Breed Introduction
The Mini French Bulldog is an extra small dog breed, although some national and international dog organizations do not consider Mini French Bulldogs a separate dog breed. Technically, the Mini French Bulldog is considered a genetically standard breed. Mini French Bulldogs are an extra small dog, on average, and your Mini French Bulldog most likely only weighs between 5 to 14 pounds. Additionally, they may also only reach about 6-8 inches tall and 13 inches long, but they can be smaller. However, pet owners have modified their height and weight through years of selective breeding. The size of the Mini French Bulldog puppy also depends on how small the parents were.
The Mini French Bulldog breed is unique because much is still unknown about the Mini French Bulldog. To many, the French Bulldog breed is considered a breed with mixes. However, some French Bulldog breeds are pure, while others have some Chihuahua or Yorkshire Terrier in them.
Mini French Bulldog puppies also cannot compete in national dog competitions. The only French Bulldog breed that club officials register as an official breed is the standard French Bulldog puppy.
What do the coats of Mini French Bulldog puppies look like? Your Mini French Bulldog puppy likely has a short and dense coat, although there is a slight possibility they can develop a longer coat. If the parents of your Mini French Bulldog puppy have the recessive trait for long hair, your Mini French Bulldog puppy may have long hair. However, this is uncommon.
What experts know for sure is that Mini French Bulldog puppies have coats that shed a lot. Small dogs with mainly short coats shed a lot and are not good for families with pet allergies. Unless you are willing to groom them and brush their fur out every day, Mini French Bulldogs may not be the right choice for you. These dogs also have a minimum of two colors on their coats. Sometimes they are entirely silver, blue, or white, but it is uncommon. Your French Bulldog puppy most likely has two or three colors, which you can refer to as a bi-color or tri-color coat.
Possibly one of the most exciting parts of your Mini French Bulldog puppy is their triangle ears that go up naturally. Mini French Bulldogs have large heads and even longer ears! Their ears make them look like bats and give them a comical look. Since they are so little, their large features make them adorable! Your mini French Bulldog puppy also has a flat face with a short snout. They are one of many Brachycephalic dogs, which through years of breeding now have many health problems that decrease their respiratory health.
However, the best thing about Mini French Bulldog puppies is their happy personalities. These yippy and small dogs love being around people and are loving! Mini French Bulldog puppies do great with large families and solo pet owners alike. However, they need a lot of attention as they are at risk for mental health conditions like anxiety and depression. Unlike other dog breeds, your Mini French Bulldog puppy is happy in either large homes or small spaces like apartments.
Mini French Bulldog puppies do not need a lot of exercises as they are small. As long as they have at least 20 minutes of activity a day, they can be both healthy and happy! It is important not to overexert your Mini French Bulldog puppy. These tiny dogs are susceptible to overheating, leading to dehydration and seizures. Their flat faces make it hard to breathe or pant to cool their bodies down.
Even with their potential health issues, the Mini French Bulldog breed is a wonderful choice for families with time, patience, and love to offer.
The History of the Breed
Mini French Bulldog puppies are very rare! They are rare and special because they are not easy to breed. The exact history of the Mini French Bulldog puppy is short, although they are just French Bulldogs with a smaller size.
Mini French Bulldogs became popular very recently, only about 20 years ago. Breeders had a need for smaller dogs to make more money off of them. Mini French Bulldog puppies became luxury dogs and were companions to celebrities who would parade them around town. Now, Mini French Bulldog puppies are one of the most favorite dog breeds globally and popular throughout the United States. The history of the standard Mini French Bulldog puppy is longer than the mini style breed, though the standard Mini French Bulldog puppy has been around for centuries!
The French Bulldog puppy has been a companion dog since the 18th and 19th centuries. Your Mini French Bulldog was made famous in England by lace workers. Lace workers sewing for hours had these companion dogs sitting on their laps for comfort. They would pet them throughout their workday. The Mini French Bulldog became a mascot and symbol for lace makers in Europe. French lace makers did not have enough work to stay in their country, so they had to leave for France. However, their love for their Mini French Bulldog puppies was strong, and they took them to Paris.
The Mini French Bulldog puppy is a dog breed that became famous in Paris during the late 1900s and early 2000s. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy is a fashion icon that many pet owners adore for its small size and large features.
There are sadly a lot of controversies surrounding your Mini French Bulldog puppy. These puppies have a lot of health conditions they inherit from their parents. Since your Mini French Bulldog puppy underwent breeding between two runts of the litter, they have a high risk of developing abnormalities like dwarfism. Runts of the litter already have health problems, and standard French Bulldog puppies have respiratory health conditions, which negatively affect them.
Another controversy with Mini French Bulldog puppies is that they still end up in shelters waiting for their forever home. Also, while breeders need to check the parent’s genetics, some breeders are not reputable, and the dogs can end up with health conditions.
Breed Intelligence
Mini French Bulldog puppies are not intelligent, but they adapt well with time! Although they are not the most intelligent dogs, they are nervous dogs who, with training, can follow commands and learn new tools. French Bulldog puppies are companion dogs that require a lot of attention. Their memory, through centuries of breeding, is not strong. Although this is the case, it does not mean that you cannot train your Mini French Bulldog puppy, just that the training takes more time, patience, and techniques.
