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There are several medical conditions that may cause your Frenchie to sit funny including Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Anal Gland Impaction and Spinal Problems. |
In this research you will know the answer to the query “Why do french bulldogs sit funny?“.
Do you wonder why your French bulldog is sitting in a funny position like the one in the video?
The seemingly lazy sitting of your puppy is cute and entertaining but there could be something more serious going on than you realize.
Especially if he assumes that position quite a bit. There is a possibility that he has a health condition that prevents him from sitting properly.
Does it mean you have hip problems? Do you have arthritis? Do you have spinal problems? Your mind must be racing with a lot of questions. However no worries we will explore more about this issue including a few solutions.
Photos of French Bulldogs sitting
The following four positions are some of the weirdest that you may see your Frenchie in.
There is two classic dog sitting positions that every French Bulldog should strive for. They are taking the weight on their back legs not their bottoms which are neatly tucked under them.
French people sit diagonally with their back feet at their sides and their weight on the hips in the second position.
In the third position the French Bulldog sits up straight with their legs directly out in front of them. They are sitting on their tail pocket in this position (which they find hard to maintain due to their balance).
The fourth and final position does not involve sitting at all but rather it involves lying down. Frog posture is sometimes called in but to me it looks as if the person has dropped from a great height.
They appear to be lying on their backs but they’re actually stretched out on tiptoe.
Why Do French Bulldogs Sit Funny?
Young Frenchies are often seen sloppily sitting by their owners. The reason is that their bones are still soft and their joints are not yet tightly connected. Similarly if your pup is too tired from his physical activities you’ll see those awkward positions.
The adult French bulldog may also show such behavior once in a while. When you notice that your pet is assuming that strange position a lot and it seems like he is in pain thats when you need to take action.
Your Frenchie may sit funny for the following reasons (medical conditions):
1. Hip Dysplasia
Dysplasia of the hip socket occurs in dogs due to canine hip dysplasia (CHD). It is common in large breeds but it can also affect smaller ones such as French bulldogs. Although this predisposition is usually hereditary factors such as improper weight nutrition strenuous exercise and abnormal growth rate can also contribute to coronary heart disease.
Your French bulldogs bad posture can make him sit in an awkward position but you can also tell that your dog is suffering from bad hips by the shaking and weakness of the back legs difficulty running jumping climbing stairs stiffness and a narrow stance.
This health condition can certainly limit the activities of your pet if left untreated. Hip arthritis is most likely to develop as well as the pain gets worse over time.
It may be necessary to modify your lifestyle in order to treat hip dysplasia. Your veterinarian may suggest a non-surgical approach if the condition is not too bad which may include some medications as well as therapy. On the other hand if the hip problem is severe surgery will be the best option.
2. Patellar Luxation
A patellar luxation refers to the dislocation of either or both kneecaps. Dogs whose femur groove is too shallow will be unable to move their knee freely if the groove along the femur is too shallow. Consequently their joints will become dislocated.
French bulldogs have unfortunately been known to suffer from this particular ailment. It is their genetics or how they were bred that plays an important role in this. Even if your pet was born healthy he could suffer from luxating patellas if he is exposed to trauma such as getting hit by a hard object in that area.
It is expected that a Frenchie with this health condition will hold up the affected rear leg while walking. Also your pet will probably try to sit on it while it is bent in an unusual position so he can bear weight on it.
Other symptoms of patellar luxation include limping licking the knee and not using the affected leg. In addition to whining or crying your pet may cry or whine if he is suffering.
In cases of grade 1 patellar luxation or a mild episode of lameness a conservative approach will be taken which includes anti-inflammatory agents and analgesics. Rehabilitative exercises may also be necessary.
However if the condition is already in the later stages your dog will have to undergo surgery.
3. Anal Gland Impaction
On the opening of their anus dogs have anal sacs which are very small glands. Canines commonly ‘mark’ their territory with a thick oily foul-smelling liquid secretion that they produce. Unfortunately these glands can cause problems if they become impacted also become infected if properly they may also become infected.
Your dog can suffer so much pain and discomfort from this condition especially if bacteria have already infected the area. It is possible that your Frenchie has anal gland impaction if he sits in an unnatural position. He may also be seen trying to lick his anal area chasing his tail or licking his paws.
This condition will be treated by manually emptying the anal glands by a specialist. Anesthetics and sedatives would be needed for this painful procedure.
4. Spinal Problems
Its also well known that French bulldogs are quite susceptible to spinal problems particularly those associated with hemivertebrae. A deformed vertebra or set of vertebrae is the result of a congenital condition.
In some cases the problem does not seem alarming and the dogs do not display any clinical signs of deformity but there are also some Frenchies who are unable to cope with the problem. They may also find it difficult to perform their daily tasks.
When your dog experiences urinary or fecal incontinence weak hind limbs or constant pain theres something wrong with his spine. You may also notice that he has adapted to an uncomfortable sitting position.
This health condition has a variety of treatments depending on its severity and symptoms. In dogs with mild signs anti-inflammatory medications are usually given along with cage rest. In case the issue has worsened however then a surgical procedure must be performed.
What to Do If Your Frenchie Usually Sits in a Weird Way
Dogs should sit straight when they are playing. As mentioned earlier however the younger ones tend to slouch and assume that lazy puppy stance. The dog will eventually outgrow that strange-looking sitting position as he or she matures. You may still see your adult dog do it every once in a while especially when he is tired. However it is a completely different story if he appears to have already adopted that behavior as a habit.
You can do the following things:
1. Get to the Root of the Problem
Finding out why your dog is sitting funny most of the time is the first step that you should take. In addition as a responsible owner you should have your pet examined by a veterinarian. It is the only way to determine whether he has a medical condition that makes it difficult for him to sit up straight when seated.
The vet will come up with a treatment plan for your dog if it is diagnosed with any of the health issues we have highlighted above. The vet will prescribe medications that you must administer as directed. Your puppy may also need surgery depending on its diagnosis and severity. Your vet will discuss these matters with you.
2. Do Not Procrastinate
Even though you might find those funny and cute sitting positions amusing you need to ensure that they do not indicate an underlying medical issue. You should not procrastinate if you observe that your dog does it almost all the time. You should consult a veterinarian right away.
3. Try to Discourage the Behavior
You may be laughing at the funny sitting position your Frenchie adopts but you should avoid showing it. You should also avoid praising him since doing so may only encourage him to do it more often. You should instead try to correct this behavior by training him to sit upright like a dog with sound conformation would.
4. Engage Your Dog in Exercises
Exercising is beneficial not only to humans but also to dogs. Keeping your Frenchie in good posture is an excellent way to help him adapt. Furthermore if you engage him in proper exercises and other physical activities he will be able to strengthen his muscles.
Dogs perform almost all of their daily chores using their core muscles such as sitting bending standing and walking. Exercises will definitely build them up. Therefore your French bulldog will feel more comfortable while moving and relaxing.
Strength in the core is very beneficial for dogs as it prevents muscular and skeletal injuries enhances flexibility maintains balance and supports the whole body.
5. Provide a Comfortable Bed
Your Frenchie would appreciate a comfortable bed just as much as you would. If you know that your puppy suffers from hip or spine problems it is highly recommended that you get an orthopedic bed instead of a regular one. An orthopedic bed will greatly improve his health.
Conclusion
While he is sitting lazily your French bulldog sure looks adorable. When he does it all the time you should investigate what is causing it and the best way to do so is to consult a veterinarian. This should be done as soon as possible so that your dog can be treated immediately if it is suffering from something.
If you want to read more about dog breeds read here: Dog Breeds Updates.
