There are plenty of good reasons to consider a dog’s noise level before you decide to adopt. Maybe you live in an apartment complex and don’t want to disturb your neighbors. Maybe you work at home and don’t want constant barking to interrupt your video calls. Maybe you simply appreciate your peace and quiet.
If you’re thinking of adding a French bulldog to your family, you may be wondering: Do French bulldogs bark a lot? Or are they generally quiet dogs?
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no, unfortunately. The truth is that all dogs are different, and a variety of things could cause your dog to bark regardless of breed. Let’s examine the Frenchie’s vocal tendencies in more detail and find out why your dog barks and what you can do to keep the noise to a minimum.
Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot?
Many small dogs have a reputation for yapping. In some cases, it’s warranted — many small dogs are frequent barkers. What about the Frenchie, though? Do French bulldogs bark a lot?
Generally speaking, the French bulldog is not considered a heavy barker. Most Frenchies bark only occasionally, although it’s important to note that barking habits depend more on the dog and their circumstances than their breed. But it’s safe to say that the French bulldog isn’t known for its bark.
Even though your French bulldog may not bark a lot, they’ll likely make other noises including sneezes, snuffles, and snorts. That’s because the French bulldog is a brachycephalic breed; these breeds have short snouts, squashed faces, and bulging eyes.
Brachycephalic dogs don’t have very efficient respiratory systems, and their labored breathing can sometimes be quite noisy. (These dogs are known for their adorable snores.) Reverse sneezing is also more common in brachycephalic dogs like the Frenchie.
Why Do French Bulldogs Bark?
As far as dog breeds go, the French bulldog is not usually a dog that barks a lot. But they do bark sometimes, just like any dog.
So, why does your French bulldog bark?
Territorial Behavior
Your Frenchie, or any dog for that matter, may bark when someone is at your front door, or when they see another dog on a walk. This is territorial behavior — your dog is attempting to protect you.
Asking for Attention
Do French bulldogs bark a lot when they want something? Yes, like any breed, the Frenchie may bark at you when they want your attention. They might want to play, cuddle, eat, or go potty.
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is one of the most common reasons for excessive barking in Frenchies. Like any companion dog, Frenchies are social creatures who create strong bonds with their humans. This means it’s easy for them to develop separation anxiety when they’re away from their owners for longer than they can tolerate.
A French bulldog with separation anxiety will experience extreme distress when they’re alone, and in severe cases, they could express this through excessive barking and potentially other behaviors.
Fear
Many French bulldogs don’t like loud noises, such as the sound of fireworks, thunder, or the vacuum. Unfamiliar people in the house or even a new piece of furniture can cause fear and anxiety in some dogs. And this fear can often lead to barking.
Health Issues
It’s possible that certain health problems — illness, physical injury that causes pain, cognitive dysfunction — could be the root cause of your dog’s barking. If you can’t determine another reason why your Frenchie is being so vocal, it’s time to pay a visit to the vet’s office.
What Can You Do to Keep the Noise Down?
Do French bulldogs bark a lot? No, not usually. But it’s entirely possible for your Frenchie to bark depending on the circumstances. So, what can French bulldog owners do to cut out this chatty behavior or even stop barking before it begins?
Ignore Attention-Seeking Behavior
No, you shouldn’t ignore your Frenchie if they need to go outside, or if it’s dinnertime. But if you’ve met all of your dog’s needs and they’re still barking at you, it’s likely they just want attention.
It is important to spend significant time connecting with your dog inside and outside the home. However, you don’t want to encourage a bad habit. Difficult as it may be, wait until your dog is quiet before you give them attention. Otherwise, they’ll learn they get attention when they bark and continue the behavior.
Avoid Triggers When You Can
If certain things trigger your French bulldog’s barking problem, try to avoid them if possible. For example, if the doorbell makes your dog go crazy, greet visitors at the door before they ring the bell. Put them in another room when you run the vacuum.
If you know a trigger is coming, like a thunderstorm or fireworks, you can try comforting your dog by sitting with them in a quiet area or playing music to drown out the sound. You can also try Native Pet’s Calm Chicken Chews, which can help reduce general anxiety and promote normal brain activity.
Provide Mental Stimulation
A French bulldog that is barking out of boredom may need more mental stimulation to keep them entertained. This is also very important for avoiding separation anxiety. So, what should dog owners do?
Provide your Frenchie with lots of toys to make sure they’re entertained. Daily walks are also important, and your French bulldog needs the exercise, too. Plus, physical and mental stimulation tires out your dog, making it more likely they’ll sleep while you’re gone at work or running errands.
A note: Make sure if it’s especially hot out, you do more indoor than outdoor exercise. Their snouts make it difficult to breathe enough to cool themselves down when it’s too warm out.
Dog Training
If you have a frequent barker on your hands, proper training will be necessary to curb this behavior and keep your barking dog’s vocals to a minimum. Try teaching your French bulldog a “quiet” command. Let your Frenchie bark, and wait until they stop. Then, say “quiet.” Praise them verbally and give them a treat. Keep this up, and your French bulldog will learn that they receive a reward for being quiet.
Crate training is another important aspect of dog training that can help to curb barking. Do it right, and your Frenchie will learn that their crate is a safe space where they can relax.
If you want professional help with command training, crate training, or other aspects of training and socialization, contact a professional dog trainer. If your French bulldog has a serious case of separation anxiety they express by constantly barking or acting out when you’re not home, professional help may be needed as well.
So, Do French Bulldogs Bark a Lot? It’s Not a Yes or No
Do French bulldogs bark a lot, or are they quiet? Compared to other small breeds of dog, the French bulldog is not a particularly vocal pet. If you’re looking for a relatively quiet new canine family member, the Frenchie is probably a good choice. These dogs don’t typically bark much, although they do tend to make other noises like sniffles and sneezes thanks to their unique facial and airway anatomy.
Even though the French bulldog is not usually an excessive barker, there are plenty of things that can make this breed bark. These include territorial and attention-seeking behavior, separation anxiety, fear, and even some health issues.
To keep your pet from becoming an excessive barker, ignore attention-seeking behavior, avoid what triggers you can, provide stimulation, train them properly, and see your vet if you think your dog might be experiencing pain or discomfort. It’s the best way to enjoy quiet comfort with your adorable little companion.
Do you want to know more about your dog’s health, behavior, and wellness? Find more pet knowledge on the Native Pet blog.
