Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot?

When it comes to dogs, barking is undoubtedly one of the most irritating things one can experience. No one likes to wake up from a sweet dream just because their dog started to bark at random things. Therefore, before you get yourself a Frenchie as a new pet, it’s reasonable to ask, do French bulldogs bark a lot?

Fortunately, French bulldogs do not bark a lot compared to other dog breeds. This breed is pretty calm and passionate. As they don’t bark a lot, French bulldogs are an ideal pet for a condominium or apartment. That being said, there are some scenarios where your Frenchie might bark like other dogs: as discussed below!

If you want to know, do Frenchies bark a lot, and what does French bulldog bark sound like? Keep on reading.

Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot – The Real Answer

 

Let’s make it clear that all dog breeds bark. Although Frenchies do bark, they are not considered excessive barkers by any means. This is because, compared to other dog breeds out there, French bulldogs are usually calm.

That being said, a French bulldog might bark when they are in alert mode, happy or excited. Naturally, their bark has a unique and comical sound to it that doesn’t even feel irritating. A French bulldog may bark for several reasons, including:

• Genetics
• Distress
• Territorial aggression
• Alarm
• Seeking attention
• Pain
• Anxiety

To give you a better perspective, below, we have mentioned some of the most common reasons for French bulldog barking!

French Bulldog Barking – Possible Reasons

 

French bulldogs were bred to be companions. Originally, this breed was made to be a lapdog for lacemakers in England. However, due to their adorable nature and unmatchable loyalty, French bulldogs have become one of the most popular breeds of home pets.

Besides their wrinkly appearance and loyalty, most people prefer Frenchies because they don’t bark a lot. Although they are playful and forceful, French bulldogs prefer to be quiet. Instead of barking, they express their emotions through other approaches, like cuddling and kissing.

That doesn’t mean your Frenchie is completely mute. There are several instances when French bulldogs might bark, such as:

Genetics

No two French bulldogs are the same. As Frenchies inherit most of their traits and behaviors from their parents, you cannot really know everything about your pet. If both of the parents were excessive barkers, it is a possibility that the certain Frenchie may grow up that way as well.

Moreover, if your Frenchie has spent the first 8 months of his life around consistent barkers, barking might be something your dog just picks up and considers normal behavior. So, if it’s in your dog’s genetics, you cannot really do anything about the barking!

Distress

French Bulldogs do not like to be left alone. In fact, if you leave your pet for a few hours, it can get stressed and anxious, which can lead to several other health issues. One of the most significant problems with leaving your Frenchie alone is distress.

Due to the loneliness, your dog can feel distressed. As a result, he will bark nonstop. Keep in mind that Frenchies were bred to be companions. They are highly social and crave human touch and care. So, if you leave your pet, it will bark to show its unhappiness.

Territorial

Just like all other dog breeds out there, French bulldogs are also territorial about their toys and food dishes. As they are small in size, they cannot really attack invaders. Instead, your Frenchie will bark excessively to alert you.

Besides alerting their owner, French bulldogs can also bark as a warning to other animals. This will often happen if you have other pets and they are invading “their space.” In that scenario, keeping your other pets away from Frenchie’s territory is recommended.

Stranger Danger!

French bulldogs are extremely loyal to their owners. While male Frenchies are playful and forceful, females are comparatively shy. They don’t like strangers. If a mailman or stranger enters your property, your French bulldog will bark to alert you.

If your dog barks whenever someone is at the door, it’s completely okay. In fact, this is quite beneficial. In small doses, this approach can be positive as you get alert! However, in excess, it could be problematic. In that scenario, you can train your dog to stop barking.

Attention Seeking

If you already have a French bulldog, you probably know they are quite an attention seeker. In fact, according to most Frenchie owners, they can seek attention even more than cats. This is in their genes, as they were bred to be passionate and affectionate.

French bulldogs love to be near their owners. So, if your little furball is feeling neglected and lonely, he might bark a little to get your attention. You Frenchie might even bark if he’s on the other side of the door. For instance, one of his family members is in a room with the door closed.

Feeling Pain

So, your little furball is usually lovely and quiet, but all of a sudden, he starts to bark incessantly – what could have happened?

Well, there is a possibility that your Frenchie is in some sort of pain. In that scenario, it is recommended to check his joints, ears, and paws. Generally, if your dog is barking due to physical pain, you will see some sort of injury.

