Do you have young children? Did you think about getting a pet to join your family? Maybe a dog breed that is gentle and playful with kids would be the best fit for you!
One of the most popular breeds in America is the French Bulldog breed. They are often called “Frenchie” dogs, and they get their name from their short, sleek bodies and bat-like ears. These dogs make lovable pets for many different types of families!
Besides the physical characteristics of French Bulldogs, it’s crucial to take a look at the French Bulldog temperament and how they interact with young children. As well as looking into any potential issues that may arise from having such a breed in an environment with kids.
To help you make your decision, we’ll also discuss some French Bulldog training, potential problems you might face with your Frenchie and the overall compatibility of this breed with kids.
Let’s take a closer look!
Are French Bulldogs Good With Goods?
Yes! French Bulldogs are known for being affectionate, friendly, and lively. They make excellent pets for families with children of all ages!
The most crucial thing to note is that French Bulldogs require much attention from their owners. Their loyalty and affectionate behaviours will be directed toward the adults they live with, but these dogs have a gentle temperament, so they won’t mind kids as long as they are introduced at a young age.
Unlike larger breeds, French Bulldogs are a good fit for most families because they’re not too big, and their personalities make them great with children. They have a playful demeanour that will keep you entertained for hours!
Many people who own French Bulldogs will say that they are better with kids than other breeds because of their high intelligence. They are smart enough to be trained but also have the right amount of stubbornness to get into less trouble.
While these dogs are great with kids, it is important to remember that how a male or female French Bulldog interacts with kids will vary. Male Frenchies tend to be more assertive, playful, and mischievous than their female counterparts. On the other hand, females tend to be more passive and calm.
French Bulldog’s temperaments are gentle and playful, but they can get anxious around new people. It’s important to introduce them slowly to any children in the household to avoid tension around strangers.
Nevertheless, French Bulldogs are perfect for families with kids because of their size, energy levels, and cheerful personalities.
French Bulldogs Temperament
French Bulldogs are known for having a natural tendency to be loyal, loving, and even-tempered. They make excellent family pets because they get along with children of all ages, and they are even known to do well around other pets!
These dogs are right at home lounging on the couch with their owners all day, but they also have plenty of energy to be active. They like playing games like fetch, and they make an excellent walking companion because of their medium-sized bodies.
French Bulldogs have a few specific traits that make them great with kids. Their intelligence and eagerness to please their owners also make them popular choices for obedience training.
French Bulldogs don’t require any specialised training to get along with kids. However, there are some things you should watch out for. We’ll discuss those in detail below!
Potential Issues With French Bulldogs and Kids
Although French Bulldogs are very gentle dogs, there are some potential issues you should watch out for if you have kids.
French Bulldogs get anxious around strangers, especially children. Because of their loyal personalities, they can get easily attached to the adults in the house if they don’t meet the children first.
As a result, French Bulldogs take longer to become comfortable around new people, especially children. If you have young kids, it may be best to wait until they are old enough not to be as inquisitive about the dog before you bring one home.
Frenchies also tend to drool quite a bit especially after eating or drinking. While they won’t leave too much of a mess behind, it’s still best to keep the dog’s drool away from your kids and furniture.
When introducing a French Bulldog to new children, it’s important to make the dog feel comfortable with them rather than trying to meet their needs first. They tend to be wary of strangers and need time to warm up before they become too friendly.
If you’re interested in bringing a French Bulldog into your family and have children, it’s essential to introduce them slowly and prepare your dog for their arrival.
Even though these dogs get along great with kids, they still need to be trained so that they can learn the right way to play with little ones. Like other puppies, French Bulldogs should go through training classes before they’re six months old. This will help them get their wiggles out and learn to socialise with all kinds of other dogs.
Training French Bulldogs
Because of their intelligence and eagerness to please, French Bulldogs are very trainable. They can be recruited for a number of different kinds of roles, including therapy dog work and search-and-rescue missions.
Even though these dogs are intelligent and trainable, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a learning curve to introducing their training. Puppies need to learn how to behave around both adults and children, as well as how to socialise around other dogs.
When you’re training your French Bulldog, it’s essential to pick a location that’s quiet to avoid any potential setbacks. Training them in indoor spaces may also be more effective because of the smaller space – if your dog gets excited, it’s much easier to redirect them in an indoor space than it would be if you were trying to do the same outside.
With that being said, French Bulldogs are very food-driven, which mean they will be eager to please you when they get bored or hungry! Using treats can be a great way to get your dog focused on training.
In addition, French Bulldogs learn best when they’re given a clear explanation of what you’re asking them to do.
When training your dog, make sure that you’re positive and patient – don’t yell or show frustration if they aren’t getting it immediately! Not only can this end up discouraging your dog from paying attention to you at all, but it will also discourage them from following your commands in the future.
To make training simple and effective, consider the following tricks for French Bulldog training:
- Reward your dog immediately after they finish any task or trick
- Make training sessions short and sweet, but make sure you practice every day
- Use a combination of verbal and physical prompts to make sure your dog understands exactly what’s expected
- Never hit or yell at your French Bulldog; this will hurt their trust in you
- If your dog gets overly excited, take a break until they’re calmer to avoid any potential setbacks
- Practice the same task over and over again until your dog gets it right
- Always remember to be patient and positive with your training sessions!
If you want to learn more about how to train French Bulldogs, consider asking your local trainer for help. Trainers can teach you the best way to introduce your dog to training and the best ways to practice it every single day.
What Families Should Avoid French Bulldogs?
Families who work long hours or don’t have previous experience with dog training/handling may want to avoid French Bulldogs. French Bulldogs are relatively active, so families who like to spend time outdoors or go on walks will be able to meet their needs.
French Bulldogs are very food-driven and eager to please, which means training them can take a lot of time and patience. Families who work long hours or have little experience with dog training may want to consider a different breed if they don’t think they’ll be able to continue the daily training schedule required for this kind of dog.
Because they’re small dogs, French Bulldogs are often targeted by burglars. Families with expensive equipment or valuables should consider a more protective breed to avoid anything getting stolen.
The Bottom Line
French Bulldogs are an excellent breed for families with children of all ages. They’re small, eager to please and have fun personalities.
However, they’re not as protective as larger breeds because of their size. They also need a lot of training and daily exercise, which can be difficult for working families or those that don’t have previous experience with dog ownership.
Taking everything into account, French Bulldogs are a great addition to the family, provided you have the time to commit to them.
Would you like to learn more about French Bulldogs? Make sure to check out the rest of our French Bulldogs posts!