Why Some French Bulldogs Have Longer Tails — And Why That Can Be a Good Thing

Understanding Tail Variations in French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs are best known for their adorable faces, bat-like ears, and compact bodies. Traditionally, they’re pictured with a short, corkscrew tail—but did you know not all Frenchies have the same tail shape?

Some French Bulldogs are born with longer, straighter, or slightly curved tails, and while this may differ from the classic look, it’s not something to worry about. In fact, it can actually be a sign of strong structural health.

What Causes Different Tail Shapes?

Tail shape is determined by genetics and spinal structure. The typical “screw tail” is the result of shortened and sometimes malformed vertebrae in the tail. A Frenchie with a longer or slightly curved tail simply has a more traditionally shaped vertebrae chain in the tail area.

These variations are completely natural, and they don’t indicate anything is wrong—just that your pup is unique!

Are Longer Tails Healthier for French Bulldogs?

While the screw tail is part of the French Bulldog breed standard, a longer tail can come with some real benefits:

1. Better Spinal Alignment

Longer tails often suggest more normal vertebrae development, which can contribute to better overall spine health. Dogs with extremely twisted tails may be more prone to issues like hemivertebrae—a spinal condition caused by wedge-shaped vertebrae. A straighter tail often means straighter vertebrae all the way up the spine.

2. Easier Hygiene

Many Frenchies with screw tails have a tight tail pocket—a skin fold under the tail that can trap dirt and moisture. This area needs frequent cleaning and can become irritated or infected if not maintained. A longer or outward-curved tail often eliminates the pocket entirely, making hygiene much easier for pet parents.

3. No Impact on Personality or Health

Most importantly, your Frenchie’s tail shape does not impact their personality, energy level, or loving nature. Whether short and curled or long and curved, your French Bulldog is just as affectionate, loyal, and silly as ever.

Does a Longer Tail Disqualify a Frenchie?

If you’re considering showing your dog in conformation competitions, then yes—a longer tail is considered a fault under the breed standard. But if you’re welcoming a French Bulldog into your home as a beloved pet, this cosmetic difference is purely that: cosmetic.

In fact, many breeders are beginning to recognize the benefits of functional tails and are open to preserving genetic diversity that supports long-term health.

Celebrating Diversity in the French Bulldog Breed

No two Frenchies are alike, and that’s one of the many reasons people fall in love with them. From coat color to ear shape to tail length, these small differences are what make your pup one-of-a-kind.

So if your Frenchie has a tail that’s a bit longer or curves gently to the side—celebrate it! It’s a perfectly natural variation that often brings hidden health perks.

Final Thoughts

A longer or curved tail on a French Bulldog might not follow the textbook breed description, but it’s not a flaw. In fact, it might just mean your pup has stronger structure, fewer hygiene issues, and a tail that wags just a little more expressively.

As responsible breeders and Frenchie lovers, our goal is to prioritize health, temperament, and quality of life—and sometimes, that includes welcoming and appreciating these special variations.

Healthy Bellies, Happy Puppies: Our G.I. Protocol at The French Bulldog of Colorado.

Healthy French Bulldog puppy laying on back showing clean, round belly.m

Healthy Bellies, Happy Puppies: Our G.I. Protocol at The French Bulldog of Colorado

At The French Bulldog of Colorado, our number one priority is raising strong, healthy puppies—and that starts from the inside out. We take gut health seriously, which is why we follow a thorough gastrointestinal (G.I.) protocol to keep our puppies parasite-free and thriving.

Our Deworming Schedule

Parasites are a natural part of a puppy’s early environment, but we stay ahead of them with a proactive approach. We start our deworming program at two weeks of age and repeat it every two weeks until your puppy goes home—this means they receive treatments at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks of age.

Here’s what we use and what each product targets:

    •    Pyrantel Pamoate (Nemex® or similar)

Targets: Roundworms and hookworms

This gentle dewormer is safe for young puppies and effective at removing the most common intestinal worms.