If the injury is not that serious, your dog will stop barking after a while. Alternatively, consult your vet immediately and ask for his assistance if you see blood or the injury is deep.

Feeling Anxious

Did you know dogs can also get anxious and stressed? Your French bulldog might get anxious about an unfamiliar object, sound, and person. Keep in mind that Frenchies don’t like changes. If you try to change their surroundings, they will get anxious and start to bark.

Moreover, if you leave your French bulldog for a few hours, he will get really stressed. Besides their owner, Frenchies can also get really attached to their family members. If one of the pups is in the other room and the door is closed, your dog will start to bark because of the stress.

Fear

French bulldogs might bark due to fear as well. An unexpected loud sound like that of lawnmowers, thunderstorms, and fireworks can really scare your pet. Plus, new situations, the arrival of new pets, and moving to a new home can also cause your French bulldog to be dreadful.

In most cases, they will bark excessively to reserve themselves from different uncomfortable situations.

How to Stop your Frenchie from Barking?

 

There is no denying that a dog barking excessively is quite irritating. It can disturb your whole routine if not controlled effectively. Therefore, you have to find different methods to stop French bulldog barking.

Before we discuss helpful remedies, it’s essential to keep in mind that a dog barking occasionally is entirely normal. In fact, Frenchies’ bark produces a comical sound that is quite amusing. However, if you have a nonstop barker, you can follow the following methods to stop or reduce barking:

Eliminate Situations

If your Frenchie is barking due to unfamiliar objects, persons, and situations, try to eliminate that particular situation. For instance, if your dog is barking because of a cat, take the cat away from the dog.

Train your Dog

One of the best things about dogs is that they can be trained. French bulldogs are pretty intelligent and easy to train. You can teach your Frenchie how to be quiet on command. For this to work, you need to teach your dog the “speak” command as well. So, be patient and consistent.

Barking Collar

Fortunately, there are several gadgets and tools out there that can help you with most of your dog-related problems. When it comes to barking, barking collars have been a total success in stopping or decreasing needless barking.

The barking collar releases a light shock every time a dog bark. As mentioned earlier, Frenchies are pretty smart and intelligent. So, the downside is your Frenchie will become “Collar Smart.” As a result, they realize that they only have to stop barking if they are wearing the collar.

Ignore your Frenchie

If you are sure your little furball is not injured in any way, you can simply ignore your French bulldog. If your dog is barking to get your attention, it will eventually stop this practice. Don’t give attention to your dog because of its barking. Otherwise, they will continue to bark to get your attention.

Stay Calm and Patient

Do not yell at your Frenchie. If your dog is suddenly barking needlessly, you have to stay calm. If you yell at your dog, it might send the wrong signals. Moreover, Frenchies can be quite stubborn sometimes. So, your yelling might lead to negative outcomes as well!

Exercise & Stimulation

Boredom and lack of exercise can also lead to excessive barking. If your dog has been indoors for several days, he will start to get irritated, leading to negative behavior. In that scenario, you should take your little furball outside for a little exercise and play with him!

Be Consistent

All the above remedies require you to be consistent. To stop your Frenchie from barking, you need to be patient. Keep in mind that although your French bulldog is smart, he is still an animal. While training a dog, one of the most important things is consistency.

Cuddle with Your Frenchie

 

French bulldogs can get really sad and anxious if you leave them for a few hours. In that case, you should spend some valuable time with your little buddy. As an affectionate breed, these dogs love to cuddle and play with their owners.

You can simply cuddle with your French bulldog until he gets calm and relaxed. Cuddling your Frenchie has several benefits for both dogs and humans. So, be generous about it!

Contact Your Vet

In case your French bulldog starts barking suddenly due to physical pain, check for injuries. If the injuries are deep, take your pet to the vet immediately.

In a Nutshell

Before getting yourself a French bulldog, it’s completely reasonable to ask, do French bulldogs bark a lot? Fortunately, the answer is NO. Compared to other dog breeds out there, French bulldogs don’t like to bark unnecessarily.

That doesn’t mean your Frenchie is entirely mute. Your French bulldog might bark a little due to several reasons, such as fear, feeling anxious, pain, seeking attention, territorial aggression, distress, and genetics.

However, there are several remedies that you can use to stop this barking. Above, we have mentioned all the valuable tips that might come in handy if your Frenchie suddenly starts barking!