Whether you are planning to own a bulldog soon, or simply just inquisitive about its characteristic, a good place to start learning about these lovely creatures is from their temperament.
Like humans, bulldogs have various temperaments,and a basic knowledge of their differences in temperament will help youunderstand and take care of the animal as well as you should.
In this article, we will discuss everything you should know about the temperament of French bulldogs.
Before we start, however, let take you briefly through the origin and history of French bulldogs.
Origin and history of the French bulldogs
Though it is referred to as French bulldog, the actual origin of this dog is not French.
A brief look around will show you that the history of the French bulldog is a conflicting issue, but we will state here, two of the most pleasant ones.
The first one is that the French bulldogoriginated from the miniature or toy bulldog, which is across from the breedingof the English bulldog and the terrain-type bulldogs.
A school of thought was brought to France by ice workers during the industrial revolution in the 1800s?
Another school of thought believes that the French bulldog originated from the chinchin bulldogs that were native to ancient Peru but has become extinct.
French Bulldog: A Brief description
With a weight of around 12.5 kilos for the male bulldogs and 11 kilos for their female counterparts, you can tell that carrying them would not be a walk in the park.
They grow to a height of about 31cm for both male and females.
French bulldogs have a lifespan of 1 – 16 years. They have specific health issues such as back problems and breathing difficulties in hot weather.
They are known by their distinctive large smart and foremost, French bulldogs are dogs, and just like other dogs can be aggressive occasionally and sweet and playful as well.
After all, they have the same geneticcombination as their forefathers, which we kept to safeguard our property andourselves as well.
Therefore it is safe to say that they pose acertain level of aggressiveness in their genes. However, despite possessingsuch reputation of aggressiveness, a pit bull will not be aggressive unless theyare trained to be just that.
The fundamental truth behind a French bulldogtemperament is that it is based on the personal dog experiences from infancy.Just like their human masters whose attitude is usually based on their ownexperiences, the French bulldogs are not different.
When trained in a non-hostile environment, theirtemperament can be both sweet and playful. But when the opposite happens, youfind a bulldog that is aggressive and hostile in behavior. They can also show aright level of aggression when threatened, jealous or provoked.
Below are the significant temperaments of French bulldogs that you would need to know.
1). Lively
French bulldogs can surprise you with how loud they can be.
They may appear Chucky, and that may lead you to project that they will be slow in movement, but that is not the case because they can wear you out with their lively nature. They love to play ball and jump around.
2). Affectionate
French bulldogs are the most loving breed of dogs around. They tend to show their love to their families unconditionally no matter what happens.
Their desire for human companionship is unrivalled by any other dog breed out there. From experience, I cay say clearly that they love humans more than their fellow animals.
3). They are patient
Frenchbulldogs are one of the most patient breeds of dogs ever. They also very calm,and this is what makes them very easy to train. Make no mistake about it,training these dogs is not easy, but with a little patient on your part, it canbe done relatively quickly.
4). Playful
The “Frenchies” as they are fondly called are a very playful breed of dogs.
They can become as playful and funny like a clown. They can become troublemakers as well. They are attention-seeking, so they would do anything that would make you focus on them.
5). Bright
French bulldogs are brilliant creatures who know how to attract the most attention.
Walk into a room with them and watch them work their way to everyone in the room to get the maximum amount of love in there.
6). Alert
French bulldogs are very alert. He is very much aware of what is happening around him at all times and not overly excited – although it might show it very often.
However, they are not allowed to be in certain places. One of those places is the swimming pool.
The reason for this is its body structure of a big head and short legs. It won’t be possible for it to swim and it would drown.
7). Sociable
We have talked about their loving attention. French bulldogs love nothing more than being around people and other animals as well.
They behave well around new people and may even curl themselves around your friend feet to be close to them.
8). Keen
This dog breed is very eager to be around people. Walk into a room with your French bulldog, and it would work its charm to make sure that every available hand there would touch him at least once.
