How to Care for a French Bulldog

Affectionate, playful, comical, curious and alert--all sound like prerequisites for the perfect mate. And all aptly describe the French Bulldog. "Frenchies," as they are nicknamed, were originally bred from English Bulldogs and French Terriers, and have a personality and needs all their own. Here are some ways to care for this delightful dog with the bat-like ears.

Instructions

    • 1

      Spay or neuter your French Bulldog. Spaying females before the first heat prevents breast cancer and decreases the chance of uterine infections. Neutering male dogs before age four prevents testicular cancer, helps maintain a healthy prostate and curbs aggression.

    • 2

      Take your Frenchie for regular medical checkups and stay current on vaccinations, flea and heartworm preventative. You can also do a monthly home exam of the skin, eyes, ears, nose, teeth and gums.

    • 3

      Have your French Bulldog's teeth cleaned professionally on a periodic basis. Certain veterinarians and pet teeth-cleaning professionals offer anesthesia-free cleanings. Anesthesia can be risky for a French Bulldog, due to their compromised respiratory system; however their laid-back nature permits these types of procedures to be done without an anesthetic.

    • 4

      Keep your French Bulldog at a healthy weight. Overweight Frenchies are likely to experience a swollen abdomen and breathing trouble. Feed a quality, grain-free or low grain, natural dog food (dry or canned) containing real meat and/or vegetables or a balanced natural diet of real meat and other fresh foods, which will result in less gassiness. Raw diets also work well for French Bulldogs.

    • 5

      Take your Frenchie for daily walks. They are good for apartment life and can be active indoors, but still need regular exercise.

    • 6

      Brush your French Bulldog about once a week with a rubber brush or rubber grooming mitt to remove loose and dead hair. They are average shedders.

    • 7

      Clean your French Bulldog's face folds and mouth regularly with a warm, wet washcloth, since they tend to drool.

    • 8

      Bathe your French Bulldog when necessary. Usually every few months is OK. Clean the ears with a cotton ball and baby oil or ear cleaning solution for dogs. Keep your Frenchie's nails trimmed to a comfortable length (but you can skip the French manicure).