Have you got kids at home who’ve been begging you to get a French Bulldog? Or are you maybe looking for a furry playmate to surprise your children but don’t know which dog breed would be ideal for them? Look no further! In this article we reveal 6 reasons why Frenchies and kids are perfect together, and we also share a step-by-step guide on how to introduce them to each other. If you already have a Frenchie and there’s a baby on the way, we’ve got you covered too! To make things even sweeter, we’ll include some adorable pictures of kids with their TomKings Frenchies.
6 reasons why Frenchies are the perfect playmates for kids
1. Frenchies are amazing companions for people of all ages
French Bulldogs are one of the best companion dogs in the canine world, which is rooted in the breed’s history: they were bred to keep lonely lacemakers company and have all the personality traits of a proper lap dog. As a result, Frenchies are friendly, affectionate and extremely sociable who are at their best when they are around their people!
They especially love small children whom they see as constant playmates, the fun members of the family. Thanks to their easy-going and gentle nature Frenchies are also very patient with kids and can tolerate them even when they’re a bit loud and rowdy. We know that’s not always easy even for parents! You’ll probably agree that having a stable temperament and loving nature make French Bulldogs truly ideal companions for kids.
2. Frenchies are good for children’s mental health
Frenchies are very smart and have an extremely high level of emotional intelligence. That means that they can read their owners’ emotional state perfectly and even adjust their behavior to it. So, if you are happy and energized they become playful and entertaining, but if you’re sad or just tired, they’ll just sleep with you and comfort you by cuddling.
Kids who often find it hard to express their feelings by words can really benefit from having a companion like that. Your Frenchie will always be there to cheer your child up, and having that feeling of unconditional love from an early age can hugely reduce stress and anxiety. Petting, cuddling and playing with a dog also increases the level of dopamine and serotonin, making your kid happier and more balanced. The bond your kid will have with a Frenchie is truly the greatest gift you can give to them.
Subscribe to our weekly blog newsletter:
3. Frenchies have the perfect size for small children
Many parents are worried about having a big and strong dog around their young kids. However kind and gentle they may be, they can easily knock over a small child while playing. On the other hand, small dog breeds may be too fragile for kids who could sometimes be a bit rough and harm them by accident.
Even though they also belong to the group of small dogs, Frenchies actually have the perfect size for kids. Adult French Bulldogs grow up to 10-13 inches tall and usually weigh 24-28 pounds, and thanks to their strong and sturdy build they are quite durable. You will of course need to teach your kids to be gentle with them like with any pet.
4. Frenchies don’t bark a lot
If you don’t have a Frenchie yet this may have come as a surprise. French Bulldogs rarely ever bark and are actually one of the quietest dog breeds out there! Read our blog for more about the topic. That characteristic makes Frenchies quite approachable for young kids, who are often afraid of large and loud barking dogs, especially if they’ve had some unpleasant experiences in the past.
A quiet dog comes in handy especially in households with a newborn baby. If you’re a new parent, the last thing you’ll want is to have your baby woken up by your dog after hours of trying to make them sleep!
5. Frenchies are constant playmates for kids
Because of their small size, Frenchies don’t require much exercise but they’re up for some playtime any time! Instead of playing alone they prefer games that include their owners as well, but adults often don’t have enough time every day to satisfy that need. That’s why Frenchies and kids are the perfect combination!
Check out our
available puppies
Playing together will not only wear your dog out, but will make sure that your child has plenty of physical exercise and even more fun. They’ll entertain each other constantly, giving you some precious time too as a parent! Playtime is one of the best ways to build a strong bond with a Frenchie, so your puppy will basically be your child’s furry sibling and best friend for life. Read our tips on how to play with a Frenchie and teach them to your kids!
6. Kids with a Frenchie learn responsibility
Having a Frenchie is an excellent way to teach kids about responsibility and considering the needs of another creature. That will not only make your child more empathetic but involving them in a dog’s daily care will also prepare them for responsibilities later in their life. Accomplishing smaller tasks like feeding, taking your Frenchie out for a potty break or helping you bathe them will even build your child’s self-esteem!
Are TomKings Frenchies good with kids?
We have shown you that Frenchies are truly amazing with kids and even have an amazing effect on them! Even though all Frenchies tend to have a gentle and kind disposition, early socialization and proper training is still very important to make sure they are completely comfortable around kids. That’s why you should always get your puppy from a breeder who loves and treats them as family members!