The thing about Mini French Bulldog puppies is that they are loyal and want to satisfy their owners. These extra small and lovable dogs like to do anything in their power to make their owners happy and proud. Instead of using traditional training methods, experts recommend using a reward training method. Repeat the command and show your Mini French Bulldog puppy the motion you would like to complete. Once they do the command well, you can provide treats as positive behavioral reinforcement. Your dog is likely to remember the commands and adapt enough to learn more with time.
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy needs time and socialization. They are nervous dogs that may not get along with other pets. The best way to combat this is to take your Mini French Bulldog puppy to events and puppy training where you can introduce them to other dogs. It is best to introduce your Mini French Bulldog puppy to other dogs when they are puppies as they learn more quickly.
Psychological Health
Although some pet owners may forget about psychological health, it is an important part of their Mini French Bulldog puppy! It is not enough to only build your dog’s physical strength, but also their emotional and psychological health. Mini French Bulldog puppies can develop psychological conditions like separation anxiety disorder and canine depression which can further complicate their lives.
Cognitive Health
Cognitive health conditions are common in your Mini French Bulldog puppy. Since these dogs are a creation of overbreeding, there is a chance for their brains and heads to deform. Also, they are companion dogs. For hundreds of years, pet owners have used Mini French Bulldogs for companionship and family pets.
Canine Depression
Sadly, some dogs can develop canine depression over time. Mini French Bulldog puppies are at high risk for depression because they are companion dogs that need affection. Mini French Bulldogs are almost always nervous and prefer to be around people. Canine depression is a condition where dogs fall into an emotional state and consistently show symptoms.
Since all dogs come from different situations, not all Mini French Bulldog puppies originate from a good family. It is possible that a Mini French puppy you adopt could have depression due to past events. These intelligent and sensitive dogs feel emotions like us. If they lose their owner or another loved one, they are likely to fall into a depression.
Canine depression is not easy to diagnose. This cognitive health condition occurs over time, and veterinarians diagnose it as the symptoms are similar to other cognitive conditions like anxiety. If you notice that your Mini French Bulldog puppy is whining, losing weight quickly, and has a lack of energy or will to play, they may have canine depression.
Don’t worry, though; canine depression is solvable! You can treat this condition at home after receiving a diagnosis from your dog’s veterinarian. First, you should start by figuring out exactly why your Mini French Bulldog puppy is struggling with depression. There almost always is a trigger, which could be a new situation, the loss of a loved one, or lack of exercise. If kept inside and without exercise, even the happiest dogs can fall into a depression.
Once you understand the cause, you can plan for a solution or treatment. For instance, if your dog is lonely because your dog has lost someone, you can look into adopting another companion. A companion and additional pet can aid in solving your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s depression. If your dog is suffering from depression because they are not going outside enough or exercising, you need to make time so they can play and run around. Canine depression can lead to anxiety disorders if pet owners do not treat it.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (Canine Dementia)
What is Canine Cognitive Disorder (CCD)? Canine cognitive disorder (CCD) is a psychological and physical disorder where the brain cells in your Mini French Bulldog puppy die. The condition only develops in older dogs past the age of 8 years old. Although concerning, it is a normal part of your dog’s aging.
If you notice that your Mini French Bulldog puppy is spacing out, not responding to their name, or more anxious than usual, but their hearing is fine, they may be suffering from canine cognitive dysfunction. The condition is similar to human dementia, and veterinarians often refer to it as canine dementia since the symptoms are similar to those of a human.
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy is at a high risk of developing canine cognitive dysfunction because of years of overbreeding and their short lifespan. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy does not have a long life expectancy, which means that it only takes a few years for the condition to develop and worsen. Typically the first sign of CCD in Mini French Bulldog puppies is six years old, as opposed to eight years old which is the average age in all dogs.
On average, your Mini French Bulldog puppy develops cognitive and memory conditions at 6-8 years old. There is no cure, but there are ways to slow down the rate at which the condition develops. It is not possible to prevent it either as it is a normal part of aging in dogs. Your Mini French Bulldog is less likely to develop CCD if you give them plenty of mental stimulation. In other words, your dog needs to strengthen their brain and cognitive functions.
How do you strengthen a dog’s mind? There are many ways you can help your dog’s cognitive health. Mini French Bulldog puppies do not need a lot of exercise as they are small dogs that are susceptible to breathing problems, but they can take supplements. Experts have found that supplements with Vitamin C boost a dog’s cognitive function. Other than these few management techniques, there is not much that can be done for your Mini French Bulldog puppy. They may feel confusion and you can comfort them with petting and hugs.
Stress
It is never easy to watch your Mini French Bulldog puppy deal with stress, but it is not life threatening! There are many stressors that your Mini French Bulldog puppy feels exposure to; however, the reactions to the stressors are manageable. You can train your Mini French Bulldog to react better to the stressor or ignore it.
