There are many reasons that French Bulldogs are so popular. Not only are they cute and cuddly, but they have lovable personalities. In fact, The American Kennel Club ranked this breed the 2nd most popular breed in the US in 2020.
From their signature short noses to their reputation as loyal companions, these little dogs are sure to bring joy into any home.
But is a French Bulldog a good fit for your family? Put simply, yes. Your Frenchie will get on great with children and makes an excellent family pet.
Read on to learn about some expert tips BarksInThePark has for you – don’t forget to check out our homepage for more advice on this wonderful breed!
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Why French Bulldogs Make Good Family Dogs
We know French Bulldogs make good pets, but what about for those with kids? Let’s take a look at the French Bulldog temperament and more to show you why this loving breed could be the perfect fit for you and your family:
Temperament
Worried about how much you need to exercise French Bulldogs? Don’t be! They are relatively low energy compared to other breeds, so they won’t need as much exercise. This is the lap dog of your DREAMS!
They have a calm and relaxed demeanor which makes them perfect if you have a young child.
They are highly intelligent
This breed is highly intelligent and easily trained, so they can learn new tricks and commands quickly. This is sure to impress your kids, and also ensures everyone stays safe (because your dog will know what it is and isn’t allowed to do).
They are eager to please, so this quality works well with training. Bad habits will be easy to get rid of through training.
Affectionate
The French Bulldog is a loyal and affectionate dog that will bond with its family members. Due to them being such good lap dogs, cuddling on the couch will be an evening-ly occurrence.
They’re basically like Velcro…hence the reason for them getting separation anxiety. So, if your family is especially busy (are you taking your kids to different clubs and activities every night of the week?) and you work away from home, a French Bulldog might not be the best choice.
However, the American Kennel Club advises that Frenchies get on well with single people, families, and couples. Yes, they’re so affectionate that they don’t care if you live alone or in a house full of others – they’ll love you all the same!
Loyal
This breed thrives on human company, and they easily become loyal to their pawrents (a made-up word we need to use more).
This small dog has a big heart and will quickly become a loyal companion to you and your children. They are protective of their owners, often involving themselves in situations they think could be dangerous to their people. They also prefer to be close to their people, whether it’s on the couch or following them around the house.
You probably have the kids following you everywhere you go anyway (even the bathroom, right?) so what’s another four-legged follower added to the mix?
Solving Potential Problems Between Frenchies and Children
Of course, it’s not always going to be picture-perfect when you have pets and kids mixing, even with the best family-friendly breeds. Any issues are likely to be minor, but here’s what you can do to stop them:
Spurs of aggression
In general, Frenchies are not aggressive. This is one of the reasons why French Bulldogs are so popular.
They are known for being loving and affectionate companions. However, like any dog, they can have moments of aggression.
A French Bulldog might show signs of aggression towards other animals and children if they aren’t socialized or trained correctly. Training should start early in a dog’s life, at around eight weeks old, to prevent this harmful behavior from developing.
Kids playing rough
If you notice your kids are playing a little too rough, stop the action in the moment. Sit your children down and explain how and why their actions are not acceptable – show them the difference between playing with their pet the right way and the wrong way.
Remember, younger children can easily hurt Frenchies due to their small size.
Reward your children when you can see they are listening to you and playing more gently with their furry friend. Much like positive reinforcement training your dog, rewarding your kids for their improved behavior creates a positive environment for everyone involved!
Nipping and biting
Nipping and biting sometimes happen when your dog is overly excited. This is especially true in situations where your children are running around.
You can explain this to your children and ask them not to run around inside the house. Training your dog out of this behavior is also essential, as all kids will run around from time to time.
The other possibility is that your dog is trying to protect something or is scared. If there is a toy they are trying to protect, it’s best you remove the toy from the situation. If they are scared, find out what they are scared of. If your children are scaring the dog, you will need to speak to them.
A little communication goes a long way.
Are Frenchies High Maintenance?
