The French call him le Bouledogue Français, the miniature bulldog prized for his affable personality, comical behavior, and almost ineffable cuteness. The French Bulldog is an unabashedly affectionate and entertaining companion dog that assumes his role as family clown with flair and not a little joie de vivre. Frenchie enthusiast, owner, and author, Muriel P. Lee has written a colorful and entertaining guide about her favorite breed, beginning with a chapter that retells the breed’s first one hundred years in France, England, and America, accompanied by historical photographs that represent breed members from the early years. The chapter on the Frenchie’s characteristics talks about the qualities of this “companion dog—nothing more, nothing less,” a sophisticated, smart ami (friend) to everyone he meets. The author extols the many virtues of the Frenchie (and warns about his few drawbacks), giving the reader sensible advice about whether or not this charming dog would make a good addition to his or her household.

New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a reputable breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with photographs of handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 full-color photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author’s advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train into the most well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive and lavishly illustrated chapter on healthcare written by Dr. Lowell Ackerman provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical dogs, breeders, or kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

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