In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, French bulldogs gained enormous popularity. At the same time, the first club of lovers of this breed was created.
Most fans of French bulldogs were representatives of the political and secular elite.
And in 1903, the first exhibition of the breed was held with stunning success. After this event, French bulldogs gained many fans around the world.
Today there is no corner of the earth where these cute little dogs do not live. They are loved for their unusual appearance, cheerful and carefree disposition.
Personality of the French Bulldog
Black is one of the most common colors of French bulldogs.
These little dogs are full of natural charm and sophistication. It's no surprise that they have gained popularity all over the world. NOTE!
This dog's easy-going nature makes it an excellent companion on short walks. They can be very friendly and sociable, but you shouldn't be intrusive with these kids - if you don't respect their personal boundaries, they can show their teeth.
For a child, a black French bulldog will be a wonderful friend. These dogs, like children, are very inquisitive. They will be interested in exploring the world. The main thing is to explain to the baby that the new four-legged friend must be treated with respect.
Read a more detailed description of the French Bulldog breed here.
Constructing a muzzle pattern
When all the measurements are taken, do not forget to reward the tail for patience.
And then we proceed to constructing the pattern:
“Lower” each of the four corners of the trapezoid down by 0.5 cm and draw smooth curved lines.
And with the same smooth curves we round off the sharp corners of the trapezoid and straps.
This is what the dog muzzle pattern should look like in the end.
Trying the pattern on your pet. We make sure that it fits the circumference of the muzzle perfectly. That the straps are located “in their place” and pass clearly over the head without touching the ears.
Well, that’s all, the dog muzzle pattern is ready, you can transfer it to the fabric and start sewing.
Why do you need accessories for a walk?
Many dog breeders and fans of the breed believe that a muzzle and harness are completely unnecessary accessories for a French bulldog. They justify their assumptions by the fact that this is a decorative and very friendly breed, and a harness, leash and muzzle will bring unnecessary discomfort to the dog.
But there is another opinion. French bulldogs, despite the fact that they are very calm, are characterized by outbursts of aggression.
This is usually due to the fact that the dog may feel that someone is threatening its owner.
In order to avoid unpleasant incidents in which your pet can be seriously injured, the best option would be to walk it on a leash in crowded or unfamiliar places.
Also, the ability to walk on a leash and wear a muzzle will be very useful during long trips or visits to the veterinarian.
The fact that French bulldogs are extremely inquisitive may also be in favor of wearing a muzzle.
During a walk, you need to constantly look after them; the dog may want to taste all the objects encountered along the way. Wearing a muzzle will protect the dog owner and pet from the consequences of this kind of gastronomic exploration.
What is a muzzle for?
Many owners do not understand why a cheerful, friendly little friend needs a muzzle. After all, the French bulldog is not a fighting, not a guard, not a service dog.
Firstly, there are legal requirements and failure to comply may result in a fine.
Secondly, no one knows how a dog will behave in a stressful situation. Your kindest dog, who wouldn’t even hurt a fly at home, may show signs of aggression in an unfamiliar place and may even bite in defense.
Thirdly, these accessories are necessary to protect the health of the bulldog. With a muzzle, he will not be able to pick up and eat garbage from the ground.
Of course, this does not mean that the dog will have to wear a muzzle all the time.
But any dog must be accustomed to it, so that if necessary, the bulldog does not experience discomfort and can spend some time calmly.
Harness or collar?
Every breed lover, especially if this is their first dog, is faced with the question of what to choose - a harness or a collar.
Dog handlers and veterinarians have already proven that a harness is much more ergonomic. Unlike a collar, it does not put pressure on the dog’s neck and does not cause unnecessary discomfort when walking.
Harnesses are recommended by veterinarians for all dogs to wear. Pets with a non-standard anatomical structure especially need them. For example, those with a long spine, such as dachshunds and corgis, or those with a predisposition to joint dysplasia.
During a walk, the harness does not pinch your neck, this helps to avoid unnecessary stress. It is also much easier to pull a dog on a harness without fear of injuring the pet.
Expert opinion
Tolkachev Andrey Mikhailovich
veterinarian
Despite all the advantages that a harness provides, it is important to remember that you should not pull the dog too hard on the leash while walking, even if it is disobedient. Such actions on the part of the owner can in the future provoke spinal deformation and back pain in the animal.
General information about the breed
Although this is an ornamental breed, hardly anyone will say that it is absolutely safe in stressful situations. No matter how cute your bulldog is, when he is not in the mood, it is better not to fall under his hot paw.
Children scurrying past in the park may suffer from the usual growl of a disgruntled Frenchman and even from an attempt to bite. In this case, you will need a collar and muzzle. It is unlikely that others will appreciate this behavior of a dog in public places, in any case, you cannot escape criticism, and, in extreme cases, if the dog is bitten, the dog will be taken away and euthanized, be vigilant.
