The French Bulldog was created from the (English) Bulldog to become a small companion. His main purpose was to be a lap dog, in contrast to other “bull breeds” created to fight. He does his job so well, in fact, that his popularity has been slowly growing. The Frenchie has become a favorite among people who prefer small, easygoing dogs that are simple to take care of. Frenchies generally have very stable personalities and are not normally timid nor aggressive. Many are well-mannered, even with very little training. They are happy, affectionate little creatures that provide much entertainment.

It should be noted, however, that French Bulldogs are known to have a variety of health issues. Von Willebrand’s Disease, thyroid disease, elongated soft palate, spinal diseases, and allergies are but a few of the potential health defects seen in the breed. It is vital to purchase a Frenchie from a breeder who does as much health testing as possible, while at the same time knowing that you still may end up spending more money at the vet hospital than with another breed.

Frenchies can be fairly active, but are never overly exuberant. In fact, they are quiet and unassuming in the house (aside from their tendency to snore). Their tiny size means that they do not need a lot of space in order to thrive, which means they can definitely live in apartments. While it is always recommended to take your dog for regular walks, Frenchies hardly require much exercise. A romp around the yard and the occasional walk is usually all that is needed to keep a French Bulldog from becoming fat.

Some Frenchies get along well with other dogs while some do not. Same-sex aggression in particular can be a problem. This is highly dependent upon the dog, but if it is very important that your Frenchie coexists with another dog, choose a puppy from a breeder that selects for this trait. The same can be said for cats. While dog-to-dog aggression is variable, however, all French Bulldogs love humans! They get along well with people of all ages, and most enjoy meeting new folks. The only caveat is that in some cases, Frenchies can be territorial with strangers in their homes.

Their short coats do not require very much grooming. A quick one-minute brush down a few times a week is all that is needed. Trimming nails, cleaning ears, and cleaning the wrinkles from their faces are also easy chores that will not take very long. Even bathing a Frenchie is a short, easy process! Yet another reason why this breed is preferred by those who have busier lifestyles or otherwise just want a dog that doesn’t require a lot of work.

Many owners of French Bulldogs find that fences are absolutely necessary, and warn that this breed should always be kept on a leash when not in a fenced area to keep them from running away. Furthermore, when Frenchies are in their fenced backyards, it is vital to make sure they are never outside for long periods during adverse weather conditions. Adverse weather conditions can mean extreme heat as well as extreme cold. Texas summers are far too hot for this breed! Keep them inside the air-conditioned house when temperatures begin to rise!

As with other bully breeds, Frenchies should never be left alone near water. They cannot swim and can quickly drown if no one is there to fish them back out of a pool or a lake.

New owners of French Bulldogs often find that their dogs will destroy most dog toys within minutes. Their jaws are extremely strong and Frenchies are masters at dismantling toys. Instead, look for dog toys that are made specifically for heavy chewers! Luckily, this breed is not generally destructive otherwise and probably will not chew up your sofa or kitchen table, but it is important that they be provided with something to keep them busy.

Many Frenchies are enthusiastic about learning new things, while at the same time they can be sensitive and stubborn. This means that training may be easy or difficult depending on how well you are able to “read the dog” and react accordingly. Luckily, this breed loves to please so oftentimes they key to training comes in finding each dog’s individual drives and motivation. There are many Frenchies competing in dog events around the world such as rally, tracking, obedience, agility… even unconventional events (for Frenchies) such as herding or coursing! A well-trained French Bulldog is an exceptional companion who is a joy to live and compete with! If you have a French Bulldog and are looking for a dog trainer in Austin or the surrounding areas, call us today!

A favorite among small-breed enthusiasts, the Pug is a delightful companion to those who meet his unique needs. He enjoys attention and is particularly skilled at making his owners laugh with his clown-like antics. This is a breed which loves to be with people – the more, the better. He gets along just as well with adults as he does with children, and most Pugs love meeting new people! As might be surmised by this description, this is not a breed for people who work all day and are barely ever home.

