Do French Bulldogs Like to Cuddle

Do French bulldogs like to cuddle?

Yes, French Bulldogs or Frenchies as they are popularly known, love to cuddle.

Cuddling is a way to show affection and also get warmth. Frenchies also bond with their humans through cuddling.

In this guide, we will discuss:

Do French Bulldogs like to cuddle and the main reasons why?
Health benefits of cuddling for you and your Frenchie
Does a Frenchie get attached to one person or does it cuddle with all its humans?
When should you not hug/cuddle a Frenchie?
Where does a French bulldog not like being touched?
FAQs

Also Read: Best Dog Food for French Bulldogs with Skin Allergies

Do French Bulldogs Like Cuddling – Reasons why Your Frenchie wants to Cuddle with You

Your French bulldog loves to cuddle with its humans – literally all the time.

There are many reasons why your Frenchie loves cuddling:

To relieve stress

Cuddling is a way to relieve stress. Frenchies are small dogs and they are aware of their small size.

So, they tend to get anxious at times, especially when it knows you are leaving for work, and during thunderstorms and fireworks.

Even if these stressors are not available in the environment, your Frenchie would still want to use cuddling as a way to reassure itself of your presence.

Even a few minutes of cuddling can release oxytocin (the love hormone) which, in turn, reduces the stress hormones in your pet.

To bond with you

Another reason why your Frenchie wants to cuddle with you is because it wants to bond with you.

Since man first started domesticating dogs, they formed a close human-canine bond.

Although, the prehistoric man may not have shown affection, he must have definitely used petting or some form of physical contact to show ‘affection’ to their dogs.

French bulldogs understand this connection and they are inherently very affectionate dogs.

For them, a big part of showing affection is through cuddles and touch.

You can further enhance this bond through some dog toys which are interactive.

We recommend the HiFrenchies Dog IQ Treat Toy which is also interactive.

Also Read: How Long Do Frenchies Live

Genetics

There is a reason why some dog breeds are more ‘cuddly’ than others. Your Frenchie is definitely one of them.

By birth, the French bulldog is bred to be close to humans. Many other dog breeds are not as close to the humans as they are often made to work outdoors and even stay outdoors.

Not the Frenchie!

The French bulldog today is primarily a house dog or companion dog breed.

It is small enough to be picked up and even small enough to be a lap dog. Thus, genetically, it is more likely to cuddle than some other dog breeds.

It is their way of showing affection

French bulldogs, as stated above, are extremely affectionate and loyal dogs.

They won’t hesitate to show you that they like you and love you for all that you do for them.

Some of the ways that they show you their affection is through snuggles, licks, and cuddles.

It won’t be wrong to say that a Frenchie is a total Velcro dog. It will follow you all around the house and lick you, and sit or sleep by your feet while you work at your desk.

For your Frenchie, all these are ways of showing their immense love for you.

For warmth

If you live in a cold climate, then chances are that your French bulldog cuddles with you for warmth.

You might see the cuddling taper off in summers, however, there are Frenchies who cuddle all year round despite the weather.

Cuddling produces a lot of body heat and the Frenchie is almost always cold. So, cuddling could be an indication that it wants some warmth.

You can provide your pet with a self-warming dog bed to keep it cozy and warm.

To thank you

Your French bulldog also likes to cuddle with you post-meals as a way of showing you gratitude.

Of course, your dog does not view you as just a feeding machine; you are so much more for it – parent, best friend, teacher, and so on.

So, your Frenchie likes to cuddle to show you that you mean the world to him/her.

It enjoys the comfort of sleeping next to you

If you have always allowed your French bulldog in bed, then chances are that it will want to snuggle next to you.

Being brachycephalic dogs, they naturally sleep a lot. And if you like to sleep a lot too, then you might have encouraged cuddling from an early age.

Cuddling is good and as you will see in the next section, it can do a lot of good to both you and your Frenchie. So go ahead: cuddle away!

Also read: Best Dog Beds for French Bulldogs

Health Benefits of Cuddling for your French Bulldog and You

Cuddling with your beloved four-legged friend can have immense health benefits for both you and your Frenchie:

1. Improved heart health

When you cuddle with your French bulldog, your body (as well as that of your pet) secretes the love hormone called oxytocin.

This fills up your heart with love and strengthens it. Moreover, it counters the production of stress hormones, and also reduces cholesterol, triglycerides, etc.

This can contribute to improved heart health in both you and your Frenchie.

(Studies also show that dog owners who have strong loving bonds with their dogs tend to have fewer heart attacks. The ones that do, even recover faster!)

2. Extremely therapeutic

Cuddling with your Frenchie also is very therapeutic for you both. Just a few minutes of cuddling and petting can increase serotonin and dopamine levels.

These neurotransmitters help calm down the body and mind, reduce blood pressure, and heart rate. This can help in better sleep, improved mental clarity, and productivity.

3. Wards off cognitive decline

When your Frenchie cuddles with you, you naturally alleviate depression and loneliness. This, in turn, can give you a purpose to get out of bed in the morning.

People with dogs often age better and stay mentally alert and sharp. Cuddling with your Frenchie might even keep away cognitive decline and mental diseases.

