The Snorting Smiler
Newly crowned “The Most Popular Breed in America,” the French Bulldog is one of the most beloved and recognizable dog breeds, famous for its compact frame, wrinkled face, and “bat” ears. In recent years, you’ve probably run into this dog just about everywhere, from sunny parks to hillside hikes to coffee shops and even tagging along at the mall. Frenchies, as they are affectionately nicknamed, are everywhere. These dogs are easy-going, up for anything, and compatible with kids, partners, other dogs, and even cats.
At Happy Paws, we’re dedicated to helping all dogs, from purebreds to certified mutts, live their happiest, healthiest lives. We’ve designed our dog supplements to target a range of trouble spots in your dog’s health—many of which include common issues for a French Bulldog.
In this article, we’ll explore the history of this short-nosed breed, provide some information and advice on how to care for them, and help you decide which supplements are best for your lively, little friend, the French Bulldog.
Quick Facts
Origin: France
Size: Small
Breed Group: Non-sporting
Lifespan: 10–12 years
Coat: Short hair—minimal grooming recommended
Temperament: Other than their cute, squishy appearance, this dog is best known for their even, playful demeanor. These dogs are almost always in a state of lounging. They don’t get flustered or high-strung. Instead, they waddle through life with an easy-going, up-for-anything personality.
Exercise Needs: Like all dogs, French Bulldogs need exercise and play to maintain a healthy weight. But these dogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have a smooshed face and sinuses, so exhaustive exercising can often lead to breathing troubles. It’s always best to keep exercise to a minimum and reserved for only the coolest times of the day.
Training: French Bulldogs are intelligent, personable, and confident, and obedience training helps them prove it. Like other dogs, Frenchies can latch onto obedience training early. These small puppers love to show off their big brains by learning and following commands, especially when tasty treats are in play. It’s best to start obedience training when your French Bulldog is young. This will help them better acclimate toward proper pupper behavior later in their life.
Dog Health: Because of their small stature and smooshed snouts, French Bulldogs are susceptible to unique health problems, like respiratory complications, joint pains, and digestive woes. We’ll discuss how to address each below.
Happy Paws for French Bulldogs
Enrich your Frenchie’s health with high-quality, tasty supplements like these!
| Type of Happy Paws Supplement | Best for … |
| Skin & Coat Dog Chews | Strengthening your dog’s coat & dermal health. |
| Dental Dog Chews | Fighting tooth decay & smelly breath. |
| 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews | Giving your pupper a daily dose of essential vitamins, minerals & other nutrients. |
| Hip & Joint Dog Chews | Soothing common symptoms of joint dysplasia & inflammation. |
| Probiotic Dog Chews | Restoring the healthy bacteria in your dog’s digestive system. |
| Immunity Dog Chews | Fortifying their immune system with adaptogenic mushrooms. |
In-Depth Look at These Popular Supplements
Despite their small frame, French Bulldogs have a larger-than-life personality that they can’t help but flaunt. This loyal, lovable breed makes the perfect companion for new and experienced pet parents. But watch out; they quickly become your best friend, begging for attention—and treats. All Frenchies love tasty treats.
Our high-quality, tail-waggin’ dog supplements use an array of all-natural, organic ingredients to enrich your dog’s physical and mental health, while satisfying their taste buds. Here are a few dog supplements to help you care for your pup.
Skin & Coat Dog Chews: Our Skin & Coat Dog Chews help keep the sheen in your Frenchie’s wrinkly fur. These vegan, chicken-flavored soft chews utilize a blend of skin-supporting ingredients, including biotin and coconut oil, to promote dermal health and nourish your dog’s coat. Plus, they also help counteract unwanted symptoms from canine allergies, like hot spots, excessive itching, and more.
Dental Dog Chews: Like all dogs, but most notably smaller dogs, French Bulldogs are prone to smelly, unpleasant dog breath. Our Dental Dog Chews combine the refreshing aroma of spearmint with an enzyme blend to neutralize dental bacteria and curb stinky breath.
10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews: Our 10-in-1 Multivitamin Dog Chews use multiple essential nutrients to strengthen your dog’s daily health and give them a well-rounded supplement. One vegan, lamb-flavored dog treat introduces ten critical nutrients to keep your dog healthy, happy, and active.
Hip & Joint Dog Chews: Soothe the symptoms of joint issues with our Hip & Joint Dog Chews! Packed with a blend of joint-friendly ingredients, this dog supplement helps reduce inflammation and support joint health, thanks to compounds like glucosamine, chondroitin, and hyaluronic acid.
Probiotic Dog Chews: Made with powerful antioxidants, probiotics, and superfoods, our Probiotic Dog Chews help strengthen your dog’s digestive system, while supporting their gut and bowel health.
Immunity Dog Chews: Allergies are common for most dogs, and our Immunity Dog Chews are here to help! These pumpkin-flavored soft chews use a range of adaptogenic mushrooms, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enrich your dog’s immune system and build back stronger immunity.
Common French Bulldog Health Concerns
Compared to other smaller dog breeds, the French Bulldog is susceptible to unique health conditions like these:
Patellar Luxation: Patellar luxation occurs when a dog’s kneecap slips out of the joint. Maintaining your dog’s healthy weight can help manage the condition, while joint-friendly supplements can also be beneficial. If you believe your dog has patellar luxation, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian about first steps.
Digestive Issues: Digestive problems can develop in any dog at any age. Symptoms can include diarrhea, bloating, gas, low appetite, lethargy, and more. The issue can stem from the dog’s diet, lifestyle, or genetics.
