Let’s face it, when we see our little furry friends – we can’t help but to want to just cuddle them! They’re so precious and adorable, and often they come over to us and lean on us.
The only thing is, just because we want to cuddle them all the time, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they want to be cuddled too. So, what’s the truth?
Well, luckily – Frenchies are very cuddly dogs and they absolutely love to be cuddled. In fact, cuddling French bulldogs can be extremely beneficial to their overall mental and physical health.
These dogs have been bred to be a companion to us and they want to be a part of our pack – so you as a pack leader will be their target for lots of cuddles and attention.
However, there’s a lot more to know about this, so we’ve written this helpful guide to explain to you everything you will need to know about Frenchies and cuddles.
Read on to learn more.
Why Do Frenchies Like To Cuddle?
So, as we mentioned earlier – French bulldogs have been bred to be a human companion and as a result of this, Frenchies will certainly love for you to cuddle them.
Actually, Frenchies not only want to cuddle because they want to be part of our pack with you as the pack leader, but they also love it for all of the health benefits that cuddling provides.
Benefits Of Cuddling Frenchies
Cuddling Frenchies has benefits for both you and your furry friend. Let’s look at these benefits in more detail.
Release Of Happy Hormones
When we cuddle, our brains release happy hormones such as oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine. This reaction allows us to feel very happy, and this feeling is reciprocated by our furry friends.
Their minds work in a similar fashion, and they feel as happy as we do when they are cuddling their humans. As a result of this, feelings of anxiety and depression are lowered, and your Frenchie can feel more safe.
Helps Against Separation Anxiety
Dogs have a very real worry known as separation anxiety, and Frenchies are very well known to experience separation anxiety.
Essentially, separation anxiety is the fear of abandonment – and this feeling is made much worse if your Frenchie is a rescue dog who has been abandoned in the past.
They psychologically connect abandonment with not being loved, and this can lead to depression and significant loneliness. If you cuddle your Frenchie however, they feel the opposite to this.
It helps Frenchies to feel comfortable, safe, and a part of your family and they know they are loved.
Happy Frenchie, Happy Home
When your Frenchie is happy and placid, they are far less likely to exhibit destructive behaviors like chewing up furniture. They are also less likely to bark and will be more calm overall.
How To Cuddle Your Frenchie Properly
Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to cuddle your Frenchie. Unlike humans… and indeed bears… Frenchies do not like to have bear hugs. When you wrap your arms around your Frenchie in this way, they might get scared.
Not only this, they can feel restricted and it’s just not a comfortable setting for them to be in. Instead, allow your Frenchie to come up to you. Normally, they will lean on you and try to sit in your lap.
When they do this, they are trying to get warmth and closeness. All you need to do now is hold them in the position they are in, and give a little, gentle squeeze. Whilst you are doing this, be sure you give them strokes and scratches.
Over time, your Frenchie will jump down and go elsewhere – and it’s important that you let them do this. Much like humans, when we are done cuddling, we do not want to continue and need our space.
Which Sex Is More Cuddly?
You may at this point be wondering if males or female Frenchies are more cuddly, and this is actually a great question. While there is no definitive answer, many owners believe that males are more likely to be cuddlier.
This is under the assumption that males are usually more assertive and playful, whilst also being more mischievous. Females on the other hand tend to be more shy and docile.
However, females have also been known to be much more aggressive, especially when they are younger or protecting their babies when they are adults.
As we said though, there is no definitive answer to give here and when a male is neutered and a female is spayed, then the results will vary wildly.
What If Your Frenchie Won’t Cuddle You
There can be numerous reasons why your Frenchie isn’t being as cuddly as you’d expect, and they may have even been cuddly in the past and are no longer themselves.
Let’s take a look at some of the potential reasons why your Frenchie won’t cuddle you.
Bad Past Experiences
This is usually something that occurs with rescue dogs, but sometimes Frenchies will be very wary with humans due to their previous experiences with us.
If they have had a negative past experience with humans, they will be unlikely to want to cuddle. This might be a lack of trust with you and they may still be worried about being abandoned.
The best thing you can do here is to try to build trust and a strong relationship with your Frenchie to ensure that you are making them feel more at home and more comfortable with their surroundings and with you in general.
Sickness
It’s possible that your Frenchie is dealing with some sort of injury or sickness and does not feel up to cuddling. If you suspect that your Frenchie might be sick or injured, then of course you should try to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
This is especially true if your Frenchie has recently stopped cuddling when they used to be very loving.
Old Age
As dogs get older, they become more and more independent. As a result, they often do not require cuddles anymore and do not actively seek it out. This doesn’t mean that they wouldn’t enjoy a cuddle though – it just means they are no longer that caring over it.
Personality
As with humans, many Frenchies simply do not want or like cuddling. Every dog has its own unique personality and if your Frenchie doesn’t want to be cuddled, then they simply won’t look for it!
You should not force your Frenchie to cuddle if they do not want to, so if you have found out that there’s nothing physically wrong with your Frenchie but they do not want to cuddle – that’s just how they are!
The Bottom Line
Yes, generally speaking Frenchies love to cuddle, but some will not and some will stop cuddling because of a variety of possible reasons. If you suspect your Frenchie’s behavior has changed recently though – speak with your vet ASAP.
