French Bulldog Guide in Malaysia (types, price, care tips & more)

History

French bulldogs aka Frenchies for short is a dog breed with a complicated history. Though they are called French bulldogs, there are other 2 countries that influenced the foundation of our modern-day Frenchie. Other than France, there are England and America. 
‍
England’s English Toy Bulldog is the foundation of the modern Frenchie. This breed was brought to Paris by English lacemakers. Then, the French developed the bulldog into a ‘French’ type and the American breeders created the ‘bat ears’.

Physical Characteristics

As one of the most famous breeds in Malaysia, French bulldogs are undeniably charming. Their bodies, which are built like small tanks, dark brown eyes, squished-up faces, and naturally upright bat ears are enough to steal your hearts!
‍
French Bulldogs have a lifespan of 10-12 years, with weight ranging from 7 kg to 13 kg. Their squashed faces, though adorable, will cause them to drool and snort a lot.

Temperament and Personality

Don’t even get me started on Frenchies’ personalities! Also known as a breed with few words, they are really not very vocal. French bulldogs only bark when they find a real cause for excitement. This makes them perfect companions, especially if you live in the city in a compact home! 
‍
Due to their short legs, they might not be able to be your jogging companion, but they are always willing to go for a brisk walk outside. So long as they're with their favourite human! Frenchies are curious and love games. In fact, they love them so much that they even got the nickname, ‘clown dogs’! But if we think about it, it is because they thrive on attention. They just want your attention and will give you love while getting lots of belly rubs in return. Is that too much to ask? 

Caring for a Frenchie

Grooming

Grooming a French Bulldog is really not that much of a hassle. Their short coats are very easy to clean, and since they are not heavy shedders like Labradors, you only need to brush them weekly. Occasionally, you can bathe them with specific shampoos that suit their skin. 

Important!

However, you might want to spend more time on their skin folds. Sometimes, there is drainage from their eyes, and the moisture will get trapped in between their skin folds. These folds become a warm and moist environment for bacteria and yeast to grow, causing infections and severe itching. So, it is always recommended to keep the skin folds clean and dry.  

‍

Training

Just like any other dog breed, Frenchies have to be trained so they can learn how to socialise with other humans and pets. Though they are known to be difficult when it comes to potty training, with a bit of patience (and lots of treats), your Frenchie will come around.

Health

Feeding your Frenchie

French Bulldogs should be fed dog food that is appropriate to their life stages. To prevent overfeeding, they should only eat 2-3 small meals a day. Overfeeding your Frenchie could cause obesity, which further increases their risk for back injuries and underlying airway issues.

Supplements

You can also consider giving your furbabies omega-3 supplements to support their skin and coat. The Omega-3 essential fatty acids strengthen their skin’s ability to resist the growth of bacteria and yeast. This could fight infections specifically, when it comes to their skin folds. 

‍

Can French Bulldogs mate naturally?

The answer is yes and no. The reason why I say this is that, though it is extremely rare for French Bulldogs to breed naturally, it can happen. But the chances of this happening are exceedingly rare.

Why Not?

You might ask, but why can’t they? Well, it is because of the way the French Bulldogs were bred. Their stubby legs, compact bodies, and narrow hips make it impossible for them to mate naturally. Though both male and female Frenchies can be fertile, they can only breed via artificial insemination.

How do they breed?

Artificial breeding does not mean it is safe either. Female Frenchies usually face a huge risk of harm if they give birth naturally. So, most of the time, human assistance is needed when they give birth.

‍

Health Conditions

1. Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome‍

Even though their squashed-in faces might win them some brownie points, this characteristic can be a vice too. They will be more susceptible to Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome. Some of the common symptoms are struggling to catch their breath, breathing with the mouth rather than the nose and getting tired easily when it’s hot.

2. Sensitive Skin‍

French Bulldogs have sensitive skin that is very prone to allergies. Though some allergies are mild and can be managed with antihistamines or a dermatologic diet, severe ones can cause skin infections. Some signs of allergies are licking or chewing certain body parts, redness or bumps on the belly, and head shaking.

3. Ear Infections

Ear infections are very common among Frenchies. This condition might be an underlying allergy or could also be caused by the shape of their ear canals. The symptoms are pretty easy to spot. You just have to look out if your Frenchie is scratching a lot, or shaking its head excessively. You might also spot inflammation or odour from their ears too.
‍
All of the conditions mentioned can be prevented if you bring your Frenchie to the vet regularly for checkups. So, please make it a habit to bring your dog to the vet. Also, talk to your vet about preventative measures because prevention is always better than cure! :)

Getting a Frenchie

If you are thinking of getting a French Bulldog in Malaysia, you can check out MyPetsLibrary. They have a list of certified sellers of Frenchies in Malaysia. The price ranges from RM3000 to RM5000 for a puppy.

‍

If you would like to adopt, you can check out PAWS, SPCA or any one of the shelters listed here! Though you might not find a puppy, wouldn’t it be better if you could give them another chance to be loved?

Conclusion

Yes, French Bulldogs are adorable! But before you make the decision to care for one, I ask you to think about it first. Can you give them all of your love and attention? Are you able to spend quality time with them and keep them healthy? Regular checkups might cost a lot, financially. Why not let us worry about that for you? Check out our insurance here!