Dogs have been around for a long time, and have been among the most preferred pets for humans for an only slightly shorter period; there are ancient Egyptian writings depicting the domestication of dogs, and most cultures since have continued the tradition in some way. It’s no wonder that our two species have such a friendship, either; science has found an inordinate number of behavioral similarities between dogs and humans, not least of which is the natural social inclination of dogs to befriend us whether we notice them or not.
Training dogs is harder to pin down, but there’s no denying that that’s been going on for a while too; dogs have been trained to lend a helping paw in more fields than most people expect, and a growing body of expertise continues to develop the possibilities for canine involvement more and more with each passing year.
Dogs can do some of the most dangerous and thankless work imaginable without asking for anything in return; they handle firefighting, medical scenarios, and nursing applications for the small sum of a pat behind the ears.
While most dogs can, to a certain degree, be trained for any behavior required, there are definitely breeds that excel in some fields more than others; size, shape, and mental stability vary hugely between different breeds of dog, creating a highly particular scale as to which dogs are best chosen for which tasks.
This developed into a much more concrete concept once intercontinental sea travel had become an everyday possibility, as new breeds of dog could be introduced and compared with far greater ease than ever before; many cultures were only introduced to a certain breed thanks to seafarers bringing them with as a loyal companion on an uncertain journey.
It should be no surprise that people became interested in finding the exact dog that would be best suited for every particular purpose; dogs are happiest doing what they do best, whatever that is, and humans are always looking for a way to get the same job done better. People began to identify what dogs enjoyed certain things the most, and to choose only the dogs that exhibited the best traits for certain tasks.
This predilection merged well over time with the developing concept of coupling two similar dogs in an attempt to bring out the similar traits in each one; two gentle dogs would produce gentle puppies, two energetic ones would have a particularly bouncy litter, and so on. Although far from a foolproof plan, the method proved itself over a relatively short period of time, creating breeds of dogs that would be born with the traits required for the task at which their parents had excelled.
Doubtless, this comes to many as a familiar concept, practiced since the medieval ages at least and now known by the scientific community as selective breeding; it has been applied to livestock and fish, among other things, in an attempt to produce a hardier and more reliable food source, and to dogs to optimize them for certain jobs. Under the correct conditions, it can even be applied to plants and used to create crops that exhibit particular environmental resistance or that have a particularly high yield per acre.
The first dog to come to mind when selective breeding is mentioned is, for most people, the Belgian Malinois, a result of careful breeding to create the ideal working dog; it’s not hard to see how the many different strands of shepherd dog came together, making it a fine example of the concept, but far from the only one.
Another French breed, the French bulldog, is a very different breed with a similar story; bred to be a middle ground of English pug dogs and French ratting dogs, this breed also constitutes a fine example of a new subspecies created for a single, specific purpose.
A French bulldog tends to be of relatively small stature, with a pronounced bowlegged profile and gait and a fairly round midsection; They have large, erect ears and the characteristic flat muzzle that is shared by most of the bulldog family.
Frenchies, as they are sometimes known, tend to have a fairly mild temperament and are generally sedate; they are bred as companion dogs as opposed to working or racing, and rarely object to being picked up, cuddled, or otherwise handled by humans.
Your French bulldog’s diet may vary somewhat from that of other dog breeds, as they are less active and tend to remain fairly small for most of their lives; where an active dog might need a higher carbohydrate intake to keep them energized, the Frenchie will need something with a different chemical balance to keep them from going overweight.
It is a common misconception that a house pet needs to eat the same way as a dog with a highly active lifestyle, and failing to account for it can lead to pet obesity in only a short amount of time.
Adult Frenchies might be able to make do with ordinary food for smaller dogs, but while still in puppyhood, one runs into a sort of impasse; the puppy needs a high nutrient intake to continue developing normally, but at the same time, isn’t burning enough calories to justify the amount of food that it needs. How is one supposed to balance these nutritional requirements to ensure that their French bulldog puppy grows up with a proper healthy weight?
Thankfully, there are few such problems that have not already been answered by the world of veterinary science; if you happen to own a French bulldog puppy, you have numerous options of pet food available to help you through exactly that choice. As with any commercial pet product, there are a lot of varieties to choose from, so we’ve picked out some of the best choices to keep your Frenchie puppy growing up healthy and happy; pick one that suits your particular situation, and you’ll be as ready for their next meal as they are.
