Puppy Guide/ Favorite things

Puppy Care Guide

FYI this Guide has affiliate links

Welcome to the wonderful world of French Bulldog ownership! Frenchie’s are affectionate, playful, and full of personality, and they make fantastic companions. Because of their brachycephalic (flat-faced) structure, they have some unique needs, especially as puppies. This guide will help you give your French Bulldog puppy the very best start in life.

Essential Supplies Checklist for French Bulldog Puppies

Must-haves( these are our affiliate links)

• 24–30″ crate + divider, crate cover: https://amzn.to/4qjOAXp , https://amzn.to/45mdZHP
• Comfortable crate mat: https://amzn.to/4qnL0M1
• Exercise playpen: https://amzn.to/45mte3u
• Farmina N&D Puppy Mini kibble or food of choice—we provide enough Farmina food to get them through a food transition if desired: https://amzn.to/3YO1alT
• Adult Farmina food( this is what we feed our adult frenchies): https://amzn.to/3Lf40gM
• Stainless steel bowls:https://amzn.to/4b2cKRP
• Adjustable harness (never a collar for walks – protects trachea): https://amzn.to/49d5RuF
• 4–6 ft leash: https://amzn.to/49ah1Al
• Puppy-safe chew toy Kong Puppy: https://amzn.to/3YJghNw
• Teething toys: https://amzn.to/4qsJmsE
• Enzyme cleaner: https://amzn.to/4p2Ll5B
• Soft bristle brush or grooming mitt: https://amzn.to/49qQQ9C
• Facial fold wipes or microfiber cloths:https://amzn.to/4aBvoA1, https://amzn.to/4ptdGCB
• Dog toothbrush + enzymatic toothpaste: https://amzn.to/4jfj0ry, https://amzn.to/49pwXzI
• Nail clippers or Dremel: https://amzn.to/4b4e7PW
• Pet insurance (highly recommended for this breed!)- We always recommend Pet’s Best, but there are a lot of affordable, high quality insurances plans out there.

Optional but very helpful

• Snuggle Puppy (heartbeat toy for first nights): https://amzn.to/44IyvCj
• Cooling mat for summer: https://amzn.to/494kpwj
• Elevated feeder (helps with digestion and neck strain): https://amzn.to/44JSeSd
• Stroller (great for hot days or when puppy tires on walks): https://amzn.to/4sdJfTd

1. Bringing Your French Bulldog Puppy Home (8–12 Weeks)

• Choose a quiet, draft-free area for your puppy’s safe zone.
• Recommended starter supplies:
  • Crate (24–30″ with a divider is ideal), and crate cover
  • Comfortable crate bed or mat
  • Puppy playpen (exercise pen)
  • Adjustable collar + 4–6 ft leash
  • ID tag with your phone number—we love using air tags for ours
  • Enzyme-based cleaner (I love Rocco and Roxie)
  • Puppy-safe toys (Kong Puppy, soft plush toys, small rope toys)
  • Food and water bowls (stainless steel or ceramic – avoid plastic)
  • High-quality puppy food (we recommend and use Farmina N&D Puppy Mini (grain-inclusive or grain-free Ancestral Grain versions both work well for Frenchies)

First 48 hours tips:

• Keep interactions calm; let the puppy explore at their own pace.
• Stick to the food we use (Farmina) for 3–5 days, then slowly transition to your desired food (mix 25% new food, increase over 7–10 days).
• Offer meals 3–4 times per day.

2. Feeding Your French Bulldog Puppy

Frenchie’s are prone to allergies and sensitive stomachs, so premium nutrition is important. Our dogs do not have allergies, but we cannot rule it out from their family history.

Recommended food:

Farmina N&D Puppy Mini (Chicken & Pomegranate or Lamb & Blueberry recipes are Frenchie favorites)

• High meat content, limited ingredients, no artificial preservatives
• Appropriate kibble size for small jaws
• Supports healthy growth without excessive calories (helps prevent obesity)

Feeding schedule by age:

• 8–12 weeks: 3–4 meals per day
• 3–6 months: 3 meals per day
• 6–12 months: 2 meals per day
• 12+ months: transition to Farmina N&D Adult Mini

Always measure food; Frenchie’s gain weight easily. They like to pretend they are starving 24/7 haha. Use the feeding guide on the bag and adjust based on body condition. Fresh water must be available 24/7. Reach out to us if you have any questions regarding this.

