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Why and how to dress your Frenchie?

TomKings blog banner on dressing your Frenchie, with a blue-grey dog wearing a checkered hoodie outdoors
Why and how to dress your Frenchie? Frenchie Style guide

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We can never get bored of seeing a Frenchie dress up in style, especially when it matches the owner’s style. Clothes can perfectly reflect their personality: they can look funny, cool, or even romantic. Most people think that owners dress them for their own entertainment. The truth is, it’s crucial to dress them to preserve their good health! So why do we dress our French bulldogs, how to choose the right outfit and how to take his measures? Keep reading as we take a look at Frenchie fashion in this article!

Why do Frenchies need to be dressed?

There aren’t many breeds that can own clothes like French bulldogs. Have you ever seen a german shepherd wearing melon-printed pajamas? It’s a strange image, and we can rarely see anything like that. That’s because they don’t need to be dressed. Large dog breeds have a very different physique than French bulldogs, and they usually have multiple-level coats.

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Harley, from TomKings Puppies

Frenchies are more prone to hypothermia and overheating than other breeds

A typical French bulldog has a small body with narrow hips, a relatively thick neck, and a large but short skull. They also have a thin layer of coat which cannot protect them well enough in cooler weather. Due to their unique physique and coat, their respiratory system can’t deal with sudden temperature changes. Frenchies are more prone to hypothermia and overheating than other breeds. Therefore, it’s crucial to provide them with an extra layer of clothes when the weather is getting cooler. The crazy, hot summer weather puts Frenchies in danger too. When the air is so hot that we can barely breathe outside, our four-legged friend is suffering from the heat even more as they can’t cool down their bodies. We wrote an extensive article on how Frenchies put up with extreme cold and hot weather, and how to help them cope. 

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Maisel, from TomKings Puppies

Some Frenchies suffer from allergies

Such as dust or pollen that can cause skin irritation. Dressing them up is a clever solution to protect their skin from allergenic substances.

How to dress your Frenchie?

An entire industry is specialized in making clothes for French bulldogs, not without a reason. Just like you have seasonal clothes, your dog must have too. You can also dress them by gender, special holidays, or by the latest cool fashion. It’s really up to you! But let us give you some good advice on how to choose the right size and cloth for your beloved baby dog!

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Olive and Mila, from TomKings Puppies

1. Choose according to the actual weather

In summer, always carry a cooling west and some dog-cooling items with you when you are on the go. You need to make the vest wet, squeeze out the water, and let it dry on him while he is outside. If you take him to the beach or go to a pool party, it’s crucial to have a dog safety life jacket with you. Frenchies are not capable of swimming due to their short bodies and skull size. But with the jacket on, he can jump into the pool without risking his life!

Springtime and summer nights can be tricky. During the daytime, the air is nice and warm, but as soon as the sun sets, it can get really cool in a relatively short time. The weather can trick us many times, and this is how we can catch a cold. The same applies to your Frenchie, therefore we recommend you to put a shirt on him. Frenchie shirts are usually lightweight and are made of cotton. A good alternative can be a hoodie like this or a sweater for cooler days.

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Casval, from TomKings Puppies

Wintertime can be really dangerous in terms of Frenchies’ health. Always put on a warm jacket and waterproof boots on all four legs before going out for a walk. Dog owners often forget about the dog boots, but the snowy, icy, sometimes even salty pavement can cause serious injuries to their sensitive skin. Waterproof boots can also keep their legs warm, preventing cystitis.

2. Dress according to your French bulldog’s size

Whenever you buy clothes for your Frenchie, don’t get too tempted to buy the most attractive items. Always keep in mind that his clothes have to be comfortable. They should provide ease of movement for your dog and easy maintenance for you. Avoid clothes that cover his backside, legs, and head, as it can make him anxious. 

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Winnie Loo, from TomKings Puppies

French bulldogs’ body shape is pretty unique. Those who are in especially good shape even have visible muscles. Those muscles can also give you a hard time when you are trying to find clothes. We recommend you to browse in shops that are specialized to Frenchies. 

So, how to choose the right size clothes for your Frenchie? Before you start shopping for Frenchie clothes, take your pup’s measurements. We recommend you measure him often while he’s still young. He won’t change much after the second year. First, you need to measure the circumference of his neck. After that, measure the length of his back from the neck to the tailbone. It’s also good to have the measures at the widest part (usually at the belly).

Why and how to dress your Frenchie? - TomKings Blog
Arlo, from TomKings Puppies

Once you finished shopping, it’s always a fun event to have a fashion show for the family! Don’t forget to take awesome pictures that you can share with us in our Facebook group!

Visit our webshop to find some amazing Frenchie clothes from Chewy and treat your puppy!

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 here.

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