French Bulldog Puppy Checklist
Everything you'll need when getting your new Frenchie puppy. Make sure you don't forget the essentials!
February 07, 2021~5 minute readAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
1. Harness and leash
How could we not start with a good harness and leash?!
Unless you trust your Frenchie not to immediately charge at the first squirrel it sees, this is crucial.
Only the best
Not just any harness or leash will cut it though. A proper fitting harness is needed for your Frenchie’s comfort and health.
FrenchieWiki Harness Recommendation
- Reflective
- Front & Back Clip
- Handle to easily hold
Featuring a dual-clip attachment, you get the unique option to attach the leash to the front or back of the harness, depending on what best suits your activity.
The front attachment offers a “no-pull” benefit for walking and hiking, while the rear attachment is great for running and connecting to car restraints.
The leash, while not as important as a harness, cannot be neglected. Frenchies are muscular ones and as I’m sure you know, can tug on that leash HARD.
If the leash is too thin, your hand will start to kill you the second they start pulling on that leash. When your Frenchie is young, the leash thickness doesn’t matter as much because they’re not big enough to cause strain, however, as they get older you’ll definitely start to feel the need for a beefier leash.
Trust me, your hand will thank you.
FrenchieWiki Leash Recommendation
For this reason, I recommend a leash at least 1” thick.
More specifically, I like this shock absorbing leash.
- Shock absorbing bungee technology
- 48 inches - extends to 60 inches
- Control handles to easily grab your dog
- Reflective stitching for nighttime visibility
The go-to leash for essentially any situation, it works by attaching to a lightweight, reflective waist belt so you can have both your hands back.
And thanks to the spring factor of the bungee leash, if your dog takes off after a squirrel, it will help to absorb some of the shock.
2. Collar & Identification Tag
This one is so obvious that you might just overlook it.
I know, you might not think this is necessary – I mean, who’s going to lose their brand new Frenchie puppy?!
Well, the truth is: puppies are unpredictable…
When my Frenchie was a puppy, I brought her out back at 2AM to potty… before I knew it, I was running down the side of my neighbors house chasing my wild Frenchie.
Fortunately I was able to catch her, but the moral of the story is this: you never know when your Frenchie will get loose, so it’s best to have an ID tag on their collar at all times.
If your Frenchie ever gets lost (knock on wood), you’ll be glad they had an ID tag.
4. Puppy Food
You are what you eat… so is your Frenchie! Don’t settle for just any dog food!
You’ll need a food that is specifically designed for puppies to fit their different nutritional needs.
5. Training Treats
When your Frenchie comes to their new home, I highly recommend starting training with them immediately or as soon as possible.
Why, you might ask?
The earlier you start the training, the easier/quicker they’ll be able to pick up on stuff.
More importantly, having consistency in your expectations helps them understand what behavior is good or bad. For example, if you ignore them begging for food or jumping on house guests, and think to yourself, “Oh, they’re just a puppy, I’ll break the habit when they’re older”, you’re doing both you and your Frenchie a disservice.
The longer these behaviors go on, the harder they will be to break. Not to mention, it will confuse your puppy when they used get table scraps one week, and then the following week you’re yelling at them to stop begging. What else could you expect?
Fussy Frenchie?
Looking for more variety? Worried about overfeeding your Frenchie while training them?
Check out our Training Treats 101 Guide. It covers everything you need to know so you can keep you Frenchie fit while feeding them an endless supply of training treats.
6. Toys
This should really be #1 on this list.
To your Frenchie, nothing is more important than toys and treats.
With this being said, don’t just ransack the aisles of your local pet store for every toy that catches your eye!
Why you shouldn’t get cheap toys
Can be made with toxic chemicals… especially ones made in China. You never know what they’re made from or where they’ re produced.
They’re more likely to break and pose a choking hazard
- Frenchies tear through toys with ease. They need more durable toys than most breeds.
What to look for in a toy
Make sure these are chew safe.
- Made with nontoxic chemicals
- Won’t tear and spew a bunch of stuffing
They should also be pretty durable
- Sure, you might save some money on cheap toys, but your Frenchie will probably tear through it in ten minutes.
