The French Bulldog was the second most popular dog breed in 2021, according to the American Kennel Club. And it’s really not difficult to understand why. These dogs are adorable, adaptable, goofy, and endlessly loving. Their small size makes them the right dog even for people living in apartments. They make the ideal house pet for many different people. The fluffy Frenchie is a rare variation of the French Bulldog, that basically looks the same as a regular Frenchie, only with longer hair. However, just like every other representative of this breed, the fluffy French Bulldog is also prone to many different health problems. So if you want to learn more about the fluffy French Bulldog health and lifespan, then keep on reading.
How long do Fluffy French Bulldogs live?
According to the American Kennel Club, the average lifespan of French Bulldogs, and therefore also fluffy French Bulldogs, is from 10 to 12 years. Of course, your French Bulldog could live longer or shorter than that. Because this breed is already prone to many health issues, when treated poorly and not given the medical attention and proper care that they need, Frenchies can live for as little as 8 years. On the other hand, Popeye, the oldest French Bulldog to ever exist, lived for 18 years!
What affects the lifespan of fluffy Frenchies?
There are many different things that affect how long your dog lives. The obvious one are his genes. If your dog is healthy, and doesn’t have any hereditary conditions, he will live longer than a sick dog. However, not everything is in the genes. How healthy your dog is, and therefore how long he lives also depends on the way he spends his days. Is your dog just laying around eating unhealthy human food and snacks, or do you try to keep him active and feed him only premium dog kibble? We are not saying that it’s bad to indulge from time to time. However, you have to keep their bad habits in moderation. Dogs don’t know what is best for them, and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to keep your canine safe.
Genetics
While we will talk more about all the different health problems that this breed can face later on, we can’t skip this crucial part about your dog’s health and well-being. Yes, there unfourtanentley isn’t a way to change your dog’s DNA. Whatever types of chromosomes he is born with will stick with him for however long he stays on this earth. But, there is a way that you as a dog owner can minimize the chance of your puppy being born with a hereditary disease. And that way is by buying your puppy from a reputable Frenchie breeder. We will talk more about this later on in the article.
Source: Instagram (@cocosfrenchbulldogs)
Nutrition
We are what we eat. And the same rule applies to our dogs. If your dog only eats unhealthy food that has no vitamins, minerals, or other types of nutrients, there is no chance that he will be healthy himself. We are not saying that you should go out and buy the most expensive premium dog food that is available on the market. However, you should make conscious decisions when feeding your dog. Some owners even opt for homemade meals, or a raw food diet. The one thing that we would suggest is talking to your vet about the best meal plan for your dog. Each dog is unique, and will require different quantities of food and nutrients. Don’t forget to leave out fresh water for your dog to drink as well.
Lifestyle
When it comes to the lifestyle of your dog, Frenchies are pretty easy going. They aren’t about heavy exercises like some larger dog breeds, instead, they like to keep things fun and simple. That’s why these canines are great even for people living in city apartments. However, even though they don’t need much exercise, they still need daily activity to stay healthy. In addition to that, you should also ensure that your dog is getting a good night sleep, and isn’t exposed to a lot of stress. We often forget that our furry friends can experience anxiety or depression in a similar way that we can. And all of these psychological conditions also take a toll on their physical health.
What health problems do Fluffy Frenchies have?
As we have already explained, French Bulldogs definitely aren’t the healthiest dog breed to ever exist on this earth. They are a brachycephalic dog breed, which means that they experience different types of breathing issues. However, they can also suffer from other health problems as well. Most of these conditions are hereditary, which again proves just how important it is to buy your puppy from a reliable breeder. We will go over all of the most common health issues that these dogs can face, and explain in short how they would impact their life. But, please remember that it isn’t set in stone that your Frenchie will get any of these conditions. Health is very individual and it differs from dog to dog.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are hereditary conditions that affect the respective joints. It is most commonly found in larger dog breeds, such as the Golden Retriever or Great Dane, however, it can also be found in smaller dog breeds, such as the French Bulldogs. These conditions cause the cartilage of the joints to wear off, making the bones glide without any protection. After a few years, that will cause lack of mobility and agonizing pain. On a more positive note, there are ways to prevent hip dysplasia. And those methods include genetic tests and screenings. So make sure you ask for documentation proving the health of your dog before buying a puppy.
Breathing problems
French Bulldogs are a bracycephalic dog breed, which means that their snouts are shorter than normal. That means that it is difficult for them to breathe. Some people even believe that it’s unethical to breed such dogs. Whatever someone may believe, an owner of a brachycephalic dog needs to be aware of the special needs that these dogs have. You can’t take them out when it’s too hot outside, and they don’t tolerate heavy exercise. You have to always make sure that your dog has a cool place to rest in during the summer months.
Source: Instagram (@vanderbullsoficial)
Heart issues
Sadly, these little adorable dogs are also prone to a number of different health issues. The most severe one is dilated cardiomyopathy. In this condition, the heart becomes enlarged, prone to arrhythmias, and unable to pump blood to the body in the adequate way. Dogs affected by this condition are at higher risk of sudden death or congestive heart failure. Signs of DC include rapid breathing, coughing, fatigue, intolerance to exercise, and sudden death.