Common Stressors
Are Mini French Bulldog puppies at risk for developing stress? You may notice that your Mini French Bulldog puppy is nervous. These dogs are small and feel stress easily! They are prone to and at risk for developing stress and negative emotions because they are companion dogs who need to be around their owners. If they are not, French Bulldog puppies may whine and get nervous.
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy is unique and has had many experiences. There is a possibility that one of their experiences stresses them out. For instance, if your Mini French Bulldog puppy hears loud noises and does not understand why, they probably hide and cry out with stress.
Another common stressor that you can find in your Mini French Bulldog puppy is situational. For dogs that have been in abusive situations, they may attribute their situation with the gender of the person who hurt them. Although your dog may not have anything against you, they may fear women or men as a whole.
Another stressor is age. As your Mini French Bulldog puppy ages, they begin to lose their memory, cognitive function, and understanding of time. Sadly, this is a simple part of aging and it is normal. It is hard to watch, though, for a loving pet owner. As dogs lose their memories they become confused over easy tasks like finding their food, bed, or way back home.
Treatment, Management, and Prevention of Stressors
The only true treatment for dogs with stress is to comfort them and take away the stressor. In most cases, stressors are physical objects that can be taken away permanently such as a toy, blanket, person, or food.
As soon as you know exactly what stressor is affecting your Mini French Bulldog puppy, you can work on treating them. For instance, if they feel stress because of their age, you can create a schedule which allows your Mini French Bulldog puppy to feel comfortable in their setting. It is not easy to feel confusion or fear.
Anxiety
Stress and anxiety are closely related. While this is the case, anxiety disorders are worse then stress as they are official conditions. Mini French Bulldog puppies can develop anxiety disorders because they are not used to being alone. These conditions are especially common in puppies or dogs in a new environment.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
What is Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and how can you treat it? Generalized anxiety disorder is where your Mini French Bulldog puppy feels anxious because of a trigger. French Bulldogs develop anxiety disorders just like humans, except they can’t tell their owners what they are feeling verbally. Instead, it is up to you to find the signs and bring relief to your Mini French Bulldog puppy. Still, your Mini French Bulldog puppy can develop anxiety if they react to a trigger consistently. For example, if your Mini French Bulldog puppy has a trigger of loud noises like fireworks, they may react negatively to strangers in your home playing loud music.
A generalized anxiety disorder is not impossible to treat, but you need to personalize it. What are the signs that a Mini French Bulldog puppy may have generalized anxiety disorder? The main signs are visible and include your French Bulldog puppy pacing, destroying entry and exit points, biting and scratching themselves roughly, or throwing up. Those symptoms typically indicate that your Mini French Bulldog is having an anxiety attack. The best way to quickly diagnose an anxiety disorder is to contact your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s veterinarian with any concerns.
While there is nothing wrong with a little bit of anxiety, your Mini French Bulldog’s emotions should not control their lives! If it makes your dog’s life difficult, to where they cannot function, you should intervene before it develops into a generalized anxiety disorder. Usually, anxiety disorders develop because a trigger is present over long periods. The trigger may begin as a stressor and can be something small that worsens with time.
Treating generalized anxiety disorders is similar to how you would treat stress in your Mini French Bulldog puppy. To treat anxiety disorders, you should contact your veterinarian. While there are some things you can do at home to decrease the symptoms and decrease the chances that the condition worsens, you cannot always treat it. Sometimes, your Mini French Bulldog has an anxiety disorder because they are born with a chemical imbalance; however, you can supply lavender essential oils to your dog if you can control it. To bring stress and nerve relief, add a few drops of lavender essential oil near your dog. However, make sure they don’t digest it as it can be toxic.
Separation Anxiety Disorder
What is Separation Anxiety Disorder, and how does it affect your Mini French Bulldog puppy? Separation anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder when your dog feels anxious and reacts to their feelings because they are separated from you or their loved ones. Mini French Bulldog puppies do not like to be left alone as they are family dogs with a long history of sitting in their owner’s laps and bringing comfort and companionship! Experts do not recommend leaving your Mini French Bulldog puppy alone for more than two hours. They may react to their anxiety and stress by making a mess if they do.
While it may be frustrating to see your Mini French Bulldog destroying your belongings, remember that this is a normal and understandable response to being left alone! Surprisingly, these tiny dogs can destroy and cause big messes by pacing and dragging items in your home. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy requires attention and is great for families who can dedicate the time to their Mini French Bulldog puppy. They don’t need a lot of space for exercise but do need attention from their loved ones.
While this is the case, not everyone can be with their Mini French Bulldog puppy all hours of the day. Truthfully, many pet owners still need to work and cannot bring their furry friends along. There are many ways to treat Separation Anxiety at home, though, and ways to prevent it as well. However, if you need help, you can always seek a professional dog trainer with experience in separation anxiety for your Mini French Bulldog puppy.
If you need extra assistance, you can always bring your Mini French Bulldog puppy to their local veterinarian, but they can’t run exact tests like blood exams. Instead, you can manage anxiety at home by training your Mini French Bulldog to understand that there is nothing wrong with being alone and that they will not be alone forever! Before you get your dog used to being alone, though, veterinarians recommend storing items like food and glass away so your Mini French Bulldog puppy can’t destroy them or accidentally hurt themselves. Instead, surround your Mini French Bulldog puppy with things that they are familiar with and enjoy playing with. For instance, if you have a Mini French Bulldog puppy that came to you with a favorite toy, you can place it in a local place in your home.
