Having a French Bulldog

[rumred]

Hello

We are considering permanently taking in a foster French bulldog who's been used (and abused) for breeding. She's about 5.

This isn't a breed I've any experience with so I wondered if anyone here could give a few pointers /thoughts. She's got a nice temperament but obsessed with food and some skin issues which are improving (from a flea infestation it's thought). She's been fine with our cat which is a big thing.

I had a French Bulldog. He was a male and absolutely the joy and delight of my life. Unfortunately he passed away from congenital epilepsy this summer at only three years old despite being on anti seizure medication.

They are quite energetic and strong, strong willed but super loyal and wonderful. Come with a myriad of health problems so insurance is incredibly expensive and vet bills can be high and you're never quite sure when these health issues can materialise. Their farts also stink (a con of brachy breeds in general).

They can be quite jumpy and stronger than they look so training is essential but since she's been living such a shit life she may be quite placid which could be easier to work with than a younger dog.

As long as you go in with your eyes wide open, they can make genuinely wonderful companions.

We fostered, then adopted a female Frenchie 7 months ago. She's also utterly obsessed with food! We all adore her and her skin issues have cleared up with steroids from the vets and using stinky stuff.

She is very needy and as a breed they are, so you need to give them lots of cuddles and love, mine follows me everywhere!

She snorts, breathes heavily and snores loudly a lot so we dont have her sleeping with us but she sleeps in a cage.

Ours isn't keen on walks, Frenchies can be like this, we still take her twice a day though.

With ours, she doesnt know how to 'play' because she was farmed, then dumped, so she won't fetch a ball or anything like that, she enjoys biting toys (and cushions) to pieces though.

My house is smellier, which bothers me but I wouldn't change her, the kids get so much out of having her and me and DH do too. Sorry, that was long!

Oh and like pp said, they are little but really, really strong and mine can jump like a mountain goat!

Sorry for your loss by the way, 3 is far too young.

You need insurance - really, really good insurance. They are such an unhealthy breed.

I wouldn't be so sure that her skin issues are solely due to fleas either, Frenchies are notorious for having issues with their skin, so I'd be prepared for it to be a permanent problem rather than a temporary one.

They have lovely personalities though!

Thanks for your comments. We're not wealthy so I think that's the biggest challenge potentially.
Sorry you lost your dog so young @discoballdave how distressing. I'm attached to ours already, we've only looked after her a few days.

@ElsaMars yours sounds similar to ours. She hasn't got any interest in walking or playing. Copious amounts of ham got her round the woods this morning.

Any thoughts about joints? She's seen a vet but I don't think they noticed problems with her knees although I wonder if that might be putting her off walking. Or maybe it's she's just not used to walks.

Definitely something with walks she's not keen on, we wondered if that's how she was dumped. Weirdly, if we take her in the car and then have a walk she's fine! Maybe try that?
No noticeable joint issues here but she does get tired and hot, so we are careful not to do really long ones, like other breeds would enjoy.

Look into Stinky stuff for the skin issues and a supply of steroids from the vet's to get it under control if necessary. Just got a 2 months supply from ours for £16.

Also, its possible she might need go go grain free with food. Ours is, it doesn't stop her trying to eat bread crusts off of the bird table though 😄

The insurance is £15 a month, it's a good policy too, covering up to 3k a year for existing any new conditions.

Thanks @ElsaMars
She's on steroids and grain free already. I've made her some soothing cream for the rubbing on her undercarriage.