The popularity of French bulldogs has increased manifold in the last few years and they are known as one of the most sought-after dogs worldwide. Their small size, charming looks, and adorable behavior make them great companions. Unfortunately, the growing demand for these dogs makes them a prime target of thieves. The theft of these adorable dogs is a great concern and the owners must take some proactive steps to protect their furry friends. In this blog, we will discuss some strategies that will help you in preventing the theft of French bulldogs and some tips that will help in their protection.
Why Are French Bulldogs Targeted for Theft?
There are a lot of reasons that make French bulldogs vulnerable to theft:
- One of the main reasons for French bulldog theft is their high market value. Frenchies are one of the most expensive dog breeds and it often costs thousands of dollars to get one. If you are getting a rare color or pedigree it will cost you even more.
- Another compelling reason is their small size, which makes them easier to gran and transport secretly.
- Because of their increasing popularity, there is a great demand and market for stolen dogs. Even some buyers get these dogs and exploit them for breeding.
Tips to Prevent the Theft of Your French Bulldog
1. Stay Vigilant During Walks
When you take your dog for walks this is a prime opportunity for thieves to target these pups, especially if they are in urban areas. When you are going out with your Frenchie you can do things like keep them on a leash. Get a harness that helps you control your dog. Pawzen Frenchie no pull harness has all the qualities to keep your pup safe outdoors. It is made of soft and breathable material with a 360-degree surrounding wrap. 
It also has night reflection strips that will increase their visibility at night. Keeping your Frenchie on this leash when going outside will protect them from many unfortunate issues.
Don’t use the same route for walking it will make things unpredictable for thieves. The most important thing is to stay aware of the surroundings, limit the use of mobile phones during walking, and pay attention to the surrounding area and people.
2. Secure Your Home
A great number of thefts occur when thieves break into the homes. Protecting your house from theft is very important. Try to install security cameras around the house, especially at the entrance, many modern security systems help you monitor the security systems via smartphones. Make sure the door and windows you use have strong locks. If you have a backyard area a high fence will help prevent access to your dog when playing outside. You can also add motion sensor lights to deter the thieves.
3. Supervise Outdoor Time
Always keep an eye on your French bulldog and never leave them unattended even if they are playing in the backyard. If your backyard is not fully secure you can use a long leash to keep your dog secure. The best thing is to stay outside with your furry friends to improve their safety and deter thieves.
4. Microchip Your Dog
Microchipping is a great way to identify and recover stolen pets. Make sure all of your current information including your address is updated in the microchip registry. Also, get a collar with an ID tag that has your phone number on it.
5. Avoid Oversharing on Social Media
People post a lot of photos of their furry friends on social media while it's charming for them it can make their pups a target of theft. When you do post their photos omit the location tags and don’t write about your info like where you live and where you go out. The best thing is to restrict your privacy to friends and family only.
6. Beware of Strangers
It's natural for people to admire your dog but be cautious of strangers. Do not share extra details with strangers like their cost, habit, pedigree, and routine. If you feel that someone is getting too close to your pet, assess the situation carefully and politely ask them to move away.
7. Choose Dog Walkers and Sitters Carefully
If you run on a busy schedule and need a dog walker or babysitter make sure you select a trustworthy person. Always select a person from a verified place there are many licensed places nowadays. It's best to do some background checks and reviews before you hire someone.
8. Use GPS Trackers
Many modern technology tools can help you keep your dog safe. You can easily get a GPS collar for your dog this will give you the real-time location of your pup. Invest in a reliable brand that has good reviews and battery life.
9. Train Your Dog
If you have a well-trained dog there are very less chances of theft. Command train your dog and make sure they respond to your commands on time. Your dog should respond to the “come” command even in distracting situations. Train your dog to not go near strangers or engage in any unfamiliar situation.
10. Be Prepared for Emergencies
If an unfortunate situation happens to you and your French bulldog gets stolen your immediate action helps in recovery of your pup. The first thing to do is to file a police report with detailed information about your dog including the photos and microchip number. If there is a nearby shelter contact them immediately and contact your vet also. You can also get help from social media but share your information in local groups and do not offer excessive rewards as it will only encourage theft.
Why Prevention is Better Than Recovery
Recovering a stolen French bulldog is very difficult even if they are microchipped, the process itself is emotionally taxing and sometimes unsuccessful. So the most efficient strategy is the prevention of theft to protect yourself and your dog from unforeseen situations.
Conclusion
When you own a French bulldog it comes with a lot of responsibility including protecting them from theft. If you adopt the preventive measure mentioned above you can easily decrease the chance of losing your furry friend to thieves. Keep in mind that the key is preparation, vigilance, and community involvement.