You can also bring your Mini French Bulldog puppy to daily doggy daycare. This choice is great for dogs who need socialization as well. If you bring your Mini French Bulldog puppy to a daycare where they can surround themselves with other dogs and humans, it may prevent separation anxiety. You can also try to crate train; however, the method does not work long-term. Every time you leave for a few hours (maximum 4), you can place your Mini French Bulldog into a crate and take them out when you come back. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy will, with time, associate you leaving with them sleeping.
Physical Health
Mini French Bulldog puppies have short and small bodies. While size is not always an indicator of health problems, because these dogs have undergone years of overbreeding, the size is not normal. Mini French Bulldogs are runts of the litter and carry many risks for physical conditions to their eyes, ears, skin, coat, and joints.
Allergies
You may be surprised to learn that Mini French Bulldogs are at risk for a lot of different allergies. However, this is common in a lot of other dog breeds as well! The thing is, allergies are dangerous for your Mini French Bulldog puppy because allergic reactions trigger breathing problems and uncomfortable skin conditions that can develop into infections.
Common Allergens
Considering how sensitive Mini French Bulldog puppies’ skin is, it is not surprising that they can inherit and develop skin and food allergies. Allergies are genetic, but they can also develop through your dog’s environment. Although your Mini French Bulldog puppy is at risk for developing common skin and food allergies, it does not mean they will, without a doubt. The only way to know is to look for the signs and symptoms.
Mini French Bulldog puppies with skin allergies may react to general allergens like pollen, trees, mold, fungi, dust, and dead skin, which result in dandruff, red lumps, itchy bumps, and flaky skin.
Although it is not fun to watch your Mini French Bulldog puppy scratch themselves roughly, there is usually no need to take them to a veterinarian for allergies. If you notice the symptoms worsening, you should contact your local vet. If your Mini French Bulldog puppy is scratching too hard and causing bleeding, the open wounds can interact with bacteria and cause infections. Skin infections are not easy to treat and are very painful! Typically, if your dog has a skin allergy and develops a skin condition, they risk developing chronic infections.
Preventing, Treating, and Managing Allergies
There is no way to prevent skin allergies in your Mini French Bulldog puppy, as they can inherit them from their parents. Skin allergies are almost entirely genetic, and there is no telling which Mini French Bulldog puppy will develop skin reactions to allergens later on in life through their environment. The only way to find out the exact allergen your Mini French Bulldog puppy has is to take them to their veterinarian.
Your dog’s local veterinarian can run tests on your dog to find which exact allergen they have. However, the tests typically only tell pet owners about their dog’s food allergies or intolerances. Thankfully, you can treat the conditions. For instance, if your dog is reacting to a food allergy, they likely only have digestive issues. You can provide them with water and give them a new proper diet that does not contain their allergen.
Although it is tedious, you need to carefully check all the ingredients in any new foods you buy for your Mini French Bulldog puppy. Food allergies can cause a lot of worse conditions because of the tiny size of your dog. Mini French Bulldog puppies are likely to throw up and dehydrate when they consume food they are allergic to. These dogs are very small, and any change in their body can cause major problems! If you leave your Mini French Bulldog puppy for hours and they react poorly, you may not find them until it is too late. Dehydration in Mini French Bulldog puppies can lead to seizures and overheating.
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Gut Health
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy may have digestive and stomach issues. The gut health of Mini French Bulldogs is not strong. They are susceptible to many stomach issues because of overbreeding. They have sensitive stomachs and need diets that are low in fat, but high in protein and fiber. If you provide your Mini French Bulldog puppy a poor diet, they can develop obesity and acid reflux.
Obesity
What is Obesity? Obesity is a health condition where a dog is overweight, causing other health problems. Mini French Bulldog puppies need to have a healthy and sturdy diet. If you do not feed your Mini French bulldog puppy the food and nutrients it needs, it can gain weight quickly, leading to obesity. Obesity is completely preventable, but it is hard to treat once your Mini French Bulldog puppy is obese. It is a lot easier to gain weight than it is to lose weight. Obesity can be part of an underlying condition or develop because of overeating or not exercising enough.
It is common for Mini French Bulldog puppies to develop the condition because they overeat or do not exercise enough. Not all dogs understand that they need to stop eating when they feel full. Although using a gravity feeder is tempting, you may need to train your dog first to eat their meals on a schedule.
Suppose you notice that your Mini French bulldog puppy gains weight and develops obesity. In that case, you should take them to a veterinarian for more information since obesity can develop because of an underlying condition. Your Mini French Bulldog’s veterinarian needs to take necessary tests and exams to ensure nothing is wrong with your dog’s thyroid or other organs. If your dog’s veterinarian does not find any underlying conditions, you need to change your pet’s daily activity and diet.
