There’s no doubt that any dog lover will have heard of the French Bulldog. With its diminutive stature, muscular body, bat-like ears and big personality, this well-natured dog is popular choice for many, and it’s easy to see why.
With their short, rough, straight hair, the French Bulldog might not be the cuddliest at first touch, and those who love the breed but want an even cuter and cuddlier companion may be interested to learn that there’s a contender for this role – the fluffy French Bulldog.
An incredibly rare find, at first glance you may think the fluffy French Bulldog is a mixed breed dog, but in actual fact they are 100 per cent a French Bulldog. The only real difference is within their slightly longer, fluffier coat, which is present due to the LH (or FGF 5) gene, though two Frenchies with this gene will still only have a 25 per cent chance of having fluffy Frenchies in their litter as the short haired gene is the dominant one.
Where does the fluffy coat come from?
You may be wondering where the fluffy-haired gene comes from, and it has likely always existed due to the fact that French Bulldogs were bred in France in the mid-19th century from Toy Bulldogs imported from England and Parisian ratters or terriers. It is likely that the shorter haired Frenchies were bred due to being so popular with the longer haired versions phased out, but with the growing popularity of these fluffy versions – just look at their fluffy ears for starters – we are likely going to be seeing more of them about, though sightings are likely to be much rarer than short-haired versions.
Their furry coats can be found in all colours and patterns that are known in the breed, from the more typical fawn, black and brindle to the more uncommon blue, merle, lilac and merle.
What are Frenchies like?
A companion dog from the start, the easy-going, social, affectionate and patient temperament make this gorgeous breed perfect if you’re looking for a dog to have around you for most of the day. They don’t do so well when left alone for periods of time and they are prone to separation anxiety, but they get along well with most people, so if doggy day care is on your radar, then you should be fine.
If you have other pets and children, they will be friendly if socialised from a young age, but as with any breed of dog, it’s best to always keep an eye on them around small children, no matter how friendly you believe your pooch to be.
Fluffy French Bulldogs, just like short-haired Frenchies, can be expected to grow to a weight as an adult of around 10-13kg and they can be expected to live until around 10-12 years, depending on a variety of factors. Standing at an average height of around 11-12 inches at the shoulder, these companion dogs will give you many happy years, so long as you take good care of it.
Looking after your fluffy French Bulldog
It’s important to learn as much as you can about any breed of dog before you bring one into your home as they all have varying characteristics, personalities and health issues that they are prone to as well as individual needs that will need to be catered to.
Fluffy French Bulldogs will need a weekly brush to ensure their coat stays looking and feeling fresh and they will shed gently year-round and a little more twice throughout the year as the seasons change. They are prone to heat exhaustion as they struggle to regulate their temperature and so any owner should take this into consideration during periods of hot weather and also when exercising. A daily short walk should be enough to keep your dog healthy, so long as you keep a watchful eye on their food intake. Split their meal into two and spread throughout the day to ensure they’re getting enough nutrition.
According to the Fluffy French experts at Dog Academy, due to the shape of their skulls and short snouts, Frenchies can suffer with breathing issues and are not strong swimmers, so keep an eye on them near water, and especially if you have a pool. Their skin should be wiped daily to avoid conditions developing in the folds of their skin but should only be washed when very dirty.
Final thoughts
These friendly, personality-filled fluffy friends make a great canine companion in life to the right owner, so do your research, prepare well and we are sure you’ll be able to give a fluffy French Bulldog and happy life.
