French Bulldog Eye Infection, Seizure Causes, and Hair Loss

French Bulldog Dog Breed Introduction

French Bulldog (also referred to as Frenchies) is a French small breed of toy or companion dog. It appeared in Paris, France in the mid-1800s and it is a crossbreed of Local Parisian ratters and Toy Bulldogs. A Frenchie is popular as a pet and it has bat ears. In 2020, this breed was the most popular registered dog in the UK. Initially, it went by the name of Bouledogue Francais before it was changed to French Bulldog in 1912.

The acceptable colors of this breed are the various sheds of fawn, cream, white, brindle, or white with brindle patches. Therefore, the breeders’ clubs don’t recognize any other patterns or colors. This is because some of the colors are linked with genetic health problems that are not found in the breed including blue coloration linked to a form of alopecia(baldness).

Furthermore, Stanley Coren ranked Frenchies number 58 in The Intelligence of Dogs. This breed also suffers from breathing problems due to the brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome caused by breeding selection. Frenchies have been banned by several commercial airlines due to the increased number of dogs that pass on while in the air.

History

Frenchies were originally developed in England as a toy size of the Bulldog. The Toy Bulldogs were fancied by lace makers maybe because they took less room in the tight quarters or even ate less. After the job of the lace workers in the city of Nottingham was eliminated by the industrial revolution, these workers moved with their toy bulldogs to look for better opportunities in France. The lace workers settled in Normandy, France.

After the settlement, these dogs became popular in France, with breeders sending over bulldogs from England that they considered being too small, or with faults such as erect ears. Gradually, Toy Bulldogs were thought of as a breed hence receiving the name Bouledogue Francais.

These dogs were also considered highly fashionable and were sought after by society ladies, fashion designers, artists, and writers. Some of the popular people that kept Bouledogue Francais include Grand Duchess Tatiana Romanov who had a dog named Ortipo. Some of the ancient artists that are believed to have paintings of these dogs include Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Edgar Degas.

As the breed changed, it is believed that the terrier stock had been brought in to develop traits such as long straight ears. Therefore, Frenchies are believed to be a crossbreed of the Toy Bulldogs and local Parisian ratters. The enamored American tourists brought the Frenchies to the US. The first French Bulldog Club was created by the American Fanciers who sought the recognition of the bat ears as the correct type. The name Bouledogue Francais was changed to French Bulldog in 1912.

Average Lifespan

The average lifespan of a male and female Frenchie is 11 to 13 years according to the American Kennel Club. On the other hand, the UK breed club suggests that a French Bulldog has a life span of 12 to 14 years. Like any other breed, the care that your pet receives throughout their lives may affect its lifespan.

However, some Frenchies may live longer than the average lifespan. There are records of a dog that lived up to 18 years. Some of the various factors that may affect the lifespan of this breed include lifestyle, exercise, diet, and genetics.

French Bulldog Grooming

It has short and smooth fur which should not be shaved unless your Veterinarian suggests if the Frenchie has skin allergies. A Frenchie also benefits from occasional brushing which helps to promote new hair growth. While brushing your pet, use a hound glove, bristle brush, or rubber grooming mitt to assist remove hair gently.

Furthermore, weekly brushings come in handy in removing dead hair and circulating the skin oil to keep the coat shiny and healthy. This kind of breed is also generally clean but should have a bath at least once every one to six weeks with the use of a scrub when they get visibly dirty. While giving your dog a bath, note that not any shampoo will do since Frenchies are prone to skin allergies. However, purchasing a vet-recommended shampoo can help in managing them.

When bathing your pet, avoid getting their face wet. This is because Frenchies have folds in their face making it easier for moisture to get trapped between the folds. This may cause infections. Instead, use dog-friendly wipes while cleaning the folds. Make a habit of occasionally trimming the nails at least once every four to six weeks as overly grown nails may cause pain.

While grooming you Frenchie, also look out for tear stains which may lead to infections if they accumulate over a period of time. This kind of breed also has a tail pocket. So it is recommended to have a regular check on the pocket for signs of irritation and gently clean multiple times a week.

Grooming Brush

Even though Frenchies have a coat that sheds minimally, brush the coat at least once a week using a hound glove, rubber grooming mitt, or bristle brush. Regular brushing helps to remove dead hair, promote new hair growth, assist in spreading the natural oils found on the skin, as well as keep the coat looking healthy and glossy.

Ears Cleaning

Frenchies are susceptible to ear infections. Clean the ears on a weekly basis to remove excess debris or wax while checking for redness, dark discharge, and odor. The bat-shaped ears collect a lot of dirt. In order to clean the ears of your Frenchie, your need cotton balls and an ear cleanser solution. Before starting the ear cleaning process, ensure that your dog is calm and relaxed.

You may relax your Frenchie by showing him affection and giving him some treats. Remember to only clean the external ear canal. Avoid inserting the cotton into the inner ear. The following are the steps for cleaning the ears of your pooch.

