‘Are French bulldogs good with kids?’ – My friend asked me one morning, over the phone.
‘Why do you ask?’ I countered.
‘Well, we are planning to adopt a Frenchie but were wondering if he would get along with our 3 kids.’
I convinced her that my French bulldog generally got along beautifully with everyone and wouldn’t hurt a fly. Indeed, mostly this dog breed is quite good with kids.
So if you are wondering whether French bulldogs are good with kids and, more importantly, want to know how to introduce a French bulldog to your kids, then this post is for you!
Also read: Are French Bulldogs Good with Cats
Are French Bulldogs Good with Kids?
Yes, most Frenchies are very good with kids.
Their gentle temperament is what makes them great family pets combined with the fact that they have inherently sociable natures that help them get along well with everyone.
In fact, don’t be surprised if your Frenchie gets along with your cat!
Of course, the key is to start training and socializing it from early on. This means getting your Frenchie used to small children and other dogs/cats/house pets from the time it is still a puppy.
As a French bulldog owner, you will even find that adult French bulldog is generally good with kids. This is because of their loyal temperaments and lively and playful natures.
In the next section, we will discuss the reasons why most French bulldogs are good with kids.
Also read: Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot
Reasons Why Most French Bulldogs Are Good with Kids
Frenchies are generally very good with kids because they are lap dog and their loyalty stems from the fact that they were bred to be house pets in families having kids.
Here are the reasons why most Frenchies love kids:
1. They are fun loving, lively dogs
The best part about French bulldogs is their funny, comical, and oft silly countenance.
This is a dog breed that brings fun and frolic to the table! Your life will never be the same once you have a Frenchie – it will be so much richer, happier, and meaningful!
Seriously, this is a dog that will bring a smile to your face every day that it is with you.
Resultantly, your kids will also be drawn to your Frenchie and your Frenchie, in turn, will love the attention it gets from them! It will want to please you and your kids and will continue its silly antics to make you all smile!
Frenchies also love to play and will happily participate in your children’s games.
This makes most Frenchies a great family pet for people having young children.
2. They are generally very calm and mild-mannered
Unlike many small dog breeds, the Frenchie is not an excitable or hyper-energetic dog.
This is a breed that loves to play and yet it is equally happy to lounge around and cuddle all day as well.
So, for calm and quiet kids, the Frenchie makes a great companion!
Of course, if your kids are hyperactive or over-energetic, you might want to discuss with them how to behave around these dogs (which I will do in the subsequent sections!)
This is essential for your pet and your child’s safety. Remember: even the calmest of dogs can show aggression when provoked unnecessarily or accidentally.
3. They are great to have around newborn babies!
A calm Frenchie also make a great house pet is if you have just had a baby.
These dogs are not prone to barking unnecessarily (at least not as much as Chihuahuas do!). They are relatively quiet dogs, which can be a blessing around babies that wake up at the slightest noise.
In fact, most Frenchies hardly bark without reason, and if they do, it might be a small growl or a few deep woofs to get your attention.
4. They are loyal and protective
Another reason why French bulldogs are good with kids is because they are the epitome of loyalty.
They are fiercely protective and territorial about their ‘hoomans’ and won’t hesitate to extend that loyalty and protection towards kids.
They easily take on the role of adults when you are not around and immediately kick into the ‘parental’ mode. It is as if they believe that they have to play the part of a parent and be on guard to keep the kids safe!
This might make them slightly wary around strangers but that is a good thing since they won’t let any strangers approach your kids!
5. They rarely play rough!
Due to their small frames, Frenchies are ideal pets around toddlers. While large dog breeds like Golden Retrievers and Labradors are also very good with kids, their large sizes always make them a risk to young children.
With Frenchies, you won’t have to worry about that.
French bulldogs usually won’t play rough with kids and you won’t have to worry about them knocking tiny kids over.
While you might feel that their small size could make them susceptible to harm from older kids that is not the case.
You see, unlike the more delicate smaller breeds (think Chihuahua, pugs, etc.) the robust Frenchie is slightly bigger – so there is not much danger to them from most kids.
In fact, this breed is the ideal for parents that want a small-to-medium sized pet around their kids.
At the same time, they are fairly durable and robust dogs and can easily dodge rough play when things get little too intense during playtime.
Naturally, you must supervise your children (at least in the beginning) so you can teach them to tone down their play around these small dogs.
6. They are relatively low-maintenance
Another great things about Frenchies for multi-kids households is that you won’t have to spend too much time grooming, bathing, or take care of them.
They are relatively low-maintenance dogs. Their small size, calm natures, and short coats all make them fairly easy-to-manage.
Mostly, they will sleep for several hours a day – a fact that makes them great companions for younger kids as well.
Also Read: How Much Do French Bulldogs Sleep
What are Some of the Dangers French Bulldogs Can Face Around Kids and Vice-a-Versa?
Every coin has two sides – so there are some dangers – although very rare – associated with kids-and-Frenchie-interactions.