Allergies
Frenchies are prone to all kind of allergies. Food allergies, medication allergies, or seasonal allergies. If you notice any weird symptoms in your dog, like watering of his eyes, diarrhea, sneezing, or different changes on his skin, like reddness, or bald patches, make sure to contact your vet. He will do the needed allergen tests to determine what it is that your dog is allergic to. The most common symptom of allergies in dogs is itching, however, many dog owners will confuse this symptom for fleas, and start looking for flea medication. So if you notice that your dog is scratching his skin more than usual, definitely consider contacting your vet.
Vision problems
There are different types of eye problems that French Bulldogs can suffer from. The most common ones are progressive retial atrophy, cataracts, and eye allergies. Progressive retinal atrophy is a hereditary disease that causes blindness, and sadly, there isn’t really a way to successfully treat it. Therefore, the best option is prevention. Similarly to hip dysplasia, there are different genetic tests and screenings that can help you find out if your dog is prone to any of these conditions. Cataracts is another common eye issue, and it is most commonly found in older dogs. There are ways to treat it, especially if it was diagnosed early. When it comes to eye allergies, the treatment are antihistamines.
How to ensure your dog lives as long as possible?
The average lifespan of a dog breed is just a generalization about how long your dog is expected to live. However, that doesn’t mean that your dog can’t live any longer or shorter than that. There are a lot of things that you as a dog owner can do to make sure your fluffy Frenchie lives as long as possible. Sure, even with the healthiest lifestyle, a dog may still get sick. However, there is no doubt that the proper care will affect how long your pup stays by your side. So let’s see what you can do to ensure the lifespan of your dog is as long as possible.
Buying from a reputable breeder
The price you pay for your puppy will be a one-time expense, however, it could highly impact the rest of the time that you will spend with your dog. We can’t stress enough how important it is to buy your dog from a reputable breeder. While backyard breeders and puppy mills are cheaper, the way in which they breed their puppies just isn’t acceptable. The goal of these organizations is to just make as much money as possible, without having the dog’s best interest at heart.
Reputable Frenchie breeders ensure that their puppies are as healthy as possible. They will do the necessary health screenings, and check your puppy for the most common hereditary health issues. When it comes to responsible breeders, they will also allow you to meet the parents of your puppy. That will allow you to get a general idea about how your dog will look, how he will act, and what his health is going to be like. The money you invest into a puppy from a reputable breeder will therefore be so worth it.
Source: Instagram (@cm.bulldogs)
Proper care
Properly caring for a dog is a wide term. But what that includes is making sure that your dog eats healthy, stays active, and overall lives a healthy lifestyle. We already talked about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, however, you have to understand that the body of your dog works in a similar way to your own. But the main difference between you and your dog is that he cannot take care of himself. It is your responsibility as a dog owner to do whatever you can so that your fluffy Frenchie stays healthy.
While these are small dogs and don’t need much space, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have the same needs that larger dogs have. Yes, they are considered to be lazy dogs, and they generally don’t need much exercise. But they still need daily activity, because these dogs are prone to obesity. So if you are a first time dog owner, this could be the right fit for you. However, don’t be fooled into thinking that these dogs won’t require your time, patience, effort, and love in the same way that other dog breeds would.
Regular vet visits
If you skip the regular vet visits of your dog, you risk that any health issues that may affect them are diagnosed too late. Even if your dog does get sick, either with one of the diseases that we listed or with something different, the chances of him being successfully treated are much higher if the illness was diagnosed on time. So make sure that you always take your dog to the veterinarian on time. That way you will ensure that whatever disease may befall him, your dog’s vet will have enough time to do what he can to cure your canine.
Conclusion: Fluffy French Bulldog health and lifespan
So in conclusion, the fluffy French Bulldog has the same health issues as any other Frenchie. As we have already explained, this isn’t a separate rare breed, instead, it’s just a regular Frenchie with fluffy hair. Because these dogs are so fragile, their owners have to make sure that their dogs live a completely healthy lifestyle. A lack of care in handling this breed could have a huge toll on their overall health and lifespan. So if you want to get a fluffy Frenchie for yourself, make sure you are ready for the commitment. No dog breed is low-maintenance, but French Bulldogs need owners who are aware of their possible health concerns.
With an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, your Fluffy Frenchie has the potential to stay by your side for a long time. It is up to you as a dog owner to ensure your dog lives a healthy lifestyle. While exercise is advisable for most dog breeds, these brachycephalic dogs don’t do well with too much exercise. Easy-going, daily walks are their preferred physical activity, and because they can’t handle too much heat, make sure you don’t take them out when it’s too hot outside. Instead, opt for a walk in the early morning or evening. A good lifestyle combined with regular vet visits will help your fluffy Frenchie live as long as possible.