Personality
French Bulldogs make one of the best companion dogs in the world. They are small, easy to handle and are generally well behaved around new people and other animals. Frenchies have a reputation for being mischievous and clownish, stealing attention whenever and wherever possible. This little dog adores people and craves constant attention and companionship. They don't need a lot of exercises, but love to chase balls and play (indoors or out) during the day, and at night are more than happy to curl up and relax on the sofa. This breed makes an excellent companion for the elderly, but they can fit in well with families of all sizes and ages. French Bulldogs may have faces only a mother could love, but to know a French Bulldog is to love a French Bulldog.
French Bulldogs need a couple of 15 minutes walks every day to maintain their physique and a few sessions of playing ball to keep them entertained. Their size and activity requirements make them good apartment dogs, but they are just as happy in a big home or on a farm with lots of wide open space. Frenchies don't care so much about the size of their home, as they do the size of their owner's heart.
French Bulldogs should not be exercised too hard in the summer months, as they are prone to heatstroke. Swimming pool owners should be alert – this breed cannot swim and fall into a pool could be life-threatening to a Frenchie.
Trainability
French Bulldogs can be a training challenge. They are stubborn and quickly lose interest in repetitive activities. Training should be conducted in short sessions, and the routine should be mixed up to keep the Frenchie's interest. Showering a Frenchie with affection and treats when training is the best way to get results from him. Discipline, punishment, and yelling will cause this dog to stop listening altogether.
House training is a long, drawn-out process with a French Bulldog. It can take six months to fully train them, and many breeders recommend creating a Frenchies for that period of time.
Behavioral Traits
French Bulldogs are people dogs and don't like to be left alone for long periods of time. People who work long hours should not commit to a French Bulldog, as they can easily develop separation anxiety. This usually means uncontrolled barking while alone, which can alienate neighbors in close quarters.
Frenchies snort, snore and grunt 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are also prone to flatulence, which can bother some people, but most French Bulldog owners get used to the noises quickly and find them to be an endearing part of the Frenchie personality.