Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
House-trained,
Story
For Adoption: Jenna!
Please read our dog bios carefully to be sure that the dog you are applying for suits your family and lifestyle.
We at PDR believe in the benefits of post-adoption training for our dogs and their families. This allows
for continued socialization, learning and helps to create a well-mannered and balanced dog. Post-adoption training is a requirement in our adoption process.
To apply for adoption and for more information on our process and requirements, visit our website at https://pounddog.ca/adoption-info/.
I am delighted to introduce Jenna an approximately 2 year old French Bulldog currently weighing 24 pounds, her ideal weight. She is a very sturdy muscular dog. Jenna came into our care underweight after being attacked by other mill dogs where she was being bred for profit. This was not her first attack. Jenna had previously lost an ear and has some old scars on her legs. Jenna also had an eye and ear infection which have been treated. She also required a tooth extraction. Understandably Jenna is unsure of other dogs, but more about that later in her bio.
In a lifetime of owning my own dogs, working with rescues and currently fostering I have never met a dog who so loves all people—everyone she has met so far, whether it’s a stranger on our walks, a workman in my home or people visiting. Outdoors on our walks the only time she pulls is when she sees someone coming her way. She just wants to meet them and get petted. When guests come into our home after greeting them they are fair game for cuddling if they sit on the living room couch. Jenna will hop right up and snuggle into them. When I had friends over to play cards Jenna, after getting pets all around contentedly curled up under the card table and slept on our feet for 2 hours. She did a typical bulldog silent toot which if you know the breed is common. It was definitely a source of laughter and Jenna slept right through it. Bulldogs are known for their grunts, snorts and snores and the delightful smelly farts. Never having had a Frenchie before it has been a source of learning and laughter for me.
Jenna now sleeps 7- 8 hours through the night in her crate. Her soft snoring in the background lulls me to sleep. Jenna accepts her crate with a treat. However, she does cry for a few minutes before she settles. It took a few weeks for Jenna to be fully toilet trained. She drinks a lot during the day and should be given the opportunity to go outdoors every 3 hours to avoid an indoor accident. She does not alert when she has to go.
When Jenna came to me a month ago we were in freezing temperatures and we were only able to go outdoors for 5 minutes maximum. Now the weather has improved Jenna goes for 3 or 4 walks a day. Her breed because of the flat nose only require short walks. We usually go for 10-15 minutes. She has become increasingly more confident walking outside and is choosing to venture a bit further from home. Jenna is a low to medium energy dog. She loves curling up on the couch or a comfy dog bed and napping.
In her home environment where she feels safe Jenna has become a very confident girl who enjoys her morning and evening routines. When she comes out of her crate Jenna does a super long stretch to start her day. After our morning walk Jenna immediately hops on the couch and expects me to come and cuddle before getting breakfast ready. In the evening after our bedtime walk we do exactly the same and if I get distracted she just waits patiently until I join her.
Recently Jenna has discovered the sheer joy of rolling herself silly on the couch and waiting for lots of belly rubs. She constantly makes me laugh with her antics. Jenna was easily able to climb a full set of outdoor stairs on a recent visit to a friend. She was a bit more hesitant going down but managed with a bit of encouragement. Jenna walks well on leash and as mentioned only pulls when she wishes to meet someone. She responds to the come and sit commands. Jenna travels quietly in my SUV in her travel crate.
It was hilarious to watch Jenna try and solve treat puzzles. With her flat face she wasn’t able to get the treats but once she learned to use her paws she had no problem. Jenna uses the puzzles in a gentle manner and is extremely gentle when given a treat. She is a pure loveable delight. I have attempted to introduce toys but so far she has shown little interest.
Jenna rarely barks but recently when she heard a doorbell on the tv she jumped up and barked once or twice and raced to the front door. If someone knocks on my front door she doesn’t bark but runs to the door to investigate. She is a highly curious dog who sniffs everything.
At night if I’m watching tv in my recliner Jenna requests that I bring her up and then she organizes her body between my legs with her head at my feet and her butt facing me. That works so my arms are free to knit or read while she sleeps, only shifting positions occasionally. Jenna loves physical contact with me but when I can’t accommodate her she sleeps quietly on her bed beside me.
Jenna usually finds a spot in the same room where I am working but she’s never underfoot. Lately she will curl up on the couch in the living room while I am elsewhere in the house. Recently Jenna decided to join me on my yoga mat rather than watching from her bed. She wasn’t happy about being sent off. She usually just watches from a distance when I do my exercise programme each morning.
