The French bulldog is a small version of the English bulldog. Generally, a French bulldog is playful and pleasant. This dog is curious by nature, which makes him difficult to train. However, anyone considering purchasing or adopting this breed of dog should be prepared for the common health problems, which can cause the veterinarian bills to add up quickly.
Reproductive Concerns
Because of the compactness of the French bulldog and the large head size of the puppies, most Frenchies will have to have a C-section instead of delivering puppies naturally. Couple this with the fact that she must be artificially inseminated, and breeding these animals gets expensive and risky. An indirect health problem of assisted reproduction is that anesthesia must be used for the procedures. Many Frenchies are allergic to anesthesia, and those who aren’t must be anesthetized using an intubation method instead of an intravenous method.
Spinal Considerations
The French bulldog has a ‘corkscrew tail’, which is caused by a condition called hemivertibrae. While this isn’t a problem when it is confined to the tail, it is a problem if the condition occurs in the spine. This condition is sometimes called butterfly vertebrae. Basically, it is a condition in which the bones of the spine don’t form fully prior to birth. An added concern of this condition is that it isn’t readily visible on X-rays until after the puppy is 16 weeks, which usually means that the puppy is already at its new home instead of with the breeder.
Respiratory Conditions
The French bulldog is considered a Brachycephalic breed. This means this dog has numerous health concerns when it comes to the respiratory system. This breed often has an elongated soft palate, constricted nostrils and short airways. All of these mean that the dog will have trouble breathing, may develop a cough, and will usually snore. This also makes it difficult for the French bulldog to exercise or deal with warm weather. This isn’t a breed that can be left outdoors during the summer months. The shortened airways leave less room for passage of warm air going out and cool air coming in while panting, which increases the risk of heat stroke.
Blood Disorder
This condition is a serious blood disorder, which affects the clotting abilities. Internal bleeding, nose bleeds and unexplained bruising are signs of this disease. Additionally, you may notice the dog limping without a visible reason for the limp. This happens because of pressure on the joints caused by bleeding within the joints. Blood transfusions are the only way to treat this affliction.
Joint Problems
The French bulldog is at an increased risk for hip dysplasia and patellar luxation. Hip dysplasia is a condition that causes rear leg troubles because the ball of the hip doesn’t fit properly into the joint. This is usually a genetic disease, which means that a dog with this condition shouldn’t be bred. Patellar luxation is basically a slipping of the knee joint. Both of these conditions may be treated with surgery if the dog is suffering or if the condition is lessening the quality of life.