• Put the ear cleaning solution in a bowl and get the cotton balls that you will use.
• Immerse one cotton ball into the solution one at a time until it gets soaked. It is also okay if the excess solution is dripping off the cotton.
• Use the soaked cotton to clean visible parts of the inside and outside of your Frenchie’s ear.
• Wipe the ear with the cotton until it has visible debris and dirt on it. Repeat this process until both ears have been successfully cleaned.

Don’t worry about getting excess ear solution into the ear of your pooch as it will shake it out after the cleaning is done. Avoid the use of water to clean the ears. Water makes the skin soft and swells putting your Frenchie at risk of suffering an ear infection.

Remember to give your dog a treat before and after ear cleaning is done. Following a successful complete process of cleaning the ears, make sure you safely dispose off the used cotton balls. Don’t leave the ear solution sitting out all day. Use of fresh ear cleaning solution every time is recommended.

Teeth Cleaning

Brush the teeth of a French Bulldog at least twice a week to remove tartar buildup. Excess tartar buildup may lead to gum inflammation and periodontal disease. Professional teeth cleaning at least once a year is recommended. Your Frenchie should have his teeth professionally cleaned while under anesthesia. This is according to the American Veterinary Dental.

While at home, use a dog-formulated toothpaste with a finger brush or dog toothbrush to gently clean the teeth without scratching the gum. Avoid the use of human toothpaste as it contains fluoride which may be poisonous to dogs. Apart from using dog-formulated toothpaste, a dog owner may also use dental wipes to remove plaque from your dog’s teeth. Apart from regular teeth brushing, the owner may also give his Frenchie dental treats and dog chewing toys.

Grooming Products

The needed grooming products for your Frenchie include hypoallergenic shampoo, dog-friendly wipes, hound glove(or rubber curry brush or even a bristle brush), cotton and ear cleanser, dog-formulated toothpaste, nail clippers, and finger toothbrush or dog toothbrush.

French Bulldog Shedding

A Frenchie has a short coat that sheds minimally all year round. Heavy shedding may be experienced once or twice a year when your dog is experiencing seasonal change, especially during Spring or Fall.

Shedding Level

Frenchies shed at minimal levels throughout the year. This breed may also experience heavy shedding when the coat is undergoing seasonal change either in Spring and/or Fall. Apart from the normal shedding, the shedding levels of your Pooch may increase due to poor diet, food and skin allergies, serious medical issues, and stress.

French Bulldog Shedding Solution

Brush the coat using a rubber curry brush, grooming mitt, or a bristle brush at least once a week during the shedding season. Brushing helps to confine the loose hair that would otherwise spread around the house.

Apart from brushing, other shedding solutions include the use of supplements such as flax oils, fish oils, and brewer’s yeast which have been successful in reducing shedding, inflammation, and promoting hair growth.

Regular bathing using a hypoallergenic shampoo also plays a great role in reducing shedding. Ruling out food allergies also makes shedding manageable. Ensure that your dog feeds on a balanced diet and also drinks enough clean water.

Shedding Brush

The shedding brushes that help in the removal of loose hair gently include a hound glove, a grooming mitt, or a rubber curry brush.

Coat

Apart from Brindled French Bulldogs, all other Frenchies have a single-layered coat made of short hair. Regular brushing helps to keep the coat healthy and glossy. Due to the short coat, Frenchies are sensitive to cold weather. Therefore, Dog owners should get their Frenchies coats or jackets for use during winter.

French Bulldog Hypoallergenic

Even though Frenchies have a short-haired coat that sheds minimally all year-round, they are not hypoallergenic. Shedding allows the spread of dander which has a protein allergen that triggers allergic inflammation in people who suffer from dog allergies. This protein is also present in dogs’ urine and saliva. Frenchies are prone to drooling because of their facial structures as compared to other breeds. Drooling allows leakage of saliva from the mouth which spreads around the house triggering reactions from allergic people.

French Bulldog Training

Frenchies are human-oriented making them easy to train but they have tendencies to be stubborn. Therefore, while training your pet be firm and patient. A dog owner may start with training their dog to sit, chase a ball in exchange for a cuddle, and walk on a leash.

In order for training to be easier, Sharon Dykes, an AKC breeder recommends you stick to the training schedule and habits. For instance, don’t train your Frenchie puppy to sleep with you waiting for it to sleep on its bed when it is an adult. It will be impossible, since making your dog unlearn some of the habits that they were trained in may be difficult. Additionally, obedience training is also advisable for Frenchies.

In order to raise a well-mannered and well-behaved Frenchie, a dog owner is recommended to socialize his pet. Socialization may take place in different forms including enrolling your pup in puppy training classes and exposing your Frenchie to different situations, sounds, people, places, and animals. Puppy training classes also enable you to recognize and correct bad habits. Socialization training starts between the age of 3 to 12 weeks.

Training Tricks

Effective potty training is attainable by establishing a feeding schedule as well as crate training. A crate is a safe place for your pup as it prevents it from harming itself when in the house. Frenchies are prone to suffer from separation anxiety. Therefore, the crate should be positioned where they are a lot of family activities going on as well as movement.

