Monday, May 3, 2010

Why French Bulldogs Make a Great Choice for a Home Pet




It has been said over and over again, that the dog is man's best friend. This statement has frayed edges, torn creases, and bite marks from being used over and over again. Nothing is more clich', nor is truer, especially to dog aficionados and tens of millions of households all over the world. And why not? Dogs are very affectionate, playful and loyal, and nothing fits the bill more than French bulldogs.



But before you get bombarded with the pros of owning a French bulldog, its best to understand first the basics of this very playful and affectionate dog breed, this way, you can have better information on what kind of dog breed it is.



French bulldogs are popularly known to be descendants of British Bulldogs. British royalty which transferred to France later on took their bulldogs with them. French dog lovers then took notice of the breed and took a fancy on them. Soon they were raising them and developed their own breed. This breed was then dubbed as the French bulldog, or as some dog breeders today call as 'Frenchies.'



As Americans have come to France and more French people have travelled to America, the French bulldog then became known in American soil, which led to its acceptance and inclusion in the roster of many dog breeding associations in the country. And up to this day, the French bulldog has been the breed of choice for many American households.



Now to the best part. The main reason why French bulldogs are the best choice for a house pet is due to many characteristics, reasons that are more or less when combined are unique to a French bulldog.



First off is their size. Even if you have a small home, the French bulldog would fit perfectly as they re diminutive but large enough to act as a watch dog scare off would be intruders. Usually, a French bulldog would grow up to 12 inches to their wither, or to the top of their shoulder. Given enough space to run and play, they can have sufficient exercise already. One thing though, you have to make sure that you can house train them immediately. The French bulldog is more comfortable in cooler environments, so they tend to stay indoors.



Another great factor about the French bulldog is their temperament and personality. French bulldogs are very affectionate, they love to be cuddled and require human attention. They prefer to be treated as a member of the family and is very playful and safe with kids. It is also easy to befriend them but still remain n effective watchdog, this is because they are highly intelligent. And because they can easily adapt to new surroundings, they can be very outgoing as long as the weather is not too hot. This means you can take them most anywhere.



This and more are the reasons why the French bulldog is a great choice as a pet.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Understanding the Responsibilities of Breeding French Bulldogs




There are numerous people who have seen the great potential involving French bulldogs. Their rise in popularity has shown many enterprising dog lovers that this could be an opportunity to make extra cash off their beloved French bulldog pets. But, there are so many aspects in French bulldog breeding that one should consider first. In fact, if you don't have the proper knowledge and resources, you may end up spending more than what you may earn. Or maybe you won't even earn anything at all.



Breeding French bulldogs is not just about getting them to procreate, that's the easy part. You have to factor in the many responsibilities of ensuring the health of your bitch while she is pregnant, also, French bulldogs usually needs caesarian surgery when giving birth. Then there is the care after birth, both for the mother and the litter. And it's not just the cost; you also would need to invest much of your time. You have to be around most of the time to be certain that you will be able to heed any emergencies. So with that said, you now know that you have to be prepared mentally, physically and financially to become a French bulldog breeder.



To be a responsible breeder, you have to consider the different factors to ensure that the litter would be in good health and the mom as well. For instance, the recommended age for French bulldogs to get pregnant is over eighteen months and no more than five years. Plus, if your dog has any health concerns prone to French bulldogs, then you shouldn't breed them at all. This health conditions could be passed down to their offspring. Some of these health conditions include cataracts, cherry eye, hip dysplasia and several cardiac diseases.



Now, what if you only have a female Fren

ch bulldog? Then that would mean that you would be needing the services of a French Bulldog stud. There are also many risks involved here, plus, not to mention the costs needed for the stud service. The sad thing is that it could be a hit and miss. There is no guarantee that your bitch will get pregnant. So it means that you may have to pay for the services more than once. Plus, you'd be wasting precious time to confirm if your dog is indeed pregnant.



You also need to make sure that the stud you will get is from a good lineage, and that it is healthy and should provide proof that the stud doesn't have any health issues, which it can pass on to its future litter. And if your dog gets pregnant, there's also the risk that it may lose its litter.



If you get lucky and your dog produces a litter, then there will still be numerous concerns for you to ensure that they will be in the pink of health. This will entail additional costs as well. So if you're not prepared, then it would be better if you just leve breeding French bulldogs to the experts.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Understanding the Issues in French Bulldog Breeding




It's easy to just come out with all the good things about the French bulldog. First off, their very lovable, doesn't require much space, is very loyal, playful and a good companion, and is a breed that can serve both as an effective watchdog and a family member. See, what's not to love about them? But it's not as easy as it may seem. Although they seem to be the perfect choice, they certainly have their flaws, and there are different issues when raising them.



At the very beginning, buying a French bulldog would require you to cough up a huge wad of cash. It is a known fact to many dog breeders that the French bulldog commands a higher price tag than many other dog breeds. That's why there are a number of dog breeders that tend to make money by breeding their French bulldogs and sell off the litter. The problem with this is that a French bulldog's litter doesn't produce much, the common number would be about 3 to 4 pups per litter.



Also, breeding the French bulldog is not as easy as it would be with other breeds. There is always the need to have n extensive knowledge and loads of information about their breeding process. This doesn't mean though that only professionals can do it, but arming yourself with the proper knowledge will make the process easier and help you avoid in making it a hit and miss affair. Plus, you should only breed French bulldogs that possess good qualities. Although there is not much population in the French bulldog community, it is imperative to ensure that the population retains its high standards. This alone elevates the prestige of owning such a breed.



Inbreeding should also be avoided. With such a small population and minor differences, it can be easy to mistakenly breed different types of French bulldogs. So it is imperative that the linage of the particular French bulldog is known initially. Researching is just a part of becoming a responsible breeder. To be one, it is important to acknowledge the fact that you need help. If you don't have the experience and the knowledge just yet, asking for help is not only acceptable, but also highly recommended.



A professional breeder will inform you of the stringent restrictions that they apply when breeding French bulldogs. This will include ensuring that the breeding standards are met. Also, if the dog does not meet the standard, they should be spayed or neutered. This may sound harsh, but it's the only way to ensure that the quality is kept. And if you plan on selling some of your litter, you should ensure that their new owners would not breed them if the dog does not meet the standard.



A written agreement should be drawn up. The dogs are categorized into two; they could either be pet dog standards or show dog standards. This two should not be bred together.