    •    Fenbendazole (Panacur®)

Targets: Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and Giardia (a common protozoan parasite)

This broad-spectrum dewormer is often given in a 3-day series to target stubborn parasites like Giardia.

    •    Toltrazuril or Ponazuril 

Targets: Coccidia

If needed, we also give a preventative treatment for coccidia, another intestinal parasite that can cause loose stool in puppies, especially under stress.

Fecal Testing: Proof of Clean Health

Starting at 8 weeks old, we run routine fecal flotation tests on all our puppies every two weeks. These tests are performed under a microscope to check for any signs of intestinal parasites. We also complete one final fecal test just before pickup so you can be confident your puppy is healthy and parasite-free when they come home.

Every puppy goes home with a full medical record, including documentation of all deworming medications and copies of their negative fecal test results.

Here’s an example of what we look for—and what we’re proud to see before each puppy leaves:

Negative fecal flotation test result from healthy French Bulldog puppy.

Why This Matters

Young puppies are more vulnerable to parasites, which can lead to diarrhea, poor weight gain, and even more serious health issues. By following this detailed G.I. protocol, we’re setting your puppy up for success—and saving you from potential stress and vet bills down the road.

Have questions about what’s included in your puppy’s wellness plan? We’re always happy to walk you through it.

Looking for  a healthy, happy Frenchie? Check out our available puppies. 

FAQ: Deworming & Puppy Health

A: Roundworms, hookworms, coccidia, and Giardia are the most common intestinal parasites in young puppies.

A: Symptoms can include soft stool, visible worms in feces, bloated belly, or scooting. However, many infected puppies show no signs—this is why testing is so important.

A: It’s a microscopic test used to check for intestinal parasites. We perform this test starting at 8 weeks and provide a final negative test before your puppy goes home.

Is My French Bulldog Potty Trained Before Arrival in My Home?

Is My French Bulldog Potty Trained Before Arrival in My Home?

You may wonder, “Is my French Bulldog potty trained before joining me in my home?” The answer is yes and no. We use a litter box filled with recycled newspaper pellets to train our Frenchie pups. The box is placed in their area around 4-5 weeks old and they are encouraged to use it. This method works great and we encourage you to continue using it until they have their full series of shots as puppy diseases like parvo can hide out in the ground. Place the box next to the door so it’s an easy transition for them. 

You may have reasons for continuing to use this system. 

  • You may live in an apartment and getting your pup out in time may be a bit of a hassle. 
  • One may be leery of taking the pup outside when they have to go in the middle of the night. 
  • You may have mobility issues and taking your pup outside just isn’t feasible. 
  • You may work long shifts and need a space for them to relieve themselves while you’re away. 
  • When you have in climate weather this may be a back up method for your pup. 
  • You may have a busy schedule.
  • Or you may just want to because this method would work best for you. 

5 Easy Steps We Use-French Bulldog Potty Trained-Litter Box

  1. Find a location. Choose a spot for your litter box. This needs to be away from the where he sleeps and eats. If you plan on keeping you pup in a playpen while away longer than he could hold it, place the litter box as far away from their sleeping area and food & water as possible. You may think about adding two boxes. One in the playpen and one where he has access to outside of the playpen. If you are using this as an interim until your pup receives shots, a good place to place the box is next to the door. This makes an easy transition to taking your pup outside to potty when they are ready to do so. 
  2. Create a routine. Place your pup in the litter box and tell them “go potty” after he wakes up in the morning, after eating & drinking, after playing hard, and after getting up from a nap. You may consider setting a timer for every hour and increase the time until he is trained. Be consistent with the command you use. Go pee sounds different than go potty. Chose one. 
  3. Give positive reinforcement. When your pup potties or poos in the box give lots of praise using the proper voice inflection. 
  4. Celebrate. When your Frenchie pup easily goes in the litter box  shower him with praise and love so he knows it’s a positive experience to go in the box. 
  5. Be patient. Accidents are likely to happen. When this occurs, clean it up, increase the positive reinforcement, and adjust your timer to take your pup to the box more often. 

