The French Bulldogs, and of course their puppies, are unique and delightful pets. This breed brings joy into any home with its friendly, loving, and loyal nature.
Introduction
These were once uncommon dogs, and only a few hundred were registered each year in the 1960s with the AKC. However, they have been gaining tremendous popularity, particularly over the past two decades, because most people agree that they are adorable, and they have the sweetest and most loving personalities imaginable.
Its history as a breed begins in the mid 1800s in England when breeders started downsizing the old bulldogs, used for bull-baiting, through selective breeding. Quite a few of these small Bulldogs were taken to France during the industrial revolution, where they became very popular. This is where they took on their name, and where further refinement took place, mainly through selective breeding with other dog breeds, such as the local ratters and Terriers. American breeders got in on the act at the end of the 18th century, as several of these darling dogs had made their way across the Atlantic. Americans popularized and standardized the characteristic bat-ears that Frenchies are now famous for, and the first French Bulldog (Frenchie) was shown at the Westminster dog show in 1896. The French Bulldog Club of America was started a year later.
Characteristics
As an introduction to the French Bulldog, this breed is calm, playful, loving, loyal, and intelligent, making it an excellent choice for people from almost all walks of life and lifestyles. Their sweet, affectionate, and tolerant nature make them great companion pets for people of all ages and dispositions.
Due to their adaptability, they seem to thrive in virtually any environment and are able to bond with their owners almost immediately. Although they need modest regular exercise and grooming, they are one of the easier breeds to care for, and they are one of the healthiest of the brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds. The French Bulldog may suit you perfectly if you want a distinctive and loving furry companion.
After reading the above, if you are intrigued and are still contemplating French Bulldog puppies for sale, keep reading.
French Bulldog Breed Standards
A lot of information has been written on many websites, including BlueHaven’s, regarding French Bulldog standards, but sometimes it is best to go right to the source, so that there is no misunderstanding. The following are the current breed standards for the French Bulldog, according to the AKC, as revised most recently in 2018. It is a little long, but it will provide information on exactly what you should look for in a high-quality Frenchie.
General Appearance: The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, and of medium or small structure. The hallmarks of the breed are the square head with bat ears and the roach back. Expression alert, curious, and interested.
Proportion and Symmetry: All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned. Influence of Sex: In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of females, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the males.
Size, Proportion, Substance: Weight not to exceed 28 pounds; over 28 pounds is a disqualification. Proportion: Distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion. Substance: Muscular, heavy bone.
Head: Head large and square. Eyes dark, brown or approaching black in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. Lighter brown colored eyes are acceptable, but not desirable. Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green are a disqualification.
Eyes: No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward. Ears: Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear is fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification.
The top of the skull is flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle is broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The stop is well defined, causing a hollow groove between the eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose; nostrils broad with a well-defined line between them. Nose black.
Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of creams or fawns without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the inner lip in front and covering the teeth and tongue, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and well turned up. Wry mouths and any bites other than undershot are serious faults.
Neck, Topline, Body: The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders, gradually rising to the lion which is higher than the shoulder, and rounding at the croup. The back is strong and short, broader at the shoulders, and tapering to the rear. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in repose.
Forequarters: Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters: Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat: Coat is brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles. Coats other than short and smooth are a disqualification.
Color: Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns: Brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely shows through (“black brindle”). Only a trace of the background color is necessary; in a brindle piebald, a trace of the brindle patterning in any patch is sufficient.
All other colors, markings or patterns are a disqualification. Disqualifying colors and patterns include, but are not limited to solid black, black and tan, black and white, white with black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Gait: Correct gait is a “four tracking” foot pattern with the front track wider than the rear track. The movement should have reach and drive and is unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Temperament: Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous.
Disqualifications: Over 28 pounds in weight. Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green. Other than bat ears. Nose other than black, except in the case of cream or fawn colored dogs without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable. Coats other than short and smooth. All coat colors other than those specifically described. All other patterns and markings other than specifically described. Approved April 10, 2018 Effective June 5, 2018
Info on Reputable Breeders
Reputable breeders (like BlueHaven) know and understand these breed standards and will adhere to them as closely as possible, with one exception, and that is regarding color. These breed standards were established long before the advent of DNA, and there was no recognition at that time that there existed some rare, recessive color genes, in the original Frenchie gene pool, that when doubled up, i.e., a copy was given from both mom and dad, they would manifest into beautiful colors not found on standard Frenchies.
These rare genes, when a copy is given from both mom and dad, result in the stunning colors of blue, chocolate, and lilac (when there is a double copy of both the blue and chocolate genes). There are also rare recessive color genes which create a pure coat, instead of the standard brindled coat, and also rare color genes that create pure coats with tan points (the tan points being on the lower legs, cheeks, brows, and bum).
There are also variations in eye color that come from these rare color genes. Chocolate Frenchies typically have golden yellow eyes, as opposed to the brown eyes of standard Frenchies (which can run from a medium to a dark brown color). Lilac Frenchies typically have eyes that are a bluish gray or hazel in color. Obviously, these lighter colored eyes are very striking and stunning.
All of these rarer colored Frenchies can be fully registered with the AKC, but as of now, they cannot be entered into AKC sanctioned conformation events, although they can be entered into other AKC sanctioned events. The hope is that someday the color standards will be updated, based on new technology, so that these beautiful dogs can be properly recognized and rewarded.
The jury is still out on a couple of new Frenchie variations. The strong suspicion is that they were both created from genes that were introduced from other breeds in the not-too-distant past. These are the merles and the long-haired Frenchies. Some reputable breeders, like BlueHaven, will not breed for these variations, although they do breed for the other more rare colors which are created from genes that are naturally occurring in the Frenchie gene pool.
