French bulldogs, also called Frenchies, are a sensitive breed primarily bred for companionship. They are the kind of dogs that enjoy following their owners around and communicating with them. They love water but can’t swim and shed all year round.
These pets love human company and with their hearts by their playful, adaptable nature. They are energetic and will attempt any fun activity humans do. They are highly alert dogs and thrive on owners’ attention, and if given none, they demand it.
French bulldogs are chilled out and don’t bark much, which doesn’t mean they are inattentive, as they are very alert. They adapt to most environments, living with many family types and other pets. However, if Frenchies are poorly trained, abused, or not sufficiently socialized, they can be aggressive and violent.
An Overview of Different Behavioral Facts of French Bulldogs
The following table summarizes the behavioral habits of French bulldogs, which are later discussed in the article.
| Aspects of Habits | Description |
|---|---|
| Growing habits | 01. The puppies suckle for four weeks. 02. They become most active after five weeks. |
| Feeding habits | 01. Their primary food source is top-quality commercial foods. 02. Like other dogs, they eat fast and messily. |
| Mating and Breeding Habits | 01. French dogs mature by 12 months and they go in heat twice a year. 02. There are few chances for French bulldogs to naturally breed and often artificially bred. |
| Social Behavior | 03. French bulldogs are social and live with other pets if introduced early. |
Significance of Understanding the Diversified Behavior of French Bulldogs
French bulldogs have very diverse behaviors that are crucial for owners to understand. For one, this is for the owner to be able to tell whether a behavior is normal or the pet is developing a behavioral problem.
For an instant, while these pets thrive in the company of their owners, they can develop clingy behavior. Without understanding their normal loving behavior, you won’t be able to spot this problem and provide help. Other reasons include;
1. Understanding Each behavior
Understanding their diversified behavior should help you get the reasons behind the behavior. This information is crucial in instances like when you’re training or coaching them.
Just like other pets, frenchies are sometimes in low moods and seem lazy and inactive. When you notice the behavior without knowing the reason behind it, you may think your pet is lazy, unlike others.
2. Understanding Their Role in the Ecosystem
Another significance of understanding their diversified behavior is to understand their role in the ecosystem, which can help in conservation efforts. This information also helps people understand how various breeding processes may impact the pet’s health as it grows.
3. Help you Plan an Ideal Management Process for Them
With this information, you can also plan and develop an ideal wildlife management process. The process involves how the frenchies interact with other animals, their habitats, and humans to balance their needs.
4. Better Understanding of their Health
Also, French bulldogs are prone to various diseases, which owners must understand their growing habits to notice. They are prone to conditions like Degenerative Myelopathy, which causes weakness and poor nerve function in the rear legs.
To learn more about “French Bulldog“, read this article!
Growing Habits: Structural & Physical Adaptations
French bulldogs exhibit varying habits as they grow, beginning when they are pups to adults. However, most of these habits don’t change, especially the love to play and cuddle and their excitement when they see their favorite person.
Following are their behaviors at different ages.
1. French Bulldog Behaviors as Pups
French bulldogs are born with an average weight of about 0.5 lbs., which varies with the size of the litter. Frenchies born in a smaller litter weigh more and can be up to 1.0 lbs.
Like other newborn pets, they are completely helpless as they are deaf and blind and depend solely on their parents. At this age, they’ll sleep most of the time and suckle their mother.
By four weeks, the Frenchies begin crawling and show their playful nature. If the puppies are more than one, you will see them love-biting each other. Before the age of six weeks, they can spend the whole day running and playing and seem to have endless stamina and energy.
The puppies enjoy the attention they get from their owners, which can cause them to become overexcited. Over-excitement causes their blood pressure to rise due to the high heart rate. Since these pets don’t handle heat well, owners should control their excitement.
2. French Bulldog Behavior as Adults
The Frenchies’ ratio of their body is closest to that they’ll have as adults at six weeks. That is when their teeth are all grown and very sharp. Their training commences at this age, including potty training. If you were shopping for a puppy Frenchie, this is the right age to buy one.
French bulldogs are fully grown when they are between 12 and 15 months old, but their muscles may continue growing until they get to 2 years.
Their playful behavior continues throughout the period, and their bond with the owner intensifies. The pet will spend the day following you through the rooms and resting on your feet.
3. French Bulldog Adaptations
Like other pets, French bulldogs are prone to behavior changes as they adapt to their surroundings. If untrained or mistreated, they develop and become mean and rough instead of their usual lovely and cuddly personality.
French bulldogs don’t require much time in walks and workouts like spaniels and retrievers dogs do. However, they can exhibit destructive behavior if denied daily walks, which only take 30 minutes to one hour to satisfy them.
