The French Bulldog is the second-most popular breed as per AKC but the fluffy French Bulldog seems out of this planet. Also known as Fluffy Frenchie, this unique version of French Bulldog is taking the internet by storm for the past few years. Unlike the usual French Bulldog which is a short-coated dog, it has a medium-length coat.
There are a lot of controversies about the gene of these pups, many breeders and kennels believe that they are purebreds while some deny them. Whether you may agree or not but such theories and controversies make the breed more interesting.
If you are curious to learn more about this unique and rare version of French Bulldogs or if you are planning to get one, luckily you have come to the right place. This is probably the best guide to learning about a fluffy French Bulldog on the internet, you can also check out this post on this great dog blog.
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Table of Contents
What is a Fluffy French Bulldog?
The fluffy French Bulldog is a great-looking dog, which is transformed from the traditional French Bulldog. Both versions of Frenchies have one difference, i.e., their coat type.
The fluffy French Bulldog can yield if a female and male dog are combined that has the long hair gene which is often not found in most French Bulldogs.
Are you still wondering how adorable would be a long-haired fluffy Frenchie? Check out this video first.
History:
Well, there is no exact proof available about their origin, so, at the moment, no one knows when and where the long-haired French Bulldog gene first appeared in this breed. But it is believed that it has always existed but rarely appeared in the breed throughout its existence. It could also be possible that most of the pups that have long-haired had been euthanized in old days to protect their genes from overly spreading. This implementation does not exist yet but still some traditional breeders still do it, just like they do it for the Cobberdog.
The French Bulldog was originally used by the people of England for bull-baiting. But with time, these types of sports were outlawed, however many Bulldogs were left behind without any motive.
The population of French Bulldogs was reduced significantly but luckily, they were reproduced as loyal companion pets. They were specifically bred to be companion dogs in the 1800s dwindled most of their aggression.
To shrink their size they were crossed with many breeds. French Bulldog got popular in 1850 when it was revealed in a dog show in the 1860s for the first time.
They were brought to Normandy, France by the laborers who lost their jobs in England due to machines, and they had to move to France to make a living.
After some time, these dogs became popular in France. Breeders in England began sending this breed over to France, specifically those dogs that were too small or had some other fault. Surprisingly, dogs with erect ears were also viewed as “faulted” at this stage which is why those dogs were sent to France as well. In the 1860s, many of the small Bulldogs were in France, not England.
Although the original name of this dog was “Toy Bulldog”, with continuous development and breeding in France, they got their new name “French Bulldog”.
They were considered as a “high-fashion breed” in France among the elite class, especially women. Usually, they were founded in royal courts. But their small size made them popular among the middle and lower classes too.
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What’s good and what’s bad about them?
Pros:
Charming and Unique personality:
The fluffy French Bulldog is one of the goofiest and most playful breeds. Along with all the other fun characteristics of a Frenchie, you get a fluff ball. So, you are most likely to be entertained by them all day and the fluffy cuddles are a bonus.
Perfect Companion:
The long-haired Frenchie is an ideal breed for companionship. Wherever you go it will always be beside you. If you are looking for a dog that lays around and watches movies with you or a companion that goes for a walk with you then this is your dog.
Quirky Behavior:
They have hilarious and quirky personalities that will keep you entertained for hours. They always seem to do something goofy.
Great around kids and pets:
The Frenchie is perfect for kids due to its small size. They are friendly and get along with anyone. Kids always want to play with them.
Great apartment dogs:
They are so popular in metropolitan cities like NYC and ranked #2 for obvious reasons. Fluffy Frenchies are some of the ideal apartment dogs out there.
In a city like NYC where nearly everyone is living in an apartment, having a large dog requires lots of space which could be difficult.
Some of the reasons why a fluffy French Bulldog is ideal for apartment residents:
- Requires less Exercise
- Rarely Bark
- Easily adjusted in small spaces like an apartment
Related: French Bulldog Do’s and Don’ts
Cons:
Separation Anxiety:
One of the most common problems found in Frenchies is separation anxiety. Anxiety in dogs can occur due to extreme distress when you left your dog alone for a long period. This can result in your dog’s excessive barking and sometimes they may hurt themselves or others to find you (owner).
Extra care:
The French Bulldog is a brachycephalic dog that takes much time to cold down after running around as compared to non-brachycephalic breeds. It is due to the shape of their skulls.
This breed has special requirements – don’t try to push them to exceed their physical limitations.
Shedding Coat:
It is not a hypoallergenic breed which means it sheds a lot. So, if you are allergic to dog hair, this is not your dog.
Physical appearance and features:
The fluffy Frenchie is not much different than the traditional French Bulldog in terms of physical appearance as the only difference is its long, fluffy, and smooth coat.
It is often called “long-haired” because its fur is slightly longer than a regular French bulldog.
Generally, they are fluffier around their chest, neck, and ears. Apart from their long-haired coat, they look the same as other French Bulldogs.
Size and weight:
In terms of weight and size, they are heavily boned, sturdy, and very compact. They have a height of 11 to 12 inches at the shoulders, while they may weigh between 20 to 28 pounds.
