You probably heard a lot of varying opinions about owning a French Bulldog. Some are positive and there are also negative comments. When we asked Frenchie owners the question, “Are French Bulldogs high maintenance?”, most of them said no. To help you understand why Frenchies are not high maintenance, we explained in this article the personality of French Bulldog and how to properly take care of them.
The majority of people, whether they own a dog or not, have negative judgment when it comes to owning a French Bulldog. The truth is that owning a frenchie does not demand plenty of money and attention from you. Before adopting a French Bulldog, make sure that it came from a healthy breeder so the dog will not suffer from future health conditions.
Things to Know Before Buying a French Bulldog
French bulldogs are one of the many dog breeds that possess distinct characteristics. While people think that they are serious and scary to approach, they are actually of the best companion dogs. They love cuddling with their owner and staying by their even if it is for a whole day.
Apart from that, they are loyal and protective in nature. Even though they like to do no nothing but lie on the sofa all day, they will instantly act once they sense there is someone trying to break into the house. Because they are clingy in nature, they make the best companion dog for families with or without kids. It may not seem like it, but Frenchies like to be around other people.
On the other hand, you must always monitor them because they are very prone to overheating. Check if your dog is showing some signs of overheating especially during the dry season. Also, this is possible to happen if you are not giving enough attention and maintenance. With this, “Are French Bulldogs high maintenance?”, the answer is still no. But like other member of the family who needs proper care and attention, always keep in mind that your Frenchie needs it too.
To put it simple, if you want to own a French Bulldog, you should be ready to pay proper attention to the above-mentioned tasks. Moreover, you should keep in mind that French Bulldogs can easily suffer from heat stroke or hypothermia on the off chance you fail to give him adequate care. Therefore, owing a Frenchie is like owning a kid.
Are french bulldogs high maintenance? Here is what you need to know
*Grooming
If you know someone who owns a French Bulldog, then you probably already know that they are considered as moderate shredders. Thanks to their short and shiny coat. That characteristic make them easy to groom. Unlike other hairy breed that need frequent grooming (which can be quite expensive), it is enough to brush their coat once a week. It may not seem important, but by simply combing his hair, you get rid of the excess hair. This will make their coat look shiny.
Since combing his hair is enough, it would be best to buy high quality grooming brush or comb that can cover or reach all parts of his body. By being able to clean even the areas that are hard to reach, it will prevent any parasite from living in to his body.
*Bathing
When we talk about how often and how long you should bathe your dog, it all depends on his lifestyle. This actually applies to all dogs regardless of the breed. If you take your dog for a walk in the park every day, he gets exposed to pollution. Not only that, he interacts with other dogs and humans at the same time. That being said, you must bathe your dog once or twice a week.
On the other hand, if you plan to let your French Bulldog stay inside your house every day, it would be best to bathe him every two to three weeks. In other words, if you Frenchie loves to roll himself around the mud and enjoys getting dirty, then bathe him frequently. If he enjoys slouching on your sofa brush him once a week.
While how frequent you will bathe your dog will depend on his lifestyle, there are specific areas that need to be cleaned regularly. You should carefully clean those adorable wrinkles because there are germs and other bacteria that stay in those areas. So when you look for a brush for bathing, make sure that it is gentle and gets rid of those dirt in his wrinkle.
As for his shampoo, vets recommend using shampoo that are made for dogs only. While it is more practical to buy a shampoo that is suitable for both cats and dogs, it would still be safe to buy a separate shampoo for your doggos. Choose shampoos that contain natural ingredients and that are hypoallergenic.
*Trimming his nails
It is true that most dogs are not afraid when they see their owners holding a nail trimmer. However, your French Bulldog may act different. To teach your doggo to stay calm before and while trimming his nails, try cuddling him for a few minutes before showing him the nail trimmer. Aside from that, you can also try praising him or giving his favorite treats.
It is also important to take note that there are some nail trimmers that are painful to use. These are trimmers that are too sharp for your dog’s nails. That being said, if you do not want your dog to act aggressively because it is painful, make sure to buy trimmers that do not cause pain while you are trimming his nails. This is the most effective way of trimming a dog’s nails.
Based on my experience as a dog owner, let my dog lie on his back while petting him. Once I see that he is already having a great time, I start trimming his nails. He is not even aware that I am already doing it because the trimmer is also not that painful.
*Cleaning you French Bulldog’s Tail Pocket
Aside from your Frenchie’s folds or wrinkles, there are other areas that are prone to attract bacteria. His tail pocket is one of the hidden areas on your pooch’s body. If you fail to give adequate care and attention, it will turn to red and become irritated. Since bacteria may live into it, you will notice that your pooch will frequently scratch the pocket because it can be itchy. As a result, it can get infected.
