French bulldog: description of the breed, characteristics, content

Unlike most other Molossians, French Bulldogs are not large in stature. But it would be wrong to consider them a frivolous or, especially, a decorative breed. Indeed, despite his small stature and good-natured appearance, The French are quite strong and their character contains traits characteristic of their ancestors - real poisoning dogs, which were used to hunt large animals.

Physical activity

French bulldogs love to play and run without a leash. But when going for a walk with such a pet, it is necessary to take into account the breed characteristics of dogs of this breed. Like all brachycephalics, the “Frenchies” have a short, wide muzzle, which is why they have a limited reserve of stamina. Such a dog can run for a short time or play outdoor games, but long runs in a park or stadium are not for it.

Great physical activity in the summer poses a particular danger for the “French”. Due to the typical muzzle structure of brachycephals, they already have a hard time in the summer, and if the pet also runs outside in the heat, then it may develop serious problems with the respiratory or cardiovascular system.

In addition, French bulldogs should not jump over obstacles, as they have a breed defect such as an additional hemivertebra. Sometimes even several of them can develop, and this significantly increases the risk of back injury or even a spinal cord herniation. Also, when walking and playing outdoors, you should stay away from bushes. After all, due to the fact that French bulldogs have rather bulging eyes, the dog can injure them on branches.

French bulldog puppies under one year of age should not be overly loaded or, especially, put on harnesses with weights.

The best exercises that perfectly develop your pet's muscles are climbing a gentle hill or stairs. And if the owner is absolutely sure that his dog does not have additional hemivertebrae, jumping to low heights can also be added to these activities. During a walk, it will also be useful to throw a ball or other toy so that the dog will run after it. However, it is necessary to monitor the bulldog’s condition and when the first signs of fatigue appear, you need to give him a rest or return home with him.

Maintenance and care

The Bulldog does not require special care. To make your pet's coat shiny and smooth, simply brush the coat with a special brush. After walks, it is best to dry your dog with a damp, warm terry towel to clean up your pet and remove dust and dirt.

As for bathing itself, this procedure is best done 3-4 times a year . Also, you should pay special attention to the claws, ears, and folds on the face.

French bulldogs do not tolerate heat well , so it is best to walk them early in the morning or in the evening.

If we talk about feeding, you can use both dry food and natural food. Dry food should be exclusively premium.

Need for communication

French bulldogs are very sociable and sociable pets . They love it when everyone in the family plays with them and feel best when they become the center of everyone's attention. They rarely conflict with any people, but they can be quite jealous of pets.

Bulldogs very sensitively sense the mood of their owners and if they are not inclined to play or communicate, they will not annoy them or impose their company. In relation to other pets, these dogs often behave selfishly. Even if they are tired or sick, and the bulldog at this time wants to play with them, he will stubbornly drag them into his entertainment against their wishes and physical capabilities.

The French can be sweet and playful, but at the same time they require increased attention and respect.

Characteristics and breed standard

The French Bulldog is a Molosser dog, small in size, with smooth coat. The head is massive, the nose is slightly upturned, but set flat. The body is visually out of proportion with the head, short legs, massive wide body.

Height: 27 - 35 cm;
Weight : 8 -14 kg.

Color: May have random white spots; can be plain white, brown, brown-black.

Additional characteristics: the ears are small, medium wide at the base, their ends are narrowed, but slightly rounded. The neck is short, the head is pressed to the body. The body is wide, muscular, the chest is massive at the base, while the pelvis of French bulldogs is narrowed, the stomach is moderately tucked.

It is considered a disadvantage:

Too small, narrow nose or too wide and large;
Unclosed lips, visible incisors, malocclusion;
Constantly protruding tongue, frequent mouth breathing;
Suspension (the head seems to hang);
Light eyes, too noticeable whites or eyes of completely different colors;
Cropped ears and tail.

Loyalty to the owner

Like all other molossoids, French bulldogs are characterized by exceptional devotion to their owners. Having become attached to someone with their soul and all their small, but faithful and brave hearts, these dogs will be faithful to this person until the last minute of their lives. They will miss their owner when he goes to work or study, and upon his return he will be greeted as joyfully as if he had spent many years apart from his owner.

