French Bulldog Exercise: How Much Exercise Do French Bulldogs Need?
When I first got a french bulldog, I found myself worrying about the amount of exercise my frenchie was getting. Was it too much? Or was it too little? They are kind of chunky, after all. The truth is really pretty simple. French bulldogs need a little exercise, but not a lot.
My french bulldog’s outward behavior when it came to physical activity was always extreme excitement. So, for that reason, we let our first french bulldog run until he tired himself out. These days, that doesn’t take as long as it used to, but we still try to keep him active. Having a second french bulldog helps, as well. There are no “French Bulldog Exercise” DVD Courses featuring celebrity french bulldogs, so I decided to put together this quick post.
Like any biological or mechanical part, that which is not used is jettisoned. Alas, it is true for french bulldogs, too. We have taken this breed over the last century and stripped it of its ability to thrive in the wild. These days, most french bulldogs are couch potatoes, but that doesn’t have to be the case. French bulldogs still benefit greatly from a little regular physical activity. Our french bulldogs tend to keep each other occupied and spend most of the day wearing each other out. This is beneficial to us since both my wife and I have to work and we’re constantly busy keeping up with our home and businesses. However, not everyone is so fortunate to have a fenced yard and multiple french bulldogs to occupy each other. So, we decided to key on precisely how much and how often you should give your french bulldog some exercise.
Here’s two quick answers to the question:
- Not a lot.
- Enough to keep them happy.
A happy, healthy frenchie will occasionally get a case of “the zoomies”. Even a good case of the zoomies counts as a little exercise for your french bulldog. So, let them get worked up every now and then!
Both of our frenchies are pretty hyper, but our cream male, Auggie, is getting gradually lazier as he gets older. Still, we make sure they get outside and run around daily.
The Ideal French Bulldog Exercise Regimen
Here’s the rub: no two french bulldogs are identical. Particularly in terms of temperament, owner’s lifestyle, size & weight, et cetera. To that end, we can only make generalizations about how much exercise ALL french bulldogs should get at a minimum. In short, a daily walk around the block will usually suffice, but younger french bulldogs generally have a lot of energy. So, lots of time running around the yard (a fenced-in yard or dog park) is generally better. As french bulldogs get older, they tend to get lazier, but you shouldn’t skimp on getting them outside for some vitamin D and a walk around the block. What’s more important to your french bulldog’s health is their diet, their weight, keeping them cool, not crating them for long periods, and monitoring them while they’re playing outside.
Is Play-Time Exercise for a French Bulldog?
Yes and no. Our frenchies get riled up on their own and keep each other occupied in a rambunctious way. Single-frenchie or single-pet homes may see their french bulldog become dependent on their owners for visual and auditory cues as to when play-time is appropriate.
Both of our mature french bulldogs are excitable and generally keep each other occupied. We also have a fenced-in backyard that our french bulldogs play in 2-3 hours per day. This is, honestly, more than what’s necessary. We just like to let them do their own thing. Since everyone doesn’t have the luxury of letting their french bulldogs out to play in a fenced-in yard, some of you will have to stick to daily walks. This is especially true for you apartment-dwellers.
Can French Bulldogs Over-Exercise?
Absolutely. Just like humans, too much play-time can wipe your french bulldog out. Not to mention that french bulldogs can actually suffer from a number of conditions instigated by excessive amounts of physical activity. You have to get it just right with french bulldogs. Their joints, spine & vertebra, hips, and pelvis are all susceptible to some pretty nasty conditions including IVDD (Intervertebral Disk Disease) or hip dysplasia. IVDD can’t be caused by over-exercise, but excessive physical activity can exacerbate the symptoms. They say that french bulldogs make great apartment pets for a reason: they’re not built to last in the great outdoors for long. Still, a little regular play-time and a walk go a long way for frenchies.
IVDD can’t be caused by over-exercise, but excessive physical activity can exacerbate the symptoms.
The same is true for hip dysplasia: exercise can’t necessarily cause it, but over-exercising your french bulldog can severely exacerbate the symptoms.
