Items we recommend having for your French Bulldog puppy before he or she arrives:
*Collar & Leash- I recommend a small collar to start with. Puppies grow rapidly so expect to upgrade several times before your puppy reaches maturity. Leashes come in a variety including regular handheld leashes. Retracting leashes are also available. Choose the leash that works best for you. I recommend one that allows your puppy to walk freely a distance from you for his or her comfort.
*Food/Water dishes-I recommend stainless steel or heavy crockery food and water dishes for your puppy. French Bulldogs, like other breeds, do chew and having heavy food/water dishes will deter them from attempting to play with or chew on them. Choose dishes that are approximately the same size as the portion of food or water you want to give your pet. Medium sized dishes work best for French Bulldogs.
*Travel/Sleeping crate- An adequate sized crate is ideal for your pet; especially if you plan to use it to crate train him or her. We recommend that a crate be large enough for a puppy to turn around and lay down in at the least. An oversized crate is often overwhelming for a small puppy but older puppies and adults enjoy the added room. For a puppy, a medium crate is appopriately sized. However, for a full grown Frenchie; we recommend a large or extra-large crate to provide plenty of room for your pet to stretch and be comfortable.
*Dog Food- I feed my French Bulldogs Diamond dog food. We free-feed all of our dogs; which allows them to eat when they are hungry as opposed to on demand. During the first year of life, your French Bulldog puppy will be growing so having food and fresh water avalailable at all times is optimal for growth and development.
*Treats- Treats are a must have for your pet. They are essential in training your pet; especially housebreaking. Treats come in a variety of flavors and textures. I recommend starting your puppy out with Bill-Jac liver treats or Ol-Roy treats. Our dogs seem to like those most of the treats we have found. As I mentioned previously, treats should never be rawhide.
*Toys-All puppies need toys to play with. They help them release energy, are great for playing with/bonding, and are essential to help your puppy get through teething. For french bullies; I recommend toys that are sturdy; such as kong toys. Toys that contain anything like buttons, beads, or are plush are not recommended as puppies can easily chew and eat them; which can be very dangerous. I do not recommend giving your French Bulldog any toy or treat that contains rawhide materials like those found in pig ears or other popular chew sticks made out of rawhide. They are harsh on a pet's digestive track, can cause severe intestional irritation, or choking. Choose toys that are made for DURABILITY!
Proper care for French Bulldog puppies:
Caring for your French Bulldog puppy will be time consuming yet rewarding. Frenchies are loving, playful, and even tempered. They are very easy to care for. It is imperative to develop a rountine for your puppy so that he or she knows what to expect. Frequent outside potty trips will reduce the number of in house accidents.
I recommend that until your puppy is fully vaccinated; he or she is not taken to areas where unfamilar dogs have been. Places like dog parks, Petco, and etc. can put your puppy at an increased risk of contagious diseases such as parvo because there is no way to ensure that all pets that visit those locations are not carriers of illness or fully vaccinated. Therefore, I recommend that you avoid such places until your puppy is fully vaccinated. Puppies, like babies, develop immunity over time. Exposing your puppy to other animals that may be ill or not fully vaccinated can be detrimental. Your puppy's vaccinations should always be kept current!
Grooming and Bathing- Grooming your Frenchie is fairly easy! Frenchies have facial wrinkles which should be kept clean. You should use a cloth to gently wipe folds daily. Bathing should be done as needed but should not be excessive as it can dry out your pet's coat. Pay special attention to your Frenchie's ears to ensure that they are clear of any wax-buildup. This will prevent discomfort and ear infections! Trim your pet's toenails as needed.
French Bulldogs & the Heat- French Bulldogs are a heat sensitive breed. Like English Bulldogs, great care should be taken to ensure that they do not over exert themselves. Always supervise your Frenchie when he or she is outside! Provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your puppy; especially when he or she is spending time outdoors. Never leave your French Bulldog in a car; even for a short amount of time!
Of course the most important thing you can do for your Frenchie is provide him or her with an abundance of love! Puppies thrive with love and a routine that lets them know what to expect in their new home.
In the first few days after they arrive at their new home, puppies need to spend the majority of their time with their immediate new family. This will allow them to bond and will help them feel more secure. Special care should be taken to introduce your puppy to children. I recommend that
If you have any questions about caring for your new French Bulldog puppy contact me!
