Deciding which breed of dog to welcome into your family is not easy, especially if you have children.
You undoubtedly are seeking a dog who not only will be gentle with children and delight in playing with them but will also enjoy snuggles and quiet naps on the couch. After all, who doesn’t want the best of both worlds?
A French Bulldog might be exactly what your family needs. Rarely aggressive and relatively quiet, Frenchies are growing in popularity each year and consistently rank among the top ten favorite dog breeds in the United States. Continue reading to discover why.
Are French Bulldogs Good With Children?
The short answer to this question is, YES, they are good with children if they are appropriately socialized from a young age. French Bulldogs are known for their gentle temperament, easy-going personalities, and desire to be with their human families. Their small size and big hearts cause both the young and the old to fall in love with them.
With these intelligent little dogs, aggression is rare. Their amiable, patient nature and need for companionship make it easy for them to develop loving friendships with children. Remember to keep an eye on them during playtime though as they can suffer from heat-related illnesses rather easily.
A brief look at the French Bulldog’s interesting history explains why these dogs are both good playmates and snuggle buddies for children and make excellent family dogs.
You see, today’s Frenchie hails from a line of miniature bulldogs that were developed to cuddle on laps during the day, and dart around factories at night, to eliminate rodents. So, from the very beginning, they were bred to enjoy both periods of activity and snuggle time, traits that are still very much a part of the breed today.
You really do get the best of both worlds with a French Bulldog.
How Can I Make Sure My French Bulldog is Good With Children?
Most breeders of French Bulldogs recommend that families bring home a puppy as opposed to an adult dog. This allows lots of time for your Frenchie to adjust to life with children and to learn which behaviors are acceptable and which are not.
Proper, consistent training will be critical to ensure that your Frenchie develops good habits and appropriate behaviors early in life. French Bulldogs respond well to lots of positive reinforcement but will often get their feelings hurt if treated harshly, so try to keep training upbeat and positive.
Unfortunately, puppies make mistakes. If you happen to see your pup chewing on any fingers, playing too roughly, or even nipping, take action right away and correct the behavior. Teaching children to be gentle and to avoid unintentionally harming your dog is important as well and should not be neglected.
In addition to proper training, French Bulldogs need plenty of socialization, particularly when they are young. Exposure to new situations and people will help French Bulldogs grow into well-rounded, well-adjusted adult dogs who are comfortable and secure with children and adults no matter the circumstances.
In a Nutshell
A Frenchie who has been well trained and socialized will get along quite well with children and can generally be trusted to behave well. Of course, adult supervision is always a smart idea, especially with very young children, to ensure the safety of both the children and the dog.
Will is the proud co-owner of Frankie, a Female Brindle French Bulldog, with his wife Michelle. We share our Frenchie experiences with the world to help health-conscious French Bulldog owners who want a happy, healthy, and long-living dog.