FrenchieWiki Puppy Toy Recommendations
Nothing catching your eye? Check out our full list of toy recommendations that are sure to withstand your Frenchie’s might.
7. Travel Crate or Carrier
If you plan on doing any type of traveling with your Frenchie, whether it be in the car or airplane, you’ll definitely need something to hold them in.
For traveling in the car
Are you going on a road trip with your Frenchie soon?
If so, you’re definitely going to need a car seat.
Car seats not only keep your Frenchie comfy on those long rides – they’re a must-have for safety.
What to look for in a Car Seat
- Strap to secure them with the seatbelt
- Comfy and doesn’t irritate skin
- Proper size
- Supports your Frenchie’s weight
- High-quality materials that are machine washable (longevity)
If you haven’t already seen it, be sure to check out our guide on everything you need to know for safe travels with your Frenchie.
FrenchieWiki Recommendation: K&H Bucket Booster - Large
The ultimate comfort in booster seats! This seat will elevate pet for either the front seat or back seat. Back of the car seat is contoured for a better fit inside the vehicle.
Key Features
- 14.5” x 22”
- Can be used in the front or back seat
- Elevated to let your Frenchie look out the window
- Contoured to fit perfectly inside your car
- Adjustable saftey tether
- Zippered, machine washable cover - easy to remove and wash
For flying on planes
Taking your Frenchie for a flight? If so, an airline carrier is not optional. Every airline requires you to keep your Frenchie under the seat in an approved carrier for the duration of the flight.
With so many pet carriers on the market, it can be hard to find one that really works for your Frenchie.
Out of the various carriers I’ve personally used, I find Sherpa’s products to be my favorites. As I said, there are so many carriers, so what works for me and my Frenchie might not be best for you… check out the Top 5 Airline Carriers!
FrenchieWiki Recommendation: Sherpa on Wheels
Overview
- Dimensions: 21” L x 12.25” W x 10.5” H
- Weight: up to 22 pounds (10kg)
- Has wheels and a padded pull strap
- Ventilated on all 4 sides
- Part of the Guaranteed on Board program (Airline Approved)
- 1-year warranty
What you need to know
What makes the Sherpa on Wheels carrier better than other carriers is its wheels.
There’s nothing worse than lugging around your heavy Frenchie for hours at the airport. Its adjustable shoulder strap can also be converted into a convenient padded pull handle.
It’s available in two sizes, medium and large, but your Frenchie is probably going to need the larger size.
Its dimensions are 21” L x 12.25” W x 10.5” H is enough for Frenchies up to 22 pounds. It is also a part of the Guaranteed on Board program, and if you are denied boarding you will receive a full refund.
It’s ventilated on all four sides which are perfect for keeping your Frenchie at a comfortable temperature.
Calling all Frenchies to board
Be sure to check out our complete guide on flying with your Frenchie. It covers everything you need to know, from pre-flight preparations, mid-flight tips and tricks, and what to do once you land.
8. Puppy shampoo
Fortunately, Frenchies don’t require a ton of grooming to keep them looking their best.
Keep it simple. A high-quality shampoo is all you’ll really need.
For more on keeping your Frenchie looking their best, check out our Frenchie Skin Care Guide.
9. Dog Bed (preferably 2)
There’s nothing like plopping down onto your comfy bed at the end of a long day of tug-of-war and fetch.
Your Frenchie is going to need some beauty sleep after all the fun.
Best Frenchie Puppy Bed
Best Frenchie Bed for All Ages
10. Puppy Gates or Fence
Have you heard of puppy proofing? It’s the process in which you remove any and all hazards on the floor or in reach that could potentially harm your puup.
If you plan on puppy proofing your house (which I highly recommend), a puppy gate or fence is going to be your first line of defense.
11. Food and Water Bowls
Sure, you can really use anything as a food/water bowl, but do you really want to be eating off your dog food bowls?
There is also a type of bowl called a slow-feed bowl, which is designed to
