The French Bulldog puppy is a beautiful breed of dog to have. By nature, this Bulldog is robust, healthy, and can reach old age. Although it does not have high demands in terms of care, a few essential points should not be overlooked here in particular, so that the Bulldog can feel completely comfortable.
I have written a complete guide on how to care for a French Bulldog puppy. Here are some key points to keep your French Bulldog puppy is healthy and happy:
- Visit the vet for vaccines
- A high-quality diet
- Potty training and socialization
- Watch for signs of illness
- The Teething phase
- Grooming your Frenchy
- Wrinkle, ear, eye, and teeth care
- Care for his paws and nails
This article will provide you with all the answers and resources you need to set you and your new French Bulldog puppy up for a long, happy, and healthy life.
Visit The Vet
“Your vet will examine your new Bulldog puppy for illnesses and abnormalities. Schedule an appointment as soon as you bring your pup home.”
The vet will review the vaccines your pup had when he was still with the breeder. Most times, they will also check your Bulldogs’ stool for worms. After his examination, he will set you up with a vaccine schedule. Here is a standard schedule most vets will follow.
| Puppy’s age | Vaccinations |
|---|---|
| 6 – 8 weeks | Your puppy will get the Distemper, Parainfluenza, and kennel cough vaccine. Usually, the breeder does this before you take your pup home. Make sure you check that. |
| 10 – 12 weeks | Your French Bulldog puppy will receive the DHPP cocktail. This is a vaccine for distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus. He will also receive the coronavirus, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and kennel cough vaccines. The last four vaccines are all optional. |
| 12 – 16 weeks | Your pup will receive distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus vaccine. Optionally he will receive coronavirus, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, and kennel cough vaccines. |
| 12 – 24 weeks | Your puppy will receive a Rabies vaccine. |
Not only does your new French Bulldog Puppy need vaccinations, but he will also need heartworm, flea, and tick prevention.
The corona virus is not the virus that we know as COVID-19 in people.
This dog corona virus can cause problems with the gastrointestinal system and can also cause respiratory problems or even infections.
Symptoms of the canine corona include loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Keep your dog warm, hydrated, and comfortable. There is no medication for the virus.
A French Bulldog High Quality Diet
For your Frenchy to stay healthy, he needs quality nutrition. Not all dog foods contain proper nutrition and fats that are essential for your French Bulldog’s diet.
French Bulldogs have health concerns you need to take into account when selecting the proper food. The best food is one specially developed for a French Bulldog pup; tasty, but complete with all the nutrients he needs, easy to chew and swallow.
One of our top recommendations would be Royal Canin dry food designed for French Bulldog puppies. You can find it in the store here.
Your pup needs the right combination of protein and other nutrients, of which protein should be a minimum of 22%.
How Much Should You Feed A French Bulldog Puppy?
The first couple of weeks when you bring your puppy home you should stick to the brand and food your breeder has been using. Often They give you a bag for the first couple of days.
Also try to stick to the feeding schedule your breeding has.
“Take at least seven days to transition from one food to the other. You are mixing 25% of the new food with 75% of the old on the first day. After 2 days, mix 50/50 and after 6 days mix 75% of the new food and 25% of the old. On day 7 you can go for 100% new food.”
After your puppy has had some time to get comfortable in his new home and accustomed to his new owners, you can try to switch dog food.
Once your pup is fully grown, you can switch to adult food.
“How much should you feed a French Bulldog? This is really something for you to workout with your vet, although they will often recommend sticking to the instructions on the bag. “
I recommend to split the daily amount in half and feed him twice a day.
Potty training and socialization
There are many ways available to potty train your new puppy. Choose the best technique you are both comfortable with. Whichever you choose, make sure you have set up everything before you bring home your new family member.
Have a schedule ready and keep a timer at hand. Read our article on how to potty train a puppy. You can get your pup potty trained within 2-3 weeks.
Socialization
This is probably one of the first training you should start with (together with potty training). Proper socialization is key to taking care of your French Bulldog.
“Socialization should begin when your pup is about 8 weeks old.”
You can start with puppy classes if this is what you prefer. It is a great way to introduce him to other puppies and people.
In the first months of his life, it’s vital to introduce him to as many different sounds, environments, and people as possible. Think of all the situations he can get into in his life and introduce him to it.
Without proper socialization, your dog might become afraid of certain situations later on.
Watch For Signs Of Illness
When you bring home your puppy, he is still at an age when he has not yet received all of his vaccinations. When puppies are young, they are prone to all kinds of diseases and illnesses. Some of them can be very serious yet very much 100% preventable.
First, you need to make sure your French Bulldog puppy receives all the vaccinations at the right time.
Second only take your puppy outside in public after he has received all vaccinations. Usually, this is after about 16 weeks.
In the meantime, only bring him in contact with other dogs who are fully vaccinated. They do need to get socialized with other dogs and humans but take precautions.
