French Bulldogs have short snouts. It makes them cute, but it also makes it impossible for them to cool the hot air coming into their bodies the way their long-snouted canine compatriots can. They also tend to have fleshy palates, narrow nostrils and narrow tracheas. All of these factors spell bad news during hot spells.

Hot air kills Frenchies.

Don't take a Frenchie with you on errands if you don't have air-conditioning in your car. Don't walk them in direct sunshine, don't walk them in temps over 80 degrees (sometimes less: watch them), don't let them play too hard, and if they even start to look overheated, get them to some cool/tepid (not cold) water ASAP. Pour it on their tummies, turn on a fan and lower their temperature.

Panting from overexertion and/or heat can cause Frenchies' airways to swell and make breathing difficult, which leads to panic and more and harder panting and even more swelling. The problem can quickly escalate and they can die. Read about one of our volunteers' experience with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome here.

Though opinions vary, we've heard that a Frenchie with a tongue rolled out and either curled or very wide and flat is in danger. Don't take chances with your frogdogs. Owning a Frenchie, or any flat-faced breed, means educating yourself on their special needs and unique problems.