Have you seen a fluffy Frenchie before? They are rare but long-haired French bulldogs do exist and because of their uniqueness, they attract a lot of attention from the dog community. Did crossbreeding make it possible? Where you can you buy these dogs? Are they easy to groom? Get all the answers to your questions in today’s post.
Origin
Long-haired Frenchies, like the Instagram-famous Fozzy the Fluffy Frenchie, do exist but they are rare because they are not bred on purpose.
These are not the regular Frenchies that get a thick coat only during cold months, their coat length stays the same throughout their lives. These types of Frenchies are even born with thick coats, unlike the standard French bulldogs that normally have short hair.
It’s not so easy to find breeders developing long-haired Frenchies. According to Fozzy’s breeders at Cherry Valley Blue Frenchies in California, he is a hundred-percent Frenchie and they have the DNA tests to prove it. Fozzy is carrying two copies of the recessive “a” allele, which gives him his solid black color.
It is not normal for French bulldogs to possess the long hair gene. They have the L locus or long hair and fluffy gene. They usually carry two copies of “Sh” resulting in their short hair. Hence, Frenchies with long hair are the result of a genetic alteration in canines. Despite this gene alteration, having an unusually long hair does not really affect these dogs’ health. They can still lead a normal life despite of this rare genetic alteration.
Appearance
History indicates that the breed was first developed in England with the goal to have a toy-size version of a bulldog. As we all know, bulldogs are quite short but they have muscular and broad shoulders which give them the fierce look. Frenchies are the “cuter” versions of their English bulldog cousins.
French bulldogs with long hair appear like they are crossed with another fluffy breed, like the Griffon Bruxellois. But believe it or not, they are purebred dogs. They have the typical Frenchie look with its “bat ears,” heavy facial wrinkles, short nose, and wide apart eyes. The only thing that sets them apart from the traditional French bulldog is the length of their coat.
Like a typical Frenchie, long-haired Frenchies are quite short at only 28 to 31 centimeters tall at the shoulder. They are also compact and easy to carry because they only weigh around 7 to 13 kilograms. Their small size makes French bulldogs the ultimate companion dog or lapdog.
Frenchies usually have a short and fine coat, which makes them fairly easy to maintain. Their smooth fur somehow gives them that shiny look. But it’s not the case with long-haired Frenchies because their coat is a bit longer and this gives them a fluffy appearance.
Long-Haired French Bulldogs Grooming
Maintaining the coat of a fluffy Frenchie is obviously different from that of an usual Frenchie. While traditional French bulldogs require the least amount of grooming, the fluffy ones may need moderate amounts of grooming. This means you have to spend more time brushing them or giving them the bath because of their long hair.
A fluffy Frenchie needs the same facial care as the short-haired one. You may not notice it due to the amount of hair covering their face, but these fluffy dogs also have wrinkles that require thorough cleaning. Otherwise, those skin folds will harbor bacteria and there are a number of conditions can arise once the dog develops skin fold dermatitis.
Cleaning the French bulldog’s facial wrinkles need lots of TLC. You can use dog wipes or soft cloth moistened with lukewarm water. Just make sure to dry it well to avoid moisture. As we all know, bacteria thrive in moist environment. Infections can start if the area you cleaned is left warm and moist.
To maintain the fluffiness of their coat, long-haired Frenchies should be brushed once or twice a week using a dog comb or a pin brush. A pin brush is intended for medium to long coats so it will be ideal even for Frenchies. It is especially created for getting rid of dead hair, while giving the coat a shiny look because the natural oil in a dog’s body is well-distributed. It should have rounded tips, with the pins having a good distance from each other to effectively get rid of loose coat.
Regardless if you have a short-coated or long-coated Frenchie, you will have to deal with shedding all year-round. One of the many misconceptions people have with them is that they are hypoallergenic, only to realize that these dogs will lose some of their hair in moderate levels. The good news is that a Frenchie’s shedding is manageable, given that you know the right strategies in grooming them.
Frenchies will shed throughout the year, but will lose more hair twice a year when they go through seasonal shedding. This means you should expect more hair falling off your furniture or floors. To minimize shedding, invest in a vacuum cleaner with pet-friendly features like powerful suction, anti-hair wrap technology, and pet odor filter to leave your space fresh and clean.
If your Frenchie sheds like crazy or intensely all of a sudden, which is not usual for the breed, you better schedule an appointment with a veterinarian for proper consultation. Intense shedding is sometimes associated with a number of health diseases, including bacterial and yeast infections. In some instances, the abnormal shedding is due to changes in the levels of hormones or allergies to certain food items.
Personality
Frenchies with long hair have the same temperament as Frenchies with a short hair. As mentioned above, having long hair does not have bearing on a dog’s over-all being. In general, French bulldogs are known for being adorable and loving. But of course, owners of Frenchies need to make sure these dogs have proper upbringing. When raising Frenchies, it is important to incorporate early training and socialization to encourage the dog’s natural inclination towards life.
Health
All Frenchies, regardless of the length of their coat, may suffer from common health issues associated with the breed. Sadly, French bulldogs are among the breeds with a short life expectancy. They have an average lifespan of only 10 to 14 years. Below are some of the skin conditions usually observed with French bulldogs, regardless of them having a thin coat or not:
Skin fold dermatitis – wrinkly dogs like French bulldogs suffer from skin fold dermatitis, usually caused by inappropriate care of their facial wrinkles. However, it can happen not just on the facial area but also on the area around the tail and the private area. This condition occurs when the skin folds were left moist. If left untreated, dermatitis can lead to a condition called pyoderma which is another type of skin infection that causes redness of the skin, itchiness, and crusts. Skin fold dermatitis can be managed by giving antimicrobial medications to dogs, which are either topical or systemic. The skin should be cleaned with a medication especially prescribed by a vet. If the case is severe, a vet may recommend surgical intervention.
Pododermatitis – dogs with such condition suffer from inflamed skin paws. There are many possible causes of pododermatitis, but the typical sources are infections from bacteria or yeast. Parasites and even newly formed abnormal tissues can also start canine pododermatitis. Treating pododermatitis will depend on the root cause of the condition. If it’s due to ringworm, a vet will eventually prescribe a liquid de-worming agent which can be given orally. Medications like milbemycin oxime can also be given to prevent further infection on the paws.
Dry and cracked nose – this condition, characterized by a rough, dry, and crusty nose, is common among French bulldogs. For some dogs, the dryness is only temporary and happens when the climate is dry or very cold. Petroleum can be applied topically to treat the dryness, but if your Frenchie is prone to it, it’s worth investing in a snout soother or “nose butter” for dogs. Petroleum jelly is safe for canine use as long as they are not exposed to it for a long period. Otherwise, the fat-based substances in petroleum jelly can lead to lipoid pneumonia. What’s good about nose butters is that they are usually made of all-natural ingredients so you will not have to worry that they may harm your Frenchie’s skin.
Conclusion
Long-haired French bulldogs are a thing, especially among pet parents looking for rare dogs. They do exist but you can hardly find them, since they occur when there is a genetic anomaly present in both parent dogs. They are also not recognized by major dog clubs since they do not have the standard short coat of French bulldogs.
