Prospective French Bulldog Owner Archives

Are French Bulldogs Sociable?

Many people ask, “Are French Bulldogs sociable?” I would say 100% yes. They love people and aim to please. When you get a new French Bulldog puppy anything that you want them to be around when they are older make sure to expose them young. If you are more of an extrovert and want your Frenchie used to going to dog parks, outdoor dining, etc… then get them used to going with you early. I recommend waiting until they have their full series of shots (around 16 weeks old) before taking them to areas where they are exposed to other dogs that you don’t know the history of.

Also, I have noticed that your Frenchie picks up on your feelings during the experience. Such as if you are nervous about flying with them, they will be nervous and act up. Always check yourself when taking your Frenchie to a new location/experience to make sure you are calm for your little one.

If for some reason your Frenchie starts acting unsatisfactorily in any social situation, nip it in the bud at as young of an age as possible. Take a training class to help you correct it if you do not have the skill set to correct it yourself. I learned from my first dog as an adult to never allow a little puppy to act out in any way that will not be cute when older and bigger.

Overall Frenchies are very social and want to be a part of the family. They love being involved and a part of the action. When exposed early they do well in social situations but often adjust well at older ages as well.

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Do French Bulldogs Get Along with Other Pets?

We get this questions often, “Do French Bulldogs get along with other pets?” The answer is most of the time yes. Frenchies are really adaptable and when introduced to other puppies do very well. They are very loving and accepting when introduced as puppies (around 10 weeks old). When you introduce them young they usually are accepting of cats as well.

We obviously have several Frenchies. I have 5 personally. The only issue we have found is sometimes two intact females may not like each other especially when they are in heat or expecting. When we have two females that don’t like each other we have to keep them separated. If the whole clan of pets are spayed or neutered we don’t really find issues.

Below are several pics of our Frenchie puppies who have been placed with pet siblings.

Overall, if you do adopt a little Frenchie to bring into your home the likelihood of them happily joining and getting along with your other pets is high.

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Do French Bulldogs Require a Lot of Daily Care?

Many people ask before committing, “Do French Bulldogs require a lot of daily care? The quick answer is they don’t require much.

Grooming:

Many breeds require quite a bit of grooming and frequent grooming visits. Some Frenchies have thicker coats and will require more brushing to prevent shedding. We recommend bathing no more than once a month (unless obvious necessity) and trimming nails monthly as well. You may also need to clean between their wrinkles on their nose and their tail pocket. Some owners choose to take their Frenchies to the groomer for their monthly spa day.

Teeth:

Keeping your Frenchies teeth clean is an important part of their overall health. Get a doggie toothpaste and toothbrush that goes over your finger. Start training them as soon as you get them home to get them used to this daily habit. Have your Frenchies teeth cleaned around 3 years old and then go with your veterinarians recommendations.

Walking:

Frenchies do not require a lot of walking. A quick jaunt around the block or playing in the yard is often enough for them. Most of them can go on a walk. I walk mine 2 miles many days of the week. My last Frenchie couldn’t make it around the block. Each one is different so watch them carefully for overheating. I do not recommend walking them over 72 degrees but always watch your Frenchie and make sure they are safe on their walks. Some owners buy their Frenchie a stroller so they can join them on longer walks.

Feeding:

Puppies need to be fed more often than adults. We recommend starting at 4 times per day, then three times, and then two times per day.

Overall French Bulldogs do not require a lot of daily care dedicated entirely for them but you will find yourself spending all your free time with them just because you can.

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Does a male or female French Bulldog make a better pet?

I am asked this question often, “Does a male or female French Bulldog make a better pet?” I say both. French Bulldog male and females have beautiful personalities. We have several of each and love each ones own unique personality. They are considered the clown dog and are all goofy in their own way. Just as people have differing personalities so do Frenchies. Some are shy. Others outgoing. Some are bossy. Others are laid back. Some are bold. Others are cautious. Some are calm. Others are excitable. Part of the personality is given at birth and part is developed by the environment in your home. Every Frenchie is unique and special and to me it’s easy to love them all.

Males do tend to be larger than their female litters mates and typically have larger heads. This isn’t always the case as some of our girls at first glance you’d think they were males with their larger heads. I always say all shapes and sizes of Frenchies are beautiful!

