French Bulldog: The Small Dog That Took the Crown

The French Bulldog knocked the Labrador Retriever off the top of the popularity chart in 2022, and it hasn’t given the crown back. For a small flat-faced dog that doesn’t fetch and can’t swim, that’s a heck of a run.

The American Kennel Club describes the Frenchie as a playful, alert, smart bat-eared dog. All true. What the description leaves out is everything below, and that’s the part worth knowing before you fall in love with one at the park.

What they’re like

A Frenchie is a clown with a muscular build. They’re people dogs through and through: they follow you from room to room, they hog the couch, and they have opinions about everything, usually expressed through snorting and sighing. They don’t bark much. They communicate in grunts, groans, and dramatic flops onto the floor.

They’re low-energy compared to sporting breeds, which is exactly why apartment dwellers and city folks love them. A couple of short walks a day and they’re content. But they are not outdoor dogs, and that’s not a preference thing, it’s survival.

The health stuff nobody tells you

French Bulldogs are a flat-faced breed, and that shape comes with real costs. Know them before you buy.

The flat face

Brachycephalic airway syndrome is the umbrella term, and it means many Frenchies struggle to breathe, especially in heat and humidity. They can’t regulate temperature by panting the way long-nosed dogs do. Heatstroke kills French Bulldogs. Air conditioning is not a luxury for this breed.

They can’t swim

Their bodies are front-heavy and their heads are dense. A Frenchie can drown in minutes, even in a kiddie pool. Fence the pool, watch the water.

The spine

Hemivertebrae and intervertebral disc disease run in the breed. That’s part of why we suggest ramps instead of jumping off the couch, and why stairs matter more than you’d think.

The skin folds

Those adorable wrinkles need cleaning and drying, or they become infected folds. It’s a two-minute job with a soft cloth.

Here’s our honest take from running this store: pet insurance matters more for a French Bulldog than for most breeds, because the odds of a big bill are simply higher. Surgery on the airway alone can run into the thousands. Read the real bills from real dogs, then price a policy while your Frenchie is young and healthy.

What to have ready

If a Frenchie is coming home, here’s the short list, all in stock:

• A supportive bed, because flat-faced dogs sleep hard and need real joint support. Beds & Blankets.
• A comfortable harness, never a collar on the leash for a Frenchie, since pulling on a collar strains their already-compromised airway. Collars, Leashes & Harnesses.
• Cooling gear for summer, and yes, a sweater for winter, because they feel the cold too. Dog Clothes & Accessories.
• Wipes or a soft cloth for the wrinkles. Start with Health & Hygiene.
• A sturdy carrier or crate for the car, because a Frenchie riding loose is a head injury waiting to happen. Carriers, Crates & Kennels.
• Toys they can chew without destroying. Dog Toys.

The bottom line

A French Bulldog is not a small Lab. It’s a different animal with different needs, and the people who thrive with them are the ones who accepted the trade: less exercise and less fetch, in exchange for a comical, affectionate shadow that follows you everywhere. Keep them cool, keep them lean, and keep them insured.

Our pet insurance page compares ten companies side by side, with honest reviews and free quotes.

Looking at other breeds? See the whole breed library.