We at TomKings socialize our puppies from an early age with kids so that they become friendly, well-behaved, and wonderful furry companions. Once they are with their families, it’s up to the parents to continue their training, read our extensive tutorial about French Bulldog training. Teaching command words like NO, STOP, SIT is essential especially when you have small kids at home. That way you can step in more efficiently if your Frenchie starts playing a bit rough.
Some of our TomKings Parents who also have kids have shared their experiences, you can read these in our Facebook group. Let us include some of them here!
“My Frenchie LOVES my kids! He protects them. He does whatever they want with him, like staying in a certain position lying on bed. When my girl takes baths, he patiently waits staring at the door for an hour just there… waiting for her. My kids are EVERYTHING to him. He waits on the door for them to come back from school. It is an amazing bond.” (Maria, Stitch’s mom)
“Finn loves every child he meets!! His whole body shakes lol. He even goes crazy when he hears them on tv. It’s so cute!!” (Melanie, Finn’s mom)
“Loves, loves small children. If the doorbell rings Lola assumes it is her “girl squad” and she gets massively excited! These pups come well socialized to children. I think it is their strong start on the farm from TKK children and adults.” (Helen, Lola’s and Winnie Loo’s mom)
How to introduce your Frenchie to kids
Even though most Frenchies accept kids immediately it is possible that your puppy gets scared of them at first. That may usually happen when you don’t have kids at home and your Frenchie only encounters them in parks or when you have guests at your house. The behavior and movement of children largely differs from adults, as they are often loud which may scare a pup. If your Frenchie gets confused around kids, that can easily lead to aggression, so it’s essential that you deal with the problem right away!
To resolve this fear, you’ll need to ask a child to help your Frenchie. They should sit down on the floor in your home (where your puppy feels safe), take a treat in their hand and reach it out without paying any attention to your puppy at this point. If your Frenchie takes the treat from their hand, you can give them another one and so on until they get more encouraged. Slowly, they can start talking to them in a quiet and calm manner, and carefully pet them when your pup goes closer.
If your Frenchie stays calm and acts friendly, praise them a lot! The point is that your puppy associates kids with positive feelings. This is a process that can take weeks, so you all need to be very patient and repeat the training at least once a week. Your Frenchie will soon learn that they don’t need to be afraid of kids or protect themselves from them, quite the contrary!
How to introduce your Frenchie to a baby
First of all, you need to get your Frenchie used to the baby’s smell, preferably even before your newborn arrives home. The best way to do this is to give your puppy one of the baby’s cloth or blanket and put it near their place. Then you need to praise them a lot if they sniff it and act normal or friendly, to make sure they associate the smell with something positive!
Once your baby is home, don’t keep them away from your puppy but let them smell your child. If your pup stays calm and curious, praise them a lot and give them treats! Although it rarely happens, if you see any sign of irritation like growling or showing teeth, step in immediately! Grab your dog and tell them off right away so that they understand that they did something really bad.
You can show them the baby later again while asleep and if they repeat the bad behavior, it’s time for some more serious punishment after telling them off. You should ignore your Frenchie for some time, as the feeling of being excluded from their pack is the biggest punishment for them! On the other hand, make sure to use plenty of positive reinforcement if they act friendly. This way your Frenchie will soon learn to accept your baby.
Usually the reason why a dog might act a bit aggressive towards a baby is their loud crying or simply because they get jealous when you bring a new family member home, who suddenly gets all the attention. They might think of your newborn as an intruder to their home so they don’t want to accept them at first, which is completely normal if you think about it! That’s why it’s essential to continue spending plenty of quality time with your Frenchie and make them feel they haven’t become less important.
So, don’t start panicking if your Frenchie doesn’t seem to love your baby right away. It will require some training and patience on your side, but if you follow the steps above, your Frenchie will soon become your baby’s greatest fan and protector!
If you’d like to learn more about Frenchies, join our Facebook group called TomKings Frenchie Family to read our Frenchie parents’ experiences!
The article is based on the expert knowledge of the TomKings Puppies team who have been breeding French Bulldogs for 10 years on their farm. All the pictures in the post belong to them and their customers, and show puppies from their breed. Check their available French Bulldog puppies, or if you have any questions or comments let us know below the article.
