Are you considering getting a Frenchie as a family pet? If you are then please read our guide. We’re a family and a French Bulldog owner; we have a Frenchie, a cat, and a young son, making us the perfect case study on which to possibly base your decision.
Before I get into the things that make Frenchies such great family dogs, a few caveats as you should not rush into a decision.
They can come with a range of health problems if you’re unlucky or if you don’t take care of them properly. They also require a lot of attention – they are not a breed that should be left home alone.
Handy Hint: Please also make sure you read the pros and cons to French Bulldogs. It’s a must read for any family thinking about getting a Frenchie puppy.
Do French Bulldogs make good family dogs?
Yes, French Bulldogs make for amazing family dogs if you have a safe, secure, and loving environment in which to keep them. Our family has owned a Frenchie for over 3 years now, and here are our top reasons why they make for great family pets.
10 reasons why Frenchies are good family dogs
1. Frenchies are amazing with children
If you have young children in your family, then a Frenchie is going to become their very best friend. Claude came into our lives when our son was 3 years old, and they are now inseparable.
Here are just a few reasons why a French Bulldog will suit a family with children.
- Frenchies can teach your kids responsibility.
- Frenchies can be your child’s playmate and keep them entertained.
- Frenchies can help keep your kids fit.
- Frenchies are good natured and typically non-aggressive.
Handy Hint: To read more about kids and Frenchies, read this guide I wrote about French Bulldogs and children with even more reasons why they make a good match.
2. Frenchies can get along with the other pets in your family
If you have another pet already in your family, then there’s every chance a Frenchie will get on with them. Of course, there’s no guarantee but in our personal experience of already owning a cat, things worked out just fine.
You can see how we introduced our French Bulldog and cat to each other in the video below.
3. Frenchies can adapt well to family life
Our French Bulldog has adapted to our family life really easily. He seamlessly fitted in to everything going on in our house.
We’ve always got people coming in and out of our home to visit us, and Claude adapts really well. But not just to our visitors… he adapts to our wake up and sleep times, mealtimes, and everything else that we’re doing.
Handy Hint: Whilst Frenchies are adaptable that doesn’t mean you should leave them alone. They are a social breed who need human companionship and can suffer with separation anxiety otherwise.
4. Frenchies are good for busy families
We’re a busy family with lots of commitments. Our son is at school, my wife is a mature university student, and I run a business.
Despite all this, Claude the Frenchie makes a great dog for our family. He comes to my office with me during the day, comes on all our days out, and fits around our busy lives and seems to love doing so!
Handy Hint: Read this guide to taking a French Bulldog in a car including how to harness them and deal with potential car sickness.
5. Frenchies don’t need a lot of exercise
French Bulldogs don’t need lots of exercise. That makes them a great dog choice for a busy family who perhaps don’t have the time to walk hours on end.
We take Claude out twice a day and normally for no longer than 30 minutes each time.
I take him in the morning before taking my son to school. Claude will run around at the local park for 20 minutes with the other dogs with a more placid 5-minute walk either side of the play.
Then in the afternoon my wife will take him out for another 20-minute stroll.
Even for our busy family life this is manageable and just the right amount of exercise for a Frenchie.
6. Frenchies are a good-natured breed
If you’ve ever seen a young child around a small dog, you will know what I mean by this; kids can pull and roll around with puppies more than they really should.
Now, many dogs may react with biting and aggressive behaviour. However, our experience with Claude is that it’s the complete opposite. He is extremely good natured and doesn’t have an aggressive bone in his body.
Our Frenchie has never bitten any of our family. Generally speaking, this is pretty typical of the breed as a whole.
7. Frenchies don’t bark much
If you live in a loud and noisy family, the last thing you might want is a loud and noisy dog adding to the volume in the household. This is where Frenchies come into their own; they (in the main) bark very little.
In fact, the only time I hear Claude bark is when the doorbell rings or he happens to see his reflection unexpectedly.
8. Frenchies don’t take up much space
French Bulldogs are a small breed, and don’t typically grow any bigger than around 28 pounds. They aren’t that tall either – here’s when we measured our Frenchie’s height.
Because of this they don’t need a lot of room. We have a small bed for Claude to sleep on. In fact, he even shares the bed with our cat.
9. Frenchies are affectionate and loveable
Family means love, and none more so than when you have a Frenchie. These guys have lots of love to give and aren’t afraid to show it.
Whether it’s little happy smiles, or loving cuddles, a Frenchie will become another loveabale member of your family.
Handy Hint: Frenchies have lots of ways of showing you they are happy. We put together a list of the most obvious signs of Frenchie happiness.
10. Frenchies are playful and will entertain you
Don’t bother sitting down in front of the TV with your family… your Frenchie will be enough entertainment!
I can only compare French Bulldogs to little hairy clowns. They will have you in stitches.
Whether it’s their farting, facial expressions, funny five minutes, or something else, there truly never is a dull moment.
Conclusion
If you want a great family dog then I thoroughly recommend getting a French Bulldog. But please do buy responsibly, don’t fall for a puppy scam, and make sure you’re prepared as a family for what is going to be in store!