QUICK TIPS for Owning a Healthy and Happy French Bulldog

French Bulldogs, otherwise known as Frenchies are loving companions that thrive better on human contact. They are intelligent, and training them is easy as long as you keep it fun and entertaining. They are free thinkers and can be disobedient with your rules or demands, although some have risen to the challenge of living strictly by the rule book. Whichever case, Frenchies are must have dogs in our homes.

Here are some tips on how to keep them healthy and happy:

Frenchies do not need a lot of strenuous exercises such as running or jogging due to their fairly low energy levels and short legs. To keep their weight in check because of their high tendency of becoming obese, they need daily exercise through short walks or playing games in the yard. However, they are prone to heat exhaustion and should not be exposed to hot temperatures, thus limit the short-walks and active play to the early hours of the morning and evenings when the weather is cool.

When training a Frenchie, take into account that although they are intelligent and usually eager to please, they can be stubborn too. When it seems like you are getting impatient by their reactions, try piquing their interest with a different method that would make training look like a game with lots of fun and rewards. Furthermore, it is important to crate train your Frenchie to prevent them from getting into things that they shouldn’t and chew things that can harm them and are valuable to you. Nevertheless, begin grooming your Frenchie at a young age.

Having a healthy coat starts with feeding your Frenchie properly with the right food nutrients. Every veterinarian will tell you that malnutrition is the number one cause of dull and rough coats. The quality of dog food in the right quantity makes a lot of difference in nourishing your dog. Your Frenchie’s diet must consist of healthy balanced meals such as fresh meat and proteins, foods that are rich in Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, etc. and avoid processed foods and grains that contain preservatives or substances that may result in allergies. Your Frenchie needs the best nutrition, so say goodbye to cheap kibble full of fillers and embrace a healthy diet.

Always take your Frenchie to the vet for a health check-up especially when you notice any sign of infections and diseases such as scabs, skin lesions, flaky skins, Von Willebrand's disease, brachycephalic syndrome, etc. Avoid self-medication as this may worsen his condition.

The coat of the Frenchie is short, smooth, shiny, and fine and its skin is loose and wrinkled, especially at the head and shoulders with a soft texture. This defines their nature of being average shedders. You can keep your Frenchie clean by brushing his coat occasionally not regularly, and this helps to save their skin. However, they are prone to bacterial infection, so you have to maintain constant body cleaning. Keep the folds and facial wrinkles clean and dry with a dry cloth or damp wipe with a little bit of alcohol.

Clean ears regularly with a warm damp cloth and run a cotton swab around the edge of the ear canal. Do not stick the cotton swab into the ear canal. If the edges of the ears are dry, apply mineral or baby oil with care. The oil can also be applied on a dry nose.

Additionally, Frenchies need their nails trimmed regularly to prevent splitting and tearing, which can be painful. When you decide to bathe your Frenchie, do it monthly or as required using a high-quality dog shampoo to keep the natural oils in his skin and coat.

We all know how Frenchies enjoy playing fetch and chew on things lying around within its reach. For a Frenchie breed, eating on things mean everything regardless of the value placed on the item. He engages in this activity because it is one of the ways by which he stimulates his intelligence, improves on his chewing, and strengthens his jaws. To make it more fun, you can introduce him to the world of toys. The world of toys will teach a Frenchie to remain entertained while the owner is not at home or unable to play with him. It would also teach him to stay away from damaging valuable items in the house when he is bored.

A happy Frenchie will be your greatest companion, and you should learn how to properly take care of their special needs.