Dog Badge

July 14th, 2010 by admin

Having a family with kids can be more delightful with a puppy. But puppies grow to become adult dogs and they grow at a faster rate than humans do. So, sometimes a dog can become too large for a kid and can be a hassle and a burdensome companion. But with French bulldogs, you don’t have to go through this predicament. They are relatively small in size even in their adulthood. Plus, if you have 2 French bulldogs and one is a male and the other is a female, you can be rest assured that even if they develop their own family, you won’t get stuck with a pile of dogs.

A French bulldog’s litter is relatively small. Most commonly, a female French bulldog would give birth to a litter with only 3 to 4 pups. Plus, many dog breeders would agree that breeding French bulldogs are very difficult, and that’s the reason why they are pricey and there are not really much of them around. So this means that it is very unlikely that French bulldogs owners will have problems with many of this active canine overwhelming their homes.

This is especially good for smaller homes. Plus, a small home with too much inhabitants can have a warmer environment, and if you live in an area where the weather is predominantly hot, your French bulldog may develop several health conditions. French bulldogs are more accustomed to colder areas, so as much as possible keep them cool at all times. If left in a warm environment, your French bulldog may develop heatstroke, breathing problems and certain skin conditions. Aside from what has just been mentioned, caring for a French bulldog is relatively easy. Even your kids can help you raise a French bulldog.

Another way to care for your French bulldog’s health and appearance Is by ensuring tht its clean and well groomed. A French bulldog’s coat is short and brilliant, it is also smooth and fine, and doesn’t over shed. Regular brushing will help maintain the brilliance of their coat and keeps dirt away, avoiding instances where the hair will be matted.

Other care required would be the same that are required for other dogs such as brushing the teeth with special dog toothpaste and toothbrush twice a week, occasionally checking and clipping their toenails, and taking them to their veterinarian for their regular checkup.

As discussed at the start, French bulldogs don’t grow too large for kids. They usually grow to about 12 inches from their highest point and are relatively light. There are two weight classes for this sociable dog breed with the lower weight class averaging 19 to 22 pounds and the higher with 23 to 28 pounds.

And there you go. There’s nothing quite like a well rounded family home with a dog or two by the side, and there’s nothing quite like a French bulldog as a family companion, friend, watchdog, and a family member.

June 29th, 2010 by admin

The French Bulldog, no matter how odd it may seem to some people, has been the choice for many celebrities. Their stocky and muscular, yet diminutive frame has been seen strolling with high profile people not only because of their peculiar looks, yet also because of their demeanor. Martha Stewart, Reese Witherspoon, musician Brandon Boyd, and Nat and Alex Wolff, are just some of the celebrities which own a French bulldog.

Many have attested to their being the perfect pet, but to maintain their good looks and to ensure their health, you have to know how to properly groom your French bulldog. Don’t worry, with their small bodies, French bulldogs won’t need much of your time for grooming. In fact, you only have to give them full grooming every two months or so. But, you still have to see to it that they are kept clean all the time.

Prepare the things you need first before getting your French bulldog, this will ensure that once you get started, you will be able to continue without having to keep on standing up to look for the things you need. Basically, what you will need is a tub filled with warm water, not hot, but about room temperature, cold water may shock the dog. You will also need some scissors, special dog shampoo and conditioner, a dog brush and a rubber brush, some baby wipes, and a towel.

Before bathing, decide whether you want to keep the whiskers on your French bulldog. Some owners prefer it off, while some likes it on, it’s your preference. Then, using the baby wipes, clean out the folds on the face of your dog. The folds may contain some grime and dirt. You can then bathe your pet with the dog shampoo. You may use a rubber brush while bathing the dog, this will help spread the shampoo and also remove dead hair from the body.

After bathing, dry the dog with a towel rubbing vigorously yet gently. The continuous rubbing will also help in removing more dead hair. This is not only healthy for your dog, but also, it will help keep shedding minimal, this means you won’t get much dog hair on your furniture. Its not necessary to use a dryer at this stage. A dog brush will then be used after the towel to smoothen and flatten the coat of your French bulldog.

To help absorb the moisture left after the bath, apply some baby powder on the facial folds of your dog. This will eliminate infections and itchiness plus odor. Then check the hair on your dog’s ears, excess hair can be trimmed to get a clean and even edge. To make the coat of your French bulldog even shinier, a coat conditioner can be applied. With a brush, you can spread a small amount all over its body and flatten the hair at the same time.

Now you have a French bulldog ready for the silver screen!

June 14th, 2010 by admin

The French Bulldog is considered to be one of the most likeable and enjoyable of the bulldog breeds. Although there are not as numerous as other bulldogs, many people today have shown their interest in this small and stocky breed. And like any other dogs, the French Bulldogs have been known to be susceptible to various health conditions. A good number of these conditions are related to the way their body is structured, so these conditions are just particular to the French Bulldog.

Although the Frenchie is regarded as one of the healthiest in the bulldog lineup, there are several congenital diseases which this canine is susceptible to. Here are some of them.

• Von Willebrand’s Disease – Much like to hemophilia to humans, this disease is also a bleeding disorder that French Bulldog’s suffer from. This condition prevents the blood from clotting which can result to many complications. In connection to this problem is the development of a thyroid condition. Breeders and vets have developed a program that tests French Bulldog at an early age to determine if the pup is afflicted with this health concern.

• Brachycephalic Syndrome – This health concern can result to a soft palate or cleft palate to a Frenchie. Many vets and breeders find it virtually impossible to treat a cleft palate. So, French bulldog pups are commonly put to sleep when discovered that they have this condition. For French Bulldogs that have an elongated soft palate, they are discovered to suffer from difficulty in breathing and passing out after an exercise activity.