Frenchies love people and get along great with other pets except two of our girls that just don’t like it when the other one is allowed to eat. But typically these behaviors are avoided if you spay/neuter your Frenchies. Females do tend to have mood swings and be territorial around their heat cycles. Males may act territorial, mark territory, and display humping behaviors if left in tact. To avoid these behaviors we recommend spaying or neutering your Frenchie.

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Education

Availability vs. Pick-up Date of my Frenchie: What’s the difference?

We get this question all of the time, “ What will be the pick-up date of my Frenchie?” Picking up your Frenchie baby is a very exciting event and one we know you want/need to plan for. In an effort to help you know an approximate date of pick-up, we have added an availability date. This is the date that your puppy turns 10-12 weeks old. We prefer to place our Frenchies in homes at 10-12 weeks old vs 8 weeks as we have found they transition much better. Now that being said some need additional time just like human babies to mature. We always reserve the right to change the date as to what is in the best interest of the puppy. With 40 years of experience in raising various breeds (20 of those years being Frenchies), we have a pretty good eye for the puppies who need extra time to blossom. It is our responsibility to you and the Frenchies to make the transition as smooth as possible. We are not placing bicycles in homes. We are placing live little beings and we cannot predict what biological systems will do one to two weeks ahead of time with 100% accuracy. If we say your puppy isn’t ready, we ask that you trust us and make the appropriate adjustments. Yes, we know understand you may be disappointed as the Frenchie might be a present or you might have taken time off from work and your work will not adjust your time off.

Definitions of the availability and pick-up date of my Frenchie.

Availability date: The date the Frenchie turns 10-12 weeks old.

Pick-up date: The date you will pick up your puppy.

What is the difference between the availability date and pick-up date of my Frenchie?

In an effort to communicate approximate pick-up date we have added the availability date on each puppy’s page. This helped decrease the flood of questions on when they would be available but it created some confusion as to exact pick-up dates. Typically the pick-up date will be around the availability date within 3-10 days. We usually know the date 7-10 days in advance and we realize for the planners out there this will be the most challenging part of the process for you. Please realize we are working with biological systems. There are several reasons why the date can change.

Your puppy is on the smaller side and needs more time to grow and blossom.
Your puppy may develop the sniffles. Changes in weather can cause upper respiratory issues and we will want to be sure that’s all it is.
The vet may recommend the puppy remain with us extra time.

Please be open to pick up dates as we do our best to provide them as soon as possible. Feel free to reach out but realize I might not have an answer for you right away as there are several variables to consider. Typically I will text you as soon as I know a date and make arrangements for time of pick-up. You will have your Frenchie baby but just realize we will have to work together on a date to make the transition as smooth as possible.

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Why do I need to take my French Bulldog puppy to the vet?

In case you were wondering we are so strict about taking your French Bulldog puppy to the vet within 48 hours of pick-up, we will discuss it here. Our puppies are first seen by the vet on their first day of life when they are born via c-section. We then have them checked out again between 7-8 weeks old. After they pass their puppy wellness check, then you are able to pick-up your Frenchie at 10 weeks old in Colorado. You are then required to maintain the health guarantee to take your puppy to the vet within 48 hours. If it is the weekend, you have an additional 48 hours to do so. Taking your puppy to your vet is an important step to make sure your vet agrees or disagrees with our vet.

We receive this question often, “I can’t get my Frenchie into the vet until a time outside the time frame can I still pick him up?” We completely understand how much you want to have your baby home with you as soon as you can possibly get your hands on him. There are two main reasons why we cannot approve this.

The longer you have a puppy in your home, the more attached you become and the harder it will be to return if your vet does find an issue that would require returning.
If you wait outside the time allotted and your puppy comes down with an illness caused by a virus or bacteria we will not know if the exposure came from us or when the baby was in your possession. We will likely presume the latter.

What should I do if I can’t my French Bulldog puppy to a vet appointment within the allotted time frame?

Yes, we understand that sometimes it is only a week out when you know the date of pick-up and this can be tricky. Here are a few options for you if your vet doesn’t have a time available within the 48 hour time window.

Reschedule pick-up date.
Find another vet that does have an available appointment. You can then return to your regular vet for follow-ups. You can also ask to be on the waitlist for your regular vet just in case an opening occurs.