These dogs do not take well to foster care or living in a dog boarding house, and they also do not like to be left alone.

Bulldogs are so sociable that they are ready to accept signs of favor towards their person not only from their owners, but also from guests who come to the house, or from passers-by on the street. Not all owners like this attitude towards strangers, and some owners of “Frenchies” even consider their dogs “traitors.” But, in fact, the bulldog still values his owner very much. Simply, the desire to be in the center of attention makes him very open to communication with strangers.

Character and habits

The French Bulldog is not one of those dogs that will spend whole days on a bed. These small but brave dogs love movement and active games, and they can also get bored playing alone. Therefore, they try to constantly be the center of attention and are very happy when there is a person who wants to play with them. Bulldogs are very attentive and caring in their own way towards their owners.

By subtly sensing their mood, the dog understands when a person feels lonely or bored. In this case, the “Frenchman” will definitely approach him and try to entertain or calm him down. If the owner is busy with some important matter that requires concentration, the dog will not distract him, but will wait patiently until the owner can pay attention to it.

However, bulldogs can be quite selfish. They are able to remember undeserved insults for a long time and, on occasion, can even take revenge. You should not use brute force or shout at them: in this case, the “Frenchman” may become embittered and become stubborn or aggressive. If the owner is ready to pay attention to the pet, is truly happy to communicate with him and at the same time treats the animal with respect, then the French bulldog will become a true friend for him, and, if necessary, a protector.

French bulldogs are ideal pets for a single person or a family with children.

Disadvantages of a dog

The small size and short coat of a dog under certain circumstances turn into a big disadvantage for its health. Representatives of the breed absolutely cannot tolerate high or too low temperatures. In the heat, French bulldogs can easily get sunstroke or heatstroke, and a slight draft or hypothermia will lead to a cold. Because of this problem, when walking in the cold, you will definitely have to dress your pet in warm overalls and try not to overcool him. In rain or snow, you should not take your dog out unprepared. Always bathe in a warm room, and then carefully wrap in a towel and dry, preventing any drafts. In summer, if it is hot, be sure to postpone your walk until the temperature drops. You will also have to give up swimming in reservoirs. Refusal is associated not only with the danger of catching a cold; because of the large head of a French bulldog, swimming is quite difficult.

I do not feel cold.

This breed has a peculiarity of its physique: the presence of peculiar folds on the muzzle, and in some dogs the tail fits very tightly to the body. In these places, if not properly cared for, pathogenic microorganisms can develop, so it is necessary to periodically examine the dog for inflammation or ulcers, and also wipe the problem areas with cream or at least with a damp cloth.

Owners of a French Bulldog may encounter problems when cleaning their ears. Since dogs have rather large and open ears, cleaning should be done regularly. If this procedure is not taught from an early age, dogs may resist and resist.

An unpleasant feature of the breed is snoring and emitting gases during sleep. The dog has nothing to do with it; the problem arises due to the special anatomical structure of the muzzle and respiratory tract, as well as problems with the digestive system. This gives rise to another unpleasant feature - French bulldogs are more likely than other breeds to have an allergic reaction to external irritants and certain foods.

We're sleeping.

Some dogs periodically experience excessive salivation, which is also associated with the anatomical structure of the muzzle. Drooling especially profusely occurs when the dog is excited or anxious, hungry, or has just eaten. There is no point in getting angry or scolding your pet; you just need to keep a cloth with you at all times and periodically wipe away excess drool.

Despite its calm and mentally balanced character, your pet can sometimes behave unexpectedly. During a burst of activity, it can turn the house upside down, it can suddenly take offense at you for a long time, or it can simply bite if it doesn’t like something.

Another negative character trait is stubbornness and ordinary laziness. Without timely education, training and obedience lessons, French bulldogs can shirk commands. If the owner is not demanding, the dog will simply refuse to obey commands.

And I'm lazy.

French bulldogs cannot stand being alone and love to be the center of attention. Therefore, it is better not to consider this breed for busy people.