Other than behavioral adaptations, French bulldogs can also adapt physically and structurally. Their unique skull shape often contributes to their drooling behavior.
The pets are prone to drooling, a behavior caused by various factors, including hunger, tension, overheating, or just an after-effect of exercise.
4. Special (Evolutionary) Adaptations
Bulldogs have a good sense of hearing and are always alert to notify their owner of an intruder. However, due to their long history of breeding, about 10% of the dogs are prone to becoming deaf.
Some genetic defects cause the problems, but sometimes the deafness can grow as they age. Most modern pets are almost flat-faced with shorter than usual snouts.
These snouts usually lead to breathing problems and are among the things breeders check before breeding. A bulldog prone to breathing problems has difficulties traveling by flight, which makes moving around with them difficult.
Despite the small nasal passage, French bulldogs have an exceptional sense of smell and can detect changes in human hormone levels and mood swings. Their smelling ability is between 10,000 and 100,000 times more powerful than humans and can register scents that humans can’t.
French bulldogs develop various markings and some of the ones recognized by the American Kennel Club include;
5. Physical Characteristics of a Full-Grown Frenchie
Adult French bulldogs have erect bat-like ears, large and square heads, and heavy wrinkles over their snouts. Their bodies are compact and muscular, and they have short legs and tiny stubby tails.
They wear a smooth coat that can be white, brindle, fawn, and white, or tan. As adults, their lengths are between 10 and 12 inches. An average French bulldog’s weight is between 16 and 28 pounds. They have a life expectancy of up to 14 years, but there are records for one that lived to its 18th birthday.
There are micro French bulldogs which are smaller than the standard breeds. They weigh as low as 15 pounds and as short as 12 inches. Mini French dogs are slightly larger than micro ones, but still smaller than the standards, weighing just over 20 pounds.
Feeding Habits of French Bulldogs
French bulldogs have various feeding habits, including hunting and feeding.
1. Primary Food Source
Primarily French bulldogs are fed various types of quality commercial foods. They can eat muscle meat, like chicken, beef, and fish meat, bone, and plant ingredients, like carrots, celery, pumpkins, spinach, and Brussels.
These pets require proteins and food that are sources of omega fatty acids. Their foods should have at least 18% proteins and 5% fat, then other nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Hunting Habits of French Bulldogs
In their early days as men’s companions, French bulldogs’ jobs included killing rats. They were important to British guest textile workers, who often used them as butcher dogs to hunt vermin.
However, as time passed, breeding them with other dogs diluted their instincts, leaving modern Frenchies not as many hunters as their ancestors.
These pets use their great sense of smell to locate and catch the rats. They stick their large nostrils to the ground to find and pick a scent. They also use their alertness to listen over for any rat movements.
Recently, a dog sporting event called barn hunt was launched in America, with the first official competition taking place in 2013. The competition involves French bulldogs finding rats hidden in haystacks using their sense of smell. However, these dogs are not as good hunters compared to other hunting breeds.
3. Feeding Habits of French Bulldogs
French bulldogs are the type of dog that may seem to never get satisfied and can end up overeating. However, an average-sized dog should get between one and three cups of food.
The difference is often in age, with younger and older Frenchies feeding less than an average one in its prime. They eat high-quality commercial dog food.
Like most dogs, French bulldogs eat fast, an instinct from their wild days where they must feed fast before a larger predator steals their food. They are also messy when feeding and often spill their food out of their bowl.
4. French Bulldog Habits for Feeding the Young
Like most mammals, French bulldogs breastfeed their young until they are at least four weeks old. Female French bulldogs have at least eight nipples, and with a typical litter size of up to four puppies, each puppy gets enough.
However, where competition is high, and if the mother does not have enough milk, the owners should provide special formula to puppies. The formula should be purchased from a reputable pet store and then added to a feeding bottle where the young suckle.
Breeding (Mating) Habits & Migration
French bulldogs originated in the 19th century when English bulldogs were crossbred with terriers. The breeding was artificial, which is also the method used in most modern French bulldog breeding.
This type of breeding is usually necessary as it allows users to determine the characteristics and genetics they want in the offspring.
The gene that determines the size of bulldogs comes from the parent’s genes. Each French bulldog has six alleles, or parts in the genes, and passes three to their offspring. The total of six from both parents determines the pup’s size, depending on whether most alleles are positive or negative.
1. French Bulldogs Mating Habits
French bulldogs can mate and breed naturally, like most dog species, and the two are naturally fertile. However, the success rate is usually very low due to their past breedings, which has affected their physical capabilities.
French bulldogs have short hind legs and narrow hips, which makes it difficult for male Frenchie to mount the female. They also have a compact body which also contributes to these mating problems.