9). Lazy
One thing you must have experienced as a French bulldog owner is their lazy nature. If you want to get, a French bulldog is rested assured you would experience this temperament.
Waking up your French bulldog in the morning is like waking up a child in the morning to go to get ready for school. You get the idea.
They find it difficult to get up in the morning. When you go wake them, they will look at you like “what the heck are you doing here, Can’t you see sleeping? Yeah, just like that.
10). Independent and stubborn
The French bulldog is an independent and stubborn breed of dog. You can overcome this by training them in the right way. Your training should start early and must be consistent.
11). Clingy
French bulldogs are very clingy. They can follow their owner to the depth of the ocean if the need should arise.
Their clingy nature is one of the reasons they are in high demand in the market. They are the ideal companion.
12). Very easy-going
They may bark at your visitors because they are not familiar but aside that, they are very excited to meet people.
If you give them a little time, you see them playing with your visitor. Once they become a bit familiar with them, they are a pretty cool dog.
There you have it, everything you should know about the temperaments of the French bulldogs.
The knowledge from this article should set you on the right path of handling these lovelies well.
Frequently Asked Questions aboutBulldogs
Here, check out answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about French bulldogs.
French bulldog persona
We have already talked about the role the environment plays in developing the attitude of the French bulldog as well as genetics. The fact is that a dog persona depends on several things.
From the background to the parents and ancestral temperament and personalities, breeding and the kind of training and upbringing they received before they became adults.
The bulldog developmental stage is crucial because it is what shapes their personality and temperament in the adult stage.
At the puppy stage, you would have a dog that isincredibly energetic that is trouble-prone. They love to play rough, andthey chew through their toys and find their way to trouble.
How smart are French bulldogs?
One thing about French bulldogs is that they are highly intelligent dog breed. They possess a startling sense of intuition, and also high adaptability to their environments.
Their temperament differs in this area as it can range from the calm and attentive observer to the very energetic individual who is excited about everything and an adventurer to be precise.
Can I buy French bulldog as a first-timer?
French bulldogs are the best dogs for a first-timer. If you don’t have any previous relationship with a dog, the French dog is the best one for you to start from.
The reason for this is that the French bulldogs are very easy to train and they crave human contact.
Teaching them to become obedient and attentive is not tricky, but they can be stubborn at times, but if you start your training early enough, you won’t find it challenging to train them.
How aggressive are French bulldogs?
French bulldogs are like any other dog out there, so they have a good deal of aggression in their DNA just like their ancestors.
However, early training in the right environment would bring this aggression to the lowest level.
How friendly are French bulldogs?
French bulldogs are quite friendly and don’t bark a lot. They love human attention, so they are very friendly.
Hence they are called the “companion dogs.” They love to be around their owner as well as their families. This means they are ideal to be left with children, but this must be done with supervision, though.
Are French bulldogs stubborn?
French bulldogs are somewhat stubborn dogs — especially when they are young, but this usually reduces as they grow towards adulthood.
You can take care of this with right and consistent training.
You have to be a little patient as well because they are stubborn naturally, so it would get a short time before you can get through to them.
How much does temperament differ betweensexes?
When you go out to buy a French bulldog, you would be told by the seller that personality differs between male and female breeds.
These differences are in areas of playfulness and how much energy they possess or how energetic they are.
Male kinds are more dynamic and more playful than female ones, but females are more friendly and timid.
Are female French bulldogs more aggressivethan the male ones?
The first time of aggression for the French bulldog is during their puppy stage. At this time, the female is more aggressive than male breeds. They are easily provoked as well, especially when their puppy is concerned at their adult stage.
So in general term, female breeds are more aggressive than the male ones.
Furthermore, they tend to bite things more and get into trouble more than the male ones, but all these can be handled with proper and consistent training.
Can French Bulldogs have anxiety issues?
We have already stressed how much this breed of dog craves attention.