The French bulldog, following the example of its ancestors, knows no fear. This may be good, but if a large dog acts as an opponent, a fight may break out due to your pet’s sudden aggression, and the instigator has a chance to get hurt.

If you want to have a guard in the yard of a private house, then a French bulldog is not suitable for this. It is advisable to keep representatives of this breed at home to avoid hypothermia, overheating or fights with the neighbor's dog.

Handsome.

Intelligence

French Bulldogs are smart enough to understand commands they learn. But they are in no hurry to carry them out as soon as they hear them. And the point here is not stubbornness or, especially, harmful character. Simply, this breed was bred not as a service breed, but as a companion, focused primarily on communicating with the owner.

One of the main qualities that confirms the high intelligence of the “French” is their unique sense of humor, which is why they are often called “the clowns of the dog world.”

Even the fact that these dogs bark only out of necessity, when, for example, they need to draw the attention of their owners to something, is a sign that they are characterized by intelligence and intelligence. Yes, the French Bulldog will never make a working dog that flawlessly follows commands as soon as it hears them. But on the other hand, he perfectly knows how to understand life situations and, in accordance with this, builds his behavior and full communication with people.

Advantages

Many owners like French bulldogs.

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The breed has advantages:

Suitable for living in an apartment;
Rarely gives voice;
Has short hair;
Does not require docking of ears and tail;
Brave, but not aggressive character;
Gets along with children;
Playfulness and activity;
Not cocky;
There is no unpleasant “dog” smell;
Smartness.

The dog is suitable for living in a city apartment. Purebred individuals prefer to be at home, do not require much space, and do not disturb the owner.

The animal will not bark often, disturbing family members and neighbors with noise.

Wool does not require maintenance. Periodically you need to comb out the fallen hairs. After a walk, you can wipe your pet with a towel soaked in warm water. Enough to remove dust and dirt from the animal.

The ears and tail are not docked. The individual does not require additional surgery; from birth it has a small tail and “cropped” ears.

Bulldog is the best companion. Loves and protects its owner. Possesses fearlessness in the absence of aggression.

Representatives of the breed love children. These dogs are good-natured and loyal to their owner and his family members. They willingly carry out the commands given by the child.

The French Bulldog puppy is funny and active. With age, the dog becomes more passive and less likely to enter a state of playfulness.

Does not conflict with neighboring pets. Does not bully other people's animals or people.

They do not have the unpleasant odor typical of dogs. The exception is when the male begins to mark his territory and the female begins to go into heat.

The dog has good intelligence. The pet can easily learn and understand commands. An unvaccinated puppy must go to the litter box before walking. The baby only needs to use it once to get used to it.

Features of the breed and attitude towards children

French Bulldogs are known as dogs that are great with children of all ages. If a pet of this breed ends up in a family where there is already a child, as a rule, no problems arise with building relationships between younger family members. However, if a baby is born in a family where a bulldog already lives, the situation may turn out differently.

The appearance of a child in a family in itself disrupts the usual rhythm of life for a “Frenchman”. And if you consider that the baby demands the attention of the dog’s adored owners and constantly cries, it is easy to understand that the dog is not at all happy with such changes in life. French bulldogs are very friendly and affectionate towards their owners. They are also tactful and delicate so as not to harm the newborn.

But at the same time, representatives of this breed are quite conservative and not without selfishness. Therefore, it is necessary to try to devote time not only to the child, but also to the dog. The bulldog, seeing that he is still dear to his owners, will eventually get used to the baby and love him just like all other family members. It is very important to take into account that representatives of this breed are jealous and demand respect for themselves. But small children who do not understand the difference between a toy and a live dog may accidentally hurt the dog or scare it with loud screams. And in this case, the “Frenchman” may intuitively show aggression and snap at the baby.

Parents need to supervise young children while they play and interact with their pet.

You should not allow a child to accidentally, or, especially, intentionally, offend an animal, or take away its toys. In addition, it is very important to explain to children that they should not touch the dog when it is eating or resting. When a French bulldog communicates with older children, another problem may arise: the dog may become overtired during too active games with them.