Comparison Table
| PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula |
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2. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Puppy Diet |
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3. Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food |
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4. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula |
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5. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food |
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6. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food |
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7. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula |
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8. Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food |
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9. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Pint-Sized Puppy Plate |
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10. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food |
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Our Best Food For French Bulldog Puppy Reviews and Comparisons
1. Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Puppy Diet
Product Highlights
This food is packed with several different sources of protein, making it a great candidate for any dog’s nutritional needs, and is nutritionally balanced to develop all parts of the body equally.
Features
- 30-pound bag
- Fish and chicken protein base
- Suitable for all breeds
- Dry kibble
What We Like About Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Puppy Diet
Unlike adult dogs, which need to maintain a certain body construction, a puppy will need the nutrient intake to not only stay at its current mass but to double it. This kibble includes multiple nutrient sources to form a well-rounded diet in every serving.
What We Don’t Like About Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Holistic Puppy Diet
All the high-protein and calcium food in this kibble tends to leave out the meaty taste that puppies are learning to love, and could make your dog turn up their snout at what is otherwise a great meal.
PROS
- Multiple protein sources, including egg, fish, and chicken
- Optimal levels of calcium and phosphorus
- EPA and DHA boosted for stronger brain development
- A large bag will last for some time
- Antioxidants boost puppy’s immune system
CONS
- Somewhat lacking in flavor
- Puppies may need the kibbles softened
2. Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Product Highlights
Eukanuba is a long-standing manufacturer of pet foods for every size and weight of dog, making this product a choice you can trust for your French bulldog puppy.
Features
- Chicken based recipe
- 15-pound bag
- Dry kibble
- For puppies under one year
What We Like About Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Every dog owner wants to be sure that they are feeding their puppy only the best food, and that starts with selecting food from a manufacturer with a proven track record of producing quality kibble. With this brand, you’ll be getting a choice with years of experience to back up its kibble, so you’ll know your little Frenchie is getting the right thing.
What We Don’t Like About Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
These kibbles are produced in a particularly angular stylized bone shape with a number of hard edges and corners that are uncomfortable for a puppy’s softer mouth if not steeped in some water beforehand, meaning more trouble and time to prepare them for the pups in question.
PROS
- Reputable seller
- Worldwide distribution
- Stimulates brain growth
- Easily mixed and measured
- Few digestive issues
CONS
- Stiff kibbles need to be softened
- Some areas may experience availability issues
3. Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
Product Highlights
French bulldogs are a small breed even at their biggest, and the puppies ever so much more so. This brand of kibble comes in miniaturized pellets specifically sized for smaller mouths and stomachs.
Features
- Chicken based recipe
- Dry kibble
- Six-pound bag
- For puppies less than one year
What We Like About Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
Puppies should be able to chew and swallow their food, not gnaw at it, but many larger sizes of kibble have them doing just that; some varieties of kibble simply don’t account for how small a puppy’s mouth really is. This option will give your puppies all the essential nutrients they need in a kibble size that they can bite down on properly.
What We Don’t Like About Purina Pro Plan Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
This brand comes in smaller bags than most, so you will need to restock it more frequently if you plan on making it the main course of every meal for your French bulldog puppy.
PROS
- Kibble is properly sized for puppies
- Live probiotics boost the puppies’ delicate digestion
- No artificial flavors or colors
- Fish oil for added Omega-3
- Rich in antioxidants
CONS
- Smaller bag than other brands
- Small kibbles can be a choking hazard for different size dogs or human infants
4. Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
Product Highlights
This puppy food brings you the satisfaction of buying ethically sourced kibble and your puppy the enjoyment of a hearty meal with a chicken base and several varieties of real vegetables, put together with close to 50 years of experience.
Features
- 18-pound bag
- Chicken and rice base
- Suitable for all ages of dog
- Dry kibble
What We Like About Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
While there are some puppy foods that should not be used as the main feed for adult dogs, this variety is formulated to be usable for all ages of dogs if properly mixed. The manufacturer has nearly half a century of experience and uses cage-free chicken to promote ethical farming practices in the industry.
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What We Don’t Like About Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
This product comes in slightly smaller bags than most do, and contains starchy rice filler that higher grade dog foods tend to avoid. If feeding multiple dogs of different sizes or ages, you will need to check the instructions on the bag to determine proper feeding ratios for each one.
