Review author: “ZooVita”
Dogs that look so cute that they leave no one indifferent. The description of the French bulldog also states that pets have the peculiarity of snoring, and not only during sleep. These are very good-natured and intelligent dogs; keeping them in the house is a pleasure. The breed belongs to a number of decorative breeds, and therefore requires care and attention. More details about everything in this article.
Description and features
The dog's appearance is so expressive that it is easy to recognize the breed the first time. Bulldog of medium size, compact build. Weight 8-14 kg, height 24-35 cm. A wide chest and strong body indicate a fighting past in a lap dog.
The French Bulldog's paws are small, round, and the toes are well separated. The neck is short, with two folds at the throat. Due to its compactness, the animal can live even in a small apartment.
The short muzzle on the large head has an offended expression due to the sharp transition from the forehead to the nose, sad eyes separated by a deep furrow. Unlike its English relatives, it is short, without transition to the forehead. The eyes are beautifully shaped, slightly protruding, widely spaced, and set low. The whites of the eyes are not visible if the dog is looking forward.
The French Bulldog's ears are erect and rounded at the top. The cute appearance of a decorative dog sinks into the soul. A small-format animal with solid bones and a muscular appearance. The tail is naturally short, with a characteristic bend, so it is not required to be docked.
The lively animal looks sleek and shiny. The coat is short, without undercoat. The hair is hard and dense. The colors of the French bulldog are varied: fawn, spotted (white-fawn), brindle, black and white. Face masks are allowed.
The spotting usually covers the chest, belly, and sometimes the sides. Other colors are not recognized by official canine federations and are classified as breed defects. Owners of blue-gray, chocolate, marbled, and Isabella bulldogs should be aware of this.
The cream color is popular in America, but is also not recognized as a breed standard. The pedigree of such dogs is issued with a note about breeding marriage, which imposes a ban on participation in exhibitions and breeding. In America, this tradition is being violated, thereby contributing to the disappearance of purebred French bulldogs.
The blue French bulldog has gained particular love among famous people . Once upon a time, royalty, princes, and later world celebrities Yves Saint Laurent and Elton John kept puppies of this exact breed and color. Decorative pets have become the pets of many dog lovers.
The main advantages of the breed are the compactness of the dogs, the natural intelligence of the animals, and their lively character. Ability to adapt to any conditions. With proper upbringing, the dog becomes a loyal friend and protector of the owner and his family.
Those who want to get a French bulldog need to know about the breed’s characteristics of periodic salivation, snoring, and emitting gas during sleep. These factors are associated with the anatomical structure and problems in the digestive system of animals. In families with small children, this factor may be undesirable.
History of the origin of the breed
It is believed that this breed traces its roots to English and Spanish bulldogs (Alans). At the same time, the debate about its appearance still does not subside. The British prove that it was they who bred the breed, while French breeders assure that the breed was formed in France. There is no exact information in history about how the breed appeared. It is only known that bulldogs were brought to France by English workers during the Industrial Revolution.
There are many interesting facts known in the history of this breed. Initially, bulldogs acted as fighters. In England, a kind of show was popular where dogs were set against bulls. They drove cattle to death for the entertainment of spectators. In the 30s of the 18th century, such entertainment was banned, and bulldogs moved from the ranks of fierce fighters to the ranks of man’s friends.
Shopkeepers and industrialists often owned dogs because they were good at catching rats. However, the bulldog gradually conquered the higher strata of society. The breed began to be considered elite.
In Russia, this breed began to be bred in the 20th century. Bulldogs first appeared in 1913 at an exhibition in St. Petersburg and from that time gradually became fashionable. Many famous personalities of those times kept French bulldogs.
Character
The calm dog gets along well in a family with all members of the household. A stable psyche allows you to get along with children and be patient if the owner is busy. But the sociable nature of dogs requires a lot of attention to the pet.
Games, entertainment, and walks together reveal the courage and intelligence of the French bulldog. A dog with a serious look turns out to be the most cheerful companion, not allowing anyone to get bored.