Obesity is very dangerous in Mini French Bulldogs because this breed is already tiny. Your Mini French Bulldog is likely to only weigh between 5 to 14 pounds, so any extra weight is dangerous, even if it is one extra pound. Obesity can cause further issues in dogs like joint health problems, muscle problems, and especially respiratory problems. Mini French Bulldog puppies already have difficulty breathing because of their short and narrow nasal passageways; adding extra pressure only worsens their breathing. The excess weight can decrease the life expectancy of your Mini French Bulldog as well as the quality of your dog’s life.
To manage obesity in your Mini French Bulldog puppy, you should encourage playtime and extra activities. However, you do need to be careful. Mini French Bulldog puppies are small and, if they are obese, can harm their joints. If your dog suffers from joint pain and obesity, you can play with your dog by doing water sports. Swimming is great because there is not a lot of pressure and weight on your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s legs, and it still helps your dog burn fat.
Acid Reflux
What is Acid Reflux (GERD)? Acid reflux is a common gut health condition where dogs uncontrollably throw up as the muscle opens. GERD typically occurs because the muscle opening at the base of the neck relaxes and opens without reason. Although the muscle’s primary function is to open, it should not remain open for long, especially if your dog’s food is still digesting. If it does, this means that something is wrong with your dog’s stomach.
Acid reflux is common in Mini French Bulldog puppies as they grow and develop their esophagus and sphincter. However, while common in puppies, it can also develop in adulthood because of a poor diet, underlying condition, and a poor lifestyle. Acid reflux is hereditary in Mini French Bulldog puppies because of their short and flat faces. Since their faces are naturally flat, their esophagus is short, which means that food and bile can travel quickly up the esophagus. Other Brachycephalic breeds also suffer from acid reflux and the health conditions that occur.
There are two ways to tell if your Mini French Bulldog puppy suffers from acid reflux: to look for the common signs and bring them in for testing. The most common signs that your Mini French Bulldog puppy has acid reflux are throwing up bile, loss of appetite, rapid loss of weight, foul odor when burping or panting, and excessive licking and grooming. Dogs lick themselves when they do not feel well; it is a comfort method that works well, but only temporarily.
Acid reflux is a chronic condition without a cure. However, since it is chronic, it does not flare up all the time and only causes discomfort sometimes. Not having frequent flare-ups means that your Mini French Bulldog puppy may only have an acid reflux episode once or twice a month. The only time it becomes a big problem is if the condition frequently happens, causing ulcers and burns in the back of your dog’s throat. The burning sensation makes it hard for your Mini French Bulldog puppy to eat.
You should give your Mini French Bulldog puppy probiotics to enhance their gut strength to prevent further complications. Probiotics are not a cure, though, and can only manage the condition. Probiotic supplements have large quantities of bacteria and flora, which you can locate in your dog’s stomach. However, as your dog throws up, the good bacteria that aids in digestion leaves with the bile. Your dog needs to replenish their body with good bacteria, or the cycle will continue.
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Eye Health
Since Mini French Bulldog puppies already have such small eyes, even the tiniest bit of trauma can cause total blindness or an infection that may spread quickly. Mini French Bulldogs are part of the Brachycephalic dog breed family, which essentially means their flat face feature gives them large eyes that protrude out of their head.
Canine Cataracts
What are Canine Cataracts? Canine Cataracts are an eye condition where a cloudy or milky cataract covers the lens of a dog. The lens of your dog is what allows light in for your Mini French Bulldog puppy to see. Canine cataracts are easy to diagnose and notice by both veterinarians and pet owners as the symptoms are visual. Typically, canine cataracts affect both eyes instead of just one. There is still a lot that veterinarians don’t know about how cataracts develop. From what experts know, canine cataracts can happen from age or conditions like diabetes.
As your Mini French Bulldog puppy ages, a blue and cloudy film appears across the lens of their eyes, blocking out any light. The cataract takes its time to develop and spread, which helps your dog grow accustomed to its loss of sight. Typically, canine cataracts start with a small dot or space blocking your dog’s vision, and then expand to the entire eye throughout four phases. There are ways to treat the condition. However, the only cure veterinarians don’t recommend for all dogs is surgery, as not all dogs are fit enough for surgery. If your Mini French Bulldog puppy qualifies, they can go through a surgical procedure in which a small cut is made in your dog’s eye. The veterinarian then takes the cataract and replaces the lens with a safe plastic one.
Two major conditions can occur because of canine cataracts. If your Mini French Bulldog puppy scratches their eyes as a reaction to their canine cataracts, they can give themselves an eye infection. There are hundreds of different types of bacteria on your dog’s claws. Eye Infections are painful for your dog and unpleasant to see as they secrete pus and smell bad. The other major condition is blindness, as the cataract covers your dog’s lens, which is how they see. However, since cataracts develop over a few months to years, your dog is likely to have time to adjust.
If your dog develops canine cataracts because of diabetes, they can lose their sight as quickly as overnight. As your dog loses its ability to process sugar, a cloudy lens covers your dog’s eye. The quickness can scare your dog as it does not occur gradually. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy will need help until they are used to their new life without their vision.
