Is The U.S.’s Most Popular Dog Breed the Right Fit for Your Family?
By Nancy Moser, DVM
The U.S. has decided and the French Bulldog is now our favorite dog breed! When deciding what type of dog would be a good fit for your family, it is important to consider your lifestyle, activity / fitness level, and most importantly, veterinary care and medical needs of your dog.
While Frenchies are very cute with fun personalities, they are predisposed to a few medical conditions that require more maintenance than the average dog. A part of a Frenchie’s appeal is their cute baby-like “smushed” faces; this “smushed” face is a part of a medical condition called Brachycephalic Syndrome. This condition includes having a smaller narrowed windpipe, smaller nostril openings, and having extra soft tissue in the back of their throat; Most Frenchies have at least one or a combination of these issues, which makes it more difficult for them to breathe. When these dogs get excited, stressed out, or go outside on a warm day, they have a higher chance of developing respiratory distress, which is a potentially fatal emergency. Fortunately for dog owners, most of these issues can be surgically corrected to help Frenchie’s breathe more normally. These surgeries involve widening the nostril openings and removing the excess tissue in the back of the throat. Your veterinarian will be able to assess your Frenchie’s specific needs and let you know if they would recommend any of these procedures.
Other medical issues French Bulldogs are prone to include skin and ear infections, skin allergies, intervertebral disc disease, and dental disease. There is no way to predict which of these conditions a Frenchie will develop. All of these conditions are very treatable but can be costly to prevent or maintain. Pet insurance has come a long way and can help with routine and unexpected costs.
If you are interested in adding a French Bulldog to your family, ensure you do your research on their needs; this can include having a conversation with your veterinarian to set expectations and ask more specific questions about this breed.