PROS
- Cage-free chicken
- Real vegetables included
- Experienced manufacturer
- Omega-6 fatty acids support skin and coat health
- Zero artificial flavors or preservatives
CONS
- Varied feeding instructions
- Contains rive filler
5. Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food
Product Highlights
To some people the last thing your puppy needs might be more energy, but the truth is that a puppy can only hold so much energy into their body at once and that they expend it much faster than an adult dog. This food helps replenish that energy quickly and safely to keep your puppy from going into a stupor.
Features
- Four-pound bag
- Dry kibble
- Salmon based recipe
- Suitable for puppies up to one year
What We Like About Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food
This product includes meats and fats specifically selected for their properties as an energy source for your puppy, releasing at a continual rate between meals to keep it from experiencing highs and crashes throughout the day. The use of a salmon base gives this food a considerable omega-3 boost with no need for artificially added nutrients.
What We Don’t Like About Wellness Small Breed Complete Health Puppy Dry Dog Food
At just four pounds, this is one of the smaller bags in this category, and one should consider mixing it with another product to reap the health benefits for a longer time. Additionally, the instructions to mix with wet food can have mixed results, as some dogs have been known to take exception to this.
PROS
- The fish-based recipe is a strong source of healthy fatty acids
- Steadies puppy’s energy levels
- Fortified with calcium for bone development
- High levels of vitamin A and E
- Promotes lustrous oat and moist skin
CONS
- Larger kibbles may be more difficult for puppies to chew
- Smaller bags are harder to keep in stock
6. Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food
Product Highlights
There are a handful of nutrients that every dog food includes, such as proteins, calcium, and phosphorus. This brand includes 22 different high-grade nutrients to provide a complete answer to all of your puppy’s nutritional needs.
Features
- Dry kibble
- Chicken based recipe
- Seven-pound bag
- Suitable for pups up to three months after nursing
What We Like About Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food
Dogs need more than just the generic nutrients found in the animal matter for proper development, but many pet foods fail to properly provide these vital supplements. This food includes more than twenty supplements, making it a complete solution for your puppies’ early years.
What We Don’t Like About Iams ProActive Health Smart Puppy Small & Toy Breed Dry Dog Food
This food contains far more artificial additives than most foods do, making it more artificial than many pet owners are comfortable to offer to their younger dogs. Additionally, it comes in a smaller bag than you would usually find, so you will need to restock more frequently.
PROS
- Greater variety of nutrients
- Ethically sourced chicken
- Omega-3 DHA boosts brain development
- Specifically designed for small breed puppies
- Muscle and bone supplements
CONS
- A large number of artificial additives
- Relatively small bag
7. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
Product Highlights
This recipe accommodates the weaker jaws and smaller, more fragile teeth in puppies with softer ingredients and a looser constitution in each kibble, making them easier for the pups to chew.
Features
- Fifteen-pound bag
- Chicken and oats recipe
- Dry kibble
- For puppies up to one year
What We Like About Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
it is common knowledge that the jaws are one of the most powerful parts of a dog’s body, but puppies are an exception to this rule; their muscles and teeth have not yet developed, and so even moderately hard food can be a challenge for them. This kibble is blended with soft oatmeal and made of deboned chicken, giving your puppy a full meal without risking its jaws or newly developed teeth.
What We Don’t Like About Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
The use of oats as a filler makes this food have a higher starch content and lower protein values than other options, something avoided by the bulk of other kibbles.
PROS
- Deboned chicken means more refined protein
- Oatmeal softens kibbles for small puppy teeth
- No legume or grain additives
- Does not use chicken by-products
- Rich in antioxidants
CONS
- Uses oats as a starchy filler
- Kibble size and consistency is not uniform between bags
8. Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Product Highlights
Three unusual types of meat are blended together in this food, making it a well-rounded meal and a source of new and different flavors that are sure to have your puppy coming back again.
Features
- Duck, salmon, and turkey base
- Dry kibble
- Suitable for puppies between two months and one year
- Six-pound bag
What We Like About Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Plenty of pet food manufacturers will content themselves with using only meat, or else mixing in a certain amount of grain product to fill the bag up. This variety uses three different, nutrient-rich types of meat, and instead of grain complements them with a slew of fresh vegetables to make certain that every bowlful contains all the food groups.
