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Rasing French Bulldog Newborn Puppies
Ensuring Healthy Growth and Mobility
Welcoming a litter of French Bulldog puppies into the world is an exciting and rewarding experience. However, it also comes with challenges that require diligence and care. One common issue breeders may encounter is “swimmer puppies,” where a puppy struggles to walk due to excessive weight gain and a lack of muscle development. At Short Leg Frenchies, we have developed a structured approach to feeding and care to help our puppies grow strong and healthy while minimizing the risk of mobility issues.
The Connection Between Overfeeding and Mobility Issues
In our experience, overfeeding newborn puppies can contribute to difficulty in walking. We want our puppies to grow quickly so they develop strength and resilience, but weight gain must be controlled. Our strict feeding regimen ensures that puppies are fed every two hours up to three weeks old. However, we carefully monitor and limit the time they are allowed to nurse to maintain a healthy weight trajectory. If puppies gain too much weight too quickly, they may struggle to lift their bodies off the ground, leading to the characteristic “swimming” motion instead of walking.
Creating an Optimal Environment for Mobility Development
To support our puppies’ mobility development, we take several proactive measures:
Providing Extra Grip in Whelping Pens
We introduce various materials into our whelping pens to give the puppies better traction. A solid grip helps them strengthen their legs as they learn to support their weight and move around more effectively.Gentle Leg Support and Exercise
When handling the puppies, we apply light pressure to the backs of their legs, especially during feeding and movement exercises. This mini-workout encourages muscle activation and helps them develop strength in their limbs.Nail Trimming Considerations
We regularly trim our puppies’ nails to prevent injuries to littermates’ eyes. However, trimming also reduces their ability to grip surfaces, which can slightly delay their ability to walk. We compensate for this by ensuring the whelping environment has adequate traction and by providing additional leg support during handling.
Helping Puppies Overcome Swimmer Syndrome
Most of our puppies begin to walk around four weeks of age. However, in cases where a puppy continues to struggle with mobility, we assist them by using a simple yet effective method—gently taping their legs together with electrical tape.
We are careful not to wrap the tape too tightly, ensuring it does not restrict circulation.
To prevent discomfort during removal, we lightly press the tape against a fuzzy blanket before application, reducing its stickiness.
The tape is wrapped around both legs to bring them closer together, encouraging the puppy to push up and attempt walking.
This intervention is typically only needed for a day or two, and we closely monitor the puppy’s response.
With this method, we often see remarkable progress as puppies begin standing and walking rather than sliding across the ground. Click to learn more about swimmer puppy syndrome from The Dogington Post and Dr Emmanuel Fontanine.
A Commitment to Long-Term Health
Raising healthy, well-adjusted puppies requires immense dedication and love. At Short Leg Frenchies, we are with our newborns 24/7, monitoring their growth and development. Our commitment to their long-term well-being begins with careful breeding decisions, including genetic testing, temperament evaluation, and stud dog selection. We also expose our puppies to various stimuli, including different textures, sounds, and human handling, to ensure they grow into confident and well-socialized companions.
Whenever we identify any health concerns, we work closely with our veterinarian to provide the best care possible. Our goal is to give each puppy the best start in life, setting them up for a healthy and happy future with their new families.
Final Thoughts
Successfully raising French Bulldog puppies requires knowledge, patience, and an unwavering commitment to their well-being. By carefully managing feeding, providing a supportive environment, and taking proactive steps to encourage mobility, we help our puppies develop strong, healthy bodies. Every puppy is unique, and with love and careful attention, we ensure they thrive from their earliest days.
For more insights into raising French Bulldogs and updates on our available puppies, visit our website at www.shortlegfrenchies.com.
