Despite the fact Frenchies are considered for one of the laziest dog breeds on Earth, they actually require a daily training like all other dogs. To prevent French bulldogs from becoming obese, we’ve decided to reveal the reasons why they need to go to daily walks! It’s time to take these apartment kings off the throne!
Do Frenchies like to go for walks? Revealed!
We all know that these furry gremlins are total winners of making strange noises. It’s because they have brachycephalic skulls, short noses, and elongated soft palates. How many times your Frenchie woke you up during the night because it snored like a lion? Hmm..we guess it happens daily.
Unfortunately, all of the previously mentioned features make them prone to experience certain issues with breathing.
Regardless of these facts, French bulldogs require to go to regular walks. Otherwise, they can easily become overweight and start to suffer from other health issues. Hip dysplasia, high blood pressure, and diabetes are only some of the reasons why your furry friend needs to go to the ‘gym’ immediately.
Speaking generally, French bulldogs don’t require much exercise because they belong to the companion and non-sporting breed of a dog. They used to work alongside their owners and served as ratters to Nottingham’s lacemakers. Thanks to their distinctive appearance and small size, these dogs became tremendously famous among the French elite society.
Another reason for becoming so popular is their personality. Besides they act extremely affectionate toward everyone, these lovely frog dogs easily fit any type of family and environment!
It should also be noted that a Frenchie in the past didn’t have that much shortened muzzle. It did have a flat skull, but it breathed easier. Therefore, the training of today’s French bulldog is conditioned by its inability to breathe slowly.
You can often hear your dog’s heavy breathing after he has just walked several hundred meters. Well, it happens not only because of the shape of his skull but also because of the soft palate that can cause problems with airflow. That’s why some Frenchies need to go through a surgery of soft palate to breathe easier.
How much exercise do French bulldogs need?
There is no prescribed rule on how much exercise do Frenchies need because it much depends on a dog’s personality. Like in humans, dogs’ personalities, abilities, and needs may vary.
However, when we talk about taking a Frenchie to strolls, I usually recommend taking a dog out 2 or 3 times a day. When it comes to duration of walks, it’s enough to spend 30 min per stroll. During the summertime, the best period to take a Frenchie out is early in the morning and late in the evening. Try to escape the hottest part of the day because of their tendency to overheat. Since dogs can dehydrate quickly, I also advise you to take a bottle of water with a collapsible bowl. The following Portable water bottle can present a great solution when going for a walk with your Frenchie.
On the other hand, walking a French bulldog in winter might be tricky as well. It’s because these pooches can easily catch a cold. Therefore, they require wearing French bulldog jackets to escape hyperthermia.
Buying a thick winter jacket and protective dog boots will surely help your Frenchie to deal with cold weather. The coat should be waterproof so you can save your pet from being wet. When we talk about dog booties, they will protect your furry friend’s paws from road salt and icy and slippery pavement.
How to escape over-training a French bulldog?
To escape over-training your Frenchie, I advise you to observe his body language. While younger dogs will tend to be more active, older batpigs are prone to lose cartilage in their joints which leads to decreased mobility.
The signs to notice in your dog to escape over-training:
- heavy and fast breathing
- tiredness
- dehydration
- loss of coordination
To sum up, every dog breed requires physical activity to stay in good shape. However, the amount of exercise much depends on a dog’s age, personality and overall health.