Renee Hopper

The French bulldog is a distant cousin to Boston Terrier and the English and American Bulldog. It is one of the most intelligent, comical, friendly, and very affectionate of dog pets you will ever find, making it a perfect candidate when looking for a family pet. Lovingly referred to as Frenchie, clown dog or frog dog, this little scalawag is especially a favorite among older pet lovers who are looking for great company. Their behaviors are known to keep both the old and young amused and busy for hours on end, because Frenchie loves attention and will do whatever it takes to get it.

Further, they do love people a lot… just ask any bulldog owner to describe their pet and you will hear such things as comical, silly, sweet, laid back, intelligent, adorable, active, loveable, devoted, fun, easy going, nosy, very alert, very playful, stubborn and always happy. Important to point out is that male Frenchies can be very aggressive especially towards their male counterparts, no wonder it is highly recommended that you do not have same-sex French Bulldogs under the same roof. They are always at their best when paired with their opposite sex… but who isn’t?

As is with any other pet, Frenchies should always be supervised when around small kids, who should be discouraged from picking and carrying them around as they can be rough at times on small kids. They get along very well with older children, which is attributed to Frenchie's rambunctious personality. For the most part, they are companionable with other small animals, but again they would need supervision as they can be forceful at times.

Their workout needs are very minimal when compared to those of other dog breeds. Some interactive playtime preceded with a couple of brisk walks here and there would do. There are others who love flyball, agility, rally, as well as obedience competitions. They make a perfect condo or apartment pet, since they are not very obsessed to barking, nor are they yappy when compared to other breeds.

As you will see in most French bulldog pictures, they have a 'short head', what is commonly referred to as a brachycephlic breed, meaning they are very sensitive to extreme temperatures. Their short heads also make them unrivaled victors when it comes to farting, snorting, and snoring, so if you cannot withstand this, then Frenchies are not your best bet in your search for a pet.

Grooming is a sure bet, more often than not a little rubbing using a clean damp towel and a rapid brushing will do the trick. They should be bathed only when necessary, and the ears ought to be cleaned on a regular basis.

With that short overview, when thinking of bringing a Frenchie home, it is highly advisable that you do a thorough homework to know more about the breed, go through as many French bulldog pictures as you can and talk to experienced bulldog owners to know about the challenges and fun times of having one. What is guaranteed however is that it is the right pet for an individual or family that is ready to complement its personality?