- Avoid poop and urine of other dogs
- Don’t allow him to play with unknown dogs
- Only let him play with a familiar dog if you are sure the other dog is fully vaccinated
- Consider attending a puppy class with other vaccinated puppies. Especially if you have no other dog friends around.
Watch for these signs of illness in your puppy. Contact your vet as soon as possible if you notice any of them:
These are signs of a heat stroke
- Rapid heart rate
- Having a fever
- The lack of coordination
- Loss of consciousness
- Inactive or lack of energy
- Dizziness
- When he is excessive drooling (more than usual)
- Glazed eyes
Other signs to look out for
- Not eating or drinking
- When he is not growing/gaining weight
- Signs of discomfort
- Gagging or Vomiting
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Excessive panting
- Trouble or noisy breathing
- Blue, bright red or white gums
- Not able to pee or poop
If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet as soon as possible. These are all signs something is wrong with your Frenchy, and he needs veterinary attention. Your vet can advise you on how to treat the symptoms and if he needs to see him.
Why Does My French Bulldog Puppy Chew Everything
There are many reasons for a dog to chew. Chewing is a great stress reliever, and it just feels great for a pup.
Chewing is better known as teething is normal behavior for a young dog. It helps them to relieve pain caused by their growing teeth. It is best to give your pup plenty of toys to chew on before.
Teething is an essential part of your pup’s development. It is best to have plenty of things around that you approve he chews on. Chewing on your furniture and shoes is unwanted behavior.
There are plenty of toys available for dogs to chew on like the kong or a bacon-flavored wishbone chewing toy. You can check out different toys here at chewy.
Usually, teething will start when your pup is about three months old and will get less when he reaches the age of 6 months. Often dogs will chew less when they mature, but many times it is a behavior that can stay a lifetime.
Grooming a French bulldog puppy
The French Bulldog puppy is a robust and very frugal dog. There are a few things to consider when caring for them due to their facial wrinkles and other peculiarities. Caring for the French Bulldog is not difficult, but must be done regularly.
It is enough to brush the dog once a week, so that its short coat remains shiny.
Dog shampoos are available in all pet shops. Soaps or shampoos for humans are not suitable for French Bulldog, as they can affect the natural texture of the dog’s fur and may cause allergies.
However, this intensive treatment should only be given in exceptional cases. Once the Bulldog has bathed in the sea, a subsequent shower with freshwater is indispensable.
The salt in the seawater irritates the skin and can even lead to inflammation. Bulldog puppies should not be bathed at all. They tend to catch a cold quickly.
While grooming, always looks out for eczema. French bulldogs tend to have allergies that can be caused by food (e.g., eggs, milk, fish, soya, certain vegetables, sugar, or oils).
A little tip: After you have cleaned and dried the skin folds, it is recommended to apply petroleum jelly to protect the dog’s skin. This also applies to its snout, which can sometimes crack.
Wrinkle Care For The French Bulldog Puppy
The skin folds in French Bulldog’s face are his trademark and make him irresistible. But it is precisely these cute wrinkles that are often colonized by parasites or contaminated with stubborn dirt.
Especially in and around the wrinkles, the skin can become inflamed and cause the dog pain. Regular check these areas to prevent this from happening.
Parasite infestation is combated with appropriate ointments or tinctures, dirt and moisture can be carefully removed with a wet wipe.
It is essential to wipe the wrinkles dry afterward! Special care is required when cleaning the nasal folds. Here the cleaning must be as gentle as possible and never rubbing.
The Ear Care Of The French Bulldog Puppy
The large bat ears giving a French Bulldog a cute look also need regular care. The ears should be checked for parasites at least once a week.
In warm and humid climate mites, bacteria or fungi like tones can develop quickly inside the ears. If these can reproduce undisturbed, the dog will have an “ear pressure.“
Due to the constant itching, the animal often scratches his ear and keeps the head tilted unnaturally. The bad smell from the ear is also striking.
You can clean with a wet wipe. A special ear cleaner for dogs from the pet store can also be used for indoor use. A little cleaner is instilled in the ear, and the liquid is gently massaged in.
Then the loosened dirt can be carefully picked up with a cloth. It is best to carry out the procedure outdoors because French Bulldog will then shake vigorously.
The remaining dirt particles and liquid residues fly out of your ear. Under no circumstances should cotton swabs be used to clean French Bulldog’s ears.
As soon as the dog flinches or starts to shake, the stick can damage the sensitive ear canal.
Eye care with the French Bulldog
The large beady eyes of French Bulldog also require regular, gentle care. Coarse dirt around the eyes is removed with soft cloths.
The wrinkles around the eyes should be carefully cleaned with a damp cloth.
Foreign bodies must not, of course, get into the eye. Should this happen while frolicking around, a vet must be consulted. He can determine whether a corneal injury is present and then take appropriate measures.