Encourage your Frenchie to use the crate by creating positive associations with the device such as the use of praise and treats. Never use a crate as a form of punishment for your pet as it will associate the crate with hostility.

A dog owner may start potty training sessions by taking the dog outside immediately it wakes up, 20 minutes after meals and drinks, after a nap, every one to two hours, following an exciting activity such as a car ride and playtime, and before bedtime. Always take your pet to potty at one spot. Once your Frenchie relieves itself remember to give it a treat or praise so that it may associate that place with relieving itself.

The use of positive reinforcement methods such as the use of treats, praise, and rewards encourage positive outcomes. Avoid the use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, kicking, shoving, punching, and beating when correcting undesirable behaviors.

Teach your Frenchie some basic command words such as sit, stay, come, wait, leave it, wait and lie down. It is important to teach one command at a time until your pooch understands before proceeding to other command words. The training sessions should be at most 10 minutes to avoid boredom.

Training Treats

Regardless of the brand that you will choose to buy the treats, remember to give your Frenchie a treat that is allergy-conscious. Dog healthy treats are both gluten and grain-free for easier digestion. Some treats may be dental-based to help in the removal of excess tartar buildup. You may even break the treat into smaller pieces to make sure that your pet does not overfeed on treats which may easily lead to overweight.

Obesity may result in heart disease, metabolic and digestive disorders, worsen joint problems, and back pain. Instead of solely using treats as a source of motivation, a dog owner may also consider using favorite toys and praise. It is recommended to give your Frenchie training treats that are under 10 calories.

Training Book

French Bulldog Training!: Your Comprehensive Guide To Caring For, Raising, Grooming & Training Your Adorable French Bulldog(February 2017).

The French Bulldog Handbook: The Essential Guide for New and Prospective French Bulldog Owners(April 2015).

French Bulldog Traits

• Affectionate.
• Human-oriented.
• Patient.
• Agreeable dogs.
• Easy to train.
• Intelligent.
• Loyal.
• Apartment-friendly.
• Dog friendly.
• Mischievous

Temperament After Neutering

Neutering in Frenchies has been associated with mythological negative temperament, disposition, aptitude, and personality. However, the expected temperament of Frenchies is nurtured by socializing your dog, offering a stimulus, allowing plenty of playtimes, and being raised in a stress-free environment. The expected changes are associated with behavior such as reducing undesirable sexual behaviors such as male dominance, male aggression, marking, and escaping to pursue a female in heat.

Behavior Problems

Frenchies are human-oriented and they don’t tend to do well when they are left alone for a long period of time. Therefore, they are prone to separation anxiety. Apart from separation anxiety some of the behavior problems that Frenchies suffer from include:

• Chewing.
• Clingy behavior.
• Pulling on the Leash.
• Barking and Whining.
• Stubborn selective listeners.
• Begging.
• Playing too rough.
• Getting territorial with their owners.

Barking

Frenchies are often infrequent and quieter than other breeds when it comes to barking. Therefore, barking is minimal making them ideal for condominiums and apartments. However, your pet may bark to mark their toys and food if they see another dog or pet invading their space. If left alone for long hours, your pet may bark a lot due to separation anxiety and distress.

Aggressive

A Frenchie has a slightly wrinkled face which may give the impression that it is an aggressive breed. However, this is not the case. Frenchies are agreeable dogs that may live with other animals. They are also human-oriented which makes them less aggressive to strangers. However, a few of the Frenchies may exhibit aggressive behaviors such as snarling and growling due to poor breeding, upbringing, and socialization.

Bite Force

The estimated bite force PSI of a Frenchie is 180 to 230 PSI. At the moment, there has been no study that has recorded the exact figures of the bite force since Frenchies are less likely to bite out of aggression.

Biting

Biting and nipping are common behaviors for Frenchie puppies as they teeth and play. It is also a form of puppies to explore new textures, surfaces, and even people. Puppy biting may seem adorable but  it will no longer be the same once the Frenchie is all grown up. Therefore, Dog owners are advised to train their puppies to grow out of biting behavior through redirection and bite inhibition training.

Types

Frenchies are categorized by their coat colors. The various types of French Bulldogs that exist include; Brindle French Bulldog, Fawn, White, Tiger Brindle, Pied, Pure Black, Cream, Chocolate, Blue Sable, Merle, Blue, Lilac, and Isabella French Bulldogs.

Some of the other breeds of dogs include:

Poodle.

Golden Retriever.

Labrador Retriever.

English Bulldog.

German Shepherd.

Pit Bull.

Beagle.

Great Dane.

Maltese.

Rottweiler.

Chihuahua.

Bichon Frise.

Border Collie.

Cane Corso.

Mini Australian Shepherd.

Australian Shepherd.

Dachshund.

Siberian Husky.

Pug.

Chow Chow.

Chih Tzu.

Dalmatian.

Greyhound.

Doberman.

Italian Greyhound.

Shiba Inu.

Whippet.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

Boston Terrier.

Yorkshire Terrier.

Vizsla.

Havanese.

Pekingese.