Therefore, it is necessary to explain to children that they cannot force a dog to run until exhausted or to walk with it for a long time on the street in the heat. If a child does not tease or pester the bulldog too much, if he treats the pet with care and respect from an early age, then the “Frenchman” will become his most faithful and devoted friend, ready for his little master, if not to do everything, then to do everything. much.

History of the breed

There is evidence that these small Molossians descend from the ancient Alanos, the war dogs of the medieval Roman Empire. English bulldogs, the ancestors of French bulldogs, originated from powerful dogs.

In 1835, bull baiting involving English bulldogs was banned in England. Powerful, large dogs became obsolete, and selection was carried out in the direction of reducing size and viciousness. It is believed that pugs, pinschers and even terriers were used (the ears of the Frenchies were probably taken from them).

Miniature individuals first appeared in the county of Nottingham and were very popular with ordinary people - artisans, factory workers, butchers. The new bulldogs coped well with the scourge of that time - rats.

During the advent of the scientific and technological revolution, workers had to emigrate en masse to France. And, of course, their favorite animals went with them too. In the 19th and 20th centuries, these Molossians became the most desirable breed among the aristocracy. Among their admirers were members of the royal families of England, France, Russia, the bohemian public, celebrities and stars of the time.

In the famous portrait of 1903 by V.A. Serov depicts Count F.F. Sumarokov-Elston (future Count Yusupov) with his Frenchman Clown. This dog, who lived in perfect harmony with its owner for 18 years, was often described by him in his memoirs, and performed in the circus on the back of a pony. The owner described the pet as “a big original.”

Russian Tsarevna Tatiana Romanova and Tsarevich Alexei, children of the last Tsar Nicholas II, loved their French bulldog Ortino very much. This dog brightened up the days of imprisonment of the royal family. During the execution, the dog died along with its owners - this is evidenced by excavation data.

The first official breed club arose in 1880 in Paris. Later, in 1898, the first standard was approved by the French Canine Society. After much debate, the breed was recognized as “French”.

In 1902 a club was formed in Great Britain, and in 1912 the breed was recognized by the British Kennel Club.

In the USA, the first French coat was presented at the Westminster Kennel Club exhibition in 1896. Within a few years, the breed was in second place in popularity in New York and Los Angeles.

In Russia, these dogs were very expensive and only the rich and eminent had them. Among the owners of bulldogs are actress Maria Pototskaya, opera singer Fyodor Chaliapin, painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, ballerina Anna Pavlova and many others.

During the revolution, the breed's population was completely exterminated as a sign of bourgeois luxury. After the Second World War, the only dog left in Moscow was Flik. For him, in 1948, the bitch Jerry was brought from Hungary. The offspring of this couple and the male Foleiram Henry and the female Varsovia Kaprizna Carole, exported from England and Poland in the 70s, served as the core of the new French flock of Russia.

Security qualities

A French bulldog can become a good guard for an apartment . Indeed, despite its small size, it is fearless, and its hoarse bark, reminiscent of the voice of a large dog, can scare off an intruder who encroaches on the safety of the owner or the safety of his property. Bulldogs are not inclined to bark at the slightest noise, and if an intruder decides to break into the house, most likely, the dog will not waste time barking at him, but will immediately try to bite.

At the same time, in ordinary life the “French” are not at all malicious. They will never attack passers-by on the street or guests who come to the house. These dogs understand perfectly well when aggression is appropriate and when such actions should be refrained.

French bulldogs do not know how to correctly assess the degree of danger and often get into fights with larger dogs or other obviously stronger opponents.

Therefore, the owner, if he is nearby at the time of the conflict and sees that the pet can be seriously injured in a fight, needs to intervene and stop him.

Dog care

The French Bulldog is a short-haired breed, which means that it does not require special care for its coat. Despite this, your Frenchie still needs to be brushed once a week.

You should not bathe your dog often , otherwise its skin will become dry and dandruff may appear. It is recommended to arrange water procedures once a month.

Paws should be checked periodically for cracks in the pads. It is enough to trim the nails once a month.

A bulldog's ears and eyes require regular cleaning and wiping. Particular attention should be paid to the skin of the French Bulldog. To prevent dirt and moisture from accumulating in the folds, they need to be wiped with a wet cotton swab as they become dirty.