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Social Traits
Frenchies are social fur buddies who love to spend as much time as possible with their owner(s), either engaged in fun activities or resting or sleeping nearby. They are great in any social situation, as they love all people, not just those they consider family, and they love to spend time with and play with other animals, big or small.
They are great for busy people, as they only require minimal exercise. Fairly regular short walks and their normal indoor activities (which includes following their family members around the house) generally provide all the exercise they need, although they are capable of much more for people that are more active and wish to do more fun things with their Frenchies.
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Temperaments
If you like sweet, calm, loyal, and loving, that is the temperament you will undoubtedly get with your Frenchie. All Frenchies, like all humans, have their own personalities, but these are common traits among almost all Frenchies.
They rarely bark or show any signs of aggression. They will bark at times when appropriate, such as when a stranger comes to the door, or they notice something out of line, but they quickly calm down when they recognize that there is no threat.
Some Frenchies will want to sit on your lap for hours, while others will sit there for a while and then be about their business. Some are a little on the shy side, while others are very inquisitive and outgoing. Some want to spend most of the day relaxing, while others are always on the go. They vary a little in their personalities, but they are all wonderful, and they will love you unconditionally.
They are moderately active and they love to play games like fetch, tug-of-war, and hide-and-seek. They are intelligent, so they are easy to train, although they do have a stubborn streak and sometimes like to do things on their terms :-).
Good training, with a positive approach (and lots of yummy treats), can help you build trust and confidence with your Frenchie. Give them plenty of love, attention, and your time in order to bring out their best. Also, ensure that you give them plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them healthy and happy.
3. Health
Because the French Bulldog is both a dwarf (chondrodystrophic) and flat-faced (brachycephalic) breed, Frenchies are at risk for certain health issues, if not properly bred.
However, if you search for French Bulldog puppies for sale and eventually acquire your Frenchie from a reputable breeder, like BlueHaven French Bulldogs, you have a very high probability of getting a very healthy dog that will provide you and your family with a decade or more of love, companionship, and entertainment.
Among the flat-faced and dwarf breeds, the Frenchie is one of the most healthy, and if you do your part, they should supply you with a decade or more of love and laughter.
Because they are a flat-faced breed, they do not breathe as efficiently as longer nosed breeds, and they do not handle exertion in the heat of the day well. Outdoor activities should be scheduled for the cooler parts of the day. Also, because they are so solid and top heavy, they do not swim well, so they should never be left alone near open water.
- Maintenance requirements
Grooming and maintenance needs of French Bulldogs are quite modest compared to many breeds. They have short, smooth, single layer coats, which only require periodic brushing to remove loose hair and keep their coats healthy and looking good.
Frenchies only require monthly or bi-monthly baths (unless yours has rolled in something bad) and periodic cleaning of the folds of skin on their heads and around their tails. Baby wet wipes work great for this. Their ears should also be cleaned weekly with wet wipes and flushed out every few weeks and then cleaned with Q-tips, as their broad and erect ears tend to attract dust and dirt. They are susceptible to yeast and other ear infections if their ears are not kept clean.
If they are outside on a hard surface quite a bit, chances are you will not need to trim their nails often (except for the dewclaws), but otherwise, semi-regular clipping of nails will be required. Some don’t mind at all and sit still for the event. Others are not so fond of it, and you may need help to hold them.
It is very important that they have plenty of chew toys to keep their teeth in good condition (BlueHaven loves flavored Nylabones). Dental chews, like Greenies, will also help keep their teeth clean and their breath sweet. Doggie toothpaste can also be smeared on their teeth periodically (brushing is not needed).
That is about all the typical maintenance they need. You should always keep an eye out for anything unusual and either treat it yourself or see your vet if it looks more serious or won’t go away. One note is that Frenchies’ noses and pads will tend to get very dry, so an application of a good commercial snout soother, or something similar, will periodically be needed to keep their noses and pads soft and smooth.
- Care tips for your Frenchie
Frenchies only require modest exercise, which can generally be accomplished with short daily walks and typical indoor activities, including following you around the house, along with zoomies when they feel like it. However, they are capable of much more if you would like to be more active with your pal.
Because the Frenchie is a dwarf breed, care should be taken to avoid putting undue strain on their backs, which would include jumping from heights and excessive stairs climbing.
Frenchies need to be fed a high-quality diet to ensure they get all of the nutrients they need for strong and healthy bodies. Their food should be high in animal proteins, fats, fiber, and other essential minerals and vitamins, and it should not include corn, wheat, or soy, which can be hard on a Frenchies digestive system. BlueHaven uses PawTree kibble, along with NuVet supplements, to ensure our dogs have all of the proper nutrition they need to be happy and healthy. Some Frenchie owners prefer to feed their dogs a raw diet, and there are generally several good options for this in most parts of the country.
Some also prefer to prepare their own recipe for their Frenchies. All are viable options, so long as the necessary nutrition is included, and if there is any doubt, supplements are a good idea (like NuVet Plus which can be ordered directly from BlueHaven’s website under Owner Info > Great Products).
Conclusion
The unusual beauty, charm, and wonderful temperament of these dogs make them very attractive alternatives for people looking for warm and loving companions, who will require minimal maintenance and can adapt to virtually any living environment. This is why so many people search for French Bulldog puppies for sale. Their history, unique traits, and sweet temperaments make them ideal pets for virtually anyone seeking a loving and faithful companion.
If you are looking for French Bulldog puppies for sale, then visit BlueHaven French Bulldogs (bluehavenfrenchbulldogs.com). We breed high-quality French Bulldogs, in all the glorious colors they come in, which are created from naturally occurring genes in the Frenchie gene pool. Contact us today to begin your journey to acquire the best companion pet imaginable.
