The French Bulldog is an idiosyncratic breed.
Intended as a small companion version of the larger Bulldog, the smaller French Bulldog is well-known all over the world as a quiet, friendly companion who lovingly drags their owner out for a short daily walk or two and who enjoys some short play sessions in the garden.
But if you leave them unsupervised outside, do French Bulldogs dig holes? Let’s find out:
Why Would a French Bulldog Dig?
To start with, what are the reasons why a dog would dig in the garden? It is normal for most dogs of all breeds to dig, up to a certain amount.
For example, all dogs have spun and dug before settling down to rest and sleep for millenia, and most dogs still do today.
Is Your French Bulldog Too Hot?
Did you know that the French Bulldog is a flat-faced, brachycephalic breed of dog?
Your French Bulldog is probably not quite as flat-faced as a Pug or Bichon Frise tends to be, for example, but you probably hear them snorting or snoring in their sleep often.
So, don’t be surprised if your Frenchie collapses in the grass or in a puddle after merely a few short rounds of fetch – being brachycephalic, your French Bulldog finds it difficult to cool down by breathing in air.
But what if there are no puddles and absolutely nowhere cool or shady nearby for your Frenchie at the moment?
In this case, your French Bulldog is quite likely to start digging up cool earth to stretch out in as a last resort.
Could Your French Bulldog be Digging Because of Of Boredom?
The French Bulldog is both a flat-faced and small dog, with quite low energy requirements.
A few rounds of short distance fetch on even a cold day, as previously mentioned, or a 15 to 20-minute walk around the street are easily enough to thoroughly exhaust a Frenchie for a while.
So, don’t be surprised if you discover your French Bulldog tearing up the garden after missing their morning walk.
Maybe Your French Bulldog is Trying to Escape?
Most breeds of dog have an incredibly keen sense of smell. This includes the French Bulldog.
And sometimes, Frenchies are able to smell things outside a garden (or other enclosed space) that can interest them very much – your neighbors could be hosting a tantalizing barbeque or a new dog might have moved in.
Or maybe it’s their sense of hearing – someone could be blowing a dog whistle. This distraction can even be blocks away!
So, if your notice that your French Bulldog has a great sense of smell, then yes, it wouldn’t be uncommon for them to dig persistently near the bottom of fences.
Is Your French Bulldog in Heat or Pregnant?
Do you own a male or female French Bulldog? Also, have they been spayed or neutered?
Because an unspayed French Bulldog who is in heat can be quite likely to dig near a fence in an attempt to gain access to a male dog.
An unspayed female Frenchie might also dig all over the place, even in her bedding, due to her strong nesting instinct. This is even more likely to occur if she is pregnant.
A male Frenchie does not directly go into heat, of course. But he could still begin digging for similar reasons. Regardless of whether he is neutered or unneutered, your male Frenchie could still catch the scent of another dog who is in heat. If this happens, he is likely to pursue the scent tirelessly.
So, yes, during a heat season, your French Bulldog will dig. If this happens, your Frenchie will stop at nothing to escape. You will have to keep them indoors.
Does Your French Bulldog Eat Dirt?
It’s not very common, but some French Bulldogs like to eat dirt or stones. They may be craving a certain mineral, or are simply just bored.
One other reason is the possibility that their stomach hurts – conditions that cause symptoms like this are very common in French Bulldogs, after all.
If you notice this happening, it is a good idea to take your French Bulldog to visit the vet. Who knows what they might have ingested. The vet will also be able to get to the bottom of why your Frenchie is doing this.
Therefore, yes, a French Bulldog is likely to dig if they are trying to get at dirt.
Maybe Your French Bulldog is Trying to Hide Toys or Bones?
Do you live in a multi-dog or multi-pet household? With their past, as being mainly a dog who historically caught rats it’s not very common for the French Bulldog breed to be territorial about their treats or toys, unlike Terriers or Retrievers
Does Your French Bulldog Need a “Sandbox”?
Dogs are just as individual as you or I, after all. It’s unusual, but maybe your French Bulldog just enjoys digging for no obvious dubious reason whatsoever. If it’s not dangerous, why not leave them to enjoy this?
But, you probably don’t exactly want them digging up your entire garden. So, one solution is to put together a makeshift “sandbox” for your French Bulldog. This does not have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, you do not even need to literally use sand.
One of the best ways to make a sandboxed area for your Frenchie to dig to their heart’s content is to simply fence off a portion of the garden.
You don’t even actually need to use a fence – some sticks or string in the shape of a square will usually do for your French Bulldog to get the message. But consider making the perimeter bright and conspicuous so that passers-by get the message that this zone is potentially hazardous.
Once this is set up, you can place your Frenchie’s favorite toys and treats in the area to make sure that your pooch gets the message. With any luck, they’ll immediately get to digging up the treats and playing with their toys in the way that they like.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s unlikely that the French Bulldog would dig naturally because of their instincts. But whether for fun or out of anxiety or boredom, some French Bulldogs do dig.
Thankfully, there are ways of working out why your French Bulldog digs, as well as methods to prevent the behavior or make it safer for your Frenchie to do.
By Michelle McDaid.
