Living with French Bulldogs in Canada

French bulldogs or Frenchies are quite a popular breed of dog among pet lovers worldwide, including Canada. They’re considered a rare breed too because of their difficult reproduction process which may require artificial insemination and caesarean section delivery for the safety of the mother and litter. So how can pet owners give the best care for Frenchies? What special care do they require, especially when living in a place with extreme climate like Canada? Professional breeder Mariton Manganaan of Whiteforest Bulldogs Breeder in Caledon, Ontario talks about the basic guidelines.

The best places to get French puppies with excellent bloodline and proper training are reliable breeding facilities. In Caledon, Ontario, Whiteforest Bulldogs Breeder is top of the line, where clients are in waiting lists to ensure that they get puppies that are ready to fit in their lifestyle. In such facility, Frenchies are trained at a very young age to follow routines in nutrition, exercise and hygiene; to make it easy for new owners to manage them when the time comes. Breeders like Mariton Manganaan customize their care according to the breed’s specific needs which he encourages owners to follow for the optimum health of their dogs.

Nutrition for Frenchies is quite simple, as long as owners avoid stuff that could harm them. Many of them are allergic to wheat and could develop skin irritation from too much protein in the diet. These diet specifications do not necessarily mean buying expensive dog foods, owners only have to avoid cheap ones because they’re the ones that contain a lot of fillers which have these components in large amounts. Physical structure-wise, French bulldogs have broad and flat snouts which mean they need shallow and wide containers to eat from with ease. Water should also be constantly available for them because they have low heat tolerance.

When it comes to exercise, dealing with Frenchies is like having an asthmatic child. They should not be given strenuous physical routines because their short airway passage gives them a low supply of oxygen. Too much physical exertion can lead to breathing difficulty. According to Mariton Manganaan, a short period of walking or playing fetch early in the morning is enough for them. The same structural reason also requires them to stay indoors, where temperature is well-regulated. Preferably, they should stay in air-conditioned rooms. In a place like Canada where outdoor temperature can get extreme, owners should keep them from going out undetected.

Many French bulldogs are also show dogs because of their small size (ideally not weighing more than 22 pounds) and adorable appearance (large head in a small body with unique bat-ears). But unlike other high-maintenance show dogs, they only need to be bathed once a month and groomed once a week. The only exception is during the change of seasons when their coats shed-off more often and they may require more frequent grooming session. Their nails need to be cut approximately twice a week in order to prevent imbalance on their paws. The most important for them is oral hygiene, which requires owners to clean their mouth and snout creases using a soft-bristled brush or wet cloth. They are prone to oral infections, again, because of their short oral passageway.

Other special precautions for owners include keeping French bulldogs from deep waters and taking special measures during air flights. This breed of dog cannot swim because of their bigger head in proportion to their body. Owners must keep an eye on them when in vacations near bodies of water, or have them wear a safety vest for ultimate safety. Bringing them in flights may be expensive because they may suffer from fatal breathing difficulties in the cargo section; thus, they should be taken on-board with fare. High altitudes can cause breathing difficulties for Frenchies, so they must stay with their owners onboard for proper care. A practical option for owners during these scenarios is to leave their pet in breeding facilities like Whiteforest Bulldogs Breeder which also offer temporary shelter.

Once Frenchies are settled in the owner’s lifestyle, caring for them will become easier and routine. They are very loyal and family-oriented to their owner once they are properly trained. They do not bark, and instead make low yapping sounds; making them ideal for owners who live with neighbors nearby such as in condominiums and apartments. French bulldogs can live for up to 12 human years, which means their owners can enjoy their loyal company for a long time. Indeed, they are one of the best breeds of dogs to have as pets.