French Bulldog vs. English Bulldog
On this #BulldogsAreBeautifulDay, we thought we share some breed facts and a few important health tips especially as the temperatures begin to rise across the UAE.
History
The English bulldog is the national dog of England.
Surprisingly, the French bulldog is not actually French.They originated from the toy Bulldogs brought to France by the lace workers from Nottingham in England, following the Industrial Revolution. These miniature Bulldogs are thought to have been crossed with other breeds from the region until the iconic bat ears and snub nose became part of the dog we all know. They also picked up a new name – The French Bulldog!
Appearance
Body: French Bulldogs have a smaller, shorter and slimmer body while English Bulldogs have a stockier more stout body.
Ears: French Bulldogs have large, bat-like ears that stand up straight, while English Bulldogs have smaller, folded over ears.
Head shape: Frenchies have a square head, while English Bulldogs have a rounder head with a broad forehead.
Coat: Both breeds have short coats and smooth, glossy hair.
The colours can include white, cream, fawn, red, or any combination of those colours in solid or brindle patterns.
Health
Both dogs have a short snout and flat face, making them brachycephalic breeds. This means they’re susceptible to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, which is a combination of abnormalities affecting the respiratory tract, such as narrow nasal openings, a long soft palate in the mouth, and a narrow windpipe.
Brachycephalic airway syndrome can result in noisy, laboured breathing and snoring. More importantly it causes severe limitations to quality and quantity of life and fatal consequences.
It’s important to keep both French and English Bulldogs out of extreme heat especially during the hot humid summers in the UAE, which can worsen their breathing problems. Monitor your dog while exercising, too, to make sure they aren’t having trouble breathing.
Additionally, both breeds are at risk for developing other medical conditions such as:
Patellar luxation
Spinal problems
Heart diseases
Facial fold dermatitis
Allergies
Entropion and other eyes issues
Obesity
Veterinary Fact
Did you know that there are surgical procedures to improve your bulldog’s breathing abilities and to prevent life-threatening breathing problems
To learn more: https://vet-hosp.com/boas/
Temperament
Both French and English Bulldogs have friendly, good-natured temperaments and strong personalities.
Frenchies are very talkative, tenacious and they enjoy joining you on a singsong while English Bulldogs have a more relaxed and chilled behaviour.
Exercise Needs
Frenchies love to play, while English Bulldogs can be more laid-back. But both benefit from daily exercise, just in slightly different amounts.
Make sure to restrict exercise for both breeds when it’s hot and humid outside, as Frenchies and English Bulldogs are both highly at risk for overheating, as a result of their flat faces.
