French bulldog puppies are small pets that require virtually no special care. However, there are still some nuances - vaccinations, nutrition, care. It is important to familiarize yourself with the individual characteristics of the breed and the breeders’ recommendations in advance, so as not to spoil the dog’s health, appearance and character.
French Bulldog puppies are quite small, but very friendly.
Place for a dog in the house
Before buying a French bulldog puppy - black, blue, red, gray or white - you need to decide on a place for the pet. A bed is prepared for the animal, where the dog can rest and retire with his toys. It is important to show the place right away - clap your hand several times and voice “Place!” It will take several repetitions.
Note! It is not recommended to allow the dog to sleep with the owner or climb onto sofas, chairs, or other furniture. However, this point is only advisory; each owner decides this issue independently.
It is unacceptable to scold, punish, or frighten a pet when it is resting in its place - the dog should feel safe and calm there. When choosing a location, consider the following nuances:
- the room should be bright and spacious;
- A convenient location is considered to be in the corner of the room, near the window;
- It is unacceptable to place a dog bed next to the radiator - dogs’ skin is quite sensitive, dermatological problems will quickly arise;
- There should be no wires, sockets, chemicals, or sharp objects near the bulldog puppy - it is important to remove everything that could harm him.
It is important to choose a comfortable bed for your pet
. Note! Puppies chew and scratch anything that might please them or attract attention. You need to be prepared for possible damage to furniture or remove what is unacceptable to spoil.
Dry food
Raise your dog correctly using dry food. It is selected according to size and age. Be sure to make sure that the package says “for puppies.” It is best if you choose premium or super-premium food, which fully meets the needs of a growing body and does not cause allergies.
You should choose foods that indicate the protein and fat content on the label. This is important for French Bulldog puppies - their diet should not be high in protein. It is worth paying attention to the age category indicated on the packaging.
If the choice is made in favor of dry food, do not add any other products. When this is not taken into account, the balance of nutrients is disrupted, which will lead to malfunction of the kidneys and liver. It is recommended to moisten dry food with warm water for up to two months, with a gradual transition to drier food. Your dog needs extra fluids when eating dry food, so check regularly for water in the bowl.
Information on how much food your pet needs can be found on the packaging. But this is individual for each dog. Therefore, they are guided by the puppy: it should not be thin or fat.
What you need for care
Bulldog puppies are only suitable for apartment living. In a private home, these pets also live indoors. To arrange a place for a small pet, you will need to prepare several basic items:
- bed;
- toys;
- special clothing if you plan to walk in really cold weather (bulldogs quickly overheat and cool down, so this issue should be approached responsibly);
- cups for food and water;
- short hair brush;
- towel.
Important! Not only the French variety of dog, but also others, for example, the blue English bulldog, do not need special bathing products for up to 9 months. The skin of puppies is prone to dryness; treatment with additional chemicals (soap, shampoos - even for sensitive skin) is unacceptable.
Puppies are children too, so it is important to provide them with enough toys
Features of appearance care
Dogs of the French Bulldog breed have fairly short hair, but this does not simplify the process of hygienic care for the pet. Dogs shed heavily, especially if they have problems with their skin (white spots may appear on the chest). The pet is combed with a special brush 2-3 times every week.
On a note! It is recommended to bathe both French bulldogs and Moscow bulldogs, for example, as rarely as possible. 3-4 times for a whole year will be enough for dogs. Buy shampoo for adult pets that is hypoallergenic and for sensitive skin.
It is important to pay special attention to the folds of the animal - in the area of the muzzle, armpits, groin and tail. These places are constantly clogged with sweat, fine dust and dirt, which is especially dangerous for children. The dog does not need to be washed, just wipe with a damp cloth soaked in boiled water (Chlorhexidine is suitable if there is already irritation). After the procedure, the skin is treated with talcum powder or baby cream. It is imperative to monitor the condition of the ears, eyes, nose, and teeth. Features of the procedures for them:
- a visual inspection is carried out at least once a week;
- wipe the ears with a cotton pad;
- The inside of the ear cavity is cleaned with a cotton swab (shallow).
Note! Puppies' eyes are treated daily. It is necessary to carefully wipe the areas with cotton pads soaked in boiled water or chamomile (calendula) decoction.
A feature of the breed is the rapid drying of the nose. Once a week, lubricate this area with oil (olive, coconut, any available). Brush your teeth at least once a week. It is important to accustom puppies to this procedure from a very early age. To clean your teeth, use a special toothpaste and brush.
A healthy pet, with proper care, wears down its claws as usual - on the asphalt during daily walks. If for some reason this does not happen, use a nail clipper. It is important to cut off only the light part - the dark part contains blood vessels. If damaged, the wounds are treated with an antiseptic solution.
Puppy weight by month
The puppy's weight varies from month to month. French bulldog puppies are born small and weigh approximately 200-300 grams. However, with proper care and nutrition, the dog quickly gains the required weight, and also increases in height and length.