Everyone knows that the character of bulldogs is far from ideal, for example, from the character of poodles. Yes, the French are nice, yes, they are kind, moderately friendly, playful and affectionate, but, as a rule, only with their owners and their family.
Most often they are wary of others and do not let them get close to them. Don’t think that the smaller the dog, the less aggressive it can behave. This is not always the case, although it depends entirely on upbringing.
Many have a negative attitude towards muzzles, considering them unnecessary, and the law states that dwarf breeds do not need them. This is especially true for short-faced dogs, including the French bulldog, because they have breathing problems.
French bulldogs are not deprived of kindness, but every Frenchman is different from another; many mothers are seriously wary of dogs without a muzzle. So whether you like it or not, in some cases you have to wear a muzzle.
How to choose a harness?
A harness for a French bulldog is one of the most important accessories. No matter how well-trained a pet is, it is better not to take him for a walk without a harness and leash, especially if the promenade is planned in crowded places where there are children and other dogs.
IMPORTANT!
In order for people and pets to enjoy communicating with nature, it is necessary to choose the right harness for the dog.
When choosing a harness, you need to consider the following nuances:
- You can’t buy a harness for growth. It should fit snugly to the dog's body. Therefore, it is best to go shopping with your four-legged friend or accurately taken measurements;
- You can't skimp on a harness. It is better to prefer a model from a well-known, well-established manufacturer in the market, than to constantly worry about whether the structure will break or not;
- When putting a new thing on your pet, you definitely need to check whether it is too tight for him or whether the connecting elements are rubbing.
Keeping a bulldog according to the rules
All short-haired breeds need clothing, not only for winter, but also for spring, autumn, rainy and wet weather. There is an opinion that the fur and skin can be damaged by clothing, but you should not immediately abandon it.
Buy clothes only from natural fabrics. Remember - you are protecting the dog from hypothermia, and health comes first! A French bulldog will feel protected in a warm overall, a rag hat, and is not afraid of a walk even in the snowy winter season.
And in the rain, he will need comfortable boots or sneakers to avoid getting dirty. Now there are many salons that provide custom-made clothing. They will select the size and color, whatever your heart desires.
There are wedding tailcoats for bulldogs and other small dogs, bathrobes and other delights. All this costs money, but can you really save money on such a sweetheart as a French bulldog?
The next point in the correct maintenance of a French bulldog is wearing a harness or collar.
Modern dog breeders prefer a harness; it gently grabs under the chest and does not put pressure on the throat. Moreover, it is believed that wearing a collar provokes aggression in a dog. You shouldn’t put unnecessary stress on it, buy a harness and use it, this way you’ll get used to the “near” command faster, and if something happens you’ll be able to pull the dog back.
After all, French bulldogs often like to pick up all sorts of nasty things from the ground, and by commanding “no” and lightly tugging on the leash, you can stop these uncivil actions.
A muzzle is necessary when you:
- Going on a trip or taking a train;
- In order not to frighten neighbors and their children;
- On walks in public places without a leash;
- When visiting a veterinarian;
- If the French bulldog is a lover of eating all sorts of things from the ground.
Finding a muzzle for a Frenchie is not so easy; they are almost never sold for short-faced dogs. You can order tailoring in the salon or make such a muzzle from fabric. There are many patterns on the Internet; after calculating the required size, you can sew such an important accessory yourself, and, we have no doubt, it will turn out beautiful in the end and complement the image of your pet.
There are a great variety of muzzles - made of metal, leather, with large slits that help the dog breathe, rags, plastic. Go shopping and try it on - maybe one will be suitable for a Frenchie, even if it is intended for a different breed.
This can be done if the muzzle is no longer useful to you, and you only use it in extreme cases for a short time. If you need a muzzle for constant wear, then it is better to sew it in a suitable size so that it is convenient and comfortable. For a mini dog, it should be soft, comfortable, and not cause allergies or chafing.
How to choose the right muzzle?
In addition to vitamins, clothing, harnesses and leashes, modern pet stores offer a wide range of muzzles for dogs.
It is best to go shopping for new clothes with your pet. The structure of the French Bulldog's muzzle and respiratory tract is unique, so you should select a muzzle carefully, paying attention to many nuances and be sure to try on the model you like.
When choosing, you should pay attention to the following details:
- the muzzle must be made for the given breed of dog, this must be indicated on the tag;
- Trying on before purchasing is required. This is done in order to accurately understand whether the selected accessory model is suitable for the dog;
- after the muzzle is put on, the owner must check all connections and fasteners, this is done so that the purchase does not press or rub the delicate skin of the pet;
- In a good, correctly selected muzzle, the dog should be able to breathe freely by sticking out its tongue.