• Eye Health Concerns – French bulldogs have been known to suffer from a variety of eye concerns. While it is found in most other breeds of bulldogs, the French bulldog can also suffer an everted third eye lid, or what many breeders would call as mthe Cherry eye. Other eye issues that French bulldogs may encounter are corneal ulcers, juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal fold dysplasia. It is imperative that any French bulldog owner should clean the skin folds under the eyes and ensure that it is dry to avoid the occurrence of infections.

• Megaesophagus – This condition encompasses several malformations and disorders and its combinations, whether multiple or double, in the esophagus. Complications that can be deemed serious would be the vomiting of food and/or phlegm after food intake or an exercise, this is called passive regurgitation. This complication mostly leads to aspiration pneumonia. A compacted airway can prevent the dog from dispelling heat from its body which can be harmless to other dogs, but to a French bulldog, it can be lethal.

These are just some of the many different health concerns that any French bulldog owner should look out for. There are still a variety of other concerns like back and spinal diseases known as chondrodysplasia, skin allergies, and cysts. Frenchies have also been known to require surgery when giving birth.

It is always best to consult your vet to understand fully what ails your French bulldog, this way, you can address the health concern more accurately and effectively.

May 30th, 2010 by admin

Many dog aficionados lovingly call French Bulldogs as “Frenchies”, they could also be referred to as frog dogs or clowns. These names are aptly provided because of their looks and their playful manner. Although through the name of this small companion dog would lead one to believe that the French have largely played a major role in its development, many experts agree that American and British breeders have had a huge hand in this breed’s development.

First off, as a potential online buyer, you have to know that there are many differences with American Bulldogs and French Bulldogs. Their purchase price alone varies widely. French Bulldogs are much more expensive and puppies can fetch anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.

Be very wary though, the internet has become a bastion for the breeding of spurious websites and niche marketing have made money for so many people. So it’s highly probable that there are numerous websites that are posing as legitimate dog sellers but are in fact far from it.

One way to determine if a seller’s reputation is dubious is by looking at their prices. If it’s too cheap to be true, it probably isn’t worth your business. Many websites find that slashing down prices would indeed attract more customers, but if those prices are unbelievably low, then it’s a high probability that they are not selling purebreds. It is of utmost importance that you don’t get lured by these low prices and get yourself into a trap.

The next thing that you should consider is that the price tag falls as the dog ages, so if the price does indeed seem incredibly low, maybe it’s because it’s a year old French Bulldog. Try to compare the prices of different websites. Many genuine websites today have developed a system to ensure that they have a reliable user base. This usually means verifying their customer’s identity and asking them to register to their website. The registration is commonly free. Choose websites like these for your comparison.

Choosing which website to purchase from doesn’t just mean the one with the lowest price. After carefully considering if the website is genuinely reputable, then most would choose where they can get the best deal. The best deal doesn’t just mean getting the lowest asking price for French Bulldogs. You should also see if the dog is already registered and if they would provide a certification in writing.

Plus, they should also provide ample and comfortable transportation means for your dog when it is delivered to your home. This usually means that the transportation environment is air-conditioned. Collecting this information and listing down the pros and cons of each website will help you determine where you will be able to get a good deal.

French Bulldogs are very active companions and can be a great friend. They are very playful especially if you get the purebred. So take the time to choose the right website to buy French Bulldogs, this is an investment where both the owner and the pet wins all the time.

May 15th, 2010 by admin

To some, a dog may just seem the same as the other one, they eat, they play, they sleep, and they leave a mess, could it get more complicated than that. Well, basically they do have the same needs, but there are still some distinct differences in every breed which can require some special attention. Sure they all need to exercise, but there are some differences as well. So if you own a French bulldog, or is planning to own one, then you need to know what this differences are to ensure that you will have a happy French bulldog and a healthy one at that.

In this article, there is a vital list of the basic things that any French bulldog owner should know. This list will not only help you become a responsible owner, but also help those that are thinking about buying a French bulldog to decide whether they are ready to own one today. Here is the list of those instructions in no particular order:

Cool area in their home or in their garden – French bulldogs find heat as their waterloo. Because of their oddly shaped head, French bulldogs find it difficult to dispel heat. They also have trouble breathing when it’s too warm and when they are tired. Make sure that if you live in an area with a warm climate, an air-conditioned room should be available for them. Also, your garden should have areas where shades are available where they can lunge around in not too warm days. Providing your pet with a good shelter makes him feel important and valued.

Have water accessible – Water will help them dispel heat. French bulldogs tend to overheat so they need to rehydrate often. Even with just a small time spent exercising, they will soon become thirsty and panting, so have a water bowl ready inside and outside your home.

Exercise your French bulldog – Unlike other dogs though, French bulldogs cannot be kept active for a prolonged period of time. They tire easily and needs short breaks from time to time. Walking and exercising is necessary for strength development of the dog, so dog owners usually do it twice a day. This also helps them to dispel waste outside your home. Plus, prevent your French bulldog from overheating when walking him by doing your exercises at dawn and at night time where the sun can’t bet down hard on your pet.

Well balanced diet – Quality dog food should be the norm. A healthy diet will help keep your dog strong to ward off any health conditions. It will also keep your dog looking good with its coat shiny and vibrant.

Respect your dog – treat it humanely and as part of the family. Provide it with the attention it needs and spend quality time with it. French bulldogs in particular need more human attention than other dogs. Try to spend also on dog products like chew toys and treats. A good collar will not only keep it nearby with a leash, but also help it find its way home if it gets lost.

And finally, keep some time and money for vet visits. Your vet is your best friend and ally in keeping your French bulldog healthy and happy.