As a Frenchie expert, I’ve probably been asked every question imaginable about the French Bulldog. From first-time owners to “Frenchie Lifers” (families who get one frenchie and keep adding more to the family!); we’re going to go through what people commonly ask when they are thinking about getting their first French Bulldog.
Be sure to check out our Blog page. We have tons or articles on all sorts of frenchie topics. I’ll link it for you here: http://blog.frenchbulldog.com/
Do French Bulldogs Shed
The French Bulldog’s coat is shiny, smooth and short. These are all traits that would suggest that they don’t shed very much.
However, just like other breeds of dogs, French Bulldogs shed their hair quite regularly! Dogs regularly shed their hair to rid their coats of old, damaged or excess hair. They also shed hair to cool down for the summer months so you may notice a lot of excess fur falling from your Frenchie during the warmer seasons!
French Bulldogs have short hair which is very easy to groom. A simple bath with a gentle shampoo once to twice a month is all that is needed to maintain their beautiful coats. Another Frenchie bonus is that they have minimal body odor in comparison to larger dogs with heavier fur.
Even though the French Bulldog sheds minimally, they do shed more than usual when the seasons change. After the first few weeks of the season, the amount of shedding will go back to normal. If your French Bulldog is shedding profound amounts of hair, even to the point of bald spots, please have your vet evaluate for possible parasites (mites, fleas, ticks, lice) or skin infection (fungus or bacteria).
Pregnant and lactating females will also shed enormously, however their coat will return to normal within a month of weaning. Any other immune stressor or disease can also affect the coat including allergy and food intolerances.
My favorite brand Healthy Treatz have some amazing French Bulldog care products, especially The 5 in 1 Shampoo is designed especially for Frenchies! You can find it on amazon here:! https://healthytreatz.com
How much should a French Bulldog Cost?
Now, this is a tough question to answer! Since there are so many different variations of colors and quality of a French Bulldog it’s hard to put a single number out there.
I’m sure that if you have been searching for a Frenchie, you know by now that they do not come cheap. If you do find an unusually cheap Frenchie, you should be wary of possible health conditions due to improper breeding. We have no issue with mixed breeds – we just believe that breeders should be transparent about the dogs background!
We have love for all dogs, but being a frenchie owner comes with knowing you must take care of your fur baby whatever happens. A range that is familiar with me and from reputable breeders would be $3000 and up.
There are many other ways you can afford a french bulldog that don’t involve buying directly from the breeder such as adopting from a rescue. Just make sure to do your research on what costs might come with owning one, such as food or unexpected vet bills.
Check out https://www.rescuefrenchbulldogs.org. They are doing amazing things for the Frenchie community! Please donate to Frenchies in need if you can.
Can French Bulldogs Swim
The short answer is no- they aren’t natural swimmers . French Bulldogs are built like little tanks – they are extremely heavy and tend to sink right to the bottom immediately. Very few French Bulldogs can actually swim. However, if you are planning a vacation by the pool with your furbaby, you can order them a life jacket made specifically for Frenchies to be safe. Just remember, if you are near a body of water, always have your pup under supervision and never leave your dog unattended.
Can I travel with my French Bulldog?
In my experience, the best airline for traveling with your Frenchies within the USA is Southwest Airlines. Other airlines have a 20lb weight limit or don’t allow dogs onboard period. Frenchies cannot fly in cargo like other breeds due to their short noses and difficulty breathing.
***THIS IS SO IMPORTANT*** They must be accompanied by a human within the cabin. This means your French Bulldog must fit comfortably inside of a carrier under the seat in front of you. I recommend not feeding your puppy for 9-12 hours before flight just to be on the safe side. One last important piece of information is that you need to purchase a flight ticket for your pet at the same time as purchasing your own ($95 each way)to be exact with Southwest.
