French Bulldog - Smart, Affectionate, Adaptable

That French Bulldogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the US should come as no surprise. These playful, smart, affectionate, and adaptable dogs are great with young children and quite easily trainable. However, they may need some supervision and firm discipline in order to get along with other animals.

In terms of physical characteristics, French Bulldogs are small (11-13 inches in height on average) and weigh less than 28 pounds. Their average life expectancy is 10-12 years. Standard colors include brindle, cream, fawn, white, and combinations of these colors with white, black, piebald, and brindle markings. The large bat ears are a trademark feature that gives this breed its adorable looks. The large, square head has heavy wrinkles around the stubby nose. The French Bulldog’s body is muscular with a smooth, shiny coat.

The small size of French Bulldogs and the fact that they don’t bark much makes them favorites with city dwellers. Their playful, alert, and adaptable nature makes them quite the charmers, so don’t be surprised if you find a French Bulldog puppy simply irresistible.

You should know that Frenchies do require a fair amount of outdoor physical activity, but a short outdoor walk every day should do it. However, keep in mind that French Bulldogs cannot swim, so you should never leave one unattended near a tub, pool, lake or other body of water. Also, they don’t do too well in hot, humid weather, so that’s something to keep in mind as well.

For grooming, the good news is that the coat sheds minimally. However, the facial folds on your French Bulldog will need to be kept clean and dry and the nails will need regular trimming.

For training a French Bulldog, it’s important to include early socialization with all kinds of people and animals to ensure that the pup grows up into a well-adjusted adult with a great temperament. While there is a stubborn streak to the French Bulldog’s nature, they are not all that difficult to train.

Obesity is an issue with this breed, so you’ll need to give your Frenchie treats in moderation and ensure your lovable companion is getting enough exercise.