Don’t Turn Your French Bulldog’s Exercise into a Stressful Ritual
It’s important to look at some very obvious details to determine how much exercise your french bulldog needs. Naturally, older french bulldogs need less and less exercise compared to their younger, more spry halcyon days. Conversely, younger french bulldogs will be much happier and have a much more pleasant demeanor overall if they get a regular walk and a trip to the dog park. French bulldogs already showing signs of congenital or genetic diseases or disorders should only be walked or exercised if a veterinarian approves it. Further, for severely affected french bulldogs with IVDD, hip dysplasia, or other conditions, many, many medical prostheses exist to aid in mobility.
Otherwise, if you’ve got yourself one regular old chubby frenchie, a daily walk and some nightly play-time ought to be enough! Go outside! Play fetch with your buddy and give them copious belly-scritchees!
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My 1 year old Frenchie has on a couple of occasions been squealing in his sleep before he has woken up. On waking his back leg has looked a bit uncomfortable for him to walk on , is this due to a trapped nerve or cramp ? The squealing noise sounded like a pig but it was a horrible sound to hear. Do you know why this happens?
Many thanks
Helen
Hey Helen, sorry to have you hear on such a morose note. I do hate to hear that your baby is having troubles. It does indeed sound like he’s got a nerve that’s getting pinched. I would schedule an appointment with a veterinarian ASAP and get them to check for IVDD, hip dysplasia, and vertebral alignment. You might also consult a canine chiropractor (I know, I thought it was crazy, too). It’s far too early to tell precisely what it is, so you should definitely get with your veterinarian ASAP. Push them for a diagnosis, rather than a bandage-cure, like giving him MSM/Condrointon shots.
We rescued a 14 month old franchie as her last owner had 4 frenchies and a English bulldog who kept fighting with her her ears were scabby and she was a nervous wreck but we think she might have been abused her toungue constantly sticks out to the point it gets dry it might look cute but it done seem right she struggles to eat her teeth were bit yellow but since we have had her just over a month her teeth are white she no longer has ear mites either I’ve red about the hanging toungue syndrome but we think she may have been abused as every time we went to pick her up she cowered not not she doesn’t she trusts us is there anyway of sending u a video of her so u can see what I mean about the tounge
Hey Nicola, so sorry and heartbroken to hear about your rescue. I grow violently mad and descend deeper into misanthropy when I hear of people harming animals. You can email a video or video link to web [at] allaboutfrenchies.com
I guess I’m blessed! My Frenchie is almost 7 and ABSOLUTELY LOVES WALKS! She walks fast and long . If I try and skip a day she whines at door. I keep it down to a mile or a bit more, but she never wants to stop 🙂 she walks a 14 min mile or less ! She is very very healthy
I have a rescue Frenchie who was abused , he turned 6 in July and he LOVES going for walks ! He probably has 5 to six walks a day at 20 minutes a time, he gets the zoomies too which is both cute and scary at the same time ! Lol ! All it takes is the rattle of his lead (leash)…
Hi,
I have an 11 month old Frenchie, Gustav, that wants to keep going and going and going…
We live on the Island of Maui in Hawaii and I try to only take him out early morning or evening but it never seems to be enough!
I am usually carrying him, soaking wet and sandy, from the beach just because I am worried about him overheating or overdoing it.
He is a Male, around 27 pounds.
Any imput is appreciated!
Aloha,
Steve
I have a 9 month old amazing Frenchie, Zoe, who loves to walk but when we go for too long, her paws bleed. Any tips on how I can help her? Half an hour is ok, but longer than that she runs into trouble but we love spending time together in the great outdoors. We live in Canada, so its not too cold right now, nor too warm obviously. What can I do to protect her little feet?
Try some dog booties! They make so many different types. They may be awkward for her at first, but give it some time/positive encouragement/treats and she’ll likely get used to them!
My Mimi has just turned 4, she walks for 40mins in the morning, and 30 mins in the evening. We take her on holiday twice a year where dog walking features greatly. She does a 9km walk with stops. She’s also a great swimmer! And loved football which wears her out as she is obsessed!
I have recently bought puppy of french bulldog.