Fearless defenders do not know panic or fear. They have excellent reactions and are wary of unfamiliar people. Dogs rarely bark; this requires a special reason. In case of danger they will always give a voice.
Attachment to the owner is manifested in obedience and the ability to feel the mood. Owners value pets for their talent to recognize a person’s sad state, their ability to dispel their melancholy with their attention and positive attitude.
The French Bulldog is a proud dog that requires respect. Does not tolerate spanking, bullying, or any aggression. Violence towards a pet causes a response. The dog can bite the enemy and harbor a grudge.
If the punishment was undeserved or cruel, the dog will take revenge when the opportunity arises. It should be noted that the pet will willingly accept the desire to reconcile if it feels sincerity and friendliness. Communication on equal terms is a guarantee of true friendship and devotion of the French Bulldog.
The attitude towards other animals in the house is contradictory. If the pets grew up together, then the bulldog will not harass another puppy or cat. But he will perceive the appearance of a new inhabitant jealously, will stubbornly fight for increased attention, and show aggression towards the newcomer. Meeting other dogs on walks does not arouse the bulldog's reciprocal sympathy; only proper education will help restrain his fighting impulses.
The dog's disadvantages include stubbornness and laziness. The extent to which French bulldog puppies will develop these qualities depends on the owner. If the pet owner does not devote enough time to training and does not show persistence in training, then the dog will not show the best natural inclinations.
Molossians
The Molosser section includes large dogs of a massive build with developed muscles and powerful jaws. It includes ancient herding and mastiff dogs. The former initially performed the duties of guards, defenders, and cattle drivers. The latter took part in bloody spectacles - baiting wild animals. In France, 2 Molosser breeds were developed.
Pyrenean mountain dog
Another name for the Pyrenean mountain range is the Great Pyrenees.
Powerful, but elegant, harmoniously built dogs. The height at the withers is from 65 cm in females to 80 cm in males. The color is solid white or with pale red-gray and yellow markings.
Pyrenean Mountain Dogs worked in tandem with Pyrenean Shepherd Dogs, serving as protectors of the herd from predators. Now the Great Pyrenees have become family pets - good-natured, patient and intelligent.
Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is an ancient fighting dog from southwestern France.
This is a large smooth-haired dog with a height of 58 - 68 cm. Average weight is 60 - 65 kg. The coat is thin, smooth, without undercoat. The only color is red-brown.
The stern appearance of the Great Dane is deceptive. For family members, this is a loyal, calm, good-natured friend and companion. According to the standard, Dogues de Bordeaux are adapted for protection, which they carry vigilantly, bravely, but without aggression. Good companions, attached to the owner. Affectionate, calm, balanced, with a high threshold of irritability. Males often have a dominant character.
Kinds
The main task of breeders is to breed genetically healthy individuals for subsequent reproduction. Attempts by dog handlers to create a related breed with a new color result in the birth of dogs with developmental defects. The French Bulldog breed is represented exclusively by brindle and fawn colors, recognized by the FCI.
Solid and spotted color options are allowed. The brindle color is considered more traditional; fawn was recognized in 1995. Shades of coat color in a wide range: from light to dark brown. The fawn base is combined with a black mask on the dog's face.
There is a variant of the black and brindle color allowed by the standard. The French bulldog is black only at first glance from a distance. In fact, fawn hairs are visible or visible spots appear in the sun.
Decorative bulldogs are initially small in size and come in two types: standard and mini. The first variety is the result of selection work, purebred individuals for exhibitions and procreation. The second is dwarf creatures for indoor pastime.
The mini French bulldog loves to sleep on a pillow; he is naturally lazy. A dog needs physical activity to stay fit and improve health. The pet will need to be involved in games so that the dog does not suffer from obesity.
Fans of dwarf varieties should be careful when buying a dog, since sick, underfed individuals are often sold under the guise of mini dogs. The mini bulldog is the result of selection based on the dwarfism gene, although the breed standard does not allow such deviations.