Weimaraner.

Belgian Malinois.

Rat Terrier.

Airedale Terrier.

Bull Terrier.

French Bulldog Size

A Frenchie is a small-sized breed of dog. However, the male French Bulldog is slightly bigger in size than its female counterparts. A male Frenchie has a height of 10.6 to 13.8 inches ( approx. 27 to 35 cm) with a weight of 23.6 to 30.2 pounds ( approx. 10.7kg to 13.7kg) while the females have a height of 9.4 to 12.6 inches ( approx. 24 to 32 cm) and a weight of 20.7 to 28.7 pounds ( approx. 9.4 to 13 kg).

Height

Both male and female Frenchies stand at a height of 9.4 to 13.8 inches ( approx. 24 to 35 cm).

Male Weight

A Male Frenchie has a weight of 23.6 to 30.2 pounds ( approx. 10.7 to 13.7 kg).

Female Weight

A Female Frenchie weighs 20.7 to 28.7 pounds ( approx. 9.4 to 13 kg).

Face

The face of this breed is slightly wrinkled. Therefore, it has folds that may cause infections if they are not regularly cleaned using dog-friendly wipes.

Exercise

This kind of breed needs minimal exercise since they have breathing problems which make them exercise intolerant. However, your Frenchie should have daily walks of 10 to 15 minutes a day. Frenchie puppies should not be involved in strenuous jumping and running because their joints are still developing until the age of 8 months to 12 months.

Common French Bulldog Allergies

Frenchies are more susceptible to allergies caused by food, skin, contact, and environmental allergens. The following are the allergies that affect French Bulldogs:

• Skin allergies may be a result of food, environmental, and contact allergens. Skin allergies may also be an inherited condition in this breed.
• Food Allergies manifest as gastrointestinal symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting.
• Environmental allergens that cause allergies in Frenchies include dust and dust mites, house molds, pollen, grass, ragweed, ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes. This inflammation may manifest on various body parts including the ankles, groin, paws, muzzle, around the eyes, and between the toes. The common symptoms exhibited by a Frenchie that is suffering from environmental allergies include a runny nose, swollen eyes as well as scratching and itching of the mentioned body parts.
• Contact allergens – this allergy manifest on the body of a Frenchie if the skin of the pooch comes in contact with something that causes an allergic reaction. Some of the common causes of contact allergies include latex, grooming products such as shampoos, carpet cleaning detergents, and medication. Contact allergies will mainly affect the paws resulting in excessive leaking and biting. Biting and licking cause hair loss and sores which may give rise to secondary infections.

French Bulldog Food Allergies

Frenchies are affected by food allergies as well as food intolerance or sensitivities. True food allergies result in an immune response that is accompanied with a range of symptoms from skin conditions to gastrointestinal signs. The skin conditions symptoms include itchiness, facial swelling, crusting lesions, hives, pruritus, and dermatitis while the gastrointestinal signs are vomiting and/or diarrhea.

A Frenchie that is suffering from food intolerance doesn’t experience an immune response but instead a gradual reaction to an offending ingredient in the food for example milk, soy, corn, wheat, eggs, chicken, dairy products, beef, fish, soy, corn, wheat, fillers, additives, preservatives, chemicals, flavors, etc. The common signs that Frenchie may manifest when suffering from food sensitivities include diarrhea, vomiting, foot infections, chronic ear infections, or poor skin and coat.

The best way to determine whether your pooch is suffering from a food allergy or intolerance is to work with your Vet to manage the symptoms exhibited by your French and discover the ingredient causing inflammation. The best food recommended for a dog that is suffering from food intolerance is a limited-ingredient diet composed of fiber-rich carbohydrates and grain-free diet.

French Bulldog Skin Allergies

Skin allergies in Frenchies may be a result of food allergies, environmental allergens such as grass, pollen, flea, and contact allergens such as carpet cleaning detergents. Food allergies cause itchy skin, especially on the paws and ears.

Skin allergy caused by environmental allergens will affect the wrists, muzzles, ankles, groin, underarms, around the eyes, paws, ears, and between the toes. This allergy poses a risk of secondary infection. This is because skin allergies in Frenchies manifest as scratching, biting, and licking of the mentioned body parts risking the opening of the skin to bacterial and yeast infection.

Allergies Symptoms

• Sneezing.
• Constant licking.
• Chronic ear infections.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Swelling of the earflaps, eyelids, ears, or lips.
• Itchy and runny eyes.
• Hives.
• Itchiness on various body parts including ears, paws, belly sides, feet, groin, etc.
• Red Inflamed Skin.

How To Treat French Bulldog Allergies

Allergy diagnosis is often complicated since the different allergies also manifest the same symptoms. Therefore, the first thing that a vet does is rule out any other condition that may be causing the symptoms that your Frenchie is manifesting.

If most signs point to an allergy, an allergy test will be proposed. Contact allergens are easy to treat since the allergen will be removed for instance the change of grooming products and carpet cleaning detergents. Flea allergy is also easy to treat by applying a product that kills fleas before they can bite.

