French Bulldog Health Concerns to Watch Out For

The French Bulldog is considered to be one of the most likeable and enjoyable of the bulldog breeds. Although there are not as numerous as other bulldogs, many people today have shown their interest in this small and stocky breed. And like any other dogs, the French Bulldogs have been known to be susceptible to various health conditions. A good number of these conditions are related to the way their body is structured, so these conditions are just particular to the French Bulldog.

Although the Frenchie is regarded as one of the healthiest in the bulldog lineup, there are several congenital diseases which this canine is susceptible to. Here are some of them.

• Von Willebrand’s Disease – Much like to hemophilia to humans, this disease is also a bleeding disorder that French Bulldog’s suffer from. This condition prevents the blood from clotting which can result to many complications. In connection to this problem is the development of a thyroid condition. Breeders and vets have developed a program that tests French Bulldog at an early age to determine if the pup is afflicted with this health concern.

• Brachycephalic Syndrome – This health concern can result to a soft palate or cleft palate to a Frenchie. Many vets and breeders find it virtually impossible to treat a cleft palate. So, French bulldog pups are commonly put to sleep when discovered that they have this condition. For French Bulldogs that have an elongated soft palate, they are discovered to suffer from difficulty in breathing and passing out after an exercise activity.

• Eye Health Concerns – French bulldogs have been known to suffer from a variety of eye concerns. While it is found in most other breeds of bulldogs, the French bulldog can also suffer an everted third eye lid, or what many breeders would call as mthe Cherry eye. Other eye issues that French bulldogs may encounter are corneal ulcers, juvenile cataracts, glaucoma, and retinal fold dysplasia. It is imperative that any French bulldog owner should clean the skin folds under the eyes and ensure that it is dry to avoid the occurrence of infections.

• Megaesophagus – This condition encompasses several malformations and disorders and its combinations, whether multiple or double, in the esophagus. Complications that can be deemed serious would be the vomiting of food and/or phlegm after food intake or an exercise, this is called passive regurgitation. This complication mostly leads to aspiration pneumonia. A compacted airway can prevent the dog from dispelling heat from its body which can be harmless to other dogs, but to a French bulldog, it can be lethal.

These are just some of the many different health concerns that any French bulldog owner should look out for. There are still a variety of other concerns like back and spinal diseases known as chondrodysplasia, skin allergies, and cysts. Frenchies have also been known to require surgery when giving birth.

It is always best to consult your vet to understand fully what ails your French bulldog, this way, you can address the health concern more accurately and effectively.

Learn How to Spot a Good French Bulldog Breeder to Purchase From

There is nothing wrong with mixed breed dogs, they can be as loyal and a great companion as any other dogs. But if you’re out in the market for something that you can be sure about in terms of temperament, health concerns, and the precise look of the dog when it grows up, then you should definitely go for purebred. And if you also would like to join dog shows, then you should know that only purebreds are allowed to join. And if you’re like the thousands of Americans today, then you would most likely would want to have a French bulldog as your pet.

Purebred French Bulldogs can be quite expensive. So if you’re going to spend a lot of money to have a great looking, loyal, and playful dog, then you have to be sure that it comes from a good breeder. A reputable breeder will be able to provide you a French bulldog that is very beautiful, but a dog that you know will be able to give you the true experience of owning a French bulldog. But first things first, how do you know if a breeder is trustworthy?

Many breeders have become such because they love their dogs. It is a source of income for many of them but mostly, it’s all about their love for that particular breed or several breeds. So, you need to see or discover for yourself whether a breeder is in it just for the money, meaning he skimps on whatever he can to make a profit, or is in the breeding game for the love of dogs. Here are some ways to help you learn this.

Be doubtful of breeders that advertise their puppies. Advertising cost money, so they are probably skimping on other costs, like maybe important health tests. And when the ads declare that their puppies are from champion lines or are sired from dog show champion parents without showing which pedigree it is, then be wary about that breeder. Do not be persuaded either by ads of breeders that boast of certification from the American Kennel Club.

And if you’re in the market for a pure bred French bulldog because you may want to enter it into a competition, then don’t go to a breeder that sells puppies with a rare color. Although it may be enticing to have a unique French bulldog, rarely are they qualified for competitions. Also, extreme sizes, either too small or bigger than normal, should not be bred, they can throw off the balance of the purebred line.

Reputable breeders share all information about their dogs, they even show it in their website. All photos and pedigrees are posted and all health concerns are shown as well. In fact, reputable breeders oftentimes enter competitions to show their dogs. This means that the dogs are very well cared for and they have great concern in maintaining the integrity of the breed.