Interesting Facts
Bulldogs are known to people all over the world, but are not among the popular family dogs as they are considered vicious and dangerous. But history says otherwise.
- There is a legend: French bulldogs were bred specifically to catch rats on ships and in ports. A pack of dogs was launched into a hold or storage room, where the animals exterminated hordes of rodents, showing unprecedented courage, intelligence and speed of reaction.
- “English” is not just the country of origin, but also the character of the dogs: they are characterized by gentleness, mannerisms, equanimity and calmness, inherent in real gentlemen.
- Bulldogs are often used as mascots for sports teams. Dogs cannot be called outstanding athletes, but their inherent tenacity and desire to win are highly valued by professional football players.
- Representatives of the breed are frequent heroes of cartoons, comics, films and books, which once again emphasizes their popularity.
- For decades, cynologists have been trying to recreate the ancestor of modern varieties - the Old English Bulldog.
- The British are confident that this is the only animal that has a sense of humor.
Care and maintenance
The small size of the dog does not create problems for keeping a pet in an apartment. A corner with a small bed, a little space for games - everything a Frenchie needs for a comfortable stay. The place for the dog should not be near heating sources or in a draft. Keeping in enclosures is prohibited.
Short hair does not create maintenance problems. Puppies should be taught to brush themselves as early as possible. No special equipment is required - just a comb is enough. The wool does not have a specific odor and rarely gets dirty, so bathing your pet 2-3 times a year will be enough.
Dog fur is a kind of health indicator. Shiny fur indicates good health. It is recommended to completely avoid swimming in reservoirs in summer due to the anatomical features of the structure - the bulldog is a poor swimmer. The risk of a wet dog catching a cold in nature is also high.
The French Bulldog does not need intense physical activity; short walks a couple of times a day allow it to stay in good shape. You can involve your pet in active games only if he wishes. You should not force puppies to climb high steps or jump over bars, so as not to overload the spine.
The pet is vulnerable to cold winds, frosts, high humidity, and sunlight due to its light coat. Warm overalls in winter, light ones - needed in summer to protect a lap dog.
Any aggression towards street animals should be stopped and restraint should be cultivated. Well-trained dogs walk without a leash and never leave their owner on their own impulse.
The folds on the muzzle and the tail adjacent to the body require special care - daily inspection, wet cleaning to prevent inflammation. Eyes and ears undergo the same care. If purulent discharge is suspected, a veterinarian examination is required.
Keeping your dog clean is the main condition for maintaining his health. Washing paws after a walk, massaging with a brush, combing out dead hairs, trimming nails if necessary will simultaneously bring the joy of communicating with the family pet.
Photo of a French bulldog
Source.
Look - Great Dane - description and characteristics of the world's tallest dog breed. Peculiarities of care and education of the Great Dane (155 photos)
Nutrition
The diet of the French bulldog differs little from the diet of other decorative dogs. It is important to decide right away what type of feeding will be the main one - dry food or natural food. The first option is more rational, since premium food is initially balanced and does not cause allergies in dogs. Constant access to clean water is required for any diet.
The bowl should be placed at chest level. As the puppy grows, the height should be adjusted. Monitoring your pet's weight will tell you whether to increase or decrease portions. Small bulldogs are prone to overeating.
It is known that pets are eternal beggars. You should not give in to a pitying look for the sake of your pet’s health; never feed it from the table. Compliance with the feeding regime develops discipline in the animal. Puppies up to 2 months are supposed to eat 4-6 times a day, then as they grow older - 3 times, from 10 months of age - in the morning and in the evening.
Natural feeding includes only good quality products - the pet’s digestion is sensitive to any negative factor. Half of the diet is lean meat - boiled beef, rabbit, lamb. The second half - vegetables, fruits, with the exception of citrus fruits, grapes. Rice and buckwheat porridge and eggs are healthy. You should add fermented milk products and herbs. You should not give sweets, salty, spicy foods.