They can develop separation anxiety because of abandonment or neglect. When they are not given enough attention, they can become depressed as well.
Are French bulldogs sociable?
French bulldogs love attention and so are very friendly. They seize every opportunity they can get to bounce on anyone’s lap and be cuddled.
When they are at the puppy stage, they are energetic and jump all over the place, but as it grows, they become even more sociable.
How affectionate are French bulldogs?
As much as this type of bulldogs loves attention, they also like to show affections. This is one quality that makes them ideal to be put in the care of little children.
They are the perfect companion for both the adults in the house and the young ones as well.
How often does French bulldogs bark?
French bulldogs don’t bark often. However, this has to with their training. Proper training would ensure that they are not barky as adults.
We want to state here that, when your French bulldog begins to bark regularly, it may not just be for the sake of barking, but it can underline symptoms of sickness and discomfort.
Are French bulldogs docile?
French bulldogs are relatively docile IN nature. Hence they are straightforward to train.
Though they might have a short attention span, they are quick learners and also possess the capability to be calm during their puppy years.
How often should I take my French bulldog forexercises?
If you are looking for a dog to take on your jogging, then don’t get the French bulldog. Though the French bulldog loves to be outdoors, it should not be taken for long distances jogging or strenuous exercises.
The reason for this is that they tend to overheat and find it challenging to regulate their internal body temperature.
In addition, the exercise time for this breed ofdogs should be in the morning and late in the evenings when the temperaturesare cold. This would stop them from overheating, which can constitute a bigproblem for the health of the bulldog.
What are the best colors of French bulldog tobuy?
“Frenchies” come in different colors. If you are looking for a French bulldog to buy and you are wondering which color is best for you, we can tell you here that they come in different but rare colors.
So we suggest you pick whichever one you like best to make the newest member of your family.
What is the lifespan of a French bulldog?
The average lifespan of the French bulldog isbetween ten to fourteen years. So your “Frenchie” would be part ofyour family for a long time. It is not going away any time soon.
How long does a French bulldog sleep?
The French bulldog is an energetic animal, sothey need their energy to keep up with their lifestyle. Adequate sleep of thebest ways animals and humans energize themselves, and the French bulldog is notdifferent.
On average, they sleep between 12 to 14 hours aday. This would ensure that they get adequate sleep. However, puppies should beallowed to sleep more. For the puppies, they sleep an average of 17 hours aday. They also sleep when they are bored too.
Having dealt with the frequently asked questionsabout the French bulldogs, we are going to look at specific problems that you canencounter as an owner of a “Frenchie.” We would also talk about howto deal with these problems. Sometimes these problems are not just problems buta sigh of a bigger problem that might be affecting the bulldog that they aretrying to communicate to you their owner.
- Separation anxiety
This is very common to thisbreed of bulldogs. The reason for this is based on their clingy nature. Theydon’t like to be left alone for long. This is what makes them not ideal to bekept by an individual who is used to working long hours because when they areleft to be on their own for long, they can become destructive.
They could wreak havoc aroundthe house. The characteristics that f this is distress when you are not around.Significant symptoms of separation anxiety are: barking and howling, diggingand destruction and pacing. This problem is no joke, and it is best to treat itearly before it becomes worse. You may get the help of a professional dogtrainer to help them overcome this problem.
- Constant barkingand whining.
We have already said that this breed of dogsdoesn’t bark often, but in some rare cases, you may find them doing just that.While this attitude is an annoying one both to you and your visitors as well asyour neighbors, it can be a sign of a significant health problem. Though dogscan bark for fun like Yorkies, French bulldogs don’t do that. Notable causes ofexcessive barking include pain, distress, attention-seeking, and anxiety sign.