The French Bulldog is a breed for those who value peace and their personal space. The dog does not require frequent walks and games. At the same time, he gets along well with people and animals. However, the breed's susceptibility to many diseases and stubbornness can cause problems.

Characteristics of the breed, pros and cons

French bulldogs are calm and friendly. They relate well to people, are moderately active and playful. In addition, these dogs are sensitive and attentive towards their owners, which makes them ideal pets for older people and families with children. However, like all other breeds, Frenchies have both positive and negative qualities and problems.

The main advantages of the breed include:

Compact size and the fact that these dogs do not need a large living space. That is why the bulldog feels quite comfortable even in a small apartment.
Ability to adapt to different living conditions. A “Frenchman” can live both in a metropolis and in a country house.
He will make an excellent companion for a lonely elderly person who is ready to devote all his time and attention to him, but he will also be no less happy in a large large family.
Bulldogs by nature have a protective instinct, thanks to which such a dog can become a good watchman.
They are not noisy: they bark only when necessary.
They get along well with children and love to play with them.
They are smart, intelligent and quite obedient.
The “French” have a sense of humor: they are not averse to amusing their owners with hilarious grimaces or funny antics.
Bulldogs, as a rule, subtly sense the line separating cheerful mischief from sabotage or outright disobedience and try not to cross it.

The disadvantages of this breed are the following:

They cannot tolerate extreme heat, which is why they have to limit physical activity in the summer.
They are subject to outbreaks of activity, during which obedient and well-mannered pets can turn into an uncontrollable “hurricane”, demolishing everything in its path.
They remember grievances for a long time, and on occasion they can take revenge.
They do not tolerate rude and disrespectful treatment.
If a bulldog is caused discomfort or, especially, pain, he may instinctively bite.
They do not tolerate loneliness very well, therefore, the French Bulldog is not the best choice for too busy people.
Not all owners like their excessive desire to communicate with all passers-by or guests who come to the house.
Due to reckless courage and inability to assess the strength of the enemy, he can seriously suffer in a fight with a large dog.
If raised incorrectly, he grows up stubborn and lazy.

When training a French bulldog, it is necessary to get your pet to obey commands, even if not immediately.

If you allow the dog to fail to do what is required even once, the French Bulldog may decide that it is okay to continue to do so. As a result, the dog may become stubborn and completely stop obeying the owner.

Positive qualities of the French Bulldog

The main advantage of this breed is its compact size . Even in a small apartment the animal will be comfortable. A small corner will be enough for him.
Dogs fit perfectly on the owner's lap and lie with him in the chair with great pleasure. They are happy with almost any living conditions; they quickly adapt to anything.
Compact size is not an indicator of limited abilities. French bulldogs are excellent guards ; they will always warn you if they hear a suspicious noise or see strangers.
The pet will cope perfectly well with protecting its owner . Thanks to the serious expression of his muzzle, developed body muscles and loud barking, he is quite capable of scaring off most people who show aggression and threaten his owner.
Correcting a dog's behavior will not require significant effort . If you pay enough attention to training, the bulldog will show an aggressive reaction only in extreme cases. It is quite possible to ignore other animals while walking.
Representatives of this breed quietly remain alone at home . They don’t bark at any nonsense; when living in an apartment, this is a huge plus in relations with neighbors.
The French Bulldog's tail is naturally broken, so it does not need docking .
The dog's short fur allows you to spend a minimum amount of effort and time on caring for it. You can comb it simply and quickly, you don’t even need to buy special devices. A regular comb will be enough to remove dead hair. Another significant advantage of this breed is that dogs do not need to be washed frequently. The coat does not get very dirty and does not have a specific dog smell. This will allow you to significantly save on the services of a professional groomer.
The French Bulldog has a great love for children and enjoys playing with them. Communication with children is still best done under the supervision of an adult to avoid mutual harm.
From nature, animals took a rare intelligence, curiosity and ingenuity . Together with their balanced disposition, this makes them excellent friends, loyal and very obedient.
The positive qualities of the breed include the presence of a sense of humor . The pet feels great if its owner is sad, and tries in every way to cheer him up.