Please let us know ahead of time if you are needing to reschedule your pick-up date. We are typically flexible in our schedules for pick-ups and are happy to schedule a time that works within the guidelines of the health guarantee.

What if I live out of town?

If you are driving from out of town, you may want to consider taking your puppy to a local vet in Colorado Springs before returning home. We have had families go to Petsmart vet before returning home and we’ve had them drive back home to see their regular vet. It’s completely up to you, but keep in mind that you are responsible for the return of the puppy if required. Fortunately, we do not have many returns. These are just things we want for you to be aware of.

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Education

Will my French Bulldog puppy be microchipped?

Will my French Bulldog puppy be microchiped? The French Bulldog of Colorado Blog

Many of our Frenchie families as, “Will my French Bulldog puppy be microchipped?” Every single one of our puppies will be microchipped before coming to live with you. You will notice your puppy is named on our website and is accompanied by a 4 digit number. This number is the last four digits of the microchip. A microchip is the size of a grain of rice that is inserted under the skin in the region of the lower neck and upper back. If your Frenchie is lost, someone could scan that area and return your baby back to you.

There is work on your end to ensure the microchip is properly registered to you. First, we recommend that you always have the vet scan the microchip and double check the numbers to ensure accuracy as there is always room for human error. Second, you will need to register the microchip. You can do so by registering the microchip when you register your puppy with AKC. The microchip number will be on the AKC papers. If you are not registering your Frenchie with AKC, there will also be a microchip registration form in the packet for you to complete and register the microchip/puppy to you. You can also ask your vet to register the microchip for you as well.

We believe it is important to have every possible basis covered for you to have your Frenchie returned to you if lost or stolen. It is highly encouraged that you take the extra step to make sure your Frenchie’s microchip is properly registered to you. Yes, your French Bulldog puppy will be microchipped but don’t wait until it’s too late to register your baby.

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microchip

At what age can we bring our French Bulldog Puppy home?

One of the first questions everyone asks is, “At what age can we bring our French Bulldog puppy home? This is a great question so you can properly prepare for you little bundle of joy. We place our puppies in their homes at 10 weeks old due to the fact that we find Frenchies need a couple of extra weeks to mature and fully thrive in your home. By 8 weeks old most of the babies are eating well but sometimes we have picky eaters that need a little extra time to gain weight and be ready to join you. Frenchies grow at different rates just like human babies do. Usually by 10 weeks our puppies are ready to go but please be understanding if we decide to keep your little one a little longer. We are doing it out of the best interest of your Frenchie.

What to do before you bring your French Bulldog home?

There’s lots to do while you wait for your Frenchie to be 10 weeks old. All of the todo items are in The French Bulldog Course we give you access to after you pick your baby at 3 weeks old. You can also see the puppy pickup guide you will receive at pickup here.

When you receive your Frenchie at 10 weeks old they will have their first DA2PP shot at 8 weeks old and been dewormed twice. We do preventative treatment for giardia and coccidia. All dogs carry coccidia and giardia is everywhere. When under stressful conditions both of these can flare up. Stressful situations may include joining a new home, changing diet, etc… You will be required to finish the final shots according to your vets recommendations. We also recommend you take a stool sample and if needed give the puppy the recommended regimen.

We will make arrangements with you to pickup your French Bulldog puppy in Colorado Springs. For our Colorado Springs location, we have two AirBNB’s in our walkout basement. If you are traveling to get there, you are welcome to stay. If you are planning on using our flight nanny (typically $600-800), please let us know at least two weeks in advance as we need to make arrangements for you.

Don’t forget to order your puppies products as well!

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pickup

Can I leave my French Bulldog Outside?

Can I leave my French Bulldog puppy outside? The French Bulldog of Colorado Blog

Many people ask if I can leave my French Bulldog outside? Frenchies are companion animals that do best being with their humans. They are house dogs but they do enjoy playing in the great outdoors whether it’s splashing in a kiddie pool, playing in the snow, or just hanging out while you grill your Frenchies will enjoy it.

In the summer time, you will need to be careful in making sure your Frenchie does not overheat. I am comfortable leaving my back door open while I work throughout the day so they can come in and out as they please. Remember I live in Colorado. You must consider your location and make sure your Frenchie is cool enough so he will not overheat. With their short noses they have a much harder time keeping themselves cool. Each Frenchie is unique and you must discover what temperatures they do well in. Keep water available at all times for them. You may even consider a cooling pad. It’s pretty amazing. It’s activated to cool your dog down when they lay on it and recharges itself automatically and all without water or electricity. Or consider a cooling vest.

