Saturday, June 25, 2011

Making Sure that the French Bulldog You Buy is Healthy




Awesome, that’s just one word to describe the French bulldog. It’s no wonder why so many people today are buying French bulldogs and making them their pets. Here are more adjectives to describe the French bulldog, they are very loyal, intelligent, playful, and has a personality that will be able to match with any person. The price you pay for such a creature comes back a thousand fold when you discover that it’s such a good companion.





But, that companionship may not last a long time if you discover that the French bulldog pup that you just bought has health concerns. It’s not only the money, but also the emotional investment that you have given. As a matter of fact, a French bulldog is a breed that has the potential to suffer from many different health issues, some of them are even considered serious. Knowing this now, it’s imperative that any person, or families, that is considering buying a French bulldog should know about these health concerns and learn how to properly buy a French bulldog that is healthy so as not to waste not only their time, but also their financial and emotional investment.





The first thing that you should do, like in any kind of purchase, is to do your research. Learn more about the different health concerns that can plague the French bulldog breed. This way, you will be able to ask significant questions to the breeders. You can make sure that the health concerns are not present in the puppy or in their lineage. Always be prepared, French bulldogs don’t come cheap, and because they are so lovable, you my just buy one without asking about any health concerns. In the long run, you will incur more expenses for their vet bills. Plus, if they die young, you may just get a broken heart.





Go only to reputable breeders who do health tests on their French bulldog puppies. Well, every good breeder should do so. Reputable breeder should know that any breed, and any creature, has health problems. It is imperative that they should do health tests to ensure that their kennel would have a good track record. Don’t get easily impressed by their awards, it may just be a cover up, they may only show you their good breeds, but eventually, somewhere along the line, a puppy may develop health issues. And it may be your bad luck to pick that dog.





Make sure that the breeder provides you with a written guarantee or warranty. This warranty should assure you that the French bulldog you just bought is healthy and upon a certain period of time will refund you or replace your dog with another dog of your choice if any health issues arise.





Admittedly, there is no one hundred percent assurance that you will get a French bulldog that wont get any health problems. But at least, you have made the steps to ensure that the chances are slim that they will develop major health concerns.


Monday, June 20, 2011

Checklist of the Vital Needs of a French Bulldog




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.


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Providing Quality Food for your French bulldog




There is nothing quite like having a dog at your home. But sometimes, a dog can be a bit of a nuisance too. So if you’re not ready to have a dog just yet, then put your plans off owning one off first. Some people would rather not have a dog just yet even though they are ready for it because they don’t have enough space to spare, but with French bulldogs, with their small stature, even a small home or condo would be sufficient for them.





But aside from providing them with enough space, another consideration and responsibility of owning a dog is providing them with ample nutrients through the food they eat. Like babies, homegrown dogs need to be provided with their food, they tend to lose their hunting instincts and needs to be taken care of. So if you want a healthy dog that would be able to live a long and quality filled life, make sure that you will be able to provide it with top quality food. And remember, quality food doesn’t always mean its expensive, you can be able to provide good food for your French bulldog without having to break your piggy bank.





For French bulldog puppies, it is always best to provide them with dry dog food. They don’t only dispel the nutrients better, but they are also good for the developing teeth of your puppy. And like humans, French bulldog puppies can be picky at times, so it’s also a matter of trial and error which would be able to help you find which dog food your frenchie will actually eat. No matter how nutritious the dog food is, if your dog won’t eat it, then it’s useless.





When you are picking out dog food, read first the labels, there should not be excessive fillers. The ingredients should always contain protein as French bulldogs have muscular bodies that need protein to maintain its healthy body. If you’re able to, try to mix in your dog’s diet some homemade food, this will ensure that there are no chemicals are included in their dinner. A raw diet containing vegetables would also be good for them. This will help prevent the many different health conditions that plague this particular breed.





If you can afford it, try to get the premium brands of dog food. There are less fillers in them, but, if you want to save some money, find dog food that you can afford and compare their labels. See if there is not much of a difference. And when transferring one dog food to another, make sure that you do it gradually. Try to mix in the new with the old bit by bit. This will help your dog to get accustomed to the new taste.





You can try to ask your breeder as well to help you out mixing homemade dog food. They have the proper knowledge in mixing dog food as this is more cost effective than purchasing canned dog food, and healthier too.


Thursday, June 9, 2011

Why French Bulldogs Make a Great Choice for a Home Pet




It has been said over and over again, that the dog is man’s best friend. This statement has frayed edges, torn creases, and bite marks from being used over and over again. Nothing is more cliché, nor is truer, especially to dog aficionados and tens of millions of households all over the world. And why not? Dogs are very affectionate, playful and loyal, and nothing fits the bill more than French bulldogs.





But before you get bombarded with the pros of owning a French bulldog, its best to understand first the basics of this very playful and affectionate dog breed, this way, you can have better information on what kind of dog breed it is.





French bulldogs are popularly known to be descendants of British Bulldogs. British royalty which transferred to France later on took their bulldogs with them. French dog lovers then took notice of the breed and took a fancy on them. Soon they were raising them and developed their own breed. This breed was then dubbed as the French bulldog, or as some dog breeders today call as “Frenchies.”





As Americans have come to France and more French people have travelled to America, the French bulldog then became known in American soil, which led to its acceptance and inclusion in the roster of many dog breeding associations in the country. And up to this day, the French bulldog has been the breed of choice for many American households.





Now to the best part. The main reason why French bulldogs are the best choice for a house pet is due to many characteristics, reasons that are more or less when combined are unique to a French bulldog.





First off is their size. Even if you have a small home, the French bulldog would fit perfectly as they re diminutive but large enough to act as a watch dog scare off would be intruders. Usually, a French bulldog would grow up to 12 inches to their wither, or to the top of their shoulder. Given enough space to run and play, they can have sufficient exercise already. One thing though, you have to make sure that you can house train them immediately. The French bulldog is more comfortable in cooler environments, so they tend to stay indoors.





Another great factor about the French bulldog is their temperament and personality. French bulldogs are very affectionate, they love to be cuddled and require human attention. They prefer to be treated as a member of the family and is very playful and safe with kids. It is also easy to befriend them but still remain n effective watchdog, this is because they are highly intelligent. And because they can easily adapt to new surroundings, they can be very outgoing as long as the weather is not too hot. This means you can take them most anywhere.





This and more are the reasons why the French bulldog is a great choice as a pet.


Friday, June 3, 2011

Grooming your French Bulldog




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!