Are French Bull Dogs Good Apartment Dogs?
Photographs by Natalie Seibers
For three years in a row, the lovable French Bulldog has been the most popular breed in the United States.
Lady Gaga, Megan The Stallion, Snoop Dog, Chrissy Teigen, (the late great) Carrie Fisher, Hugh Jackman, Dwayne Johnson, and Reese Witherspoon are just a few of the celebrities who’ve owned one of these cuties.
And it’s easy to see why. According to the American Kennel Club, they’re playful, eager to please, and affectionate.
And… they have ears like a bat!
What’s not to love?
Are French Bulldogs Good City Dogs?
The AKC says they are one of the most popular dogs among city dwellers, and certainly number one in New York City.
The NYC Department of Licensing says there have been more than 10,000 French Bulldogs registered with the city, making them the 16th most popular dog in the Big Apple since the city has kept track. For comparison, there have been more than 40,000 Yorkshire Terriers licensed with the city over the same time period; Yorkies, after mixed breed, are the most common type of dog registered with New York. (Keep in mind, NYC and the AKC use different metrics and methodologies to arrive at their information.)
Frenchies
Originally bred in England, Frenchies -- as they're popularly known -- were first bred in the 1800s as companions for lace workers in England. It's not entirely sure why the dogs became popular with the workers, but when the lacemakers became displaced by the Industrial Revolution they took their craft and their pups across the English Channel to France... hence the name!
French Bulldogs are a combination of the English Bulldog, the Pug, and the Terrier.
They come in a variety of colors: white, brindle, fawn, tan, brindle, and white. Adults are usually about a foot tall and weigh under 30 pounds. Their life expectancy is about ten-to-twelve years. They have distinctive large, erect, pointy ears, which give them another one of their nicknames: Bat-Pig!
Are French Bulldogs Good Apartment Dogs?
A friend recently got a Frenchie named Gus and had this to say:
"We decided on a French Bulldog because we live in the city, work 9-5 jobs, and felt it would only be fair to own a dog that doesn't mind to lounge during the day while we are away. They don't require a large amount of exercise, only a small walk. I was surprised about how good of a walker he is. Our dog walker mentioned that the French Bulldog puppies he has are great walkers - this surprised me! He loves to snuggle and has been easy to potty train. He has a wonderful personality and is so lovable."
On a scale of one to five, the Vet Street website gives French Bulldogs its highest score, a five, for being apartment friendly. The Dog Time site gives Frenchies a similarly high score, five stars out of five, for “Adapts Well To Apartment Living.”
Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot?
Quick answer? No.
Vet Street and Dog Time both say Frenchies don’t really bark a lot.
Are French Bulldogs Easily Trained?
Training is important for any city dog. You want your pooch to be well-behaved in your building's common areas. Frenchies are not the easiest dogs to train.
French Bulldogs score on the low side when it comes to understanding new commands. They obey first commands about 30% of the time according to Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies dog behavior. That means it takes 40 to 80 repetitions for them to learn new commands.
Are French Bulldogs Good with Strangers, Children, and other Animals?
Vet Street says French Bulldogs are great with people; a little less so with other animals. Dog Time gives them higher marks on friendliness, both toward humans and other animals.
Do French Bulldogs Require a lot of Exercise?
Both Dog Time and Vet Street say Frenchies don’t require a ton of exercise. But the Urban Dog mantra is that you should exercise your dog as much as you can. It’s great for their physical and mental health. A happy dog is a tired dog!
Taking Care of Your French Bulldogs
Like other dogs that are brachycephalic, French Bulldogs face more than their fair share of health issues. “Brachycephalic” is the term used to describe dogs that have flat faces and squished up noses: think English Bulldog, Boxer, Pug, and Frenchie. Many of these issues involve trouble breathing, over heating, ear infections, and skin infections.
In addition, because of French Bulldogs’ unique body shape, very often they have to deliver their litters by C Section.
So, a word of warning: get pet insurance!
Here’s a complete list of 23 health issues that French Bulldogs face as compiled by PetMD.
The Bottom Line
As with any pure-bred dog, it’s important to deal with a reputable breeder. It’s especially important with very popular dogs like Frenchies. They are expensive dogs so there’s incentive for overbreeding. Visit the French Bull Dog Club of America for more info on the breed to help locate responsible breeders. Keep in mind that this breed’s popularity means they can be very expensive to buy. I’ve seen one source say the average price of a Frenchie is about $5,000, and that they can be as expensive as $8,000.
For tips on how to find a pet-friendly apartment in New York and other cities read Urban Dog's guide.
For more pictures by Natalie Siebers, visit her website.
