Last Updated: 05/11/2025
French Bulldog Breed Guide
Thinking of getting a Frenchie? Our complete vet guide covers the French Bulldog breed. We explore their personality, diet needs, and common health problems like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and allergies. Learn how to care for your French Bulldog.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 9 minutes - short read
With their iconic bat ears, stocky build, and comical personality, it's easy to see why French Bulldogs have become one of Australia's most popular breeds. These affectionate, playful dogs are championed as fantastic apartment pets and loyal family companions.
But there's more to the "Frenchie" than just a cute, flat face. This comprehensive guide, written by our vets, covers everything you need to know about their personality, common health problems like Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), and their specific dietary needs. Whether you're thinking of getting a Frenchie or already have one, we'll help you give them the best possible care.
All about French Bulldogs
Nutrition
Feeding a high quality diet that is tailored to your French Bulldog's age and size will help to keep them healthy and happy. Getting nutrition right can help to prevent, reduce or manage some commonly occurring health conditions in French Bulldogs such as ear and skin issues.
Best food for adult French Bulldogs
When selecting the best food for an adult French Bulldog, it is essential to manage their common health predispositions. This breed is frequently prone to skin allergies and digestive issues, often manifesting as itchiness or flatulence. It is also critical to maintain a lean body weight to minimise stress on their joints and spine, and reduce the risks associated with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) and IVDD.
Many adult Frenchies thrive on high-quality diets formulated for sensitive stomachs. Unique protein sources can also help in elimination diet trials when a food allergy is suspected. Whether opting for a premium kibble (some are specifically shaped for their unique brachycephalic jaw), a fresh-food diet, or a wet formula, the most important factor is that the diet is "complete and balanced" for an adult dog's life stage.
For more information, take a look at How much to feed your dog to help you calculate an appropriate feeding amount for your Frenchie.
What to look for
Modified energy content to help maintain a healthy weight
Tailored kibble size and shape to assist in food pick-up
Omega-3s to support skin and joint health
Vet picks
Best food for French Bulldog puppies
As medium breed dogs, French Bulldogs puppies will finish the majority of their growth at 12 months of age. They will benefit from a premium diet that has undergone digestibility testing and is high in protein to support healthy muscle development.
For more information, read through our guide to the Best food for Puppies.
What to look for
Balanced energy and calcium to phosphorus ratio for healthy bone development
Highly digestible formula to help prevent tummy upsets
DHA for healthy brain and eye development
For more information, check out What is the best food for my French Bulldog?
Flea & worming
Keeping your Frenchie protected year round against common parasites is essential to maintaining their health. This should include coverage against fleas, ticks, heartworm and intestinal worms.
Best flea and worming treatments for French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are well-known for their sensitive skin and predisposition to allergies. This makes vigilant, year-round flea control crucial, as even a single flea bite can trigger intense itchiness (known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis).
Depending on where you live, robust protection against paralysis ticks is also vital.
To simplify this, an all-in-one monthly chewable or tablet is an excellent option, as it provides comprehensive protection. Alternatively, you can use the annual heartworm injection, supplementing it with monthly intestinal worming and a separate oral flea and tick treatment.
What to look for
Effective year round flea and tick control
All in one products for simplicity
Always double check the weight range to ensure an effective dose
Health
French Bulldogs are prone to significant health issues. These primarily include Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which causes breathing difficulties and a high heatstroke risk. Skin problems, such as allergies and skin fold dermatitis, are also very common, along with spinal issues like IVDD and joint problems like patella luxation.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome
As a 'short-nosed' (brachycephalic) breed, the French Bulldog's flat face is a result of selective breeding. This anatomy unfortunately causes Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a condition where physical defects - like narrow nostrils or an elongated soft palate - obstruct the airways.
Because dogs rely on panting to cool down, these breathing difficulties make Frenchies extremely prone to heat stress. Their inability to pant effectively means they can overheat, which can quickly become fatal.
A veterinary airway assessment under anaesthesia is recommended, often conveniently performed during desexing. Surgical correction of these defects is most effective when done at a young age.
Beyond surgery, lifestyle management is critical. Obesity severely worsens breathing, so maintaining a lean body weight is essential. Due to their high heatstroke risk, French Bulldogs must be protected from high temperatures, have indoor access in warm weather, and avoid strenuous exercise, particularly in the heat.
Want to know more? Read more about Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs.
Best products for skin allergies and skin fold dermatitis
Managing a French Bulldog's sensitive skin requires a dual approach for both allergies and skin fold dermatitis.
For their characteristic folds, hygiene is essential to prevent bacterial and yeast infections. Gently cleaning the folds daily with a dedicated pet or medicated wipe - and, crucially, ensuring the area is thoroughly dried afterwards - is a key management step.
For broader skin allergies, which often manifest as itchiness, redness, or paw licking, it is important to consult with your veterinarian. They can help identify the cause and may recommend products like gentle or medicated shampoos to soothe irritation, prescription diets to manage food sensitivities, or specific veterinary medications to control the itch cycle.
Want to know more? Read more about Skin Fold Dermatitis and Common Allergies in Dogs.