I believe the command “off” is the one I’ve had to use the most with Jenna. She needs to learn that she can’t go up on people to be petted although she does so very gently. When I take a bath it took 2 weeks of using the off command to keep Jenna from trying to join me in the tub. She can be persistent or determined when she wants something. She is now content to curl up on a nearby bathmat or my clothes if I left them on the floor and patiently waits until I’m done.
Jenna is an absolute cuddle bunny and she hopes her new family enjoy snuggling with her. In her first week with me if Jenna saw another dog in the distance she would be terrified and cry and strain to get home and away from what she thought might be a threat to her. Her confidence on our outdoor walks has really improved. Recently Jenna saw some dogs on our walks. Jenna was eager to meet them at a 6 foot distance. She showed no fear just excitement. In each case Jenna did her snorts and gentle whines of excitement. Those noises were probably unusual for the other dogs and unfortunately some dogs reacted by growling at her so we immediately walked on. It is common for other dogs to misinterpret the noises of a Bulldog and not take to that well, so we keep our distance from dogs. Because of her past of being attacked by dogs in the puppy mill, Jenna would like a life without the stress of meeting other dogs. She is not comfortable around other dogs and we don’t want her to have to be reminded of that trauma over and over. She has lost an ear already, that is enough…we don’t want our sweet Jenna ever hurt again by a dog. When I took her to my friend’s home to introduce her to her very patient cat Jenna again showed her excitement and Tucker just lay quietly at a 3 foot distance and eventually Jenna quieted and relaxed. We distracted Jenna occasionally so she didn’t keep staring at the cat. Our visit lasted 2 hours and Jenna was relaxed when we left. Best for Jenna to not go to a home with a cat unless it is a very dog savvy cat who will ignore the dog and not run or otherwise excite the dog.
Jenna is currently being fostered in a quiet rural community. The best placement for Jenna would be a quiet neighbourhood without a lot of dogs. Jenna needs to be the only dog in the house and no visiting dogs either. She would not do well in a busy city environment. She would do well in a rural area, small town, or quiet subdivision. Ideally if she had a fenced in backyard where in the nice weather she could sniff, explore and wander without encountering other dogs that would be great but it is not mandatory for her. Because Jenna craves affection, she will need a family who will not leave her alone for long periods of time. She would not like to be left alone for a full 8hr plus workday. Jenna has not been introduced to children but I feel she would be best in a home with adults or older children, over 8yrs, where it would be a calm environment for her.
Adopters with previous French Bulldog or other Bulldog experience are preferred, as they are a special breed with specific needs to keep them happy and healthy. She will need to have her wrinkles cleaned on a regular basis as well as special attention to any potential allergies associated with food. She is doing well on the food she is on in our care, which is a top quality diet, and she should be kept on this. Frenchies are prone to environmental allergies and she may need allergy meds throughout her life, although so far she has been ok and showing no signs of having any allergies. Adopters should also regularly maintain her teeth through brushing and/or dental treats. Potential adopters should be aware of possible breed specific health issues and commit to any financial needs she may have in the future to maintain her health. This is a breed that comes with an assortment of potential medical issues and they are known as a high maintenance breed for upkeep and medical care. Her family needs to be fully aware of this and be financially able to care for anything that Jenna will need in her life. Frenchies are known for back issues so her adopters need to be prepared for this possibility and be fully aware of IVDD. With Frenchie’s that is a risk you take. Should this happen, she would require back surgery immediately to fix it. Her family needs to guard against this by not letting her become overweight, by keeping her lean and muscular, and by not letting her jump up on the couch or jump down from the couch, bed etc. When lifting her, support her entire back…just general things to keep her back safe.
If you are that special person or family looking for an absolutely loveable snuggle bunny and are willing to put the time and effort into helping Jenna learn to meet other dogs in a positive manner please consider this adorable sweetheart as an addition to your life. You won’t be disappointed. Jenna has so much love to share.
Name: Jenna
ID # PDR1465
Age: 2yrs
Gender: female
Spayed: yes
UTD vaccines: yes
Breed: French Bulldog
Colours: tan
Coat length: short
House trained: yes
Special needs: no
OK with kids: older
OK with cats: dog savvy cats only
Ok with dogs: no
Status: adoptable
Microchip: yes
Size: small
Location: Freelton
Adoption fee: $800