Small bulldogs grow very quickly if properly cared for.
It is worth remembering that even at a young age, dogs are prone to obesity, so weight should be controlled from a young age.
Approximate parameters can be seen in the table below; the exact weight may vary depending on many factors:
| Age, month | Weight, kg |
| newborn | 0,2-0,3 |
| 1 | From 1 to 1.5 |
| 2 | From 2 to 2.5 |
| 3 | From 3.2 to 5.2 |
| 4 | From 4 to 6.5 |
| 5 | From 4.8 to 7.8 |
| 6 | From 5.6 to 9 |
| 7 | From 6.4 to 10.4 |
| 8 | From 7.2 to 11.7 |
| 9 | From 8 to 13 |
| 10-12 | From 9 to 15 |
The table shows approximate data. It is recommended to monitor your French Bulldog’s weight and, if there are significant deviations, contact your veterinarian.
Dog nutritional features
A peculiarity of the breed is frequent allergic reactions. It is important to feed dogs properly to avoid problems with the digestive tract and skin. It is quite difficult to correct the situation and restore a healthy appearance to the animal.
Veterinarians do not recommend accustoming your pet to a mixed type of diet - natural food with feed. The body processes different foods differently, and digestive upset may occur. Many owners agree that ready-made dry and wet food is convenient and profitable. The diet can be diluted with vitamins and treats.
Proper nutrition from an early age is the key to good health
Walking a French bulldog, clothes
French bulldogs are reluctant to walk; the pet would rather lie under the warm side of the owner on the sofa. However, walks are extremely important for the healthy development of the puppy, proper education and psychological comfort. Dogs are walked according to a specific schedule drawn up by veterinarians:
- babies up to 4 months walk for a maximum of 10 minutes, but up to 6 times in one day;
- at the age of 4 to 6 months it is allowed to walk for half an hour three times a day;
- from six months to a year - you can increase the duration of the walk to 60 minutes, but go out into the fresh air only twice;
- at an older age, the pet is taken outside at least twice a day for a walk of 30-40 minutes.
You can focus on the physical condition and character of your pet - add or subtract the walking time. Much depends on the weather and the availability of clothing.
How old do French bulldogs grow?
French Bulldogs are thought to grow more rapidly until around 11 months of age. After this, their upward growth stops. However, at the same time, the dogs may well increase in width. In dogs, the head enlarges, then the chest, and muscle mass gradually increases. Full growth of the animal ends at about one and a half years - pets must reach a certain standard.
Attention! It is worth knowing that there are mini-bulldogs, which in adulthood are no higher than 25 centimeters at the withers. They will also weigh less than standard doggies.
Boys are always bigger and heavier than girls
Vaccinations for French Bulldog puppies – when and what to do
By the age of 1.5 months, puppies begin to form their own immunity. This is the time when the first vaccinations begin. During this period - before the start of vaccination and shortly after - it is important to comply with the quarantine regime. It is forbidden to walk; strangers (especially unvaccinated) animals are not allowed near the pet.
Dog vaccination
The first vaccines are given against enteritis, hepatitis and adenovirus at the age of 6 weeks. Repeat after 14 days, then annually. At 2.5 months the dog is treated for distemper, and at 7 months it is revaccinated. At 4 months they are vaccinated against leptospirosis, which is repeated six months later. The last thing - after 8 months - the puppy is vaccinated against rabies.
It is important to accustom your dog to veterinary examinations from an early age.
Development and training
Education and training of the pet begins from the very first days in the new home after the nursery. From an early age, a dog must learn and remember the rules of behavior in the family and living quarters, so that there is no possibility of falling under “bad” influence. You can start training with a dog handler from the first time you go outside.
Note! Early training and regular exercises are the key to proper dog education. If you ignore this care item, the puppy will grow up disobedient.
The French Bulldog is an excellent dog to keep in an apartment. The pet is small, however, care procedures for it should begin from a very early age. A puppy under the watchful supervision of its owner will become a well-mannered, kind dog.
Normal weight for an adult dog
French bulldogs are prone to obesity, so it is important to monitor their diet.
Dogs of this breed are considered fighting dogs, but of a small format. However, the weight they gain is not entirely modest. Males are always larger in size and heavier than females. For adult boys, the optimal weight is from 10 to 15 kilograms, the weight of girls varies from 8 to 12 kilograms.
The dog gains its main and constant weight by about 9-12 months. After a year, animals can gain weight, but in very small quantities.
It is worth remembering that French bulldogs are dogs with a large head, a fairly powerful chest and wide bones, so they weigh more than dogs of other types of similar height. It is important to monitor your pet's body weight to avoid rapid weight gain and obesity.
Attention! French Bulldogs are prone to obesity, so it is important to strictly control their diet.