Uncontrolled or excessive chewing
It is usual for dogs and puppies to chew thingsbecause it is in their nature. They even eat as a way of relieving pain likewhen their teeth are growing. The process is called teething. To avoid yourFrench bulldog from chewing things that may be important to you like documents,you need to make you make your home puppy or dog – prove. Excessive chewing canbe caused by hunger, separation anxiety, stress, frustration, and lack ofexercise and mental stimulation.
Jumping on people
Dogs are fond of jumping on people to welcomethem or greet them. The French bulldogs are no exception to this behavior. They love to get close to people’s faces as possible. This might be coolto you as the owner, but it can be very annoying to strangers who come thedog’s way. You can address this problem by keeping your hands away from yourFrench bulldog unless their paws are on the ground.
Then as soon as their legs are on the ground,reward them by praising and petting them. With consistency on your part, yourdog would learn that they won’t get your love and attention they seek unlesstheir paws are on the ground.
Pulling the leash
This is a problem I had to deal with for a longtime with my franchie. French bulldogs are excited continuously to go out for awalk, and they want to pull all the time. It felt very frustrating to me, and I’msure it would be the same for lots of French bulldog owners. The main reasonfor this before, as I later discovered it was lack of training. Though it iscommon for your dog to pull the leash, it is still a negative behavior and youmust try to stop it. The use of no-pull harnesses is one way to address thisproblem.
Not listening to your call
We have said in this article that Frenchbulldogs are stubborn little things. They usually suffer from selective hearing.Or mildly put: they listen when they want to and obey commands when they wishto. To remedy this issue, you can do the following things. Start by beingconsistent with your commands and instructions. Be calm and assertive or firm.The use of hand to command them is also important because dogs no matter thebreed have a way of turning out verbal commands.
Common Health Problems of the French bulldog
1. Respiratory problems
Respiratory problems like shortness of breath are common health problems associated with the French bulldogs.
That is why it is recommended for you to keep your bulldog from freshly cut grass and chemical cleaning products to avoid this issue.
Shortness of breath can also be as a result of using dog collars. Dog collars often apply pressure to your dog windpipes.
It would be wise to stop using dog collars to stop them from developing breathing problems.
2. Hemivertebrae
This is a genetic condition that affects French bulldogs. It is a condition caused is the deformed shape of little bones in the backbone of your French bulldog.
The deformation makes the bone to be in the shape of “hemi” — Hence, the name hemivertabre.
This condition leads to pain when you presstheir back and as it gets worse it can lead to loss of sensation on the back orhind legs. Treatment is usually through acupuncture.
3. Heatstroke
This affects your French bulldog more than any other dog BREEDS. The reason for this is because they can’t regulate their internal temperature very well.
You would find them panting vigorously in an effort to keep themselves cool.
To avoid this, ensure that your house is always cool and avoid taking them out in the afternoon when the weather is hot. Limit their exercise periods to early mornings or late evenings.
In addition, if your house gets to hot you canget an air conditioner to keep it cool.
Final thoughts
To wrap up, French bulldogs are adorable and make wonderful pet. They are easy-going, affectionate and sociable and love to please you.
They are also loyal and would walk through fire literally to be with you. They are also playful and a good with kids.
They are intelligent and this makes them greatcompanions. Their size make them fit into your hands perfectly. They are alsohighly adaptable to any environment they find themselves.
However they can be lazy and clingy at times. Furthermore, if you are not the type that stays at home often, you may look for a different breed to adopt.
The reason for this is that French bulldogs have the tendency to develop separation anxiety when left alone for a long time. They are not also the ideal dogs for exercise.
The reason is they tend to overheat when theengage in strenuous exercises. This has to do with the fact that they don’tregulate their body temperature well.
They also have some genetic health issues youwon’t love. Things like the gassiness. That cute French bulldog you admire somuch can let out a very bad gas that can make you dislike so much because ofhow awful the smell is.
Another attribute is they shed a lot. Fewminutes of playing with your “Frenchie” would leave your clothlooking like you cut hay all day.
All in all, they are still good to have as petsand we would encourage you to have them around.