Are french bulldogs high maintenance: Feeding your French Bulldog
Your French bulldog will be at his healthiest state if you feed him raw, natural food. This will keep him healthy, strong, and fit. Provided that you give him sufficient amount of food every day. According to experts, the best type of diet that you can give to your pooch is the one that has 99% clean meat, animal fat, and organs. Dogs are like humans too, they like to eat natural tasty foods that will satisfy their cravings.
Even though French Bulldogs does not look exactly the same as their wolf ancestors, they still have the same digestive system and prefer natural raw meat. If you currently own a Frenchie and you have been feeding him with dog food, you might want to change his diet to natural food sources. Trust me, you will be surprised how much he will like it. Aside from that, you will also notice a slight change on his performance. You will notice he will become more energetic.
Do not dare to give him any type of raw food, make sure to consult with his vet first. Also, you should give him high-quality raw food. This will ensure the best condition of your doggo. Take note that French Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so monitor his calorie intake. If your dog is used to receiving treats from you, do it in moderation. Also, choose treats that are not too high from sugar and carbs.
*Feeding a Puppy French Bulldog
As you already know, you should strictly feed you puppy Frenchie dog foods that are for puppies only. The reason for this is because adult dog foods may have ingredients that may cause negative reactions to your puppy.
Also, make sure that you give an adequate amount of dog food toy your puppy. You can start with 1.5 cups of dog food per day and divide it into three meals. Once he reaches 6 months, you can increase the amount of food you will give. Also, at this age, they are most likely ready to start intaking adult dog foods.
*Feeding your Adult French Bulldog
For adult French Bulldogs, the recommended amount of raw dog food is 1-1.5 cups per day. You should divide this into two meals per day. It is necessary to maintain a strict routine. You might not know this, but dogs are happier when they are given food regularly at the same time. Be consistent on the time you will give him food and do not easily change his diet unless advised by his vet.
Remember that not all dogs are the same. The amount of dog food you will feed him should depend on how active he is and how big he is. Also, when you notice that he needs more food than what you are currently feeding him, you can give him more. Just to be safe, always talk to your vet before increasing or lessening his food. She/he knows what is best for your dog.
Are french bulldogs high maintenance? Health Concerns of a Frenchie
The most effective way of preventing risk of life -threatening illness is to carefully choose the breeder. A great breeder will help you screen for possible genetic health conditions. Do not be embarrassed to ask the question to genealogy. Remember, knowing about your Frenchie’s parentage will help you end up owning a healthy French Bulldog.
Always keep in mind that French Bulldogs that are purebred are more prone to illnesses. However, if a breeder is responsible enough, he/she will do everything just to make sure that they will breed healthy and disease-free puppies.
On the off chance you prefer to bring home an older French Bulldog to your home, cooperate with your veterinarian to screen for possible health problems the dog might have or possible to acquire.
Here are some of the most common health conditions of a French Bulldog:
- Difficulty breathing – as you can see from the face of the french bulldog, it seems like their face is deformed. This may cause them to experience difficulty in breathing. Frenchies always snort, wheeze, and snore loudly just to breathe comfortably. Make sure to always check up on him in case he experiences this condition.
- Heat Heatstroke – I already mentioned earlier, that Frenchies are prone to overheating. That being said, take extra care of them especially during the hot or dry season. Also, because of the breathing difficulty, they might have a problem in cooling themselves. It would be safe to let him stay in an airconditioned room to prevent this health condition
- Back Problems – In rare cases, French Bulldogs can suffer from various kinds of back, spinal, and disk problems. One possible reason for this is because French Bulldogs are made as a smaller version of a standard-sized bulldog.
- Eye problems – French bulldogs are also prone to having eye problems. They might be affected by a deterred eyelid and early stage of cataract. Apart from that, French Bulldogs that have a lighter color of the coat may experience tear stains around the area of the eyes. In order to prevent this, you must properly take care of your dog’s eyes. Regularly clean the wrinkles or folds around the eyes and make sure the areas are always dry.
Are French Bulldogs High Maintenance? Final Words
Are french bulldogs high maintenance? certainly no. But owning a French Bulldog or any other dog is like owning a child. You should treat them as a member of the family who needs adequate care and attention. Also, unlike other breeds, French Bulldogs are prone to overheating and hypothermia. So make sure to keep an eye on him and immediately bring him to the vet when you noticed some signs of overheating. Overall, Frenchies make great companion dogs. They demand little time from you when it comes to trimming his nail, bathing him, and feeding him. Your job is to make sure you are doing it right and showing him that you care for your doggo.