And finally, but definitely not the last aspect in defining a reputable breeder, a breeder should always have tests for the health of their litter. They should let you know of the line has any recurring health concerns and should provide a guarantee or warranty that your French bulldog is healthy.

Travelling Stress-Free with your French Bulldog Pet

Its rare that you would find a family that’s not eager to take a vacation. Everybody packs up, looking forward to having a great time after a stressful year, but. Is the whole family really going? Many American households today said in a survey that they look as their dogs s members of the family, so when a “family” vacation is coming, most of them would like to take their dog along with them. The problem is, having a dog along can become a nuisance as well, and this is known to be true as well with the French bulldog.

So, many families would just resort to leaving their pets behind with their extended family or friends or just hire a pet sitter. But what if you really want to take your French bulldog with you? What re your options? What should you do to enable you to bring your French bulldog with you and still fully enjoy your family vacation? Here are some tips and reminders which you can take note of, to help you get that “true” family vacation that you have always wanted.

Tip 1 – Check out the places where dogs are normally allowed in most of the places of interest. You should also look for a place where you will be able to comfortably stay which allows pet dogs inside. You can ask your travel agent or scour the internet for recommendations on the places of interest which answers your vacation needs for pet-friendly places. Make sure that these places have all the facilities that can help your French bulldog enjoy itself and at the same time have health care services as well.

There are now many travel agents and websites that offer vacation packages that allows for a pet to be brought along. Choose along with your family so that everyone will know what is ahead for them. This way, you are not just choosing a place for your dog, but for the whole family.

Tip 2 – If your French bulldog is not yet familiar in riding a car, then prior to the trip you should start familiarizing it. Take it for short drives. At the start, just let him stay in the car for awhile with the engine idling, this will allow him to familiarize with the sound and the shaking. Then slowly let the car move, don’t jerk the car and go slow at first. Then take him for short rides stopping at least every mile or so, gradually add more miles before stopping.

Tip 3 – Have your dog get a thorough checkup by his vet before leaving on your dream vacation. This will eliminate the risks of him having any health concern while on vacation which can ruin the trip. Take any medication with you that your vet may recommend. Remember to get the ok signal from your vet first.

Tip 4 – Remember to pack everything that your dog may need, most importantly its collar, with all the contact details on the tag. Also remember to bring his food and anything that can make the journey comfortable for him. Also, make sure to bring cleaning materials as the dog may vomit or emit waste.

How to Stop Your French Bulldog from Excessively Barking

Dogs bark for many different reasons. Some of these reasons are good while some can just be downright annoying. So if you have had many countless sleepless nights, constant visit from the cops because of complaints from your neighbors or if you have simply had enough of all the barking making your home stressful instead of a relaxing solitude, then it’s high time that you do something that will make the excessive barking stop. And although the French Bulldog is generally known to be a quiet breed that barks only when needed, there will be times that they too will bark excessively.

French bulldogs are known to be great companions; they are very loyal but can be impatient. They will bark only when they demand attention from you, or when they play or if there are intruders in the house. But even then, they won’t really bark excessively, by that I mean that when you have given in to what they want, they will stop barking already. Some French bulldogs will go on to bark though, when this happens, you will surely become, disappointed, frustrated, annoyed, embarrassed, and this will cause an emotional strain and put a dent on your relationship.

The first step in stopping your French bulldog from excessively barking is to fully understand the cause as to why it is doing so. By determining the root cause, you can develop a training that will laser target the root cause of the problem. Remember though, if the dog is barking because it’s hungry, or there is an intruder in the house, don’t reprimand your dog, this will take away their natural instincts of being a good watchdog and companion. A dog should only bark because of the situation they are in, if the situation has changed they should stop. If not, then you have a dilemma, either the situation hasn’t been fully resolved, or they have a psychological or emotional problem, or a physical discomfort.

For the latter, a visit to a veterinarian will solve the problem. For the first problems, you need to have a good training program not only to instill in your French bulldog the proper traits, but also to create a solid emotional bond between you and your pet. There are numerous techniques one can use to stop excessive barking in French bulldogs. Some will choose to use the reward system where they provide a treat after the dog follows their command; this reinforces the notion that they have done good. Just make sure to use a firm voice and never shout at them. Be sure to also have lots of patience. It takes time to train a dog. Also, remember not to hit your dog.

Some though would use electronic gadgets to help stop excessive barking, like a laser pointer or a collar specifically designed to stop excessive barking. This though would not help in creating a bond between you and your French bulldog.