By-products are allowed only in boiled form. The fish must be sea fish, without bones. The appearance of a rash, peeling skin, and hair loss signal that you need to change foods in your diet. Teeth cleaning is indicated with special treats with a cleansing effect.
Vendeen Basset Griffon
- Height: from 34 to 38 cm
- Weight: from 11.5 to 19 kg
- Life expectancy: 10 to 14 years
- Average cost: from 1200 to 1600 dollars
With the charming French name Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, distinctive long eyebrows and sweet appearance, the Basset Griffon Vendéen is renowned as one of the most delightful canine companions.
Ask any owner and they will tell you that the Vendean Basset Griffon will quickly win your heart with his antics. Smart, sweet and extremely friendly, this French dog breed is part of the hound group. She was prized for her amazing hunting skills. And once you welcome the Vendean Basset Griffon into your family, its endless supply of energy will let you know that this dog is more than just an affectionate pet.
The little Basset is always looking for opportunities to explore his surroundings, play and generally keep everyone around him on his toes. As long as you entertain your pet with various exercises and games, he will return a lot of love and affection to you.
Reproduction and lifespan
Breeding French bulldogs is a difficult task due to the low productivity of natural mating and complex births of females. The gestation period for puppies is 63 days.
Bulldogs undergo caesarean sections due to the puppies' very large heads. Without the help of a veterinarian, she may die. You should take care of a preliminary ultrasound to know how many newborns to expect. There were cases of difficult births when puppies remained in the uterus and died.
It is advisable for owners of French bulldogs to decide in advance whether they will deal with the issue of their pet’s offspring. Please note that during puberty, puppies become more irritable. Sterilization of animals restores peace and balance. The life expectancy of dogs is 10-12 years, if you take care of your pet's health and provide proper care.
How to care for an animal's fur?
To do this, just use a damp towel, which will remove traces of dirt. It is not recommended to bathe your dog regularly.
The pet prefers regular brushing with a soft massage brush. It will allow you to quickly remove old undercoat and normalize blood circulation in the back, head and tail.
Price
Buying a French Bulldog pet is possible on the Internet, in special nurseries, and from private breeders. The fashion for this breed is not going away, since the dog is ideal as a companion for a lonely person and is appropriate in the family circle.
A pet without a noble pedigree, with minor deviations, can be purchased for 20,000-30,000 rubles. As a rule, such puppies belonging to the pet class are sterilized in a timely manner. A French bulldog kennel will sell a puppy with a guarantee of healthy condition for 35,000-45,000 rubles. For procreation, they buy babies of breeding class.
The cost of the future champion, with documents confirming compliance with the standard, pedigree, is the highest - 30,000 - 80,000 rubles. a show-class French bulldog
Before purchasing, it is recommended to visit the nursery and meet the breeder. The French bulldog in the photo for sale may be attractive for purchase, but live communication with the animal will show how much you like each other. Advertisements for the sale of purebred puppies for 3,000 rubles, as a rule, come from scammers.
Louchen
- Height: from 25 to 33 cm
- Weight: from 4 to 8 kg
- Life expectancy: 12 to 14 years
- Average cost: from $4,000
This little pet has the spirit of a lion and is one of nature's finest creations. In fact, the French name for the breed, “Löwchen,” means just that: “little lion dog.” With a mane like a lion's and a bark that this diminutive dog struggles to turn into a roar, the Louchen is one of a kind among French dogs. Add to this the breed's long history of being found exclusively in the homes of the French nobility, and we may have just found a canine version of The Lion King. What could be even better? It turns out that Lowchen has a playful personality and a sweet disposition, so he fits well into any family.
Training
The natural intelligence of animals, ingenuity, and attentiveness give every chance to raise an obedient dog. It is better to engage in training during games and direct communication. Smart dogs can remember up to 40 commands.