Giving your pet probiotics helps in reducing inflammation related to allergenic reactions while also supporting and strengthening the digestive and immune systems of your Frenchie.

Treating food allergies may involve a series of methods including:

• Elimination diet that involves a food trial of feeding your Frenchies a novel that is usually one source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks. In this method, the Vet will also monitor for reactions, change the foods, and then introduce challenge tests to check for allergies again and again. When your Frenchie is on the elimination method diet, avoid giving your pooch table food, supplements, treats, or flavored medications as they could influence the elimination diet results.
• Blood test treatment may provide an indication of a food allergy.
• A vet may also offer medication to help relieve food allergy symptoms which may include oral antihistamine. There are also creams offered to soothe the sore skin.
• If the vet has not been able to identify the foods that your Frenchie is allergic to, a switch to a special diet for life may be recommended such as feeding your dog a raw diet.

French Bulldog Skin Allergies Treatment

Skin allergies are treated with proper hygiene. Bathing your Frenchie with hypoallergenic, organic, and sulfate-free shampoos helps in controlling and reducing chronic itchiness. Using shampoos that have additional anti-inflammations such as aloe vera and hydrocortisone helps in calming the inflamed, red, and itchy skin.

French Bulldog Ears

Frenchies have bat-shaped ears that are broad at the base, elongated, and have a round top.

Ears Floppy

Frenchie puppies are not born with erected bat ears. At birth and the first few weeks of life, the ears are down and appear to be floppy-shaped. However, as the puppies grow, the ears gradually become erect anytime between the age of 6 weeks to 18 months.

Ears Cropped

The ears of a Frenchie are naturally erect and bat-shaped. They are not cropped in order to stand up.

French Bulldog Ear Infection

Frenchies also suffer from ear infections because of the bat ears that collect a lot of dirt. This breed also has a flat compressed head which directly impacts the ear canal by making it narrow. A narrowed ear canal provides for a warm, moist, and dark environment for bacteria and yeast to flourish and grow. Frenchies are also predisposed to food and skin allergies which also cause chronic ear infections. Other common causes of ear infections include injury to the ears and excessive cleaning as well as the buildup of wax, debris, or dirt.

There are types of ear infections including externa, media, and interna otitis respectively. The most common ear infection that affects Frenchies is externa otitis which causes inflammation to the cells found in the external portion of the ear canal. If not treated, this may result in infection in the interna and media ear which may be serious resulting in vestibular signs, facial paralysis, and deafness.

Ear Infection Symptoms

• Itchiness.
• Odor.
• Dark discharge.
• Head shaking.
• Scratching of the affected ear.
• Redness and swelling of the ear canal.
• Pain.
• Scabs or crusting in the ears.

French Bulldog Ear Infection Remedy

Once you notice the above symptoms give your vet a call to book an appointment. Once you get to the vet, you will give the history of your Frenchie and whether it has previously suffered from ear infections. If the pooch is in too much pain, the Vet will sedate it before performing a physical examination which may involve taking a swab from the infected ear.

After the examination, the ears of your Frenchie will be thoroughly cleaned using a medicated ear cleanser and a cotton ball. While going home, the vet may also prescribe a topical medication and ear cleanser for use at home. In severe cases, anti-inflammatory and oral antibiotics medications will be prescribed. Once appropriate treatment begins, most uncomplicated ear infections resolve within a period of one to two weeks.

However, chronic ear infections or infections caused by underlying issues may take months to resolve. If other tests fail to treat the chronic ear infections, the vet may suggest surgery such as a Total Ear Canal Ablation which removes the ear canal thus removing the diseased tissue. It is important to make sure that your Frenchie completes the dose of the prescribed drugs even if the ear infection symptoms go away. Nonadherence to treatment may lead to the recurrence of the infection or even additional problems such as resistant infections.

Eyes

This breed has moderate sized-eyes that are round in form. A Frenchie may have eyes that are dark brown or approaching black in color. AKC accepts Frenchies that have light-colored eyes but they are not desirable.

Eyes Red

Frenchies that are suffering from the cherry eye are bound to have red and bloodshot eyes.

French Bulldog Eye Infection

Frenchies may also suffer from eye infections due to bacteria or virus invasion into the eye. The most common cause of infection is bacteria caused by unicellular microscopic living organisms that get an opportunity to invade the eye after your Frenchie suffers from dry eye disease, trauma to the eye, or viruses, which compromise the local defenses of the eye.

Bacterial eye infections in Frenchies may also be a result of an ulcer or scratch to the eye, foreign bodies such as hair or fur sticking into the eye which may sweep the bacteria in the eye. Other foreign materials may include the plant material, dust, or debris.

The most common symptoms that your dog may exhibit while suffering from eye infections include pawing at the eye due to pain or itchiness, swelling of the eyelids, squinting due to light sensitivity, increased blinking, or spasms of the eyelid, redness, or discharge which may vary with the type of the disease. A thick yellowish-green discharge from the eye symbolizes bacterial infection while a clear discharge is due to viral infections.