Yes, Frenchies are high-maintenance. They require a lot of attention and care, so make sure your family has time for them. Here are some things to consider:
- Grooming: Frenchies need regular cleaning, especially the wrinkles on their face and tails. This is done to prevent infection, and can be a nice way for older kids to bond with their pet. Don’t forget to dry the areas after cleaning! You’ll also need to trim your dog’s nails from time to time, but this isn’t a job for youngsters to do.
- Exercise: Although they are not a high-energy breed, they still need regular exercise and playtime. Again, it could be one of your kids’ chores to take their Frenchie for a quick walk every day or play with them in the house.
- Heat sensitivity: Heatstroke and sunburn are common in Frenchies who spend a little too much time outdoors. On hot days it’s best to keep them indoors and cool.
- Training: Although they are stubborn, Frenchies are HIGHLY INTELLIGENT and can be easily trained. They do require early socialization to ensure they are suitable for family life.
- Health issues: They are prone to certain health problems, which can be expensive to treat. Regular vet checkups are crucial in order to pick these signs up early. So, make sure you have the funds to give your furbaby the care they need and deserve. Unexpected vet visits can be expensive (just like children!).
- Personality: Each Frenchie has its own unique personality, but a little stubbornness is quite common. Just spend some time with them, and you will get to know all their little weird and wonderful traits.
How To Get Frenchies Used To Children
Start with baby steps. Introduce your French Bulldog (on a leash) to your children in a neutral environment. You MUST supervise this “meeting”!
Next, try letting your children hold the leash. Encourage calm behavior and praise both your children and your new family dog. Have a few treats for your dog so you can praise them as you go.
The most important part is for your children to remain calm (easier said than done when you’re a child meeting one of the cutest dogs ever for the first time!). Your French Bulldog will sense their calmness and react in the same manner.
If the first “meeting” goes well, then you can gradually increase the time they spend together.
It’s important that you supervise all these future interactions in order to see if anyone is getting too stressed out or overwhelmed. You will soon start to see a bond forming and complete comfort in each other’s presence. If this bond does not form straight away, don’t stress, as this is completely normal.
A little patience and time will lead to a great family bond.
Teaching Your Kids About French Bulldogs (& Other Dogs)
Consider teaching your kids about the following things to ensure they understand your dog:
- Don’t take dogs’ food away while they are eating. They might be possessive over their food.
- Don’t pull away a dog’s toy while they are playing with it.
- Avoid playing rough as this could hurt your dog, or your dog could hurt the children.
- Avoid chasing your French Bulldog if they are the scared type (but some loved to be chased!).
- During the first few meetings with the dog, remaining calm is the best approach.
- Let your French Bulldog sniff you, as it’s their way of gaining information about you.
- If your French Bulldog is showing signs of aggression, DO NOT RUN away. Slowly remove yourself from the situation.
- Avoid doing impulsive things like screaming or shouting next to your French Bulldog’s ear.
- Yelling at your French Bulldog causes confusion on their part. They need simple command words that are regularly used, such as sit, stop, no, down, stay, be quiet and go potty.
FAQs
Why are Frenchies so affectionate?
They were bred to be a companion breed, so it’s just in their nature to be affectionate – luckily for us!
Do French Bulldogs protect their families?
This breed is not typically known for making good guard dogs. However, they are very loyal companions and will often stay close to their owners/families.
They may bark if they sense something is wrong or if someone is trying to approach their owner. Of course, every dog is different, and there is no guarantee that any one dog will protect its family in all situations.
Is it normal for children to hurt dogs?
Any child that is hurting a dog or any animal is not displaying normal behavior, especially if they are hurting the dog intentionally. Make sure your child knows how they can and cannot treat their dog before bringing it home – just because their favorite plush dog loves a hard squeeze, their pet Frenchie will not!
Are Frenchies Good Family Pets: The Verdict
The French Bulldog is a great family dog as long as its owners are prepared to meet their specific needs, such as weekly brushing. These family dogs need a small amount of exercise, which is perfect for families who like to chill out on weekends.
Any family would be lucky to have a French Bulldog in their lives, as this popular dog is sure to make quite the family pet. So, is this breed the family pet for you? Just make sure your choose a reputable breeder if you decide it is and you’re sure to have many happy years together.