Despite their tiny size, Pugs are robust enough to play rough without getting hurt easily. This is in contrast to many other toy breeds that are much more delicate. However, there are a couple of instances in which a Pug owner needs to be extra careful. The first has to do with thorns and other prickly objects. Because Pugs have short muzzles and large, bulged eyes, it is easy for them to scratch those eyes on spiky things. It is the owner’s job to remove anything from their yard and house that might hurt their Pug’s eyes. The second thing an owner should do is to restrict any access their Pug has to swimming pools because most Pugs cannot swim and quickly drown. Placing a short fence around the perimeter of the pool is usually adequate.

While his short coat may make it seem as though he doesn’t shed, in all actuality the Pug sheds quite a bit! Banishing him outside is not an option, as Pugs are definitely not outdoor-only dogs. With their short muzzles, they can quickly overheat. They also do not do well in very cold weather. Any potential owners must be prepared to keep their dog inside most of the time!

In order to control a Pug’s shedding, he should be brushed on a regular basis. The brushing process goes very quick, but owners are advised to clean out their facial wrinkles and perform an eye and ear check with each brushing. This grooming ritual will help keep your Pug healthy and clean, and is very important.

Eating is one of the Pug’s favorite activities, so many owners find they must monitor the amount of food their dog ingests in order to keep him from getting fat. While a healthy Pug should be stocky, he should never be grossly overweight. This is where exercise will also come into play. A recommended amount of exercise for a Pug includes two separate 20 minute walks a day, as well as a good romp in a fenced backyard. Because of his small size, a Pug owner will not have to worry about running or jogging with their dog – a steadily paced walk is just fine. Take note that walks should never take place in very hot temperatures!

When it comes to training, many Pugs delight in the process but have a hard time taking it seriously. It’s not uncommon for a Pug to “make things up as he goes”, just because he wants to see how his trainer will react. Obedience training, however, is very important. An un-trained Pug will quickly learn how to manipulate his owners, which – while it may sound cute… is not cute in reality. In order to avoid future behavior problems, a Pug should start obedience training when young.

Pugs normally love to travel in cars and are happy to accompany their owners wherever they are going. This is not surprising, as people are a Pug’s very favorite thing! Potential owners must take care, however, to never leave a Pug in a car alone.

Mostly because of their undershot bite (although there are other factors as well), Pugs generally don’t have the healthiest of teeth. While tooth brushing and providing safe chews can help minimize the problem, Pugs may require surgical cleanings throughout their lives. Do you own a Pug? Are you looking for a dog trainer in Austin or the surrounding areas? Call us today and tell us about your dog!

Tibetan Terriers are fun-loving dogs that love to play! They do not have the typical “small dog” temperament despite the fact that they are small, and are instead referred to as “large dogs in a small dog’s body”. Part of the reason for this is because they are very athletic and much more willing to go out and participate in activities than some of their same-sized counterparts.

That said, Tibetan Terriers are not neurotic or obsessive about exercise and can still be quite calm in the house. Many Tibetan Terriers adapt to how their own family lives, whether it be slightly more on the sedentary side, or on the active side. This means that they can be a great lap dog just as much as they can be a fun hiking buddy! Many also do well in obedience competitions as well as agility, conformation, flyball, rally, tracking, and therapy work. However, do not expect to just throw your dog into the backyard and not pay attention to him. While they are very adaptible, they are not adaptive to being outside-only dogs.

They make fantastic family dogs and are loving and loyal to those they consider part of their pack. They can be good with children, but are not recommended for very young kids without good “dog manners”. Many stay in sync with the emotions of their owners, offering extra support when you’re having a bad day. They can show some shyness to strangers when first introduced, with a few being protective of their owner.

This breed is not for the novice dog owner.Tibetan Terriers can be difficult to housebreak, sometimes mouthy, and tend to bark freely. Some Tibetan Terriers suffer from separation anxiety, so should be taught from a young age that being alone isn’t a bad thing. Some can be destructive if bored. Their adaptable feet, developed from life in the mountains of Tibet, are talented at opening doors, pulling items off the counter, opening containers, climbing onto furniture, and unlatching gates! Many are escape artists.

Tibetan Terriers are very intelligent dogs… sometimes almost too intelligent. They can learn to manipulate their owners so it’s good to always be one step ahead! It is for this reason that obedience training is recommended, as well as a healthy sense of humor since the breed can be independent and stubborn at times. They learn well with plenty of praise.