Eye infections in Frenchies may also manifest as multiple symptoms due to the inflammation caused by the immune system such as a red eye that is squinty. A home remedy for a Frenchie that is suffering from an eye infection includes the use of saline rinses if a dog owner notices a little redness and discharge.

Eye Problems

Apart from eye infections, a Frenchie may also suffer from other eye conditions such as entropion, cherry eye, dry eye disease, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis, and Distichiasis.

Cherry eye is a common eye problem in Frenchies that is characterized by red tissue protruding from the inside corner of the eye caused by the prolapsed gland of the eyelid. This condition is characterized by excessive watery eyes, discharge, squinting, overproduction of tears, and rubbing or scratching at the eye.

Dry eye – causes the inflammation of the eye cornea which inhibits the production of enough tears that lubricate the eye. This eye problem is made worse by having a thick yellowish or greenish discharge.

Entropion – is an eye condition that causes eyelids to roll inwards hence rubbing the eye surface which may be very uncomfortable for your pooch.

Conjunctivitis also referred to as pinkeye is an eye problem that affects the eye coating causing inflammation and itchiness.

Corneal Ulcer is an eye condition caused by trauma to the eye leading to an infection that can cause severe eye dryness and other infections.

Distichiasis is an eye condition that leads to the rubbing on the surface of the eye due to extra hairs that grow inside the eyelid. If left untreated, the abnormal hair may lead to chronic eye pain and corneal ulcers.

Eye Discharge

Eye discharge or medically referred to as eye boogers in Frenchies may be a sign of an eye infection, allergies, dry eye disease, or bacterial infection. Both bacterial infection and dry eye disease have a yellowish discharge. However, the former is thick-yellowish-green. A clear discharge may indicate that your Frenchie is suffering from allergies or viral infection.

French Bulldog Hair Loss

A Frenchie owner should first rule out the possible cause of excessive hair loss including seasonal change during spring or fall before exploring the possible reasons behind hair loss. One of the common reasons that cause hair loss includes allergies. Frenchies are prone to environmental, contact, food, and skin allergies. These allergies cause licking, scratching, biting, and rubbing of the affected body parts such as paws, feet, and ears which may lead to sores or even hair loss.

Other causes of hair loss include:

Acute moist dermatitis is a condition that leads to dampness and moisture in the folds of the skin, especially around the neck. This condition leads to hair loss leading to bald spots on the neck area and on the sides of the mouth.

Mange – this is a skin disease that is caused by mites which results in intense itching, which will cause scratching, rubbing, and licking hence your pet suffers from scabs, sores, and hair loss.

Stress – a stressed dog is restless or anxious and may find a release of some of that restlessness by licking their body parts and the things around them. Excessive leaking results to lick granuloma. This condition also causes hair loss in the excessively licked body parts.

Hypothyroidism – Frenchies may experience hair loss since this condition makes the thyroid glands inadequately produce thyroid hormones resulting in hair loss, dry hair, and scaly dry skin.

Hormones – While experiencing the heat cycle, female Frenchies have an increase in estrogen levels which leads to the thinning of the coats and hair loss.

Hair Loss Treatment

Feeding a good diet – feed your Frenchie with a diet that is free of additivities, grains, and some of the protein ingredients such as beef that cause food allergies.

Regular brushing of the coat and also wiping the coat with a damp cloth as well as paws will help in removing the environmental allergens that cause excessive licking, biting, and scratching leading to hair loss.

Use of a hypoallergenic shampoo will relieve itchy skin and irritation hence your Frenchie will not scratch the commonly affected body parts leading to hair loss.

Engaging your Frenchie in exercise and not leaving it alone for long hours prevents separation anxiety which leads to stress. As earlier discussed, stress creates a habit of excessive licking causing open sores and hair loss.

Hair Loss Behind Ears

Hair Loss behind the ears is commonly caused by ear mites in Frenchies. Mites are highly contagious species that cause scabbing skin behind the ears and lesions as your pet constantly scratches to relieve the itching sensation.

Neck Size

A Frenchie has an average neck size of 12 to 16 inches ( approx. 30 to 41 cm).

Puppy Teeth

A newborn puppy has no teeth. The deciduous puppy teeth will start growing when the pup is between the age of 2 to 3 weeks until the pup grows a total of 28 teeth. At the age of 4 to 6 months, the puppy teeth start to fall out while the permanent teeth start growing in. Regular teeth brushing is recommended to keep the teeth healthy at least twice a week using dog-formulated toothpaste. Irregular brushing will lead to excess buildup of tartar leading to gum inflammation and periodontal diseases.

French Bulldog Seizure

Seizures, fits, or convulsions refer to the involuntary disturbance of the normal functioning of the brain that is normally accompanies with uncontrollable muscle activity. Causes of seizures are categorized into three; primary, reactive, and secondary seizures. Primary seizures are hereditary although the cause is unknown. For this reason, they are also referred to as idiopathic epilepsy.