Don’t get me wrong: the benefits of kids growing up with French bulldogs far outweigh their risks. Nevertheless, these are some that you should be aware of:
1. The dreaded brachycephalic syndrome
As a Frenchie parent, you will always have to be mindful of your pet’s brachycephalic face structure.
Brachycephalic means that your Frenchie has a short or flat nose which can lead to breathing and respiratory troubles. Your pet is permanently at a risk for developing breathing problems when it gets excited or overheated.
So, you must warn your kids to keep an eye out for your pet.
If the play gets too intense, teach your kids to take breaks and have your Frenchie rest. Also, make sure that your dog never gets over-heated and – if it does – immediately offer it some water to cool it down.
Remember: most of these breathing troubles appear mild but they can rapidly turn severe.
2. Rough play can cause long-term health issues
I know – I said earlier that these dogs are fairly robust.
However, intense playtime and rough play can injure your dogs and, over time, could even lead to joint issues and even patellar luxation.
If it appears to be limping after playing keep observing it and take it to the vet if the symptoms persist.
3. Bulging eyes and related injuries
Like most flat-faced dogs, the Frenchie too has bulging or protruding eyes.
This makes them susceptible to eye injuries.
Kids who play rough could end up injuring your pet’s delicate eyes. So you must always supervise the play and also teach kids to be mindful about their eyes.
4. Not for kids with asthma or allergies
Just as kids pose some dangers to your Frenchie, your Frenchie might also cause some problems in children, especially those with asthma or allergies.
French bulldogs are not hypoallergenic. This means that they shed their hair which contains dander and protein known to trigger asthma attacks in vulnerable children.
So, be mindful of this fact before you bring home a Frenchie if you have a child with allergies or asthma.
Also Read; Are French Bulldogs Good with Other Dogs
How to Teach Your Kids to Play/Interact with French Bulldogs?
You must establish several ground rules for your children to abide by in order to safeguard your Frenchie and prevent mishaps:
1. Do not force the pet to play
Teach kids never to force a tired or exhausted Frenchie to join in the play. Teach kids about the brachycephalic syndrome and its symptoms.
Most importantly, inform your kids about ways of preventing these symptoms by taking precautions like cooling it down, feeding it water, etc.
Exhausting your Frenchie in warm and humid weather is a strict no!
It is very important to teach kids not to wrap their hands around or hug a Frenchie’s neck too tightly as it could trigger breathing issues.
2. Teach them to respect it
Most importantly, teach your kids to never pull your pet’s tail, hurt its wrinkles and skin folds, or ride or sit on your tiny dog.
3. Teach them to be quiet around sleeping Frenchie
French bulldogs are easily startled by loud noises. So teach kids to be calm and quiet around the sleeping Frenchie, approach it from the side, and never hit or jump while it is resting.
4. Never interrupt their meals
Finally, educate your kids to never to play pranks on a Frenchie or interrupt its meals. This can make them snappy, irritable, and even aggressive.
How to Socialize your French Bulldog to Kids?
The best answer to the question: Are French bulldogs good with kids is: yes, provided you socialize them to kids from their puppyhood.
Here are some tips to help you ease the process:
1. Start training early
The good news is that most Frenchies are easy to train. So, teach it the house rules of how to be around kids as well as bite inhibition.
Say ‘No’ aloud when your French bulldog puppy starts getting rough or bites the kids. Repeat this every time and soon your Frenchie will understand what is and isn’t acceptable.
It is very important to develop a communication tactic with your French bulldog right from its puppyhood.
Related: How to Potty Train a French Bulldog
2. Socialize your pet to other kids
Apart from your own, make sure your Frenchie meets and greets other children too. Visit families with kids or other dogs as well.
3. Take it to different places
Take your family dog to the beach, dog-park, Kid Park, pool, malls, etc. where it can meet other people, kids, and dogs. Take it shopping with you and to your kids’ school for dropping or pick up.
This will not only socialize your pet to other children, adults, and dogs but will also remove separation anxiety and stress it might have about new experiences.
FAQs on Are French Bulldogs Good with Kids
1. How can Frenchies benefit kids?
Kids can benefit from pets like French bulldogs by having a constant companion dog, improving their overall quality of life, and also learning to deal with a wide range of emotions.
2. Can French bulldogs be aggressive?
No. The French bulldog is not inherently aggressive. Any aggression is usually a result of poor upbringing and negative environment. Often, puppies that are products of puppy mills and indiscriminate breeding end up being aggressive.
Frenchies, inherently are loyal, loving, mild-mannered, and sweet dogs.
3. What are some reasons you shouldn’t get a Frenchie?
The main reasons for not getting a Frenchie are: if you don’t have enough money, or you travel frequently or work long hours, if you/loved ones have allergies, your schedule is inconsistent, your family is not ready for a pet, you are about to start a family, or if your home/apartment landlord doesn’t allow pets.
Conclusion
Are French bulldogs good with kids?
Yes, Frenchies are generally very good with kids. However, you must still supervise all interactions at least in the beginning.
Frenchies are companion dogs and you will see both your pet and your kids thrive in each other’s company!
