Wanting a small dog just because everyone’s been talking about it, shouldn’t be your primary reason to get one. I’m not saying everyone is getting a certain dog breed because of the current fashion trend, but there are many out there who get themselves into trouble because they got more than they bargained for. And with a Frenchie, you get a lot more than you thought. This means a lot more good things, as well as those some might see as bad. If you’d like a French Bulldog, here’s an honest opinion on what comes with these little mischievous goofs.

The Truth

I’ve always loved reading articles that were direct, without going round and round until they vaguely get to the point and you end up not knowing what was the point or what you were reading. So, here’s the list of all potential cons that come with a French Bulldog. I say potential because some might not see these traits as cons.

1. They have many health issues
2. Chances are high you’ll visit a vet often
3. They need proper and daily skin/coat care
4. They are gassy
5. They snore and make other grunting noises, a lot!
6. They can’t regulate temperature properly so they need extra care in both cold and hot weather, but especially during very hot and humid weather
7. They have flat-faces, shorter skulls which often lead to breathing problems
8. Their flat-faces also mean they overheat easily during playtime (you have to monitor them during activities!)
9. They can’t swim properly (can’t stay afloat, and can’t breathe properly)
10. They shed throughout the year
11. They have issues with natural births (often need C-section)

Some cons are not objective, but depend on a person owning a dog. For example, some people don’t mind their dogs being gassy or that they snore. But others are objective, such as health problems, swimming, or heating issues.

Why Is A French Bulldog Struggling To Breathe?

The original idea of how a French Bulldog should look changed quite a lot. Similarly to other brachycephalic dog breeds, people went not just one, but a couple of steps further. 

In desire to satisfy customer’s wishes and to create something even more unique, we came from healthy Frenchies to today’s version. You can see the comparison in the picture below.

People’s desire to shorten a dog’s (or a cat’s) face will always baffle me. How is an unnatural structure that doesn’t allow a dog to breathe properly a desirable trait?

This is a quote from the study about dogs with extreme brachycephalic faces that as a result suffer from BOAS, an obstructive airway syndrome “…Affected dogs present with a wide range of clinical signs from snoring and exercise intolerance, to life-threatening events such as syncope.”  

So, the snoring and grunting are not cute little noises a Frenchie makes just because that’s Frenchie! They have a problem breathing. 

What Does It All Mean?

If you truly love a Frenchie and must have one despite the issues and extra attention required during playtime, then I advise you to search thoroughly for dog breeders. Find those who still follow ‘old rules’. That means their dogs have a nose and can somewhat breathe easier. 

• Either way, get ready to spend time with your French Bulldog. You’ll need to clean their face wrinkles daily! It’s important to clean them and make sure they are dry. This is key because the moisture in skin folds creates an ideal breeding ground for yeast and developing secondary infections. 

• Don’t let them swim without dog life jackets! If you’ve got a swimming pool at home, make sure it is protected so that your dog cannot just wander and fall into it. This is a serious issue! They cannot swim!

• Monitor them during playtime. The first sign of labored breathing, tiredness, or excessive drooling is a definite sign to stop the game and take them to a shade or some other cool place. Overheating is another serious issue that can lead to Heatstroke, especially in summer days.

• If you plan on breeding your French Bulldogs, consult the vet about the process and be ready to get your dog to the vet’s office. Because of the French Bulldog’s big heads and narrow hips, they have a problem giving birth naturally.

• The issue with being gassy also comes from their flat-faces. Because of their brachycephalic heads, they gulp air when they eat or drink water. This results in increased gas due to more air in the digestive tract. 

• And, finally, they shed throughout the year. You might think it’s better than having a year-round shedding long-haired dog, but little hair still gets onto everything and is more difficult to get rid of than the long ones. This is not an issue, because dogs shed. But it’s something that people forget when they see a Frenchie with its smooth, short coat.

Is A French Bulldog A Good Idea?

In an ideal world where all dog breeders have a desire to create healthy dogs and not get under the influence of customer’s desires, a French Bulldog is a great idea. However, in today’s day and age, buying an extremely brachycephalic dog breed from breeders means you are endorsing such looks and all health issues that go with it. Find someone who still values health over profit. In that case, a Frenchie is a good idea. But, knowing people won’t change unless something drastic happens, then having a modern French Bulldog is quite the challenge. Not because a dog is dangerous or not smart, but because it needs special care. 

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Cover photo by whitedaemon