What to look for
Pet-safe wipes for daily use
Medicated shampoos to reduce yeast, fungi, and bacteria on the skin
Omega 3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA to reduce inflammation and help support normal barrier function
Best products for weight management in French Bulldogs
Weight management is absolutely critical for French Bulldogs due to their predisposition to serious orthopaedic and spinal conditions like Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Carrying even a small amount of excess weight places significant extra strain on their spine and joints. Additionally, obesity severely worsens the breathing difficulties associated with Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
For an overweight Frenchie, a therapeutic veterinary diet specifically formulated for weight loss can be very effective. These diets are typically lower in calories but have tailored protein and fibre levels to help your Frenchie feel full and prevent hunger between meals. Using slow feeders or treat-dispensing toys is also an excellent strategy to slow down their eating, promote feelings of satiety, and help reduce begging. It is essential to consult your veterinarian before starting your Frenchie on any veterinary diet or weight loss plan to ensure it is done safely and effectively.
Learn more about How to Help Your Dog Lose Weight.
What to look for
Veterinary diets designed for weight loss while also promoting satiety
Slow feeders and treat dispensing toys to slow down mealtimes
Lower calorie treat options
Training and activity
French Bulldogs are intelligent and respond well to positive, reward-based training. Keeping sessions short, consistent, and fun is the best way to manage their sometimes-stubborn nature.
Exercise must be carefully managed due to their brachycephalic anatomy.
Best toys and activity for Frenchies
French Bulldogs require regular, gentle exercise but must be managed carefully due to their flat-faced (brachycephalic) structure, which makes them highly susceptible to overheating and breathing difficulties. Aim for up to 60 minutes of low-impact activity per day, ideally split into two or three shorter walks during the coolest parts of the day.
For their powerful jaws, durable rubber and nylon chew toys from brands like KONG and Nylabone are excellent choices. Puzzle toys are also essential for engaging their intelligent minds. Interactive toys, "hide and seek" plush toys, and snuffle mats provide a fantastic, safe, indoor outlet for their energy. When choosing a ball, consider a vented option like the Chuckit! Air Fetch Ball, which is specifically designed to allow easier breathing during play.
What to look for
Durable, tough toys
Food dispensing toys and puzzles for mental stimulation
Snuffle mats
Best harnesses, collars and walking accessories for French Bulldogs
Always use a harness instead of a collar to protect your Frenchie's neck, airway, and prominent eyes.
The best and safest design is a 'Y-shaped' harness. This type of harness sits on their breastbone in the front and allows for free, natural movement of their shoulders. Avoid harnesses that cross straight over the shoulders, as these can restrict gait.
Look for soft, breathable materials like mesh, or harnesses with padding. This helps prevent rubbing and chafing, especially under the front legs.
A standard-length lead made of nylon or leather is ideal, as it gives you good, consistent control. It is best to avoid retractable leads. These leads can make it easy for your Frenchie to build up speed and then be suddenly jolted when they hit the end of the line, which can still cause an injury even while wearing a harness.
What to look for
Y-shaped harnesses to allow free shoulder movement and avoid pressure on the neck
Standard length, non-retractable leads
Bite sized, high value treats and a treat pouch for training on the go
Grooming
Grooming a French Bulldog is relatively straightforward, but their unique features require specific attention. While their short coat only needs a weekly brush to help manage shedding, the most critical task is daily cleaning of their facial folds, and tail pocket if they have one.
Best grooming products for Frenchies
Weekly brushing with a hair-catching or deshedding brush or grooming glove is ideal.
More important than coat care, however, are the grooming requirements of the eyes, nose, and ears.
Eye care
Due to the skin folds around the face, your Frenchie may develop moist tear staining which can lead to yeast overgrowth. This can become smelly and irritated, especially in hot weather. To combat this, wiping your dog's face daily with a gentle dog wet wipe.
Ear care
French Bulldogs' charming 'bat ears' require regular attention as they can be prone to problems. This is often due to their narrow ear canals and a high predisposition to allergies, which can lead to recurrent yeast and bacterial infections. It's important to check their ears weekly for redness, discharge, or any unusual odours, which are all signs of a potential ear infection.
To maintain healthy ears, use a vet-approved, gentle cleaning solution every few weeks (or as directed by your vet). Learn how to clean your dogs ears in our Vet guide. If you ever suspect an infection, skip the cleaning and consult your veterinarian.
For more information, read through our guide to How to Groom a Dog.
What to look for
Gentle ear cleaners for regular use
Gentle grooming tools designed for short coated breeds
Shampoos and conditioners that support a healthy skin barrier
Sleep and home
French Bulldogs are renowned for their love of naps and their impressive (and often loud) snoring, which is a direct result of their brachycephalic (flat-faced) anatomy.
Best beds for French Bulldogs
When choosing a bed, support is paramount. Due to their high risk of spinal issues like IVDD, an orthopaedic or memory foam mattress is ideal for cushioning their joints and back. A bolster or 'cuddler' style bed is often a favourite, as it provides a sense of security and protects them from drafts. Most importantly, their bed should be placed in a temperature-controlled room to ensure they neither overheat nor get too cold.
It is also wise to prevent Frenchies from jumping on and off high furniture or using stairs frequently. Using pet ramps can be a great way to give them safe access to the sofa or bed while protecting their spine from high-impact landings.
What to look for
Extra support for joints from orthopaedic or memory foam
Bolster beds for a sense of security and comfort
Ramps for safe access to sofas and beds
French Bulldog FAQ