The Frenchies are also prone to problems during natural birth. Their narrow birth canal, caused by their body characteristics, makes it difficult for puppies to pass through. These birth problems usually lead to the mortality of the puppies.
Aside from these, their other mating habits include the following:
Mating season: French bulldogs mature when they get over one year old but some can mature late by three months. These pets go on heat twice a year, roughly 6 months apart from the last heat cycle. Frenchies remain in the heat for several weeks.
Mating Habits: During the mating season the female will be more aggressive or interested with the male dog. The males pee often and may also show signs of aggressiveness to other males. Their courtship habits are more like those of other dogs, and include sniffing and playing around with the partner.
Gestation Period: The gestation period of a French bulldog is approximately 63 days. However, some can deliver as early as 58 days or late, like after 71 days.
2. Cluster Size
Frenchies can have up to 4 puppies, with their common range being between 2 and 4. Some can have more but it’s rare, but one Frenchie in Kentucky gave birth to 13 puppies.
However, as mentioned earlier, there is evidence of French bulldog couples who have successfully bred naturally. But most times, artificial insemination is often the commonly used process by most breeders. They also use a cesarean section, or cesarean delivery, for the female to deliver the puppies.
The artificial insemination and cesarean delivery processes are usually expensive, which makes this breed expensive. Given that the puppies can also carry issues that their parents have, breeders test the pets to detect genetic defects before breeding.
The breeding process involves;
- The breeders select a healthy couple on the mating season
- They correct semen from the studs
- Using a dropper, the semen is put into the female while she’s on her back
- By two months the female will be ready for delivery and it’s checked through an ultrasound
- On delivery puppies usually be conceived between 10-30 minutes from each other
- If the female can’t naturally birth after an hour but still in labor, the delivery is done through emergency C-section
French bulldogs lack maternal instincts around their puppies and can easily smother them. The Frenchies may sit on the puppies forcing them to the walls and suffocating them. Keep an eye on the pet after delivery.
Ecological Adaptation
French bulldogs have adapted significantly, which has allowed them to live in most surroundings. While at first, they were mostly compatible with farm life, they are also suitable for city life too.
Frenchies have become more trainable, especially on using potty, an adaptation that has improved their living in urban centers. These pets are also not round as they used to be back then, making them ideal for apartment buildings.
The role of the Frenchies in the ecosystem includes:
- At the time French bulldogs were bred, their role in the ecosystem was the same as that of other dogs. They were meant to chase away rats from the farms, which led to their popularity in the 1800s.
- In modern days, their role is more to provide company to the owner. They make great companion pets, and their roles have changed as they continue to be bred and kept as pets.
Aggression & Territorial Behavior
French bulldogs can be aggressive and territorial, a habit they develop as they grow. Aggression is one of their habits, often towards other pets, people, and sometimes even their owners.
The problem is often a result of issues like fear, insecurities, and mistreatment by their owner. They can also be aggressive due to boredom, and as active pets, lack of activity can cause a swing of emotions.
Frenchies can also be territorial, especially against unknown pets or people. This behavior can often be interpreted as jealousy, as the breed can be jealous of other pets and members in the home. A male Frenchie may be more aggressive towards other male pets than towards a female.
Often this happens when the pet is well-bonded with certain people and pets, and a new member is added to the group. However, this behavior is not that much compared to other breeds used as watchdogs.
Predatory Habits of French Bulldogs
As mentioned before, French bulldogs are bred from English bulldogs and terriers. Terriers’ sole purpose when they were bred was to hunt vermin rodents, an instinct that the Frenchies carried on.
However, these instincts faded as the breeding continued, and their roles changed.
French Bulldogs Prey Dynamics: French bulldogs have a fairly high prey drive if they are not well-trained. They can chase after small furry pets, like rodents, smaller cats and kittens, and sometimes even vehicles. This is usually due to their instincts from their ancestors, who were rat hunters.
However, this behavior varies with pets, and individuals showing these behaviors must be kept on a leash or behind a fence. They should also avoid getting pampered too much, which can cultivate this stubborn nature.
Social Behavior Facts of French Bulldogs:
French bulldogs are social to humans and other pets. They love interacting with their owners and engaging in fun activities with them. They are the kind of pet you can spend the whole day playing with.
Their social behavior makes them compatible with most ages of people, from young to old. The pets are patient and gentle around kids. Their small sizes make them less likely to harm the smaller kids.
The pets are also ideal for senior citizens as they can spend time resting by their feet and accompanying them wherever they go.
However, to keep competitiveness less among the pets, you should introduce other pets at an early age. The early introduction also helps deal with jealousy problems which can be so bad that the pet even refuses to eat. You can mix Frenchies with other breeds of dogs and can keep both genders together.