Frenchies love playing outside in the snow as well. Can you leave that out in the cold? No. They enjoy to romp around and play a bit but will also look at you look like they are freezing their ears off if left out too long. If you plan on playing outside with your family, throw a coat on them and enjoy. Just remember do not leave them out in the cold.

Always remember do not leave your French Bulldog outside unattended.

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Summer Swag

How Does Purchasing a French Bulldog Work?

We get this question often, “How do payments work for purchasing a French Bulldog?” There are a few options to bring your bundle of joy home with you.

Make the $300 deposit. Pay remainder at pick-up.
Make the $300 deposit. Set up payments until pick-up. Pay final at pick-up.
Pay the $300 deposit. Apply for financing through Terrace Pets.

Minimum Requirements for financing through Community Finance LLC.

One-year employment verification
Minimum 555 Fico credit score
Checking Account active for a minimum 3 months
Minimum Net Income $1300 /month

We can set up the payments anyway you want. The only thing we need is the final payment on pick-up day.

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Are your French Bulldogs vet checked?

Are the French Bulldog puppies vet checked? Yes. For starters all of our little Frenchies are born via c-section and the vet checks them out on their first day of life. We then have him check them out again at 6-7 weeks. This allows us the ability to know if there are any issues with our Frenchie babies. The last thing we would want to do is send a Frenchie out that has any known genetic issues.

For vaccinations we give DA2PP at 6 and 9 weeks old. The final shot will be given by your vet at 12 weeks. We give preventative treatments for worms and giardia at 5, 7, and 9 weeks. We also give preventative treatments for coccidia at 6 and 8 weeks.

Rest assured your Frenchie baby will come vet checked, with first shots, and preventative deworming treatments. We do our best to ensure you receive a healthy puppy to make your experience as positive as possible. Remember we also do have a 2 year health guarantee against genetics that has the option to be extended out to 5 years.

Get Your French Bulldogs vet checked by Your Vet!

You will be responsible for taking your French Bulldog puppy to the vet within 48 hours of picking up your little bundle of joy. If you pick-up on the weekend, you have an additional 48 hours to do so. It’s best to get them in as soon as possible. When you know your pick-up date call the vet and get the puppy well check scheduled. After the appointment email us the copy of the vet check-up. Your vet will set-up the shot and deworming schedule for your puppy. Typically they will give one to two more DA2PP vaccinations at 12-16 weeks along with rabies at 14-16 weeks (depending on state regulations).

Vets usually give booster shots every year after that. Rabies are given every 1 to 3 years depending on your state requirements. There is also evidence booster shots only need to be given every 3 years. If you wish to follow this schedule, discuss with your veterinarian.

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Health

Will a French Bulldog do well in my apartment?

Since a high percentage of our world lives in apartments many will ask, “Will a French Bulldog do well in my apartment?” Fortunately, the answer is yes. Frenchies are quite adaptable little dogs…a characteristic which I believe drives people to the breed.

Exercise is needed but not in the quantities of other breeds. A quick walk around your apartment building or playing fetch even in your living room is enough for most Frenchies. In fact, you want to be careful not to over-exert these guys. Every French Bulldog is different. One of mine can go for long walks without a blink of an eye. My Paris can barely make it around the block without huffing and puffing especially in the heat. So be careful when taking your Frenchie out when the weather warms up to prevent overheating.

Frenchies are a nice size as well to use pee pads or artificial grass which is great for apartment dwellers. We have even seen these placed these on the balcony in the past as long as there are no areas your little Frenchie can squeeze through and hurt himself. We do recommend pee pad or turf training your Frenchie until he has his full series of shots as they have not built up their complete immunity against such diseases as distemper, adenovirus, parvo, etc… These diseases can easily be picked up in the grass where other dogs have been.

To confirm the answer to, “Will a French Bulldog do well in my apartment?” the answer is yes. If you are looking for your own little Frenchie, we’d love to help you find the one that is perfect for you.

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Find one you love and we will schedule a time for you to meet him or her live via FaceTime or Zoom.

Living