About the health of the French Bulldogs

For the ones looking for a more calm and manageable pet, it is well known that French Bulldogs are proven as excellent house companions. Also, there has to be kept in mind that, since they are a dog breed that has specific health and maintenance needs, French Bulldogs do require an added level of commitment on the part of owners.

Nowadays, it is considered that buying a well-bred French Bulldog that has been taken care of by a reputable breeder might just be your best bet for a healthy dog. But, even though you are buying a French Bulldog that you know it has been well taken care of, this still can not represent a hundred percent guarantee that it will not suffer from some of the signature health problems of the breed. There has to be paid attention to the fact that due to their short breathing passages and inability to regulate body temperature, all French Bulldogs are subject to heat-related distress. Plus, there is actually no French Bulldog that is not vulnerable to cold. Even more, there are some French Bulldogs for which the Von Willebrand’s Disease is practically inevitable. This disease reflects a genetic bleeding syndrome.

Even though there are many diseases from which French Bulldogs may suffer, this doesn’t mean that the French Bulldog that you are looking forward to buy will be suffering from any of them. Plus, even though there are many diseases that can harm French Bulldogs, this breed is considered to be the healthiest of the bulldog breeds. It is important as well to be considered that you have better odds of getting a dog that will have minimal health problems, if you have reliable information on each parent dog and their ancestral line, since many of the diseases that plague the French Bulldog are hereditary and/or congenital in nature.

Health Conditions in French Bulldogs

French Bulldogs are most definitely adorable. Their flat little faces, stubby bodies, bat ears and short backs all combine to make for an adorable package, yet they also combine to produce conditions which make French Bulldogs prone to some rather alarming health conditions. Even the most conscientious breeder, using only the most thoroughly screened dogs, can still occasionally produce afflicted dogs. This is a fact which anyone considering the purchase of a Frenchie needs to be aware of.
Frenchies are a Brachycephalic breed - a fancy word which basically means dogs with short muzzles, flat faces and condensed breathing systems. This is what's responsible for the adorable snorting and snuffling sounds your Frenchie makes - but it's also a serious matter for your dog's health. They also combine to make anesthetic a serious matter for the breed. Anesthetic should only ever be administered for the most critical of procedures - no 'putting under' for simple nail clippings, please. Isoflourine is the most popular type of anesthesia, for various reasons, but this is a topic best discussed with your Veterinarian.
The shorter breathing system of the French Bulldog is also what puts them at such very strong risk for heat stroke. Shorter airway=less possibility of cooling the air which the dogs draws into its body. Never, EVER underestimate your dog's susceptibility to heat stroke. Limit their exposure to temperatures which you might personally find only mildly hot, be conscious of your dog's proximity to hot pavement, NEVER leave your Frenchie in a locked car in even warm weather, and always allow them lots of access to fresh water, shade, and cool areas to escape from heat. Be alert, and be prepared with the things you need to save your dog's life.
French Bulldogs can also be prone to:Hypothyroid, eye conditions and heart conditions.