Treats: Use Farmina N&D Natural Delights training treats or small pieces of boiled chicken, carrot, or green beans.

3. House Training & Crate Training

Frenchie’s are smart but can be stubborn. Consistency is key.

• Take your puppy out every 1–2 hours, plus after eating, playing, napping, and first thing in the morning/last thing at night.
• Choose one potty spot outside and use a cue word (we use “Let’s go potty”).
• Praise and treat immediately after they go in the right place. At night skip the treat.
• No food or water after 6pm—Extremely important!!
• Crate training helps tremendously; never use the crate as punishment. Reach out if you would like a guide to crate training.
• Expected timeline: most Frenchie’s are mostly reliable by 5–7 months with good routines. I have had Frenchie’s train by 8 months, and one by 1 year.

4. Socialization & Training

The critical socialization window is 3–14 weeks.

• Expose your puppy to new people, sounds, surfaces, and gentle dogs (only after vaccinations allow).
• Enroll in a positive-reinforcement puppy kindergarten class around 10–12 weeks.
• Teach basic cues early: name recognition, sit, down, leave it, and “touch” (nose to hand).
• Frenchie’s are very food motivated, but if yours isn’t, use a favorite toy, or activity, and lots of time with you!

Avoid harsh corrections; Frenchie’s shut down easily.

5. Exercise & Play

French Bulldog puppies should NOT over-exercise.

Guidelines:

• 5 minutes of structured walk per month of age (e.g., 10 minutes at 8 weeks, 15 minutes at 12 weeks). The walk should be where other unvaccinated dogs do not go. It can be in your backyard, or even around your house.
• Multiple short play sessions indoors are better than long walks
• No stairs, jumping on/off furniture, or forced running until at least 12–18 months (to protect growing joints and prevent IVDD)
• Mental stimulation (food puzzles, sniff games, short training sessions) is just as important

6. Grooming & Hygiene

• Weekly brushing with a soft bristle or rubber grooming mitt
• Clean facial folds daily with a damp microfiber cloth or unscented baby wipe, then dry thoroughly
• Bathe every 3–6 weeks or as needed with a gentle dog shampoo (we LOVE any product by HEMPZ PETZ).
• Nail trims every 2–3 weeks (or use a scratch board). If you aren’t taking them to a groomer, we highly recommend a nail Dremel. They will be trained on it coming to your home.
• Brush teeth 3–7 times per week with enzymatic dog toothpaste
• Clean ears weekly with a dog ear cleaner

7. Health & Veterinary Care

Frenchie’s have some breed-specific concerns—

Common issues to watch for:

• Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) – snoring is normal, open-mouth breathing or cyanosis (blue gums) is not
• Heat intolerance – never leave in hot cars or exercise in high heat. Any temperature above 70 degrees F your puppy/dog should be closely monitored and not left outside longer than 10 minutes.
• Skin fold dermatitis
• Allergies (food or environmental)
• Luxating patella and IVDD (intervertebral disc disease)

Vaccination & prevention schedule (typical):

• 6–8 weeks: First DHPP + deworming
• 10–12 weeks: Second DHPP + Bordetella (if attending daycare/classes)
• 14–16 weeks: Third DHPP + Rabies
• Monthly heartworm, flea & tick prevention. There are natural and holistic ways to do this as well if you are interested. Please reach out and we can direct you to people we know who have gone this route and had great success!

Spay/neuter: We recommend waiting until 12 months for Frenchie’s to allow proper growth plate closure. In some cases it is appropriate to spay/neuter earlier.

Final Thoughts

French Bulldog puppies are incredibly rewarding but do require thoughtful care because of their unique physiology. With proper nutrition (like Farmina), gentle exercise, consistent training, and lots of love, your Frenchie will grow into a happy, healthy companion for 10–14 years.

Enjoy every moment of puppyhood – they grow up fast!

If you have any questions about your Frenchie puppy, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help you every step of the way!