Keeping Your French Bulldog Free from Fleas

Owning a pet dog has more highs than lows. Millions of American homes know this and more are buying or adopting dogs nowadays. In fact, many of the dogs that are getting new homes presently are French bulldogs. It’s easy to see why, although some would find its face a bit odd, it’s still very lovable to a good number of people. But, owning a dog can also become a stress, especially if you’re not ready yet to own a dog, or, if your dog has fleas.

Dog fleas are the eternal bane to being a dog owner. Sadly though, it’s virtually impossible to avoid this problem. But, that doesn’t mean that you should just give up and surrender to this fact. If you take the proper precautions, then the chances of your dog getting fleas can be slimmed down dramatically.

The first thing that you should consider is to nip this problem in the bud. Don’t wait until the problem has full blown. Besides making it easier for you to address the problem, it will also spare your French bulldog from having to cope with the many complications and discomfort that fleas may provide.

Here are some of the steps that you can undergo not only to help rid your French bulldog of fleas, but to also prevent it from coming back.

First, there is no better choice than to check with your veterinarian. This may sound too obvious, but for French bulldogs, it is the perfect decision. Why? Because French bulldogs have many allergies and are more susceptible to health conditions than other dogs. While there are many home remedies that are indeed effective, checking with your vet first will help eliminate the chances of further compounding the problem.

Depending on the severity of the flea infestation, your vet will recommended or prescribe ointments, sprays, or any other flea products and give the instructions on their application. Just make sure to follow the directions to the T. You will soon notice that the fleas will be gone.

As soon as the flea problem is being addressed you should now look towards your house or any other places that your dog frequents in your property. Its a sure thing that when your French bulldog had fleas, it would also leave some of them in the places he frequents, like your furniture. The fact alone that you use your furniture and it has fleas in it will surely make you want to get rid of them fast. Failure to do so would lead to re-infestation of your dog by the fleas. Vacuum your house well, yes it cn be a large effort especially if you have a large home, but this is well worth the effort.

If your flea problem was severe, then there is a good chance that there may be eggs or larvae of the flea in your home. So don’t spare any change, if you can afford to get professionals to clean your home, do so. Be diligent, that is the key to this situation. If your dog frequents your closets, then maybe you should consider taking your clothes to the cleaners, or washing them with hot water.

Being a French bulldog owner, it is your responsibility to take care of your dog. It may sound a bit tedious, but it’s all worth it, especially with a dog like the French bulldog.

The top Considerations when Purchasing a French bulldog

Breeders today are simply enjoying what they do, not just because they are surrounded by the creatures that they love, but also because they are able to make a living out of it. The reason behind this is more people today are purchasing dogs. This may be because of several reasons; some see them as the ultimate in home safety, while some have them for companionship, whatever your reasons are you definitely have made a good decision. Dogs have always been known as the best pet to have, and for so many reasons that need not be elaborated. And presently, many dog lovers have found that the French bulldog is one of the top choices.

Like cuddly teddy bears, French bulldogs have an appeal of their own. They possess the same stocky and muscular, sometime fearsome look, but they are also diminutive and lovable. And although purists would prefer purebred French bulldogs, you have to know that there are a variety of French bulldogs available in different colors and sizes. So once you have decided that you are ready to own a French bulldog, here are some of the considerations that should know to help you decide which type of French bulldog to purchase.

The type of body and size. Yes, they have the same body type, to a certain extent. Some French bulldogs are stockier while some are much thinner. Some have longer legs, while others are lower to the ground. Depending on their lineage, you will be able to choose, based on their parents, what type would best suit your preference. Some are noticeably bigger as well. If you want to let your dog join a show later on, you can check the American Kennel Club in their minimum and maximum requirements.

The gender. Some say that female French bulldogs are more susceptible to training. And this consideration is based on the fact that if you want to produce a litter later on. This though depends on the breeder that you bought the dog from. Some do not allow their dogs to produce offspring and requires them to be spayed or neutered.

The bloodline of the dog of and the reputation of the breeder. Once again, if you want your dog to be entered into competitions, having champion parents will help boost the chances. To do this, you must be able to get proof of their registration with the AKC and proof of their champion win. A reputable breeder will be able to show all of this to you. As much as possible, only get your dog from a reputable breeder.

Health. A breeder should be able to show you the health history of the bloodline of the dog. Also, the results of the health tests on the puppy should be produced. This will help ensure that you are getting a healthy French bulldog puppy.

And lastly, check on yourself. See if you are indeed ready to take on the responsibility of being a responsible owner. Not only emotionally, but also financially and have ample time and space.