How to Care for a French Bulldog Puppy

Unlike other dog breeds, French Bulldogs do not require a lot of exercise. A short walk every day will get the job done. They are perfect candidates for heat exhaustion. Since heat exhaustion is a problem, these dogs should exercise and have outside play time when the weather is cool.

These dogs are easy to train and eager to please. They are intelligent animals who are free thinkers which can make them stubborn at times. There are thousands of training techniques, so if the dog doesn’t respond to one method, don’t be discouraged. Feel free to move on to another technique. This breed of dog enjoys being rewarded, so treats and prizes during training are ideal for success.

Crate training is something many pet owners choose to skip, but if you are planning on becoming a proud owner of a French Bulldog, especially a puppy, crate training is a must. Whether you decide to let them roam free throughout the home or set boundaries, the pup needs to be crate trained. These little guys like to get into things, and chew and destroy things. Crate training the pooch will help you avoid paying for expensive repairs and replacements.

Feeding Your French Bulldog Puppy

These little guys are not a big breed of dog, so they don’t require a lot of food. These pups require 1 to 1 1/2 cups of dry food each day. This amount of food needs to be separated into two meals. You may need to adjust the serving size based upon the dog’s age, build, activity level, and metabolism.

Grooming Your Bulldog Puppy

The coat of a French Bulldog is short, shiny, thin, and soft. They are available in many different colors, including cream, fawn, and brindle. In order to keep this dog’s coat healthy, they need to be brushed once or twice every week. They shed as much as any dog with short fur. You can make grooming an easy task by starting to groom them at a young age.

When you are grooming your French pup, take your time and look for scabs, cuts, bruises, lesions, flaking skin, and bare spots. These are all signs of an infection caused by bacteria. The ears need to be cleaned on a regular basis with a damp, warm cloth. Cotton swabs should never be used to clean the inside of the dog’s ears. The nails of this dog need to be trimmed short and maintained on a regular basis which helps keep them from tearing and splitting. The wrinkles in the dog’s skin should remain clean and dry to prevent infection. When bathing this pooch, thoroughly, but gently dry the skin between each fold. A high-quality shampoo should be used so the dog’s coat keeps its natural oils.

Overall Health Concerns for a French Bulldog Puppy

Before considering any breed of puppy, especially French Bulldogs, you need to consider these health conditions. Your dog may or may not develop any of these conditions, but you need to be aware of them.

Hip Dysplasia – this is a condition where the femur does not fit as it should within the pelvic socket of the hip. A dog suffering from this condition will act like they are experiencing pain in one or both legs.

Allergies – many dogs suffer from allergies and some are more severe than others. The three types of allergies include food-based, contact, and inhalant. Food allergies are corrected by changing your pet’s food. Contact allergies are corrected by removing what’s causing the allergies, such as shampoo, bedding, or flea powder. Inhalant allergies are corrected by mediation.

Von Willerbrand’s Disease – this is a condition that can negatively affect dogs and humans. With this disorder, the clotting process of the blood is affected due to a low amount of the Von Willerbrand factor within the blood. Symptoms of this disease include bleeding gums and long periods of bleeding after surgery.

Getting a French Bulldog puppy to add to your family is an exciting time. To ensure you are ready to handle the responsibility of being a pet owner, review these facts and make sure you can make the proper accommodations.

Author: Mary Nielsen
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