements work 100% awesome with these guys! You will be amazed to see how quickly they catch on when they see they make you happy for doing something!