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What We Don’t Like About Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
The need to put so many different ingredients in every bag makes it a longer and harder process to manufacture each sack of this kibble, with a commensurately higher cost to the pet owner by the time it makes its way to retail.
PROS
- Rich in Omega 3 and 6
- Multiple meat varieties for added flavor
- Fresh vegetables instead of grain filler
- Pure coconut oil for a healthy fat content
- Added benign biotics smooth over digestion issues
CONS
- Somewhat expensive
- Multiple ingredients can be too complex for delicate puppy digestion
9. Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Pint-Sized Puppy Plate
Product Highlights
This dog food uses pre-measured portions to ensure that your French bulldog puppy is getting a regular diet with the precise quantities of nutrients it needs.
Features
- Wet ingredients
- Three and a half ounces per tub
- Chicken based recipe
- Usable for any small breed dog up to one year.
What We Like About Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Pint-Sized Puppy Plate
Keeping every meal to the same premeasured plate makes sure that your dog will always have the right amounts of food, with even amounts of nutrients in every meal. A wet food allows for a greater variety of nutrients to be included and gives a freshness that dry kibble can’t match.
What We Don’t Like About Merrick Lil’ Plates Grain-Free Small Breed Wet Dog Food Pint-Sized Puppy Plate
Wet food tends to have a far shorter shelf life than dry, and can be considerably more of a mess should it spill or break open in transit. As this product comes in cases of 12 portions, you will need to restock on it every 12 meals.
PROS
- No need to measure out kibble
- Sealed tubs are easy to store and transport
- Wet food can contain proportionately more nutrients than dry
- High levels of glucosamine and chondroitin to boost notoriously problematic joint development
- Grain- and gluten-free
CONS
- Messy if anything goes wrong
- Shorter shelf life than dry food
10. Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
Product Highlights
This food is made with ingredients known in the culinary world as superfoods, meaning that they have nearly no nutritional downside – a status that carries over to the kibbles that you’ll be feeding your puppy.
Features
- Chicken based recipe
- Dry kibble
- Suitable for all stages of a dog’s life
- Four-pound bag
What We Like About Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
By using only naturally grown superfood ingredients, this food manages to be a source of 20 essential vitamins and minerals without using any artificial additives. Additionally, it is useful for every stage of a dog’s life, so you won’t have to switch to something else as your French bulldog puppy matures.
What We Don’t Like About Solid Gold Mighty Mini Gut Health Small & Toy Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food
You will only get four pounds per purchase, so you will need to stock up more frequently than with other foods. You may also find that this food has a more general-purpose nutrient blend, as opposed to one optimized for puppies.
PROS
- Exceptional probiotic count
- Suitable for dogs of all ages
- Speeds up digestion
- Reliable energy source
- Boosts immune system
CONS
- Small bag
- Not specifically intended for puppies
Final Verdict: Diamond Naturals Small Breed Puppy Dry Dog Food Formula
This food brings together a number of exceptional qualities, including a careful practice of ethical sourcing tried and true ingredients to make a kibble that’s been the favorite of younger dogs for well over 50 years. Although you will be getting a smaller bag with each purchase, you can rest assured that the dog food inside was made with the same quality that has kept this manufacturer in the market as long as it has.
Keep in mind that even if you can’t find the very best variety of puppy food for your French bulldog, all of these are excellent choices with a proven record of keeping puppies healthy and happy into adulthood. Should your local pet supply outlet turn out not to carry the winning variety, or if you cannot order it online, buying any of the others will still ensure your puppy a healthy and hearty meal until you can lay hands on the winning kibble instead.
Buyer’s Guide
Getting dog food for a French bulldog puppy should start with the cost; you should look for a dog food that you can realistically keep in stock for the long term, potentially even one your Frenchie has reached adulthood. It is often worth seeking out a bulk price for dog food, as the quantities involved almost always exceed those available on the commercial market; bulk pricing can reduce the cost of dog food per pound by as much as 50 percent, making it well worth the time to find a bulk seller instead of getting smaller commercial bags.
Another way you can lower dog food costs is by buying dry food, which lasts longer than wet and requires less particular storage, giving if a far longer shelf life; wet dog food runs the risk of mold or spoilage, making it a precarious purchase that will need to be used up almost as fast as you buy it. Dry food can be bought when on sale or at a lower-priced outlet and kept for long periods of time in a garage or cupboard, allowing you to put it away for months in advance.
