Pulse - May 2023 - 18

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
The Frenchie Fad
A
Elizabeth Goldstone
bout a month ago, my text message
box was filled with friends asking if
I had seen that the French Bulldog was
now the most popular dog, breaking the
decades old reign of the Labrador retriever.
What's more, the French Bulldog also won
a National Dog Show, getting Best in Show
this last year, again unprecedented.
Well, of course I see these things, and I feel proud to have
one, but I also cringe, as the breed has brought a lot of unwanted
attention and dangers to those that own them. Don't
get me wrong, I love my Frenchie, but like any breed of dog,
there are the pros and cons. Just to alleviate the fears of anyone
who loves and breeds Frenchies, this article is not meant
to be negative, but just to shed light on being an owner of one
and my own experiences.
Eighteen years ago, when I bought my first Frenchie, I had
no idea what owning one entailed, as I had never had one, and
hadn't owned a dog since I was living at home in my teens. We
had a Sheltie, who was the complete and total opposite of the
disposition and make-up of a French Bulldog. Not even close!
When trying to decide what kind of dog to get, I took in mind
the size of my home, the disposition, and of course, the cuteness
of the breed. Let's face it, Frenchies are the epitome of
cuteness and uniqueness, but with those characteristics come
with their own challenges. A friend of mine who also worked
in animal health had Boston Terriers and English bulldogs,
and although I loved both breeds, I wanted something that
was sort of in-between. Voila, the Frenchie! Not too hyper
like a Boston, but not too lazy like an English. I had no idea of
what having a brachycephalic breed would mean, or what skin
issues they might have, or what ear and eye issues that they
may develop. Granted, I had just entered the animal health industry,
so I was completely unaware of most aspects of canine
care. Prior to owning my own dog, I was a huge cat person,
and hadn't really had any health issues with the ones that I
had owned, until they became geriatrics.
I also did not take into consideration the financial investment
I would make and continue to make while owning one,
and I guess you would have this with any dog, but there are
some predispostions to certain maladies with this breed. I remember
I was aghast at the cost of my first one, and they have
really become one of the most expensive dogs out there, which
has made them one of the most stolen dogs in the last few
years. I always say no one would want to steal Beatrice, as she
is very fear aggressive, and would come at any stranger with a
vengeance. But, for most people, they are at high risk for theft
18
and should never leave their Frenchie alone in a car, in the
yard, and should be very watchful on walks.
Another sad aspect of the breed, which I can relate to,
is that most owners, now with the craze, do not realize the
amount of medical need they may require. I have seen so
many relinquished to vets when the owners cannot pay for
their derm, spine, or even ear issues. Again, this could be any
dog, but it seems like Frenchies and English bulldogs are given
up a lot in my experience for these reasons. I see it every day
in the clinics I visit. It is very sad, and I feel lucky that I could
and would be able to afford my own dog's spine surgery when
she needed it last year. Many can't afford it and end up putting
their dogs down. It breaks my heart, but I know you can never
totally prepare for what can happen to any pet you may have.
I just wish that more people would do more research before
they jump into Frenchie ownership so that they are aware of
the possibilities.
So, with that being said, my Frenchie, Beatrice has been
the most loyal, lovable and joy to own, even though I have
challenges with her temperament. She also has all the aforementioned
medical issues, but they have luckily been manageable.
This is my second, who is much different then my first.
Every dog you get will be different, even though they may be
the same color, size and breed. I am a super social person, so
I wish she was more friendly to others, but you get what you
get. I am still a huge fan of this breed and cannot imagine
not having one. They are extremely funny and are known as
clowns. They are also super smart and expressive. And lastly, if
you do get one, you will probably not just get one, as Frenchie
puppies are hard to resist! P
Elizabeth Goldstone
Merck Animal Health * 949-379-0201
Elizabeth.goldstone@merck.com
MAY 2023
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