Rescuing a French Bulldog is one of the most selfless things that you can do. Oftentimes, these sweet little fur babies just need someone to give them a chance, and they’ll repay the love with a lifetime of loyalty and affection.

Are you thinking about adopting from a shelter or rescue organization? Do you want the rundown on French Bulldog shelter dogs? Let’s dive in!

Note: This article was created in collaboration with Lil Homie Apparel – a dog fashion brand that donates 10 percent of every purchase to shelter and rescue organizations.

Why Would You Adopt a French Bulldog From a Shelter?

There are many reasons to adopt from a shelter rather than a breeder or pet store. You can take home a sweet, slobbery Frenchie and feel good about doing it!

Fighting the Stigma

As you’re probably aware, there are a lot of stereotypes surrounding Bulldogs, so they get abandoned and rejected at twice the rate of other breeds. You can help to reverse the trend by opening up your home to a Frenchie who needs it.

Life-Saving Adoptions

Shelter dogs are euthanized every day. It’s horrible to think about, but it’s true. Even no-kill shelters struggle with things like overcrowding and underfunding, so just imagine the conditions of your local pound. When you get a dog out of there, you can quite literally save their life.

Pre-Trained Pups

Some shelter dogs are completely house-trained. They were only left at the shelter due to circumstances outside of their control like new landlords or sudden allergies. They can be a great choice for people who aren’t interested in training a puppy from birth.

Less Demand for Breeders and Puppy Mills

Overpopulation is a big problem for domestic pets. While you won’t be able to break the cycle by yourself, you can join a growing number of pet owners who are rejecting unethical breeding practices and adopting from shelters and rescues.

Picking Your Pooch

Do you want to wrestle with a puppy or relax around the house with an older dog? Do you want a smaller or larger Frenchie? What do you think about taking care of a dog with disabilities? One of the nice things about rescuing a Frenchie is that you’ll have options when it comes to age, size, color, health and temperament. You don’t always have this kind of flexibility with a breeder.

Are There Any Reasons Not to Adopt?

While adopting a dog from a rescue organization is a wonderful thing to do, there are a few reasons why it might not be the right decision for you or your family, and there’s no shame in recognizing that.

Behavioral Issues

Some shelter dogs have behavioral issues. It isn’t their fault, but it happens. They might have been abused by their previous owners; they might have been poorly socialized within the shelter itself. This can result in everything from anxiety to aggression to attachment disorders.

Do you have the time and energy to support a pet that needs special attention? Can your budget accommodate it? If you have kids, are they old enough to understand why their new dog might need to be treated differently than other dogs?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, you might want to hold off on a rescue dog until you’re ready for the commitment.

Health Problems

Another potential problem with shelter dogs is that they might not come with a medical history. You won’t know if they’ve had their shots or if they’ve inherited any genetic conditions. You might not even know how old they are.

This can be a particular concern with French Bulldogs since they’re predisposed to health issues like ear infections, skin infections, gastroenteritis, and obstructive airway syndrome.

Talk to your vet before you adopt a shelter dog. Talk to pet insurance companies. 

Here are some questions that you can ask:

• Do your policies cover hereditary conditions?
• What are your eligibility requirements for signing up a new dog?
• If there are age or breed limits, are there exceptions for shelter dogs where this information isn’t available?

Shelter Restrictions

Finally, if your home isn’t ready for a new dog, you might face delays or denials from shelters that have prerequisites for their adopters. They want to make sure that people know what they’re getting into, so you’ll need to be prepared for things like paperwork and home visits.

Many Frenchies are abandoned because their owners aren’t ready for the effort and expense of raising them. If you want to be different, you’ll need to do your homework.

Why Lil Homie Apparel Supports This Cause

Lil Homie Apparel is a fashion brand with a purpose. Not only do they make stylish clothes, but they donate 10 percent of every purchase to dog shelter and rescue organizations.

Their merchandise matches their passion, too. At Lil Homie, you can find everything from hats to hoodies with canine-inspired designs. French bulldogs are a major theme, so whether you’re looking for a Frenchie doing yoga, riding a skateboard or swagging out with a crown and sunglasses, this is a brand that can upgrade your wardrobe.

Wrapping up

Have you decided if adopting a shelter dog is right for you?

It’s a big responsibility, and it should be treated as such, so don’t rush into anything. Take your time; do your research.

Make sure that your home is completely ready for a French Bulldog shelter dog before your new buddy moves in!