Secondary seizures occur due to brain tumors, stroke, or trauma. A Frenchie may also suffer from reactive seizures  after the brain detects a problem with metabolism due to organ failure, reaction to toxins, and low blood sugar. When your dog is experiencing a seizure, remove any objects that can cause injuries and avoid trying to pull out his tongue because it is dangerous to you and your pet.

A seizure may last for a period of 1 to 3 minutes. During this time, your dog may exhibit the following signs including loss of consciousness, vocalization, foaming mouth, paddling the legs, walking in circles after the episode, urination or defecation, looking dazed, or starring before or after the episode, and disorientation.

Collar Size

The collar size of a Frenchie is the same as the neck size since the collar rests on the neck. Therefore, the collar size is 12 to 16 inches ( approx. 30 to 41 cm).

Collar Or Harness

Frenchies have a Brachycephalic syndrome which causes this breed to experience multiple side effects such as loud breathing and snoring because they have narrow nostril openings. Due to this a harness is more preferred than a collar. A harness provides better support to your pooch’s body and also keeps the neck and spine in a proper position preventing it from getting injuries. Although, a collar may be used on a pet that is well trained to walk obediently on a leash.

Head

Frenchies have a large and square-shaped head that is brachycephalic.

Head Shaking

Head shaking in Frenchies occur when they want to get something out of their ear or to signify an itch. When the head shakes start distracting your pooch with a treat or toy. The head shaking stops at the sight of the treat or toy, then there is nothing to be worried about. However, if the dog repeats the habit over and over again, book an appointment with your vet.

Tail

A Frenchie has a screwed or straight tail that is not curly. The tail is short hanging low with a fine tip and thick root. A Frenchie’s tail is also carried low in a state of rest.

Tail Pocket

A tail pocket refers to a small fold of skin underneath your Frenchie’s bulldog tail that is a result of excess skin wrinkles. The tail pocket is therefore found underneath the base of your pet’s tail. Regular cleaning of the tail is advised to remove dirt and dead skin which may build up resulting in a tail pocket infection or even bleeding.

Muzzle

Although Frenchies are not aggressive dogs, they may wear the muzzle in certain situations, contrary to the belief that muzzles are for aggressive dogs. A muzzle is useful when the dog owner is not sure of how his Frenchie will react to a new stimulus. A few owners may use a muzzle when going for professional grooming or even when paying a veterinarian visit.

Most Frenchies tend to be frightened when going to the vet. A muzzle is also advisable for use when the dog is in pain as it may be prone to nipping or biting. AKC recommends dog owners to create positive associations with the muzzle through the use of treats such as peanut butter. This will be helpful in a situation where the muzzle is needed.

French Bulldog Food

While feeding your Frenchie, it is good to observe if it has any food allergies if it feeds on chicken, beef, fish, dairy products, corn, soy, etc. Once you identify these allergies, it is good to visit the veterinarian where free allergic feeds will be recommended. This dog should also be fed three times a day with approximately 25-30 calories per pound of body weight daily.

Names

The important exercise that a Frenchie owner participates in after getting a dog from a responsible breeder or from a rescue center is naming the dog. The name given will be used for the rest of your pet’s life for at least a decade. Therefore, it is important for a dog owner to give a name that freely roll off his or her tongue. The name in question should not cause embarrassment to a dog owner when uttered out loud in public places such as malls and parks.

It is also important to give your Frenchie a name that has vowels since these words are easily understood. Remember not to give your pooch a name that is used by other household members such as your kids and people who frequent your home to avoid confusion. Some of the names given to the Frenchies are inspired by their character, origin, coat color as well as color, celebrities, as well as food, and book-themed names.

Names Girl

There are numerous names that dog owners give to their pets. However, some of the common French Bulldog names for girls include:

• Lola.
• Bella.
• Luna.
• Coco.
• Stella.
• Zoe.
• Lucy.
• Daisy.
• Lulu.
• Lily.
• Ivy.
• Betty.
• Sophie.
• Chloe, etc.

Boy Names

Some of the popular names for Boy French Bulldog include:

• Gus.
• Leo.
• Frankie.
• Oliver.
• Bruno.
• Louie.
• Rocky.
• Winston.
• Milo.
• Louis.
• Prince.
• Romeo.
•  Dior.
• Simba.
• King.
• Buddy.
• Oscar, etc.

Speed

Frenchies may run up to a speed of 14 to 17 miles ( approx. 22.5 to 27.3 km/hr). However, the fastest dog of this breed, Claude, run up to a speed of 17 mph in August 2019.

Heat Cycle

A Female Frenchie may experience a heat cycle twice a year after every 6 months. However, some Frenchies may be on heat more than twice a year. The heat cycle may last between a period of 2 to 4 weeks. Although, others may have a short cycle of 2 or 3 weeks. During the onset of the heat cycle, the female is not receptive to the male counterpart until later on during the cycle. A Frenchie may experience the first heat cycle between the age of 6 to 9 months.

Heat Cycle Signs

• Frequent urination to mark and signal to other dogs that she is on heat.
• Swollen Vulva.
• Male dogs taking an interest.
• Tail flagging
• Behavioral changes.
• Bloody discharge from the vulva.