Items needed to litter box train French Bulldogs

  1. litter box with a lip to allow easy entry into the box. 
  2. Pellets or pee pads for the box. 
  3. scoop to remove waste. 

Order Potty training on Amazon:* litter boxPelletsScoop

There are several different types of pellets for litter box training. You can even use pee pads. Personally, I really don’t care for pee pads. The pups tear them up, they are a choking hazard, and terrible for the environment. I’ve come to the conclusion that I’ll be using recycled newspaper pellets. The wood pellets could potentially be toxic to your pup if they eat them. You have to remember as a pup everything is fun including playing in the pellets and chomping on them. Newspaper is the safest and most eco-friendly option. If you have access to a Tractor Supply Story you can get the best deal on the newspaper pellets for horses. It’s fine it doesn’t say dog as they are the same thing. I’ll tell you a litter secret. Anything that’s packaged for dogs they increase the price even though it’s identical. You can also purchase the pellets at a pet store or online here via Amazon. Order the biggest bag as you will go through it quickly. 

Directions on how to use the litter box. 

  1. Spread 1-3 inches of pellets evenly over the bottom of the litter box. 
  2. Remove soiled litter with a scoop daily. I do this anytime I see poo. 
  3. Refill with new litter. I suggest cleaning it weekly with soap and warm water. 

Please remember that when a pup comes into your home you will need to establish his potty training habits. Congrats on your new Frenchie pup and good luck on litter training French Bulldogs. I believe you will be happy with the results. 

*Contains affiliate links.

Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

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Teach Your French Bulldog to Come

Teach Your French Bulldog to Come

When bringing your Frenchie home make sure to teach your French Bulldog to come. It may be cute to watch your little one run away while you chase him and scoop him in your arms. But what you are teaching him is it’s OK to run away from you. This won’t be cute when he is 20+lbs and a lot faster than you or when there’s a car coming and it’s a life and death matter for him to listen. I suggest you and everyone in the household start as soon as your pup arrives and I’ll give you some pointers. I am by no means a certified dog trainer as of yet. You never know when or if I will do so as I am a learner and love to collect certifications. 🙂 I will give you best practices in my almost 40 years of being born into the dog breeding world. 

First, Frenchies are a braceycephalic breed. This means they have a short nose. Everyone talks about the disadvantages of this with their breathing but did you know it’s actually a benefit for them in receiving visual cues from you? Those wide eyes and short noses allow them to see your cues better and do the command you are visually cueing them to do. Every since I learned this, almost 20 years ago, I’ve incorporated visual cues into my communications with my flat nosed friends and it works. 

With almost every command, I start with a snap, cue with my finger , and state the command with my voice. The snap alerts him that you are about to give a command which gives him the opportunity to listen to your voice and/or look to your hand for the cue.


Teach your French Bulldog to come

  1. Put a leash and collar on your Frenchie. 
  2. Go down to his level. Snap. Point Finger towards yourself.  Pull on leash while saying come. 
  3. When he gets to you reward him with praise, pets, and if desired a healthy treat. 

Once he’s mastered the leash, remove it and practice in a safe enclosed environment.

Treats or No Treats? 

I typically do not use treats as I believe my love and praise should be all they need but I totally get why you would want to use a treat. You will need to practice your own reward system that works for you and your pup.

In real life, when you tell your pup to come and he just looks at you like you are crazy you have to do something about it. I go directly to them and pull them back to where they were supposed to come. Then I give praise and love like they did what I said. The dragging shouldn’t be fun but shouldn’t harm them in any way either.  I can allow my Frenchies outside with me now, snap my fingers, and tell them to come. They listen which is an important aspect of safety. Make the time to go practice the come command with your Frenchie.

Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

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5 Tips-Teach Your Frenchie Biting on Fingers is not OK. 

5 Tips-Teach Your Frenchie Biting on Fingers is not OK.

When your little ones arrives you will almost 100% guaranteed need to teach your Frenchie biting on fingers is not an acceptable practice. Puppies are like toddlers. They learn by putting things in their mouth including your fingers. It might seem kind of cute at 4lbs but remember anything that won’t be cute full grown needs to be addressed as a pup. One of the biggest reasons dogs are placed in rescues is due to nipping or biting. Let’s nip this in the bud at an early age and create your own good Frenchie citizen. 

