French Bulldogs, otherwise known as Frenchies, are known for their muscular build, rabbit-like ears and wrinkled faces. These small canines are friendly creatures who get along well with both people and other dogs.
If you’re planning to welcome a Frenchie into your family, here are some things you may want to know about this breed including their key traits, potential health issues and grooming and dietary needs.
*Disclaimer: The content in this article is only for general knowledge and should not be used in place of professional advice from vets. For an accurate diagnosis of your dog’s condition, you’re recommended to consult a vet.
Key Physical Traits
| Weight | 7.3 - 12.7kg |
| Height | 28 - 33cm |
| Life expectancy | 10 - 12 years |
| Fur coat | Single-coated; short and smooth coat |
| Common coat colours |
Common Personality Traits
Friendly and easy-going
French Bulldogs are friendly and easy-going canines that can become wonderful companions to both adults and children, given proper training and socialisation. They can even get along well with other dogs! judi bola
Playful
Despite being small in size, Frenchies are filled with energy and are known to have big, fun-loving personalities. They have a playful streak and can be great playmates for children with careful supervision and proper training.
Stubborn
As French Bulldogs can be stubborn, some pawrents may find it difficult to train them. However, with the right motivations and encouragement, they can become cooperative.
How to Care for a French Bulldog in Singapore
Residing in a HDB Flat
French Bulldogs can be difficult to train. Hence, these furry friends aren’t allowed in HDB flats.
If you’re looking for a dog that’s HDB approved, check out this list of approved dog breeds.
Grooming a French Bulldog
Due to their short coat, this breed sheds minimally. However, like pugs, Frenchies require more care when it comes to their facial folds as they can trap dirt, food debris and saliva.
| Grooming activity | Frequency | Reason (if any) |
|---|---|---|
| Face cleaning | Daily | Food debris, saliva and dirt caught between your dog’s facial folds can cause skin infections. Thus, cleaning his face daily is essential. |
| Teeth brushing | Daily | |
| Brushing | Weekly | |
| Ear cleaning | Weekly | |
| Nail clipping | At least once a month | |
| Bathing | Monthly |
Grooming your dog for the first time can be challenging. Check out our guide for some grooming tips that can make the process easier and more comfortable for both you and your pet!
Exercise Needs of a French Bulldog
Recommended duration: Up to 1 hour per day
French Bulldogs are brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs. As such, they face difficulties with breathing and regulating their body temperatures. Their short snout also causes them to sneeze more.
Dr. Linda Simon (MVB, MRCVS) advises pawrents to keep a lookout for signs of heatstroke or respiratory distress such as excessive panting, heavy breathing, glazed eyes and wobbly steps.
She also recommends bringing them outdoors when the ground is cool and sticking to shaded areas. On days that are too hot, she advises keeping them indoors with the air conditioning turned on.
Instead of strenuous activities, Dr. Maureen K. Murithi (DVM) suggests taking your Frenchie on short walks (up to 1 hour daily) to prevent him from overexerting himself.
Diet of a French Bulldog
Recommended calorie intake: 400 to 800 calories per day
Dr. Murithi (DVM) recommends the diet of Frenchie puppies to comprise 22% protein and 18% carbohydrates and fat. Once he grows into adulthood, his diet should only comprise 18% protein and 5% fat.
The amount of calories that he’s recommended to consume would depend on his weight, health and exercise routine.
Note!
As French Bulldogs are unable to participate in strenuous exercise or activities, they can be prone to obesity and this can lead to other health issues.
Thus, it’s essential for pawrents to monitor and control their pet’s weight and calorie intake. It’s also important to give treats in moderation!
Training a French Bulldog
French Bulldogs can have a stubborn personality. Thus, it’s crucial to train them as early as possible, starting from as young as 8 weeks old. To help you with training, here are some tips:
Establish a training routine
Creating a routine can be helpful for Frenchies.
To start, you can set a specific time and duration for training. Ideally, it should be kept short and broken up into multiple sessions to prevent them from getting bored. You may also want to avoid their meal or nap times for a smoother training session!
Also, ensuring that you’re consistent in your training methods can go a long way toward disciplining your pet.
Use positive reinforcement to encourage your pet
Like most breeds, French Bulldogs appreciate positive reinforcement. This includes giving treats, praises and even toys. In fact, food is one of the biggest motivators when it comes to Frenchies!
Tip!
If your furiend is looking frustrated, take a break from training and resume when he has perked up a little!
Include crate training
Crate training is an important part of any dog’s training regime. It creates a safe space for your furiend to snuggle in and helps enforce positive behaviours, especially when you’re unable to supervise him.
For Frenchies, it’s important to place the crate in an area where your family frequently spends time so he doesn’t feel left out!
Tip!
If training your Frenchie is becoming too challenging, you can consider enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer. He can offer training tips and show you how to better communicate with your pet!
Socialising a French Bulldog
Ensure that your pet is fully vaccinated
Before making any plans to socialise your pup, it’s essential to ensure that he has received the necessary vaccinations. This will prevent him from catching infectious diseases and allow him to socialise safely.
