The French Bulldog: Unlocking the secret desire to own an ugly dog.Feb 24 '05 (Updated Jan 08 '12) Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line If the smell, snoring and ugly don’t get you then the ears will!
Actually, in the right light she isn’t that ugly. I am owned by a little Frenchie named Betty Boop. We have had her living with us for just over four years and she is firmly planted as the butt of many of my jokes. But she is loved dearly so the kidding is just light hearted. Having an ugly dog is a fundamental key to higher self-esteem in my book. Besides, as far as I can reckon she doesn’t understand a word I say anyway. I have run into many people who ask what she is. Usually the question doesn’t come in the form of an actual question but more of an unsure accusation. They look down at her kindly and pat her on the head. She looks a lot like Stitch from the Disney movie so their pats are cautionary like that might catch something from her. Some people smile at her like a mentally challenged Pug with a weight problem. “Do you think her head is shaped like that from a helmet or something?” Others gleefully rub her belly knowing the secret of being close to an ugly dog makes you look better. “You’re a good girl, aren’t you?” They say it long and slow as if speaking to a foreigner. Betty is a kind soul. She is very loving and treats any potential dog-napper with the same giddy excitement that she gives me, the one who buys her food. That ticks me off but I am not bitter. Her small, sturdy stature gives her the look of a loveable lug. The most prominent feature of the breed is her tall bat like ears that only add to her physical charm. Looking at her you would be certain that she could tune in Univision and C-Span on those things. Betty’s head is about the size of a softball and at times I am sure it equals such in intellect. Her bulldog body totes around her flat faced melon like it’s a community service sentence but she carries it off well. My Frenchie is the brindle flavor of the breed but they can also be found in red, white, fawn, and pied varieties as well. She has a short coat that is easy to manage and she sheds very little until she gets into the vet’s office. There she will have you believe she will shed hair till she’s bald. She has no particular reason to distrust the vet besides the fact he stole her tail once and he insists on sticking things in her butt. I guess I can see some reason for reservation there. Information about the Breed Kidding aside, let me tell you some actual information they may help you decide on whether or not the French Bulldog may be the breed for you. Frenchies, as they are affectionately known, are great little dogs but there are some issues that are important for you to know. The breed originated around the turn of the century. They are not a natural breed, meaning they were designed to have their traits. There was never “wild” Frenchies roaming the country side and domesticated by hairy men who smelled of expensive wine. Breeders found traits in smaller breeds and genetically engineered the breed. No one is 100% certain what they exact mix is but there is the obvious signs that there was a Pug and Boston Terrier involved in a late night with Barry White music and a six pack somewhere in the breed's past. A strange but important note is that it is nearly impossible for a Frenchie to conceive and deliver naturally. In vitro insemination and cesarean sections are needed for this breed to carry on. I am not sure if this is God’s sign that this dog shouldn't exist but I have my suspicions. This fact makes the breed an expensive one. You should expect to pay no less then $1000 for a healthy and well bred puppy. Choosing the right breeder is vitally important. This is a rather rare breed in comparison to other breeds and finding a breeder is important to actually knowing the true health history of your puppy. Pet stores are not the place to purchase this breed. Pet brokers sell dogs to stores and darn near anything will be said and told to buy and sell a pet in a pet store. Go to a breeder who has been involved with the breed for a long time and truly understand the special health requirements of a Frenchie. Going to a breeder gives you the opportunity to examine the parents. It is important to see a healthy heritage for your pup. French Bulldogs have significant health related issues. Because of their mixed linage they carry not only the cute and adorable (I was just kidding about her being ugly) traits from their ancestors but also their health issues. Frenchies can have crippling spinal problems. They can develop hemi-vertebrae which is a deformity of the spine that makes the back bones grow irregularly, pinching the spine. Betty has this problem. At four months old she had a $2500 surgery at Iowa State University (thank you so much for your help, doc!) to relieve the pressure from her spinal column. She was paralyzed from the middle of her back down before the operation. The breeder offered to put Betty down and replace her but I could not do this. I mention this to stress the absolute need to go through a breeder and to check your puppy’s heritage. Frenchie’s also have some of the same issues as other flat faced dogs. They can not breathe well and hot weather can cause your dog to die. Flat faced dogs can not breathe fast enough to expel body heat (dogs do not sweat, they pant to sweat). Exercise should be stopped when you see your Frenchie breathing heavy. Night time can be a big issue for a light sleeper! Betty snores like a 300 pound linebacker after a night of binge drinking. She can rip the curtains off the windows. French Bulldogs also have folds above their noses that collect everything. I have found a half chewed Fruit Loop in there before. Regular cleaning is important. Frenchie’s have to really get their faces in the bowl to eat and they will get all kinds of grime in the folds. Oh, the ears. How could I forget the ears. This is why I am so sure that not only is Betty’s head void of a brain but her head actually has vacuum. Her head sucks some of the nastiest things into her ears. They collect dust and grime like a furnace filter. Weekly cleanings are a must to keep her ears free from infection. While I am on the subject of brains I will mention that Frenchies choose to show their intelligence at select intervals. Betty was hard to house train and many French Bulldogs can be. Crete training is an important stage for a long lasting carpet in a house with a Frenchie. Be extremely patient with your puppy though. Scolding your dog does not help the training process. Frenchies and all dogs for that matter should be rewarded for going outside and not punished for going on the carpet. Punishing a dog just adds confusion to a stressful situation for your puppy. French Bulldogs are extremely loving dogs. Too much at times. The dog treats everyone like their best friend in the world. This is no guard dog here, people. This is great for social development but bad for keeping a cute, expensive and trusting dog in your yard. Many Frenchies are stolen every year because they are so friendly. They make great companions and have wonderful personalities. I have yet to meet two Frenchies with the same outlook on life. Some are laid back while others are very out going. Betty is a chronic over-achieving manic depressive monkey dog. That’s the best way I could describe her. She has bursts of wild energy and will run around the house like her butt is on fire. Most of the time she looks at you like someone stole her favorite toy. She wears her emotions right out there on her paw. You know when she’s done something wrong while you were gone when you walk in the door. She will cower and humble herself at your merciful feet as you step in the doorway instead of freaking out with amazement that you came home again at the same time you do every night. Betty is a wonderful dog and French Bulldogs are great pets. I do not want to talk you into getting one, matter of fact I would rather recommend that you didn’t choose a Frenchie as your next pet. They are special dogs that require special care givers. You should do a lot more research on the breed than I mentioned here. Carefully choose the right breed for your lifestyle and be ready to make the commitment you need to make for the dog of your dreams. Talk to other owners, breeders and research, research, research before you plan to purchase your dog, regardless of the breed. Read Kelly60's information about the commitment of pet ownership. If you like what you have seen about French Bulldogs so far, go out and read some more. Be sure first. Then love your Frenchie for all she is, snoring and all! For more information about French Bulldogs including pictures of the breed: http://www.frenchbulldogrescue.org/ These are great people doing great things. Visit their website and support them if you can. The French Bulldog by K. Dannel A companion book for Frenchies Thanks for reading... Christian921  |
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