There are a few things that you can do to help your Mini French Bulldog puppy adjust to their loss of sight, but it is not always necessary. The lifestyle changes are small, but they make all the difference! Instead of changing your dog’s schedule, make sure to keep your dog’s water and food bowl in the same place and with the same food. Too much change, especially with old age, can confuse your Mini French Bulldog. If you do need to change their location, you should guide your Mini French Bulldog puppy over to their bowls for a few days until they memorize the path. Dogs are lucky and don’t rely heavily on one sense over the other.
Trauma to the Eye
Is trauma to your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s eye common? Trauma and damage in your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s eye can be common because of how their face and eyes develop naturally. Your Mini French Bulldog puppy has large eyes protruding from its extra small head. Since Mini French Bulldog puppies are just runts of the litter pet owners have been breeding for decades, they are more likely to form abnormalities. One of the most common abnormalities in Mini French Bulldog puppies is eyes that stick out far.
Eyes that stick out far may look adorable, but they cause a lot of health concerns. Sometimes, dirt and other debris can hit the eye since the eyes stick out. Trauma to the eye usually occurs as your Mini French Bulldog puppy plays outside. The thing is, any trauma can result in your dog losing its sight or its entire eye.
Trauma to the eye does not have to come from large or heavy objects. Dirt can dry out your Mini French Bulldog’s eye, making it more susceptible to injuries and scratches. There aren’t any ways to completely dissolve the risk of developing trauma to your dog’s eye. However, you should be extra careful and consult your veterinarian for additional resources. There is no non-medical treatment or management, though. If you do notice that your dog has trauma to the eye, you should wash their eye with water to get out any dirt.
Ear Health
Because of their batlike ears that stick up, you would think that Mini French Bulldogs are not susceptible to infections or trauma, but their open ears attract bacteria and infections. If you don’t treat or prevent ear infections, they can become chronic, leading to full deafness. Some Mini French Bulldog puppies are even born deaf!
Ear Infections
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy has unique ears that stand straight and resemble bat ears. Although Mini French Bulldog puppies have excellent hearing overall, they may develop ear infections which can lead to a spread of infection or deafness. Did you know that Mini French Bulldog puppies are born with ears that flop down instead of standing up? It takes a minimum of four months for your Mini French Bulldog’s ears to stand up in the triangular shape we all know today. During these four months, your Mini French Bulldog puppy is more likely to develop ear infections as they accidentally trap moisture.
The ears of your Mini French Bulldog are delicate and adorable! Who doesn’t like their bat ears that stand up and twitch with sounds? As cute as your Mini French Bulldog’s ears are, they need a lot of extra care! To keep your dogs healthy and free from infections, you should carefully care for and clean their ears.
How do you know if your Mini French Bulldog puppy has an ear infection? The only way to know for sure is to get a diagnosis from your dog’s local veterinarian, as they can tell you exactly what bacteria is causing the infection. However, the symptoms are visible and easy to notice, meaning you can guess. If your Mini French Bulldog’s ear is bleeding, has a foul odor, and they are scratching at it a lot, it is likely an ear infection and may not go away on its own.
Often, ear infections go away with time, but you should try to keep your Mini French Bulldog from touching its ears. To provide relief to your itchy dog, you can distract them from the itchiness with plenty of active time. If the infection does not go away on its own, you should consult your veterinarian for extra resources. Some bacteria are incredibly damaging and need expert help before they worsen and the infection spreads.
Although this is the case, you can manage ear infections after treatment and prevent them from happening again! It is relatively easy to prevent ear infections. When cleaning your Mini French Bulldog’s ears, pay close attention to the fur around their ears. If any dirt or dust is left behind, it can cause an ear infection. You should trim the coat of your Mini French Bulldog puppy at least once a month, especially around their ears.
Deafness
Some Mini French Bulldog puppies suffer from gradual hearing loss or are born deaf through years of overbreeding. Deafness can occur because of genetics or because of trauma to your Mini French Bulldog’s eardrums. Your dog’s eardrums are very sensitive! If you accidentally reach them with an object while trying to clean their ears, you can cause damage. Some damage can lead to hearing loss as it is impossible to reverse the damage.
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy is at risk for trauma in their eardrums because of how short and narrow their ear canals are! Mini French Bulldog puppies are small, which means their ears are small. It does not take much to harm them. Although it is harder to get objects inside their ears, the length to reach the eardrum is short once they are in the ear canals!
Like blindness, though, deafness is manageable for your Mini French Bulldog puppy. Your dog can still live a long and happy life with partial or full hearing loss. However, you need to make some lifestyle changes to help them through their transition. Instead of stimulating your Mini French Bulldog puppy with sound or music, you need to use their other senses; touch, smell, taste, and sight. Purchase toys that light up or smell strongly with bacon and peanut butter flavors. If you have trouble getting your Mini French Bulldog’s attention, you can use vibrations to train them to recognize their name or commands. It is easier to train deaf dogs that were born without their hearing.