The activity of puppies is very high - they are constantly gnawing and dragging something. Mobility needs to be directed towards completing assignments and assignments. Teaching discipline and obedience requires patience. Aggression and shouting are not allowed - the animal gets offended and takes revenge.
Even children who also need to develop persistence in achieving a goal and be patient can work with a pet. The mental abilities of bulldogs are manifested in socialization - the ability to sense the owner’s mood and behave correctly among strangers and animals.
Campeiro
There is a very small group of bulldogs native to Brazil that is not recognized by the FCI . The first mention of the breed dates back to the 16th century; presumably the ancestors of the dogs were Old English dogs of this species, brought by settlers from Great Britain.
They were used as shepherds, capable of standing up to large ungulates alone. They make excellent guards and companions.
According to another version, Campeiro is the result of crossing Portuguese and Spanish mastiffs with the Old English Bulldog, which was brought to Brazil in the 19th century. With a change in the breeding and grazing scheme, the breed went into decline; only through the efforts of one of the breeders, R. Shane, who collected the remaining dogs of this type on farms, the dogs did not disappear completely.
This is a powerful dog with a heavy build . The height at the withers of males should be 50-56 cm , weight - 36-42 kg , height of females - 48-54 cm , weight - 31-37 kg . The body of the dogs is almost square, with massive bones, pronounced muscle mass and a deep sternum.
The head is large, with prominent cheeks. The skull is massive, rounded, the muzzle is short. It takes up no more than a third of the size of the head. The jaws are wide, square, capable of holding a bull in place, with a pronounced undershot. The ears and tail are not docked; the latter has a slightly curved shape.
The skin forms moderately noticeable folds, the lips are thick, hanging below the jaw line. The coat is short, any color except marble. Dogs have an independent character, they are moderately active, stubborn, courageous and vigilant.
They are devoted to their owner and treat children and animals well. It is difficult to buy a puppy, the price starts from 170,000 rubles, and you will have to travel abroad to purchase one.
Possible diseases and methods of treating them
The health of French bulldogs cannot be called strong, although with good care many problems can be avoided. The special anatomical structure of the nose, eyes, and body is associated with typical diseases of dogs:
- food allergies;
- dermatitis;
- obesity;
- stones in the kidneys;
- myositis;
- hip dysplasia.
When the French Bulldog breed's paws fail, it is necessary to immediately contact a veterinarian. Missed time for treatment threatens the dog with a complete loss of the ability to walk. Vaccinations and preventive examinations will prevent the development of serious diseases. Despite certain difficulties in caring for pets, owners never regret the time and effort spent communicating with their wonderful four-legged friend.
Mating
In the French, adulthood occurs earlier than the body's readiness to reproduce. For females it is 6-8 months , for males it is 1-1.5 years . At this time, they have a strong need to mate. However, it is better not to allow it during this period. Since females are ready for bearing fruit only at 1.5-2 years, and males for insemination at 2 years.
Girls go into heat every six months, and the discharge appears, first colorless, then with blood, and then colorless again. The genitals swell, indicating the beginning of this process. The main thing is to notice the onset in time, which will help determine the exact time of ovulation.
In bulldogs, ovulation occurs at the end of the second week after the start of estrus. The veterinarian will help determine this period more precisely, as displacements are possible. If the female does not appear in heat after maturation, then you should contact a veterinarian.
Read a detailed article on the topic: “Everything you need to know about breeding dogs: appropriate age, what to do if it doesn’t work out, rules and tips.”
Nurseries in Russia
Dogue de Bordeaux is a fairly popular breed, so there are many nurseries specializing in their breeding.:
- Star Shaine, Yekaterinburg;
- Winner Show, Moscow;
- "Madrid Courtyard", Moscow;
- Valents House, Moscow;
- Maximovs, Moscow region;
- Empire Of Demons, Moscow;
- “Giant Pets”, St. Petersburg;
- Dorsdorf, Moscow.
Purchasing a puppy from a kennel guarantees that it is a purebred and healthy representative of the breed.