A final reason you might want to select dry food is the ease with which it can be cleaned up should it spill; there is any number of reasons why it might happen, but cleaning up is infinitely easier with a dry kibble than wet food. It does not absorb easily into carpets or furniture, and if ground-in can be easily picked up by a broom or vacuum cleaner with no need for any towels or moist cleaning agents.
If you do decide on dry dog food, make sure to store it in a sheltered area inside a tough container, as the animal matter within will prove attractive to rodents; a mouse attack can introduce mouse feces or urine to the dog food, making it potentially dangerous to your dog and unusable for you. A clean trash can is an ideal storage device; choose one made of thick plastic with an attached lid, and take care to close it snugly each time you take out some kibble for our Frenchie.
Do not store dog food outside, even if it is under a roof or overhang; this will attract both the aforementioned rodents and such things as flies and slugs, both of which are drawn to the high-protein content of the kibbles and can pollute your entire supply of dog food. Inside, of course, one still needs to be careful that the Frenchies themselves don’t get in; using a trash can tends to help with that as well, as they are usually constructed to resist tipping or overbalance when filled.
Depending on the brand you buy, you may need to switch between foods for puppy and adult French bulldogs; the nutrient balances for different stages of life are subject to change, and should not be calculated the same way even if they result in the same quantity in the end.
This is also true of a dog’s weight; the vast majority of dog foods and medicines are also sold for a particular weight of dog, and this should be accounted for as well when making your selection.
Getting a dog used to a new brand of dog food can be a challenge, especially if it is a significant change from their previous diet; many dogs will actively protest such a switch, barking and acting disgruntled until the previous variety of food is used. If your French bulldog exhibits such behavior over a change to one of these foods, you may want to try coaxing them into eating it with a product called a bowl topper; these are usually chunks of raw meat or fish that can be mixed into a bowl to encourage the dog to start eating and can be bought under this name from your local pet store.
It is worth mentioning that you should always consider your own budget when shopping for pet food; if your funds don’t allow for the very best grade of food, try to find a cheaper substitute that still contains the essential nutrients of your first choice. A good compromise is usually to be had if you are willing to use a food with a whole grain additive; although it is not ideal, it is still healthier than those with artificial chemical additives or refined gluten components.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have more than one French bulldog, and they are at different stages of their lives. Can I feed them both the same food or will I need to order a different kibble for each stage?
As a rule, you should make sure to feed your dogs food that is rated for their specific life cycle bracket, as the nutritional needs of any organism change as they age. For the same reason, many pet foods include other variables, so that in ideal circumstances, pet owners can select the food that is most closely optimized to their pet’s needs.
The next most preferable option, should you find yourself unable to use the first, is to find an all-ages food that will be beneficial to any stage of your puppy’s life. Although not the best possible diet, the dog will still be getting everything it needs for a healthy lifestyle of any age; this situation can be balanced by adjusting serving sizes and using nutrient-specific bowl toppers to bring your puppy’s meal in line with the ideal standards for its age.
For the most part, the protracted effects of feeding a dog food that is specified for a different age bracket will tend to manifest themselves in intestinal trouble and deficiencies in very specific nutrient groups; should you find yourself feeding a dog food for the wrong age, make sure to consult a veterinarian to check for and treat any negative side effects. That said, most dogs will still be fine eating food for a different age, so if you are in a pinch there is no need to order two different kinds of food.
The French bulldog is a fairly small and sedate dog that doesn’t get out of the house much. Do they need different food than a larger or more active dog?
As most pet owners are aware, dog food is sold by weight and size of the dog as much as breed or age. To get your dog on a healthy diet, you will need to account for their daily activity as well as how big a dog you have.
Working dogs, for example, not only tend to be larger and more muscular, but are also generally taken out for lengthy bouts of exercise or training. Getting through that demanding of a day requires a considerable amount of energy, so these dogs are likely to be fed on carbohydrate-rich kibble with minimal fat content to make sure that they still have the juice to get their job done.
French bulldogs, on the other hand, tend to be house pets; given the choice, their most vigorous activity is a leisurely walk around the park. Although it will not hurt them immediately, a grain-based food will give them more energy than they burn, eventually causing obesity and impacting muscle development; if possible, find food more suited to their breed and lifestyle, and supplement it with regular outdoor exercise.
