A Frenchie needs regular grooming and ideally this needs to be done on a weekly basis paying particular attention to under a dog's tail. They have what is known as "deep tail pockets" which need to be kept clean of any dead hair, skin and other debris to avoid the area becoming sore and irritated. If left dirty, it could result in a painful infection taking hold. The best way to clean under a dog's tail is to use a damp cloth and to towel dry the area gently, but thoroughly afterwards,
Having a short, compact coat, a Frenchie is quite easy maintenance on the grooming front. They tend to shed more during the Spring and then again in the Autumn which is when they may need more frequent brushing. However, because they have lots of folds and wrinkles around their faces and other parts of their bodies, it's always a good idea to make sure these are kept free of any debris and dead skin which means using a clean damp cloth and regularly wiping the folds before thoroughly drying them with a clean towel. It's important to remove any moisture from the wrinkles and folds because if any moisture remains, it provides the perfect environment for bacteria to take hold and thrive in.
Being a brachycephalic breed, the Frenchie should not be over-exercised during very hot weather because not only would they would have trouble breathing, but they could quickly overheat and this could lead to a dog suffering from hypothermia. However, they are energetic and lively little dogs which means they need to have a minimum of 1 hour's exercise on a daily basis for them to remain fit and healthy or they might start to put on too much weight. It's also a good idea to keep these little dogs mentally stimulated by playing lots of interactive games with them, something the Frenchie really enjoys and it helps strengthen the bonds they form with their owners.
French Bulldogs are not greedy dogs although they will put on weight all too easily if not given a correct, good quality, nutritious diet to suit their ages and not given the right amount of daily exercise. They are not known to be fussy eaters, but again their diet needs to be monitored, paying careful attention to what a dog is given to eat should they start to gain weight. This is especially true of younger Frenchies that still have a lot of growing and developing to do. Any extra weight a young dog carries puts a lot of strain and pressure on their bones, joints and ligaments.
If you get a Frenchie puppy, the breeder would recommend you feed them the same diet they have been used to. You can then gradually change their diet over a period of a few weeks to avoid them suffering from any sort of tummy upset. It's important to feed puppies good quality food that's been specifically formulated for puppies because it contains all the extra nutrients they need to develop properly. Puppies also need to be fed at regular intervals and ideally this needs to be 3 to 4 times a day until they are anything from 14 to 18 weeks old. After which time they can be fed once in the morning and then again in the evening.
Older Frenchies have to be fed a good quality nutritious diet at least once a day, but the amount has to correspond with the amount of exercise they are given on a daily basis to avoid dogs putting on any weight. Like all dogs, Frenchies need to have access to fresh clean water at all times.