Vaccinations typically require some time before they take effect so you may need to wait before beginning your socialisation training. To be sure, you can consult your vet for the appropriate time to start!
Start socialisation early
Socialising your Frenchie early is important for his growth and development. It prevents him from becoming overwhelmed and acting aggressively towards children and other dogs.
Start with controlled environments
Socialising your furiend involves exposing him to different sights, sounds, places and people.
As a start, you may want to begin with a controlled environment like your home or a friend’s home so you can better guide him on his behaviour. For example, you can invite other pawrents and their dogs over to your place to play with your pet.
Once your Frenchie has learnt to get along well with other people and dogs in a controlled environment, you can take him to a dog run for some fun!
Common Health Conditions in French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are predisposed to various conditions, including those affecting their skin, eyes and respiratory tract. These are some of the common conditions that they may face:
Note: This list is non-exhaustive and French Bulldogs may face other health conditions aside from those listed.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS)
Due to their flat faces, French Bulldogs tend to suffer from BOAS, a condition that causes breathing difficulties. According to Dr. Murithi (DVM), this is more likely to surface in warmer months.
Symptoms
- Difficulties breathing
- Noisy breathing
- Snoring or snorting
- Regurgitation or vomiting
- Sleep apnea or sleep disorders
Treatment
- Temperature regulation
- Dieting
- Medication
- Surgery (if necessary)
Cherry Eye
Cherry eye is a condition that occurs when a dog’s third eyelid pops out of place. If left untreated, it can result in dry eye.
Symptoms
- Redness and swelling of the third eyelid
- Dry eyes
- Squinting
- Rubbing or scratching of the eyes
- Drainage from the eyes
Treatment
- Surgery
Conjunctivitis
According to Dr. Murithi (DVM), conjunctivitis is a common condition among Frenchies. It occurs when the conjunctiva, a membrane that lines the eyelid and protects the surface of the eyeball, becomes inflamed.
Symptoms
- Discharge
- Excessive blinking
- Redness or swelling around the eyes
- Rubbing or scratching of the eyes
Treatment
- Medication
- Surgery (if necessary)
Skin Infections
French Bulldogs are one of the few breeds with wrinkled skin. As such, skin infections tend to be common among these dogs, according to Dr. Murithi (DVM).
In particular, the folds around their eyes and mouth tend to trap moisture, food debris and dirt. This can result in bacteria growth and subsequently conditions such as fungal infections and moist dermatitis.
Aside from the areas with wrinkled skin, their neck, armpits and crotch are also susceptible to infections. Thus, it’s crucial to ensure that they’re kept dry, especially after baths.
Symptoms
- Discharge
- Dry and flaky skin
- Crusted skin
- Itching
- Hair loss
- Pimple-like lesions
- Odours
Treatment
- Medication
Price of Owning a French Bulldog in Singapore
One-Off Costs
Licensing
If you’re planning to own a dog in Singapore, licensing is one of the essential costs that you’ll incur.
The price will depend on a number of factors including the number of dogs owned, the type of licence you’re applying for and whether your canine friend is sterilised. A licence can cost anywhere between $15 and $230 per dog.
Sterilisation
Sterilisation is important in reducing the chances of your furiend falling ill due to diseases or infections. The price will vary based on the clinic you go to and your dog’s gender. In general, this procedure can cost up to $350.
Microchipping
In the event that your furiend gets lost or separated from you, microchipping can help increase the chances of finding him. This procedure is priced from $50 to $90.
Recurring Costs
Aside from one-off costs, there are some expenses that you’re likely to incur on a regular basis. This includes:
- Food: $100 – $120 per month
- Dental and medical: $50+ per month
- Grooming: $50 per session
- Vaccinations: $30 – $100 per vaccine
You may also incur additional expenses from items such as toys, accessories like harnesses and pet insurance.
If you just got your French Bulldog, Pet Lovers Centre is offering a free Puppy Pack worth up to $85! Simply sign up for our Puppy Bonus Plan* and get a ton of free gifts from Fish4Dogs Pronature, Trustie and more!
The Puppy Pack includes items such as jerky treats, dry and wet food, shampoo, odour and stain remover and a poop bag. A 1-year VIP membership is also included for new members!
*Puppy has to be younger than 12 months.
Frequently Asked Questions About Owning a French Bulldog in Singapore
Do French Bulldogs bark a lot?
No, Frenchies don’t have the habit of barking. However, they’re still incredibly alert and make great watchdogs.
Can French Bulldogs be left alone?
No, French Bulldogs can become anxious when they’re left alone for long periods of time. If you’ll have to leave your furiend alone at home, you may want to consider inviting a pet sitter over to help ease his separation anxiety.
Are French Bulldogs allowed in Singapore?
Yes, Frenchies are allowed in Singapore, though they may face certain restrictions when flying from other countries due to their flat faces.
Where can I adopt a French Bulldog in Singapore?
There are a couple of adoption centres in Singapore where you can go to adopt a French Bulldog including:
- Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD)
- Animal Lovers League (ALL)
- Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD)
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA)
The cost of adoption ranges from $25 to $400 depending on the adoption centre and the age, breed and health condition of the dog.