How to sew a muzzle for a dog with your own hands
Sewing a muzzle for a dog with your own hands is not difficult at all. You will see this if you read this post completely. The work itself will take no more than an hour using a minimum amount of materials.
It should be noted that there are many types of muzzles for dogs: metal, leather, plastic, fabric. When choosing a muzzle, it is important not only to take into account the individual characteristics of the pet and choose a product that is suitable in size. There is one more important point: you must decide for what purpose this accessory will be used.
For example, for long walks, training and training, as well as for walking in the hot season, muzzles such as mesh baskets made of plastic or metal are perfect. The “basket” will not only allow the pet to calmly lick its lips and breathe freely, but will also reliably protect the little one from the temptation to pick up some bone on the street.
The muzzle that we will talk about today is more suitable not for walking, but for other purposes. Rather, it will serve as protection against biters, who do not like hygiene procedures (for example, trimming nails) and trips to the veterinarian.
How to train a dog?
Accessories such as a harness and muzzle should be used to accustom your dog from childhood.
Harness
When putting a harness on a dog, you should never bend over it; the dog may perceive this as an unfriendly gesture and get scared.
The best option would be to sit on the floor right in front of your pet, arm yourself with several servings of your favorite treat, and only after that start introducing your dog to a new accessory:
- it is necessary to let the dog get acquainted with a new object, in no case should the dog be allowed to play with the harness; as soon as the dog sniffs it and no longer shows interest, you can try to put it on;
- The harness must be held in your hands in such a way that the dog can stick its head into the loop. You can encourage her to do this with treats. Try not to put an accessory on your dog, this may frighten the animal;
- After the dog's head has entered the loop, the harness can be fastened. After this, the dog should be praised and rewarded with a treat. Never allow your dog to try to rip off his harness. If she tries to do this, she must be distracted and not punished in any way. A walking accessory should not be associated with negative memories;
- You can remove the harness only after the dog has spent some time in it and has lost all interest in it.
Muzzle
Training is not lenient. And the sooner it starts, the easier it will be for the dog to adapt to the human world. A dog that does not resist a muzzle is a faithful companion for whom almost all doors are open.
NOTE!
It is better to accustom a dog to a muzzle from childhood. The ideal time to introduce a muzzle to a French Bulldog is 6 months.
Before you begin training and put a muzzle on your dog, you need to introduce it to this accessory.
This needs to be done in several stages.
- classes are conducted only in the comfort of your own home;
- You need to unpack the muzzle in the presence of the dog and give it to your four-legged friend;
- Under no circumstances should you allow your dog to chew on the muzzle or play with it. The pet must immediately understand that this is not a toy;
- you can try putting some treat in the muzzle and letting the dog eat it;
- After the dog has stopped showing interest in the muzzle and has realized that no threat should be expected from it, you can try putting it on and fastening it.
How to make a muzzle from a bandage
A muzzle made from a bandage for dogs is used only in an emergency, when a normal device is simply not available, but it is still necessary to protect others from the dog. In this case, you can use not only a bandage, but also a good thick tape, tie or tights. Total length about 80 cm.
How to make such a quick muzzle:
It should be understood that the entire structure must be tied securely enough so that the dog cannot open its mouth. In addition, a good knot behind the ears will help keep the pet close to the owner if necessary.
Measurements from a bandage
As already mentioned, an accessory such as a muzzle is really needed. The scheme presented in the article is best suited for dogs with an elongated muzzle. For those animals whose noses are flattened, special metal or plastic structures are used. Making them yourself is much more difficult. In addition, such a thing is selected for the dog individually.
Source
When to wear it?
As a rule, training a puppy to use a muzzle and neck takes from 7 days to two weeks.
The training period can be called legitimate when the dog stops noticing the wearing of these accessories.
Once the dog has learned to walk with a harness and muzzle, there is no point in training him at home. Now you can put on your dog's gear only if necessary - before a walk, travel or visit to the doctor.
After a walk, the harness and muzzle must be removed.
When do you need walking gear?
The French Bulldog is not on the list of dogs that are legally required to wear a muzzle; it falls under another section of the Federal Responsible Treatment of Animals Act. The paragraph concerns the rules for transporting dogs in ground public transport and the subway. It says that during transportation the dog (without specifying the breed) must be muzzled and on a short leash or in a special container.
The Frenchman's outfit can be very attractive
There are no other mandatory conditions for wearing equipment, but it will be useful:
- while walking around the city, in the park;
- when visiting a veterinarian;
- during visits;
- during training.
When walking in the city, you need to be prepared for the appearance of an irritant. A French bulldog is capable of behaving inappropriately: reacting to an unusual signal from a car or traffic light, chasing an animal, or getting scared. In these cases, a harness will help maintain control over your pet without causing harm to it.
Do not forget! The small French bulldog is a descendant of the fighting dog. He is capable of engaging in a fight with an opponent significantly superior to him in strength and size.