A pain-relieving and antiseptic eye ointment administered over several days are usually sufficient for quick healing.
The French Bulldog is prone to conjunctivitis. His resting place should, therefore, always be protected from the wind.
In general, their eyes are quite fragile. Take good care of them.
Teeth care for the French Bulldog
Nothing is more unpleasant than the bad breath of a dog. As soon as you notice it, a check of the dentition is necessary.
To brush the teeth, you use a soft toothbrush or a dog ultrasonic toothbrush. Every tooth is cleaned with much praise and good persuasion.
It will be more pleasant for the dog if you use a delicious dog toothpaste with a meat aroma.
If dental care is carried out regularly, the Bulldog will gradually get used to it. Deposits on teeth can be largely prevented if French Bulldog has a hard chewing bone now and then to nibble.
Due to the constant gnawing, light deposits on the tooth are scrubbed off, thus preventing the formation of tartar. If a tooth is damaged, sick, or has stubborn tartar, the treatment of a veterinarian must be sought.
Untreated bad teeth in the dog’s mouth can lead to other serious diseases such as inflammation of the liver, heart, and kidneys.
To clean French Bulldog’s teeth, lift the lips slightly and clean the outside of the teeth. The inside of the Bulldog automatically brushes with her tongue.
Various dental products are available in pet stores, such as chewing sticks, drops to soften the dental plaque, and special toys
The Care Of The Paws And Claws Of The French Bulldog
Every day French Bulldog runs long distances on its little paws, and it always goes over hill and dale. It can easily happen that a pebble or other foreign body gets stuck between the toes or pads.
Of course, this bothers, and the dog begins to limp. Immediate control and – if necessary – removal of the foreign body prevent the soft skin between the toes from being injured.
Wipe the paws of your Frenchy clean after a long walk. Use a damp cloth to do this. This is especially important in winter.
When caring for the French Bulldog, give his paws some extra care to keep them in optimal condition.
The claws of a dog, like the fingernails and toenails of a person, always grow back and must be shortened regularly, unless they wear out automatically when walking on hard ground.
Claws are too long if there are slight clicking noises when the dog is walking. If the Bulldog runs primarily on sidewalks or paved paths, the wear effect of the claws is greater than walking in the forest and field.
Tips For The Correct Cutting Of The Claws In The French Bulldog
In each claw, there are nerves and blood vessels that must not be injured under any circumstances. With light nails, the veins are quite easy to see in a good light.
With dark nails, a strong flashlight is useful to help. When held under the paw, the blood vessels can be seen through the horny layer.
In the front part of the nail, there is only the horny area which is not supplied with blood. This part is shortened.
Most dogs have another fifth toe, the wolf’s claw, on their hind legs. If this was not amputated shortly after birth (often done with hunting dogs because of the risk of injury), a regular check must be made.
The wolf’s claw never touches the ground, so it does not wear out. Uncircumcised, it continues to grow in a circular pattern until it finally bores into the flesh.
For every dog, this means sharp pain with every step. Of course, it must not come to that!
If you want to cut the claws of your French Bulldog yourself, get yourself some suitable nail scissors early on. These scissors should lie comfortably in hand and be to be served with little strength.
The exact sharpness is important so that the claws can be cut cleanly and above all smoothly.
The less noise the scissors make when cutting, the calmer the dog remains during the tricky work.
You can read more about nail clippers for dogs and how to use it in our blog post about nail clippers here.
The following points should be observed when cutting claws correctly:
– before the session, gather all the necessary utensils together, i.e., scissors, something to stop the blood (if the cut is too deep), bandages
– who needs glasses, get them ready
– the French Bulldog should lie relaxed on its place, and the best is to play a game after the work
– Hold his paw firmly. The French Bulldog could pull her away or twitch
– Ensure good lighting conditions, use a flashlight for dark nails, keep light nails in daylight
– Cut only the horny part of the claw, better too little than too much
– Hold scissors horizontally and always cut at right angles to the claw
– Better cut off small pieces several times
– Bear in mind the wolf claw
– Always keep calm, then even the dog will not become hectic
– At the end of the action give big praises to your French Bulldog and maybe a nice treat
What Else Is Necessary To Care For A French Bulldog?
Due to its short fur and the lack of undercoat, the French Bulldog is very sensitive to the cold. It is therefore recommended that you only take short walks in the winter months and put on a warm coat.
Puppies, in particular, quickly get a cold.
In the summer, of course, a French Bulldog also needs enough spout, but you shouldn’t overdo it at high outside temperatures.
The face-off should not play too boisterously on the gas laps; otherwise, there could be a heat stroke. After a walk, it is important to rest in a shady place.
Another point in French Bulldog care is checking his weight. The French Bulldog tends to be overweight, which is harmful to her health due to her compact body.
A balanced diet with a high meat content and a few treats as possible is a must for the ideal weight.