#1 Get the whole family on board to train your Frenchie biting on fingers is not ok.

Frenchie pups want to play and your fingers look like a great play toy. Discuss with the whole family how important it is to no engage with teasing/playing with pups via their own fingers. I’ve noticed sometimes kiddos and teenagers think it’s funny. 

#2 Don’t put your fingers in their mouth. 

I see a post almost every day, “How do I train my Frenchie to not bite my fingers.” Rule #1. Don’t let them put your fingers in their mouth. 🙂 

#3 Say no & redirect

Firmly say no and redirect with a toy. 

#4 Use the calming hold technique to train your Frenchie biting on fingers isn’t ok

If they are still persistent after the no and redirect, use the calming hold technique. You pick your pup up in a vertical position, place him firmly against one side of your body, place your arm that’s on the same side firmly over the front of his body, wrap your fingers around the base of the pups inside leg. This keeps your fingers out of the way of their mouth and typically calms him down. If the squirming continues use your other arm to hold across the bottom half.

I’m a 3rd generation breeder and this is what I have done since I can remember…probably around 5 years old. It works. I have taught my sons (5 &7 years old currently) to do so as well. They do it and it works for even the kiddos. You hold them like this for a minute or two and can put him back down. If the behavior continues, keep on repeating this until he stops. 

#5 Place in a crate or playpen for a time out. 

If all else fails place him in his crate or playpen away far away from your fingers. Give him time to play with toys. After 5-10 minutes, bring him back out. He may just need to run out some energy. 

Remember bringing a Frenchie pup into your home is a really exciting and fun experience but you will need to be prepared to teach your Frenchie biting on fingers is not OK. Good luck and happy training. We’d love to hear from you on how these tips worked for you. 

Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

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How to Potty Train Your French Bulldog

How to Potty Train Your French Bulldog

So you have a new Frenchie coming to join you! Congrats! It’s an exciting time in your life and you will want to start to potty train your French Bulldog puppy the moment he arrives. You want to start the potty training process early in their life but realize just like human babies every Frenchie pup will potty train at different rates. I really want for you to be successful at this as training issues are one of the most common reasons a dog is turned into a shelter. I do not want that for my Frenchie pups or any Frenchie for that matter. It’s important that from the get go you are consistent and you housetrain them correctly from the beginning.

Keep your Frenchies space small & clean

In the wild, puppies naturally learn to not go the bathroom where they sleep or eat. When the pups are small the Frenchie momma immediately cleans up after her little ones when they pee or poo. Without the scent of pee/poo around the puppies do no associate the area with relieving themselves. How can we take advantage of this? 

  1. Crate train your pup. A pup doesn’t usually want to dirty his own space. Keep the space small and increase it as your pup grows and/or shows he’s trustworthy. 
  2. Utilize a playpen. If you let your pup roam the whole house, he can easily go to a corner of the house that far away from where he eats and sleeps to relieve himself. Instead of letting your pup roam, place him in his playpen when you’re eyeballs are not directly on him. As he becomes trustworthy in that space increase the size of the space he’s allowed to be in unattended. 
  3. If your pup pees or poos in the house, clean it up and deodorize it immediately

Keep Your Frenchie on a Schedule

Your Frenchie pup not only needs to associate not to pee in the house but also that the outdoors is for going to the bathroom. How do you do this? By implementing a schedule

  1. A young pup may need to be taken out once every hour. As he grows, the time between bathroom breaks will increase. Take the cues from your own Frenchie pup. If he pees before the house at the 45 minute mark, then you may need to take him out every 45 minutes. Your Frenchie will likely be able to hold it twice as long during the night time. I have found a 10 week old Frenchie when sleeping with me, can hold it most of the night. If I crate train, then it’s a shorter amount of time. 
  2. Take him outside after every feeding, waking up, and after playing. 
  3. If you catch your pup in the act, swoop him up, take him outside, and show him where he should go. It’s not suggested to discipline him for making a mistake. 

