French Bulldogs are widely known for being social, gentle, affectionate, & playful. They generally get along with all sorts of people & animals. There are some misconceptions on the breed's health, but they don't have any more health issues than any other breed. Frenchies can be surprisingly active & strong, making them good at a variety of activities. Their easy-going nature, paired with their small size make them a great breed for apartments, or as an everyday companion. Frenchies are very silly & playful dogs, but they will always be happiest whenever they can be cuddling with you!
The Bulldog
French
about the breeds
The Imperial Shihtzu breed are much like the standard Shihtzu, only much smaller & daintier! Generally, these little dogs are sassy, bossy, & mischievous, however they are fiercely affectionate & build strong relationships with their people. They tend to settle into their homes as the leader, often wanting all the attention to themselves. However, they can just as easily be taught to be happy with any family members, animal or human. With a spin on their size, the Imperial ShihTzu is a classic family favorite. Their sharp nature make them extremely trainable, & they're remarkably adaptable to all sorts of lifestyles and family dynamics, & would be a number 1 pick for first time dog owners or dog enthusiasts just the same!
The ShihTzu
Imperial
~ breed traits ~
Frenchies are people-loving social butterflies that thrive as companions. Their personalities bloom when they have constant interaction with their family, or person. They love children, & are gentle when properly trained. This breed is widely loved for their silly antics & positive attitudes. Despite their good nature, they don't like being left on their own & can suffer if they aren't kept in an environment where they can have constant interaction with their family. Because of this, they can often times become greatly attached, making loyal protectors & efficient alert dogs. Although they make perfect companions for one-person households, if they spend too much time alone, they may start to become depressed or lose some of their spunky personality. To ensure your Frenchie is as happy as can be, its important to remind them often how much you love them, & that they can always count on you when they're feeling low. If you dedicate time to forging a strong relationship early on, you can raise a puppy that's confident & trusting, but most of all, a loyal best friend for life.
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ShihTzus are miniature dogs that have bright & bold personalities. While ShihTzu are often seen as lapdogs -- and they are, they're also described as the firecrackers of their homes. While they're generally laid back & love to relax, they just need to be comfortable enough to let their fiery side show through. They're smart & easy to train, making them easy to transition from the puppy stage into an adult lifestyle. It's important to know that this breed has the propensity to be bossy, & may try to push you around when given the chance! Their coat also offers ample opportunity for expressing the style that best suits your personality & lifestyle. A ShihTzu really is as much or as little as you make them. If you put in proper work into the early days, these little dogs make the greatest velcro dog. You can put them in a purse & they thrive being your loyal sidekick!
The breed dynamics
coat: comes in both short & smooth (standard) + Fluffy & Long (Genetically rare)
average lifespan: 10-14 years
French Bulldog
size: between 11 to 13" tall and 20 to 28 lbs
coat: Long & silky
average lifespan: 10 - 18 years
size: between 6 to 7" tall and 6.5 to 10 lbs
Imperial ShihTzu
As mentioned before, French Bulldogs are surprisingly versatile in coat types, as well as colors & patterns. We carry both types at The Puppy Paper House. They come in the most popular coat length, which is a standard smooth coat, that is very sleek but also slightly coarse. They can also sport the much rarer, long coat, or "fluffy". This coat type can only happen when two dogs that carry this affected long hair gene, are brought together to make long-haired puppies. Because of this, each breeding has to be completely intentional & done carefully, with lots of genetic testing behind both dam & sire to ensure the health & quality we're searching for. Fluffy Frenchies are 100% purebred, with no mixes of any sort to achieve their longer coat. The fluffy trait is most often noticeable in the chest, backside, tail, behind the ears, & a crest around the head. Some fluffy Frenchies may have the long coat that lays quite smooth against their body, while some have a very long and plush coat that can often appear wavy or crimped. They also come in a variety of colors: cream, tan, white, black, chocolate, blue, rojo, lilac, isabella, & many patterns including solid, pied, brindle, merle, & tan points.
Color // Coat Types
Frenchies are generally laid back dogs, but they very much enjoy play! Given their stockier, heavier builds, they do best with around 30-60 minutes of physical activity daily, broken up into smaller segments. They have muscular bodies, especially in their neck, jaw, and shoulder areas. because of this, they do well in bite work and weight pulling that can use those strong features. Being brachycephalic dogs, they are heat sensitive and & should always be closely monitored so as not to overheat. In summation, Frenchies are not total couch potatoes, but also don't have excessive exercise needs. Short walks are encouraged to also keep them at a healthy weight. This breed can be prone to being overweight, & do rely on their owners to moderate them both in activity & diet. They're a fun in-between for those that like to hang out, as well as have some active fun with their pup!
Exercise Requirements
Frenchies are open dogs, making them an excellent choice for homes with children, elderly, & other pets. They are positive and usually cheerful, & willing to learn your pace & lifestyle. They're silly & playful, which can really brighten up a home. They love other dogs of all sizes, & are curious, but friendly towards cats or smaller pets. This can also pay off as stubbornness , which can sometimes result in some difficulty training. It can be frustrating at times when they seem to not catch on, but this breed just needs a little bit more patience. Frenchies often have a slightly dopey personality, which demands some redirection. Overall, their highest reward is quality time with you, so extra training can only serve to strengthen your bond.