Immune Health
A dog’s immune system helps them fight off viruses and diseases. If your Mini French Bulldog puppy does not have a strong immune system, they may be more prone to getting sick. There are only a few immune conditions that your Mini French Bulldog puppy can develop, including inflammatory bowel disease.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
What is Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)? IBD is an immune system disease where your Mini French Bulldog puppy feels inflammation in its gut and digestive system. Inflammatory bowel disease causes discomfort in your Mini French Bulldog puppy and can lead to further health conditions if you do not manage it. The inflammation of the digestive tract and lining also stops the stomach from digesting food, which results in weight gain. Sometimes, if your Mini French Bulldog puppy feels full, they will not eat, resulting in weight loss.
The fat from the foods doesn’t burn in dogs with IBD. If your dog is slow, it may be because they don’t have enough energy from the lack of food metabolizing. Mini French Bulldog puppies can inherit IBD from one or more of their parents. The causes are still unknown, other than hereditary reasons. Some experts believe that diet and IBD, however, have a connection.
IBD does not go without treatment as it is a chronic issue. In dogs with IBD, the inflammatory cells grow fast and without cause. Experts, however, are still studying IBD as it is a relatively new condition with no known causes and even fewer treatments. Veterinarians know that Mini French Bulldog puppies develop this gut condition because of genetics instead of allergies, parasites, or underlying conditions.
Your Mini French Bulldog’s veterinarian can run tests to determine if your dog has an immune disease. Veterinarians will likely rule out other gut health conditions first, like acid reflux and chronic vomiting. They will then use an X-Ray or CT scan to take images of your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s gut and intestinal lining. During these scans, your dog’s veterinarian can see and note any abnormalities in your dog’s stomach, such as inflammation, ulcers, or scarring.
There are ways to manage IBD in dogs, including a diet change. Since it is difficult for Mini French Bulldog puppies to digest food with this condition, eating more fiber can quickly metabolize the food. Veterinarians recommend high-fiber diets with low proteins.
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Joint Health
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy may have a lot of joint health problems. Because they have short legs, even a small slip or wrong jump can cause a lot of harm! Not only are they at a high risk of trauma on their joints, but they may be born with conditions like hip dysplasia and dwarfism.
Hip Dysplasia
What is Hip Dysplasia, and how can it affect your Mini French Bulldog puppy? Hip dysplasia is a joint condition where your dog’s ball or the socket of their hip develops in different sizes. When your Mini French Bulldog puppy develops, their ball or socket may not grow to the same size, so the two parts don’t fit. The unevenness of your dog’s hips causes the bones and joints to deteriorate.
Hip dysplasia usually develops in older Mini French Bulldogs but can occur in dogs at any age through trauma or abnormalities. Mini French Bulldog puppies are more likely to develop hip dysplasia because of their short legs that are uneven. One fall or accidental slip and the extra weight can dislocate your dog’s hip.
Mini French Bulldog puppies with hip dysplasia can live long lives with a few changes to their lifestyles. Unlike other joint conditions, the life expectancy of a Mini French Bulldog puppy with this condition does not change. However, the quality of their life can decrease if pet owners don’t manage their dog’s pain and symptoms properly. There is no at-home cure for this condition. Instead, the only thing your veterinarian can do is recommend surgery. Although this is true, not all Mini French Bulldogs qualify for surgery as hip dysplasia affects older dogs. Pet owners need the guidance of a veterinarian as the effects of hip dysplasia are not reversible. You can manage the symptoms, though.
If you can catch the joint condition quickly and early, your dog may qualify for surgery that fixes the underlying issue. The surgery fixes the sizing of the ball or joint, which prevents further damage, but veterinarians only recommend the surgery to young puppies. Veterinarians cannot perform the surgery if the damage is already too severe. Instead, you can manage your dog’s pain and symptoms at home with the advice of your dog’s veterinarian.
To manage the symptoms of hip dysplasia, you can provide your Mini French Bulldog puppy an orthopedic bed to sleep in. The fabric of the orthopedic bed provides your Mini French Bulldog puppy with relief. It is hard for French Bulldog puppies to walk with hip dysplasia as they experience pain and loud cracking as they move. Giving your Mini French Bulldog an orthopedic bed can provide them with comfort, relaxing the tension in their legs.
Another pain management method you can do at home is giving your Mini French Bulldog massages with a hot water bottle or heat pack. Mini French Bulldog puppies suffering from hip dysplasia often feel the tension in their legs and joints because of the constant grinding. Hot water can relax their legs, providing temporary relief. There are also supplements you can give your Mini French Bulldog to manage and slow down the progression of hip dysplasia. The most effective supplement is Chondroitin sulfate, which reduces inflammation and improves joint function and mobility by increasing cartilage.
Dwarfism
What is dwarfism? Dwarfism is a development disorder that primarily affects the runts of a litter. Mini French Bulldog puppies with this condition often have many health conditions since their bodies develop smaller than they should. The most common signs of dwarfism in your Mini French Bulldog puppy are bone deformities and lack of hormones that result in underweight dogs and Mini French Bulldogs with uneven leg lengths.
The condition is more than just the joints, though. Dwarfism affects some Mini French Bulldogs because of their years of breeding. Since it takes two runts and smaller French Bulldogs to create this extra small dog breed, the child can inherit any conditions that both smaller dogs have. Although many pet owners may think their dogs are cute because of their dwarfism, they suffer a lot. Since their bones are not formed correctly, they may have trouble walking.