Use Verbal Cues & Praise your Frenchie

When taking your Frenchie outside, cue that it’s time to go potty. Say go potty or go pee. Choose one phrase and stick with it. This is not the time to play or pet him. You ignore him until he does his business and/or continue to cue him to potty. I usually wait until they are about half way through going and then begin praising by saying good boy or girl repeatedly and when they are complete I pet them while continuing the praise. If you choose to use treats, this is the time to give him one. I always say my love and attention should be all they need so I don’t personally give treats but I understand why you would choose to do so. 

Why does my Frenchie target the carpet? 

You will find your Frenchie pup will target the carpet that they find far away from where he sleeps and eats. Why is this? Because the carpet is soft under their paws and makes them think they are standing on grass. If you can, block of any carpeted area while potty training. 

What about puppy pads? 

I am not a huge fan of puppy pads. One, they are terrible for the environment. Two, you want to begin training your pup the way you want them to be potty trained as an adult. It’s confusing to change methods. Three, they tend to play with them and tear them apart which is a choking hazard.  I understand you may be using them until your pup gets its full series of shots, especially if you live in an apartment complex. My suggestions is to place  the potty pad as close to the door as you can or even on the balcony if you have one. This way they associate the door with going to the bathroom and it’s just a few more steps outside to go in the great outdoors. You may even consider a grass pad made for pups. 

Again there’s nothing more fun than brining home a new Frenchie pup. Your pup relies on you to be consistent so he can learn  good manners so he can become a proper canine citizen and seamlessly mesh into your families life. 

Looking for a Frenchie pup? Make sure to get The Ultimate Guide in Adopting a French Bulldog.

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Nine Reasons to Adopt a French Bulldog

Nine Reasons to Adopt a French Bulldog

Are you considering to adopt a French Bulldog? Here’s a little history and some of their best attributes. French Bulldogs first appeared in Paris in the mid-nineteenth century as a result of crossing toy bulldogs from England with Parisian ratters. They had been imported by Americans in the 1800’s but it wasn’t until 1885 that a breeding program was officially set up and eventually the French Bulldog Club of America was created. In the early 20th century they became popular among high society costing up to $3000 and being among families like the Rockefellers and J.P. Morgans. In 2021 French Bulldogs became the 2nd most popular breed. Celebrities who own Frenchies include Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Lady Gaga, Eva Longoria, Hugh Jackman, Reese Witherspoon, Madonna, and many more.

#1 Personality loving and affectionate.

A Frenchies goal in life is literally to love you every second of it. They love to be a big part of your life and will soak up all of the love you give them. Expect lots of Frenchie kisses and lap warmer for their lifetime.

#2 Sturdiness

They might be a smaller size but they are sturdy. They’ve managed to survive and thrive my two young boys.

#3 Great with kids and overall make amazing family members.

Not only are they sturdy for young kiddos but they also are very patient. I can’t tell you how many times one have pulled on the pups ears and they just roll their eyes and move on with life. They love to play and just be with kids. Frenchies teach kids responsibility and help prevent loneliness and depression. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the pets of my childhood as they were what saved me and kept me sane. They are truly the best friends that don’t go away.

#4 Low grooming maintenance

Overall Frenchies have low grooming requirement. Nail trims, monthly to quarterly baths, and some brushing will suffice.

#5 They don’t need a lot of exercise.

Frenchies don’t require long walks or lots of running up and down hills on a regular basis. A short jaunt around the block or the backyard is all they typically need.

#6 Adaptable Companion

Frenchies can do well in almost any atmosphere. They make great country dogs and can also enjoy living in an apartment in the city.

#7 Fun and playful

Have you ever been around someone that just makes you feel good being in their presence? That’s a Frenchie. They are fun and playful and will make each of your days brighter.

#8 Size.

Their size makes it great for taking them places. They can easily hop in the car and be your errand runner and travel buddy. If yours is around 20lbs, they can fly in cabin with you as you travel across the country.