Face:
The fluffy French bulldog has a large and square-shaped head. It is considered one of the cutest breeds because of its expression and cute look.
Eyes and Ears:
Usually, they have dark eyes but lighter colors may also be found in some dogs. They are well-known for their bat-like ears that stand straight up on the top of their head.
Tail:
Their tail could be straight or screwed, but will not be curly. Generally, the tail will be short and move towards the ground.
Personality:
As it is already mentioned that these dogs were specifically bred as companion animals, they are very people-oriented. They enjoy being in close interaction with people and do not tolerate it when left alone for long period. They are prone to separation anxiety which is why they are not a suitable breed for busy owners. While younger dogs are apt to have more serious problems with anxiety.
Temperament:
French Bulldogs are not among the noisy ones, in fact, they rarely bark. Due to their least baking habit, they can’t become good guard dogs.
They are very devoted to their owners and get along well with everyone. They are friendly with kids, strangers, other dogs, and other pets if they are well-socialized at an early stage.
Exercise and Training:
The fluffy version requires similar exercise and training as the regular breed. Due to their people-pleasing nature, they are easy to train. They have fair intelligence but that is more than enough for them. You should not expect them to fly through training, but they are smart enough to learn and understand most of your commands and instructions.
You can expect little stubbornness from them because they are not bred to work alongside people. Although they were initially bred as independent working dogs, later on, they became companion dogs.
Like other dogs, they also require early socialization, however, they are pretty friendly. They can get along with everyone such as children, cats, and dogs if you introduced them from the younger stage.
They do not require much exercise, instead, routine short walks are enough for them. You should not exercise them extensively, as a matter of fact, hard exercise can result in heavy breathing that should be stayed away from due to their flat face.
Care & Precaution:
Being overweight can seriously mess with their health and cause further problems, as they are prone to several health issues. Obesity is common in Frenchies, so it should be avoided at any cost. Make sure you do not overfeed your pup and ensure that they are well exercised. They love food so it is an advantage to teach them new skills and tricks for treats.
Frenchies should also be supervised when they are around a pool because their short legs make it difficult for them to swim for a long time, they are good swimmers though. They love water and they would not spare a moment to jump in a pool.
Grooming:
Brushing:
A long-haired French bulldog is easy to groom, even with fluffy hair. It does not have so long hair that may cause tangles, so you don’t have to worry about that. Brushing them once a week would be quiet enough. However, your dog can start shedding more during its shedding season so at that time you may need to increase the brushing routine to prevent loose hair from building up.
For shiny and healthy skin, brush their coat regularly which will keep the natural oil distributed through their coat.
Bathing:
When it comes to bathing, they require an occasional bath only if they get dirty. While, they don’t need regular baths, because bathing them frequently can decrease the natural oil that is very beneficial for their coat skin.
They have wrinkles on their face which may be problematic as moisture can stuck in their wrinkles and cause bacterial infections. So, You should wipe their face regularly to avoid this problem.
Common Health Issues:
They are among the most affectionate and playful breeds and that is why people love them. It is important to get to know about the common diseases they may get during their life.
The following are some diseases that your Fluffy Frenchie is prone to.
Allergies:
Humans and dogs have many things in common, including diseases. Just like humans, dogs are also prone to several types of allergies. Likewise, the fluffy Frenchie is also prone to allergies, such as skin, food, and environment.
Some symptoms of allergies in LH Frenchie are:
- Excessive licking and itching, specifically paws
- Red/raw patches of paws
- Watery eyes, ear infection, or sneezing
- Diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weight loss
Skin Fold Dermatitis:
Skinfold Dermatitis is a skin-related problem that is often formed in this breed. The reason behind this disease is their adored wrinkled face, which is often not well cleaned because of folded areas. Other parts include the neck, vulva, and armpits.
Symptoms of skin dermatitis that you can look out for:
- Excessive biting and itching around folded areas of the skin
- Development of redness and sores around affected skin.
Heat Stroke:
Brachycephalic dogs are prone to heatstroke and the fluffy Frenchie comes on that list. Their long plate and stenotic nares make it difficult for them to breathe.
To prevent this, avoid letting your dog play for a long time in hot and humid weather.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke include:
- Blue or bright red gums
- Excessive panting
- Vomiting or convulsion
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is a common disease found in many breeds, however, it is a genetic condition Frenchies are prone to. This is due to the abnormal development of the hip joint. Environmental factors such as obesity, as well as, excessive exercises also contribute to the progression of Hip Dysplasia.
Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia include:
- Bunny hopping, decreased activity, or difficulty standing up
- Pain in the Hip or sensitivity
- Inability to climb stairs or jump up
If your pup shows any of the above signs of any disease you should immediately visit your Veterinarian and follow his advice and instructions.
Final Thoughts
The fluffy French Bulldog is a unique and remarkable breed. Their hair may look different but they share the same affectionate temperament as their traditional short hair match.
It is not considered a standard breed due to its long-haired coat and is not registered by any club. There is nothing wrong with this variant of the French bulldog, they are just not recognized by the AKC, CKC, and UKC. Maybe, someday this version of French Bulldog will be acknowledged by organizations like AKC and UKC.
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