Mating

Before mating your Frenchie ensure that both the male and female have undergone genetic testing to verify whether the dogs are healthy with no inherited and infectious diseases like Brucellosis. It is important to mate dogs that are at least 2 years old in order to give the genetically linked faults the time to express themselves. Before mating your dog, ensure that it is not genetically related to the stud.

Mating Problems

It is difficult for Frenchies to mate naturally without human intervention because of how they have been bred resulting in narrow hips, short legs, and a compact body. Therefore, the male Frenchie may not be able to mount the female counterpart efficiently in order to reproduce. Cases of Frenchies naturally reproducing themselves without human assistance are rare. Therefore, most breeders prefer artificial insemination.

Pregnancy Length

Frenchies have a gestation period of 58 to 63 days ( approx. eight to nine weeks) since conception. At times, this breed requires artificial insemination and frequently, C-section to give birth.

Pregnancy Signs

A female Frenchie that is pregnant is likely to exhibit the following signs including increased nesting behaviors, changes in appetite, more affectionate, enlarged abdomen and nipples, weight gain, increased irritation, and decreased activity.

Litter Size

The average litter size of a Frenchie is 3 puppies. However, this breed may typically whelp or give birth to 2 to 4 puppies. A scan is recommended for an expectant Frenchie to determine the number of puppies that she is carrying. If a Frenchie has a litter size of more than 5 puppies, the litter is delivered through c-section. However, the largest known litter for Frenchies is 7 puppies.

French Bulldog Life Stages

• Birth to two weeks: The Neonatal Stage.
• Two to four weeks: The Transitional stage.
• Three to six months: The Ranking Stage.
• Six to 18 months: the adolescence stage.

Health Issues

This dog has been bred through selective breeding, therefore, Frenchies are disproportionately affected by health-related problems. One of the common health issues among this breed is breathing problems which may include loud breathing and snoring.

In addition, a Frenchie has only a single short coat and has breathing problems which make it difficult for them to regulate their temperature efficiently. This implies that your pet may easily become cold, and are prone to heat stroke in humid and hot weather.

This breed is also prone to food and skin allergies. Moreover, they are also susceptible to congenital hemivertebrae and skin fold dermatitis due to their wrinkled face. Other health issues that your Frenchie may experience include Diarrhea, ear infections, and Conjunctivitis.

Breathing Problems

A Frenchie expresses breathing problems caused by URT infections since this breed is short-nosed, and hence being at a high risk of suffering upper respiratory tract infections. Furthermore, your pet also has a brachycephalic syndrome which leads to multiple problems including difficulty in breathing.

The breathing problems occur since they have narrow nostril openings, fairly narrow tracheas, and a long soft palate. However, this problem is corrected through the procedure of creating a smoother airway to the lungs.

French Bulldog Colors

• Fawn.
• Brindle.
• Brindle & White.
• White.
• Cream.

French Bulldog Human Allergies

A Frenchie is a purebred dog that is not hypoallergenic. Therefore, not suitable for humans suffering from dog allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Are French Bulldog Hypoallergenic

No. Frenchies are not hypoallergenic even though they shed minimally all-year round. Shedding allows the spread of dander around the house. Dander has a protein that triggers allergic reactions in people who suffer from dog allergies. This protein is also present in the urine, mucus, and saliva of the dog. Frenchies are also prone to drooling a lot more as compared to other breeds because of their facial structures. Drooling will allow saliva leakage on various surfaces hence causing allergic inflammation.

Are French Bulldog Aggressive

No, Frenchies are not aggressive. They are the most agreeable, patient, and human-oriented dogs. However, a Frenchie may exhibit aggressive behaviors such as snarling due to poor socialization, upbringing, environment, and breeding.

Why Is My Frenchie Shedding So Much

Even though it is a light shedder breed, a Frenchie may shed excessively when experiencing seasonal change once or twice a year during spring or fall. Excessive shedding may also be a result of poor diet, allergies( food and skin allergies), stress, and serious medical issues.

What Is A French Bulldog Lifespan

Frenchies have an average life span of 11 to 13 years according to the American Kennel Club. However, the UK breed club states that the average lifespan of this breed is 12 to 14 years.

How Long Are Bulldogs Pregnant

Approximately two months, eight to nine weeks, or 58 to 63 days.

How To Stop French Bulldog Barking

In order to stop your pet from barking. It is good to identify what is triggering the barking for instance if the barking is caused by separation anxiety, try to spend more time with your pet. If the barking persists, stay calm and don’t shout, keep your dog active and exercised, or get professional help.

Are French Bulldogs A Good House Pet

Yes. They are human-oriented and are infrequent in barking making them suitable for owners living in Condos and apartments.

Quick French Bulldogs Facts

• They are prone to breathing difficulties since they are short-nosed and suffer from brachycephalic syndrome.
• AKC only recognizes the various sheds of brindle, fawn, cream, or white with brindle patches colors.
• Frenchies may suffer from hair loss due to allergies, hypothyroidism, hormones, stress, and mange.