All about the french bulldog temperament:
We would be lying if we said anything other than “French bulldogs are the most well-tempered pooches” of all. The french bulldog temperament could easily comprise a book. French bulldogs are complex, highly-personable, personality-rich companions. Let me be 100% candid and honest with you: words cannot do justice to the french bulldog personality. It’s seriously indescribable but I will do my best to paint a picture for you.
The french bulldog temperament is at once lazy and rambunctious, hardened and hilarious, stubborn and unendingly loyal. Aside from being outrageously cute, we fell in love with the temperament of our first french bulldog. The world-famous Auggie Doggie is truly one-of-a-kind but we know that he’s really just a shining example of what all french bulldogs can be. His temperament is what truly sold us–he gives us laughs, smiles, kisses, and plenty of love. Even more, Auggie’s personality truly blurred the line between “humans” and “animals” for me. Never had I ever encountered a canine that displayed such anthropomorphic traits. I was truly changed when I met Auggie.
You’ve probably heard other frenchie owners evangelizing the uncompromising superiority of french bulldogs. We talk about our frenchies as though they were human (they are, shhh). French bulldogs are famous, above all else, for one thing: being the most hilarious breed of dog known to man. The french bulldog temperament solidifies their place in anyone’s heart. There are people who claim their dog has a very expressive personality, then there’s any French Bulldog–off in a league of her own. Frenchies are unparalleled when it comes to temperament and personality. French Bulldogs are hilarious, rambunctious, but also tender and sweet. Sometimes, they’re even stoic.
What’s the French Bulldog temperament like?
We can only think of one word: convivial.
French bulldogs are often full of energy but still happy to sleep and fart all day on the couch, making them great apartment dwellers. They can get plenty of exercise running around the house followed by a short evening walk. Frenchies don’t need too much action. They make their own fun. Think of the french bulldog temperament like a merrily drunk baby. They’re hilarious to watch. Ask anyone who owns a french bulldog and they’ll tell you how funny they are when they get worked up.
French bulldog’s have a hilarious temperament. They’re either lazy or a complete spazz. The french bulldog temperament is full of life. There’s a reason they’re officially called “The Clown in the Cloak of the Philosopher.” They’re certainly clowns, but also stoic like other breeds. Most significant of all their traits is their humorous demeanor. French bulldogs only know how to have fun or loaf around and relax. They’re either the life of the party or they’re snoring loudly.
Is the french bulldog temperament good for kids? What about elderly people?
Yes and yes. French bulldogs make great companions for kids because they’re very playful but small enough not to hurt a child. French bulldogs make great watch dogs for children because frenchies are very territorial. A french bulldog will bark at anything unfamiliar to them. However, french bulldogs are also great companions for elderly people, as well. French bulldogs are generally small enough not to be a bother to pick up and hold. French bulldogs are also very well-mannered and loyal towards their human partners. A french bulldog is smart and entertaining and would surely make a wonderful companion to an elderly person or persons. French bulldogs can jump onto most couches or arm chairs to sit with their owners, too. French bulldogs make great lap dogs. They love to lay near or on their human companions for comfort. French bulldogs are happy to hang out around the house and take it easy. Remember, though, that a french bulldog still requires at least a daily walk. A little daily exercise is a must.
Are there any unfavorable quirks to the french bulldog temperament?
Sure. We’re generalizing here, but all living creatures will display social quirks that can come off as “bad”. Frenchies are still dogs (just don’t tell them that) and will occasionally remind you that they’re not perfect (they are). Frenchies will bark, growl, and run wildly around the house when they get worked up. Just laugh it off. Their energy and liveliness can bring a joy to someone’s life unlike any other pet. Young or old, we recommend frenchies to everyone. They make incredible family dogs.
French bulldogs are also notorious and glorious farters. Their rather short intestinal tract makes for some impressively foul gas. We find it hilarious, if not a little crass and that makes us love all of our frenchies all the better.
Are french bulldogs ever ill-tempered?
French bulldogs startle easily. If you go poking and prodding a french bulldog while she sleeps, you might get a gentle nip. That said, our french bulldogs have never, ever intentionally bit or tried to harm us. Of all the french bulldogs I’ve ever seen, not once have I had an owner tell me that their french bulldog bit someone. Frenchies have a big bark (and they can back it up when it counts) but 9 times out of 10, they just big babies.
We were lucky enough to have Leo, a 3 month old red fawn, blue combo Frenchie come into our life a few months ago. I love reading your blogs, as I thought we had the most special hilarious dog in the world. Come to find out there is more joy to
Go around the world in this breed alone. So fun to read about all the other sweet quirky little stinkers.. and I do mean stinkers! No other farts smell worse. No human or big dog! Woooeee! I love it when you talk about how this breed can go bonkers one minute and be totally passed out snoring the next! So TRUE.
Leo came to us after we lost our 16 year old lab and we did not think we were ready for another dog, let alone puppy! Come to find Leo was just what our family needed!
Thanks for your blog????????Keep writing, and I’ll keep enjoying????
You should get a Great Dane there like the giant version of a French bulldog and It would do well with you frenchie there farts are way worse but there super sleepy and lazy and they think there lap dogs too and always want to be with you and there jiggly face is the best thing ever.