Allergies: Your Frenchie can have an overactive immune system, leading to a number of common allergies. Plus, with their short coat, these allergies can snowball into several types of dermal dilemmas. Signs that your dog has allergies include frequent skin infections, fur loss, constant licking, itching, scratching, or red, inflamed skin.
Brachycephalic Syndrome: One of this breed’s most recognizable features is its compressed snout. Other breeds, like Pugs and Boston Terriers, also share this feature. This unique anatomy can make it hard for old and young Frenchies to breathe properly. So, it’s very important to limit exercise and keep an eye on them when resting.
About the French Bulldog
The French Bulldog you see snoring on couches, waddling around the park, and giving you lovey-dovey eyes has a long, storied past that spans the last few centuries. Stemming from purebred English breeds, the French Bulldog was bred to be smaller and more compact, making it the perfect companion dog.
The closest relative to the French Bulldog is the much larger, burlier English Bulldog. Before England’s Industrial Revolution, this smaller, more docile breed gained popularity among lacemakers in Nottingham, fumbling through mills and chasing away vermin with huffs and puffs. However, as the Industrial Revolution automated the lace-making process, these workers took their skills—and their dogs—to Northern France, where handwoven lace products were still in style.
During the 19th century, Frenchies became a staple in Parisian life, snoring on their owners’ laps at a café, frolicking in the park, or waddling in step with their owners down a French avenue. These dogs quickly became a status symbol—one that spanned a range of social classes. You can even see this breed featured in many paintings of this era. By the end of the 19th century, the Frenchie’s charm had entranced American tourists who took the breed back home.
Over the next few decades, this breed gained popularity, becoming a fixture in many homes and winning over pet parents in apartments, studios, and homes. In 2022, the Frenchie dethroned the Labrador Retriever for AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breed—a spot the Labrador had held for 31 years.
It’s no wonder why, because of their small frames and spunky personalities, French Bulldogs can fit into most homes, adding a touch of class and a whole lot of fun.
Their Temperament
French Bulldogs are carefree, easy-going, and mild-mannered. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have a hyper-playful side. These dogs sometimes exhibit mischievous behaviors, similar to those of their English Bulldog relatives. Also, Frenchies can make friends with just about anyone and any dog they meet. They’re personable and confident, making them an extrovert in most situations.
As your Frenchie ages, expect them to settle into the rhythms of daily life. Going to the mall? They’d love to come with! Going to the park? Your Frenchie does, too! These little, compact dogs enjoy going on errands, road trips, and short strolls around the neighborhood. Though, be careful overexerting their energy. These may seem like they’re up for anything, but they also need to rest periodically.
How to Care for This Breed
Compared to other breeds, this breed is relatively easy to train, especially for new-time dog owners. They learn fast and don’t require much grooming. But there are a few tips to help keep your Frenchie happy, healthy, and lively, from their puppy years and well into their golden years.
Socialization
If they’ve been socialized well, a Frenchie is quite the social butterfly. Socialization is the process of introducing your puppy to new places, people, and pets, while showing them the differences between friends and foes. When you socialize your Frenchie early, they can learn how to make friends, interact with dogs, and win over family members. Plus, early socialization helps this breed become better acquainted with the world around them. With the right introductions, your Frenchie can make all kinds of new, interesting friends.
Mild Exercise
Because of their limited airways, Frenchies can have a difficult time breathing when they’re awake, asleep, or active—just about any time of day. And while all dogs need exercise to stay healthy, Frenchies are no different. But you need to be a little more strategic with their exercise. Stick to low-impact bursts of play. This can be short throws of fetch (a Frenchie’s fave) or short walks around the neighborhood. Remember, it doesn’t take much to get this dog winded. So, while it is essential to exercise this breed, do so sparingly and only at cool times of day.
Obedience Training
Although French Bulldogs gravitate toward structure training, they can also have a little rebellious streak. So, it’s important to start obedience training early. French Bulldog puppies are smart, outgoing, and adventurous; they love flaunting that smart, little brain of theirs. And because exercise should be kept to a minimum, obedience training can help keep your pup sharp and engaged throughout the day.
Routine Vet Visits
As with any dog, but especially Frenchies, it’s always best to have a chosen vet in your contact list, ready for any and all canine emergencies. Because Frenchies are prone to unique health conditions, it might be best to choose your veterinarian when your dog is young, as they can help you if problems arise.
Happy Paws: High-Quality Dog Supplements
Keeping your dog happy, healthy, and active shouldn’t feel like a full-time job. At Happy Paws, we’ve designed our dog treats with the best ingredients and flavors possible (our dogs definitely approve!). We’ve made sure these treats are certified organic, non-GMO, and third-party tested for purity, letting you spoil your dog easily with healthy, tasty dog treats.
FAQ
Is a French Bulldog a good house dog?
French Bulldogs can make excellent house dogs, with the proper training. It’s important to start obedience training early on, especially with small dogs. This early start will help your dog understand how to behave appropriately around children and elderly family members or friends.
Are French Bulldogs good left alone?
French Bulldogs were mainly bred as companion dogs. So, their basic instinct is to be consumed with you 24/7. They may be a little scared the first time you leave them home alone. But with the proper training, you can help settle this separation anxiety and let your pup enjoy their solo stay in the castle.
Do Frenchies shed a lot?
Yes, these dogs do shed, but way less than other dogs. Frenchies have short, wiry hair that sheds throughout the year. It isn’t a ton of hair, but it still shows up on the couch, rug, and sweaters.
How do you give a Frenchie health supplements?
You can give your dog a Happy Paws health supplement in several ways. First, we’ve designed these supplements as dog treats, so you can give them to your pupper as a reward for good behavior. Or, you can add it to your dog’s kibble; they make a pretty tasty topper, too.