Here are some general social behavior facts.
General Habits
Facts that Influence Different Behavioral Traits
As you can tell from the article, French bulldogs have diverse behaviors. Their behavioral traits are influenced by various facts, most of which are human-induced. However, some of the negative behaviors are correctable, and positive ones are conserved. The following are the various facts that can affect their behaviors
Genetic: Frenchies can carry behavioral traits shown by their parents, transferred to them through genetics. However, most times genetic factors work with environmental factors to determine their personality. If the pet is brought up in an environment with aggressive people or pets, they will turn out aggressive too.
Health: The pet’s health can also determine its behavioral traits. While these pets are prone to various health problems, a sick pet may have changes in its mood and often appear unhappy. Frenchies with poor health are often known to show lots of emotion and appear to be low in energy.
Diet: Diet is important to frenchies as it is to humans and often affects behavioral traits. A pet fed on a poor diet is often observed to show varying behaviors and emotions and is more likely to get aggressive.
Age: Age can also affect a French bulldog’s behavior. Like humans, frenchies in their last years will be less active and enjoy sitting around their owners as opposed to younger ones. The youngsters are often active and playful.
Human-induced Facts that Change French Bulldogs Behavior
Some of the human-induced facts that can change French bulldogs’ behavior traits include.
1. Training
Training is crucial for any pet, including the frenchies. It allows the human to coach the pet to their liking, encouraging a behavior trait they want their pet to have through positive reinforcement.
Training also allows the owners to discourage a negative behavior the pet might be developing through negative reinforcement. The pet can develop destructive behaviors like chewing and biting, which training solves.
2. Bonding
Bonding also affects the behavior traits of French bulldogs. As mentioned, frenchies are social creatures and thrive under owners’ attention. If none is provided they may go out of their way to demand it, which can allow a negative behavior to grow.
A well-bonded dog gets the attention it craves and has a positive behavior trait. Most times, well-bonded pets are less likely to show aggression not only to other humans, but also to other pets. Bonding makes training and communication easier as the pet understands your commands better.
3. Treatment by the Owner
Some studies suggest that a dog’s behavior mostly resembles that of its human owners, including their emotions. If a dog is treated poorly, its behavioral traits are also poor, and generally associate poorly with other pets.
Due to their social nature, frenchies are more likely to be affected by the treatment they get from their owner. Most well-treated pets should get excited when their owners arrive home and spend much time with them.
Correcting French Bulldogs Behaviors: Following are the various ways owners can correct French bulldogs’ behaviors.
- Spending much time with the Frenchie is one way of conserving their behavior.
- Training through positive reinforcement using lots of treats and praises.
- Provide enough exercise to the pet, which helps fight boredom and all the behavioral problems that come with it.
- Sometimes diet can also affect the pet’s behavior, and you should try to improve and balance it.
- Ensure the pet gets enough rest in between training and exercises.
Conservation of Their Behavior
While frenchies are widespread and among the popular pets, careless breeding has increased the risk of their extinction. Breeders without proper knowledge of the pets’ genetic history and behaviors risk breeding unhealthy puppies.
Large-scale breeding of French bulldogs has also increased the number of genetically unhealthy pets. Most of these breeding facilities are more on the profit of selling the puppies than their health.
The various steps one can take to conserve these pet’s behaviors include;
1. Controlled and Researched Breeding
Breeding unrelated French bulldogs and deeply studying their genetics is one way of conserving them. This type of breeding also diversifies their behaviors, discouraging genetic behavior traits.
2. Discouraging Puppy Mills
Buying frenchies for trusted breeders or adopting some from an animal shelter is one way of discouraging puppy mills. By discouraging puppy mills you allow the breeding of healthy pets which as mentioned above affects their behaviors.
3. Study on Healthy Breeding Process
There are already several projects to help preserve the pet’s genetics and reduce the breeding process. These projects assess the current genetic status of French bulldogs, to help plan a sustainable breeding strategy. As a breeder, you can join these projects for better building.
Final Attraction
The article covered the various behavioral facts of French bulldogs that owners must know. Understanding these behaviors is crucial for owners as they help them spot behavioral problems and provide solutions and their conservation.
Like with other pets, French bulldogs’ behavior allows them to associate with their owners. Their positive behavioral traits can be retained and conserved through various ways, including rewards.
While the article has covered much information on the Frenchies’ behavioral facts, there is always more you can read. Read other articles and official research papers for more necessary information.
Reference Links
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/average-litter-size/
- https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/french-bulldog
- https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/french-bulldog
- https://post.bark.co/breeds/10-french-bulldog-fun-facts/