Your blog has really been helpful as I began reading when we brought home our Roger and he is almost 1 year old now. All your product suggestions are terrific .
I have a question about getting him to play more independently? He is most happy when we chase, play tug of war etc. Any ideas on independent play? I work from home a few days a week and he hates ( barking, pulling at my pant leg… you get the picture) when I sit on conference calls and the computer and ignore him haha.
Keep writing a please!
Laura, I am honored to have you as a reader and to read your kind words about my little slice of the internet. I am happy to be of service.
Our french bulldogs do the same thing; they’re very, very needy, haha. My initial solution was…to get another frenchie, and we did, and now we’re about to have a small herd of them. So, that probably won’t work for you. To that end, do you have a fenced yard? Does he play well outside? When my frenchies are getting in the way of my work, I usually just let them outside to play in the yard and they happily oblige. We’re lucky enough to have a fenced in yard and I have a security camera pointed at our backyard from a high corner of my house, so I can keep an eye on them while they’re out for extended periods of time.
One idea is to find an antler or yak cheese chew that he really likes and then, when you need some peace and quiet, give him the chew to keep him occupied while you work. You’ll have to get into the habit of taking it from him when you’re done working, so you can continue to use it as a distractions in the future.
Walter will be two next month, and when he wants attention, he’ll do just about anything to get it, including shredding rugs, digging holes in furniture, chewing on the cat, etc. When I am working from home, and can’t oblige him, I’ll give him a few good treats or chew, like his antler, and put him in his crate, which is about three feet from my desk. He goes in there quietly now, and it calms him down–kind of like a canine version of swaddling. We have a small, fenced patio, and when he does go out there, it becomes a game of “I want inside..no, outside, no wait, let me in” in a maddening loop. Short-term crating might be an option for Roger, too, but Walter didn’t really come to like his crate until he was just about Roger’s age. It takes time.
I too live with Frenchies, I adore them. However, French bulldogs are a needy and difficult breed, they’re not for the faint of heart, and are often riddled with health issues. While I agree with everything you’ve said, I feel Frenchies shouldn’t be promoted. I could go on forever, but I think you know exactly what I’d say. I love the breed more than ever imaginable, so I often feel I must advocate for it.
Great position, Elle. I guess I could be more explicit in these posts, but I’m actually trying to approach this from a point of discouragement for knee-jerk buyers. The breed is so outrageously cute but they’re just too much for most people. Granted, I think their disposition and demeanor is perfect for anyone, but the cost and care is often far beyond most people’s means.
I really want a French Bulldog all my life but I just never had the money to get one I am looking for a decent price or adoption is fake for the dog thank you
Hi. I have a 1.5 year old female Frenchie. She is fabulous with humans but viciously attacks other dogs when it comes to food. She has never been starved or teased with food. I don’t know what to think. Any suggestions?
Thanks! Crista
Hey Crista! Thanks so much for chiming in. French bulldogs are generally more food-motivated and food-aggressive than a lot of other breeds. We’ve noticed that our females are more food-aggressive than our boys. There’s probably some evolutionary psychology to suggest a root cause, such as resource guarding. If your girl is the only dog in the house, then she is the alpha in her “pack”. If she’s not the only pupper you have and if your others are older and more dominant, then she may feel threatened while eating in their presence. In order to get our frenchies to eat together without hurting one another, we spread their bowls out quite a bit (roughly 6-7′ between each bowl), and started feeding them at different times, so our food-aggressive females could eat without being bothered. Over time, we slowly began integrating our other frenchies back into the mix, leaving plenty of space between them while they ate, and then promptly ushered them out of the room when they had finished eating. If your girl is misbehaving and getting violent when you take her out to friend’s houses or the like, as that they pick up their dog’s food bowls before you come over, to avoid any conflict. Conversely, you may have to spend some time monitoring her while she eats, and then pick up her bowl after she’s finished. If she’s used to having food out all day (I don’t recommend this), then you might want to try switching to a set feeding routine, such as feeding her breakfast, lunch, and dinner, or some people just do breakfast and dinner. Check out the food post for a link to some calculators to be sure you’re giving her the right amounts at each meal. Hope this helps! Thanks again for stopping in!
My 5 year old Frenchie is the love of my life. However she is extremely territorial. You write that you have never heard of a French biting but mine nips waiters who approach our table (at times), elderly ladies in lifts, and female strangers who come to close in the home. The nipping can leave bruises. Am I the only one?
you probably have one of those fake internet frenchies. that’s ok – love it as if it were a real frenchie.
you are not alone! Our Frenchie will do this when people come into our house or workplace. Usually never on an outing. But it has happened when we went camping and people got close to me. It does leave a bruise and worse frightens people. I think this is a form of resource guarding. We had some training but it did not help much. Now we have a new son_in-Law and he is afraid of Mr. Feeney. We also have the resources guarding with the food but we feed him in the laundry room with the door shut and pick it up when its done. But if its not… watch out for your toes. Im trying to find another trainer but they are not cheep!! Other than that he is an awesome wonderful dog!