Frenchies are in great demand, ranking at no. 2 in the American Kennel Club’s list of Most Popular Dogs in 2021 and 2020. In fact, they have been in the top 5 on the list since 2017. Their adorable appearance, along with a friendly and loyal disposition, has led to this steady popularity. Yet, as any owner will agree, keeping a dog always comes with a boon and a bane, and the mighty Frenchie is no exception.
The Pros
- Cuteness – One look at a Frenchie could make anyone fall in love with them. The short, stocky build, big bat ears, dark appealing eyes, and smashed face really work for them — and for us.
- Great Temperament – Frenchies are renowned for their gentle temperament, emerging as perfect lap dogs that would enjoy all the cuddles and affection you can spare. They are even increasingly loyal, mingle fabulously well with kids of all ages, and even get along with other dogs and pets in the family. Handling them isn’t a mammoth task, and a Frenchie adjusts better to changes than most other breeds.
- Entertaining Personality – They are full of interesting expressions and hilarious mannerisms that make them natural entertainers to keep you engaged all the time.
- Easy Grooming – If you find cleaning and brushing a dog’s coat tedious, then a Frenchie may suit your fancy. Since it has a short, smooth coat, a routine weekly brushing, and a wash every 2-3 weeks would be enough.
- Low Barking Tendency – They fit the bill for an ideal apartment dog since they don’t bark a lot. However, they could get noisy trying to express their emotions through grunts and snorts.
- Minimal Exercise Needs – A short walk and some fun play sessions are all Frenchies need to stay charged – physically and mentally. Another quality that makes them the perfect apartment dogs. So if you are looking for a pet you wouldn’t have to toil much in exercising, a Frenchie can be perfect.
The Cons
After all the above, there are a few ‘cons’ to consider as well so you are prepared for everything once you bring your Frenchie home.
- High Cost – The price range of a Frenchie puppy is between $1,500 and $3,000, with the average being $2,200 for a dog that has undergone a thorough health checkup. You would even have to incur additional costs for food, health checkups, and vaccination, which means a lot of money.
- Increased Risk of Health Problems – Their brachycephalic features, i.e., the flat face and short snout, invite many health problems, with respiratory distress being the most common. They find it difficult to cool themselves when it is hot and humid. So, when the temperature is high, it is essential to ensure they don’t go out or engage in strenuous activities. They could also get affected by eye conditions like cherry eyes and conjunctivitis, as well as skin allergies. So, you would have to be extra watchful of the health of your pet.
- High on Separation Anxiety – Their clingy, cuddly attitude may have been what charmed you in the first place, but that could also pose problems. Frenchies love staying with their owners, literally following them around the house all day. They don’t do well if left alone for a long time, often resorting to destructive behaviour. So, if your work or commitments require you to stay outside most of the time, a Frenchie might not suit you.
- Considerable Shedding – Their coat is easy to brush. Yet, Frenchies are high on shedding, particularly during summer, and aren’t a good option for those with allergies.
- Big on Drooling – French bulldogs are known for drooling and slobbering excessively. Their flat face with short snout makes cooling down a little challenging. Most Frenchies resort to drooling to cool down fast when their bodies have heated up a lot, mainly during summer. So, daily cleanups are needed to keep your Frenchie clean and in place.
- Streaks of Stubbornness – This breed ranks pretty low when it comes to intelligence, but a lot of Frenchie parents believe them to be smarter than they look but with just as much stubbornness. This makes training challenging, as they are often not inclined to follow commands. Which means you would have to devote a lot of time and patience to train them. You could choose to hire a professional for the purpose, but that would add to the costs of an already costly pet.
With their great popularity, French Bulldogs have often been the target of irresponsible breeding, where breeders focus only on coming up with a unique color or a small size without considering their health. This means you need to be extra careful about who you are getting your puppy from. Always go for a reputed breeder so you can be sure of your pet’s parentage, health, and well-being.