Dwarfism in your Mini French Bulldog puppy may cause other joint issues like hip dysplasia, arthritis, and obesity. Since dwarfism damages the hormones that regulate metabolism, your Mini French Bulldog puppy may not be able to keep off weight. The good thing about this condition is that it does not affect your Mini French Bulldog puppy’s life expectancy. However, if you do not treat the symptoms properly, your dog can suffer a lower quality of life.
Surgery can fix some issues but not all the deformations that your dog may develop. Instead, your Mini French Bulldog puppy will rely on you for pain management and comfort. One of the most important solutions to managing the pain of dwarfism in Mini French Bulldogs is to offer them an orthopedic bed. The bed is made of fabric that veterinarians and experts suggest can help relieve pain and discomfort. You can also give your extra small dog a tiny step stool to go up and down furniture. This way, they do not hurt themselves trying to jump. Preventing trauma and injuries to the bones is necessary since even the smallest slip can cause a broken bone.
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Skin and Coat Health
This extra small dog breed has a thin coat that does not shed frequently. This does not mean, though, that they can’t develop skin conditions! Mini French Bulldogs are susceptible to skin and coat conditions like acute moist dermatitis and flea allergies.
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Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema)
What is Atopic Dermatitis, and how does it affect your French Bulldog puppy? Atopic dermatitis (Eczema) is a reaction to allergies where an allergen irritates and inflames the skin chronically. Eczema is a painful and itchy skin condition in Mini French Bulldog puppies with long and short hair that shed. There is no cure for eczema. However, sometimes the eczema clears, while other times it reacts to the allergen causing a “flare-up.”
Eczema in your Mini French Bulldog puppy looks like red, flaky, and bumpy skin with patches of hair loss. It is not uncommon to see a Mini French Bulldog puppy with swollen scratch marks from the itchiness of their eczema patches. The swelling is because of the irritation from your Mini French Bulldog puppy scratching itself roughly. Mini French Bulldog puppies that itch and scratch at their atopic dermatitis may also have patches of hair missing with scabs on their skin. It is not uncommon to see Mini French Bulldog puppies with spots missing fur, especially on their bellies and paws, as allergens affect those areas more.
There are plenty of at-home treatments and preventive strategies to reduce the likeliness of atopic dermatitis in your Mini French Bulldog puppy. Atopic dermatitis does not affect your dog’s life expectancy. Eczema, however, can make your dog’s life uncomfortable and cause pain if they accidentally draw blood when scratching themselves, which is typical.
You can also give your Mini French Bulldog puppy supplements to strengthen their coat and skin by producing natural oils. Supplements do not cure atopic dermatitis but can reduce the frequency of flare-ups. There are various vitamins and minerals which strengthen the health of your dog’s coat through natural and healthy oils. The most common supplement veterinarians recommend is fish oil supplements with healthy omega 3 fatty acids. The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil increase the natural oils on your dog’s skin and coat, which act as a protective layer. You can also slather coconut oil on your dog’s fur, which acts as a layer of protection against allergens.
Flea, Mite, and Tick Allergies
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy is also susceptible, like all other dogs, to harboring fleas and ticks. Fleas, ticks, and mites are tiny bugs that latch onto animals, including humans, and use their host as a home and a food source, causing itchiness and spreading infections. Fleas and ticks are uncomfortable and can spread diseases to Mini French Bulldog puppies as they are carriers that draw blood by biting onto a dog’s skin. It is more common to see flea, mite, and tick allergies in Mini French Bulldog puppies with fluffy fur.
If pet owners don’t manage and treat their Mini French Bulldog puppies quickly from parasitic bugs, their dogs are at risk of developing anemia. If these bugs drink too much blood from Mini French Bulldog puppies, they can become anemic and die without treatment.
With fleas, ticks, and mites, veterinary care is unnecessary, although you can always take your Mini French Bulldog puppy to the vet if you have any concerns. However, you can treat and kill fleas and ticks at home with over-the-counter treatments and DIY concoctions. Mini French Bulldog puppy owners can kill the tiny white eggs that latch onto their dog’s fur. Pet owners can kill flea and tick eggs using a special shampoo with a high concentration of the mineral Zinc. Anything that your Mini French Bulldog puppy comes into contact with, you should also wash thoroughly. If you wash everything thoroughly, there is less chance that any fleas, ticks, mites, or eggs will survive.
Sometimes your Mini French Bulldog puppy has an infestation that hides in their long and wavy fur. It is not easy to spot the eggs or minor bugs when this occurs. If you have the time, it is best to groom your dog with a thin comb to pull the eggs out. You can find the comb at any local pet store. Pet owners can kill the eggs quickly once they spot them without shampoo. Sometimes shampoo cannot kill all the eggs as they are in hard-to-find places like behind your dog’s ear or under their heads.
Your Mini French Bulldog puppy has an exciting personality and enjoys being around you. These tiny and hairy dogs shed and can develop health conditions that alter their quality of life. While this is true, if you use preventive measures and techniques, your Mini French Bulldog puppy is likely to live a long and healthy life!