4. Helps strengthen immunity

When your kids and French bulldogs cuddle together, the transmitting of germs actually helps boost their immune system.

That is why, kids who grow up with affectionate and cuddling dogs like Frenchies are less likely to have allergies and better immunity in general.

5. Reduce doctor visits

Another great health benefit of cuddling with your Frenchie is that you and your family members would have fewer health issues to deal with.

As your stress is lower, you will also recover faster from common health issues, seasonal colds, etc. This translates into fewer trips to the physician.

Also Read: How Much Do French Bulldogs Sleep

Does a Frenchie Cuddle with all Humans or Does it Get Attached to One Person Only?

do French bulldogs love to cuddle and snuggle

Yes, like many small dog breeds, the French bulldog is also more likely to bond more with one person in the household.

Here is how your Frenchie might choose its favorite person:

Usually the one that spends most time with it

When you train your French bulldog, feed, groom and walk it, then it is likely to bond with you.

If your partner takes on this responsibility, then it might bond with that person.

Of course, many Frenchies simply pick the child in the house to bond with because their sleep cycles match and they can lay cuddling together.

Quality of attention they get

In addition to the ‘quantity’ of time, your Frenchie will also choose to bond with that person who gives it a positive or ‘high-quality’ attention.

Sometimes, the one who trains the dog is usually quite stern and may not encourage cuddling, licking, etc.

In such a case, it isn’t surprising that your Frenchie chooses to bond with the person that allows them to show physical affection.

Their energy levels ‘click’

In addition to the above two points, your French bulldog might simply pick someone whose personality is closest to theirs.

Frenchies are fun-loving energetic dogs but they also love lounging on the sofa with their loved ones.

Resultantly, they are more likely to bond with someone who plays with them but also cuddles and snuggles with them all day long.

When Should You Not Cuddle with your French Bulldog?

There are some cases when it is best not to cuddle with your Frenchie:

When your pet is sick

Some viruses, bacteria, insects, and parasites can be transmitted from your dog to you.

So, do not cuddle with your Frenchie if your pet is not well.

When you have allergies

If you (or a family member) suffer from allergies or asthma, then it is best to not let your Frenchie sleep next to you/that person.

Frenchies are not hypoallergenic and even the slightest of contact can aggravate these symptoms.

If you are a light sleeper

Frenchies are snorers and they make a lot of grunting, farting, and whimpering noises in their sleep.

If you are a light sleeper, you might want to rethink your decision of cuddling next to your pet.

Many Frenchies also adjust themselves several times in the night. They might shake their body, jump up and down the bed, or might even whine and cry in their sleep.

This is just not conducive to a good night’s sleep.

Where does a French Bulldog not Like Being Touched?

The way you pet your Frenchie can make you its favorite person.

If you have had your Frenchie for a long time, then you know the areas it hates being touched at. So, always tell your visitors – especially kids – if your Frenchie hates being touched. Usually it is in the following areas:

Tail

French bulldogs have naturally short and stumpy tails. That is why, they hate having their tails touched.

Kids often pull the dog’s tails and this can be very upsetting to your Frenchie. Teach your kids/visitor’s kids to never grab or pull your Frenchie’s tail.

Warn them that your pet won’t hesitate to bite if you do that.

Head

Frenchies, like most dogs, also do not like being petted on their heads. This is especially the case with visitors petting your Frenchie for the first time.

Ask your visitors not to touch or pet your French bulldog in its head. Dogs view someone reaching over them as a threat.

Politely ask your guests to pet or scratch your Frenchie behind the ears, on the chest, shoulder, or the side of the jaws.

Paws

This is mostly the case with all dogs.

Your Frenchie is very likely to be sensitive and protective about its paws and, like most dogs, would hate someone touching them.

FAQs on Do French Bulldogs Like to Cuddle

1. How do Frenchies show affection?

Frenchies love to show affection in numerous ways. They will jump up to reach up to your face and plant large slobbery kisses on your face.

They might also snuggle close to you and demand to be picked up. Some Frenchies will happily lay at your feet all day while you work at your desk or snuggle next to you on the sofa.

All these are different ways that a Frenchie uses to show love and affection.

2. Can a French bulldog sleep alone?

French bulldogs can sleep alone provided you get them used to it from an early age. You might want to crate train your Frenchie and, once it is older, provide a comfortable and warm bed for it to sleep.

Bottom-line, Frenchies can easily be made to sleep alone and if you want it to, then you must discourage it from sleeping in your bed from an early age.

Also Read: Best Chew-Proof Dog Crate Pad And Best Chew Proof Dog Crate

3. Does a Frenchie like being held?

Yes, Frenchies will gladly let you hold and carry them everywhere you go.

However, you must not make this a habit, else there will come a time that your pet will simply refuse to walk.

That is never a good thing as it could lead to obesity and your Frenchie won’t get the mental stimulation it would otherwise get when it sniffs around on its walks.

4. Why does my Frenchie lick me all the time?

It is just your dog’s nature! Frenchies are one of the most affectionate and loving dog breeds.

They would want to lick you to show affection, love, and gratitude as well.

Conclusion – Do French Bulldogs Like to Cuddle?