Temperament // Personality
Breed Traits
French Bulldogs
ShihTzu have luxurious, long, silky coats that can grow to impressive lengths if properly cared for, much resembling a curtain of their smooth, pin straight hair. However, a very popular trait of this breed is just how expressive & creative their grooms can be. From teddy bear cuts, to lamb cuts, bellbottoms, & mid length coats, a ShihTzu can be enjoyed in many different styles, while remaining an instantly recognizable breed. Their coats can also be kept according to how much grooming care you can give your baby. They can also come in a variety of colors & patterns, including parti, solid, masked, dobie, or brindle. They also sport a range of colors: white, cream, silver, blue, gold, black, chocolate, many shades of brown, liver, lavender, red, or any combinations in between. Their range in colors are only the beginning, since most of the ShihTzu breed carry a fading gene, causing them to fade, darken, or completely change color throughout the course of their lives!
Color // Coat Types
ShihTzu have a delicate and lightweight frame, & aren't particularly active or rambunctious. They enjoy a good romp or play session, & often get the zoomies when engaging with people or other animals. You may have success training your pup to have short walks if done so early, but it may be more challenging to teach them to enjoy walking once they're older. These small dogs are hardy if you choose to introduce an active lifestyle from a young age. They can adapt & become surprisingly resilient, with lengthened endurance. But of course, as with any brachycephalic dog, more so because of their long coats, its important to protect them from the heat or overexertion.
Exercise Requirements
ShihTzu are a bright, peppy, & affectionate breed, they do best in homes with other dogs or with family members that can spend lots of time with them. The breed is a popular family dog choice, as they have the temperament that's playful towards children, calm & affectionate for the elderly, & predominantly thrive when pleasing their person. Another big point that makes them enjoyable for many is their bossy & sassy streak. They can often try to push boundaries or bargain for more attention. However, since they do follow their person's cues closely, they can make very accomplished, obedient pets when the effort is put into early training. Overall, these spunky pups are widely adaptable to almost any & every lifestyle or family type!
Temperament // Personality
Breed Traits
Imperial ShihTzu
Frenchies and ShihTzu alike can often be regarded as a more delicate breed than most, & while they can be prone to some sensitivities, a well bred Frenchie (or ShihTzu) should be hardy & sturdy in both structure & general health. Most issues that the breeds face is due to their brachycephalic skulls, causing some breathing issues like shortness of breath, or snorting; However, not all suffer from difficulty to breathe. Inattention to facial structure can lead to these sorts of issues, but carefully selected breeding dogs can minimize, or altogether eliminate these problems. Genetic & structural testing before reproducing a dog is the best way to avoid those issues. As an educated buyer, it's your right to ask for those tests before bringing in a new family member to ensure their health!
04: breed health concerns
Frenchies have relatively low grooming requirements, both for the standard & fluffy variety. Generally, monthly baths do the trick in keeping your baby clean, as they don't have excessively oily skin. Basic de-shedding, nail trims, ear cleaning, & especially face fold cleanings can be completed on a regular basis to keep your Frenchie looking & feeling handsome.
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Before bringing home a ShihTzu, it's so important to thoroughly understand the full grooming & hygiene needs of the breed. Their coat is a huge staple of the breed, given that they can sport a long coat, short, or any length in between. Given the nature of the health of their fur, early training for grooming is so imperative to avoid health & comfort issues down the road. Same as any brachycephalic dog breed, their faces need special attention to be kept dry & clean to avoid eye issues due to bacteria.
03: grooming requirements
Frenchies are aloof at heart, so training is a process that takes some patience, oftentimes redirection & reminders. However, they're always looking forward to spending quality time with their owners. When training, it's only a matter of breaking through their stubbornness before you can have a very accomplished pet!
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Similarly, ShihTzu are bright & love to connect with their people. However, this breed is very quick to learn, & usually fall into your routine easily. Potty training is a breeze, as they like to keep their area clean. However, these small & spunky dogs can sometimes become bossy if they don't have structure. If they become accustomed to getting their way, it may be challenging to train them out of it. Overall, ShihTzus are very clever dogs, that learn & adapt very quickly!
02: trainability
Both of the breeds we carry suit a relaxed, engaging, & relaxed home environment. When bringing home a puppy, it's essential to keep a social & affectionate sphere fro your new baby to be raised in. Both Frenchies & ShihTzu are very people seeking, when left on their own, or with little interaction, they could be set up to have a difficult time with behavioral issues. When their social needs are met, they are easy-going, playful, loyal, & patient. Due to their size & relaxed nature, they make excellent apartment dogs. They do best in homes with moderately active lifestyles, so walks, play, sessions, or training sessions. You can count on them following your every step in a carrier or stroller, often doing very well as errand buddies.
01: ideal home + lifestyle
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