#9 Expressive faces.

There is nothing better than the expressive faces of these little guys. They let you know exactly how they feel about the situation with their little squish face.

If you found this article helpful and want to a adopt a French Bulldog, you’ll want to download The Ultimate Guide to Adopting Your Frenchie.

 

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Do French Bulldogs shed?

Do French Bulldogs shed? The French Bulldog of Colorado Blog

Do French Bulldogs shed? I have received this questions numerous times. Yes, they do shed but typically not as much as other shedding dogs. There are dogs who are hypoallergenic that have more human like hair and tend to not shed like bichons, poodles, etc… We’ve all seen the opposite end of the spectrum with dogs who shed piles of hair everywhere. Frenchies are short haired and single coated and I would say that you won’t find as much hair around the home as those other breeds. 

We also find that cream Frenchies usually have the thickest and shed more. The lilacs tend to have a smoother coat and shed less. All of the other colors tend to be in between. Remember this is a basic trend we’ve seen and may not always be the case. Yes French Bulldogs shed some but really are about as good as it gets for minimal shedding for a dog who has fur.

How to Keep Your French Bulldog Safe!

How to Keep Your French Bulldog Safe! The French Bulldog of Colorado Blog

A big question everyone is now asking is how to do I keep my French Bulldog safe? No one wants to have their very own Frenchie baby lost or taken from them. Here is a list of everything we recommend and use ourselves to keep your Frenchies safe and sound from escaping, theft, and other dogs.  

Have a collar with identification on your Frenchie.  

One of the easiest ways to keep your French Bulldog safe is to have identification on the collar or tag. If he escapes someone can easily call you and you’ll be reunited with your baby. You can add a dog collar tag to the collar or purchase a collar with the information engraved on the collar or buckle. The information you can include can be name, phone number(s), and address.  

Register your Frenchies microchip.  

We typically use AKC microhips and will give you the information to register the chip. If your Frenchie escapes or is stolen and someone scans your Frenchies microhip you can be reunited. The microchip is connected with your information. For this to happen it is essential that you register the microchip and keep your contact information up to date.  You can do this when registering your puppy with AKC or complete the AKC reunite form we provide you at pickup. Please do this simple step ASAP. I can’t tell you how many calls we’ve received in panic because their Frenchie escaped and they never registered the microchip number and can’t even find the information to do so.  Always remember to double check the microhcip number we provide you at the vet’s office. Human error is always a possibility.  

Keep your French Bulldog safe with a FitBark GPS system.

We love the FitBark GPS system where you will get Wifi safe zone alerts when your pup enters or leaves one of your designated safe areas. If lost, you can quickly tack your Frenchie anywhere in the U.S. with 1-minute location updates until reunited with your baby.  

Walk with a Taser and Pepper Spray 

I live out in the country walking on dirt roads where dogs are often left to roam. They come running up to my Frenchies which want to protect their momma. Of course Frenchies cannot properly defend themselves as their little snout usually can never sink their teeth in their target. Dogs are even more sensitive to pepper spray than humans. I carry a taser to protect against humans and a pepper spray to protect against other dogs. I used to just carry a taser but I was made aware that dogs are quick targets that are difficult to taser.  In case ever needed (hopefully not), I will use pepper spray to protect the little Frenchies.  

Set up a security system  

Consider setting up a security system for your backyard to warn you if someone/something comes over the fence or through a gate that’s not a dog.  

Add locks to gates 

Most of the time we hear Frenchies escaped because someone in the household didn’t secure the gate. Consider adding a lock and minimizing the amount of usage for the gate.  

Other good practices to keep your French Bulldog safe:

  • Keep tight lipped about your Frenchie and where you live.  
  • Never discuss how much you paid for your Frenchie.  
  • Reconsider that Frenchie Instagram account you were planning on creating.  
  • Do not leave your Frenchie alone outside.  
  • Do not leave your Frenchie alone in the car.  
  • Make sure your doors and windows are locked in your home.  
  • Set your alarm every time you leave.  
  • Double check your fences before placing your Frenchie can escape.