French Bulldog

Many airlines refuse flat-faced breeds in the hold, because warm, stressful cargo conditions have been linked to deaths. Some carriers allow a small Frenchie in the cabin if dog and carrier fit under the seat, often with a combined limit of about 8 kg (18 lb), which rules out most adults. Check the current policy before booking, and weigh up whether the trip is worth the strain on your dog's breathing.

Snoring comes from soft tissue in a short airway vibrating as air squeezes past. Gentle snoring in deep sleep is common in the breed, but it is not a sign of good health. Loud snoring while awake, pauses in breathing at night, or a dog that sleeps sitting up or with its chin propped high suggests the airway is working hard, and a vet can assess it properly.

Most are. Frenchies have little prey drive compared with terriers or hounds, and a puppy raised with a cat usually treats it as household furniture. Adults meeting a cat for the first time do best with a slow start: separate rooms for a few days, swapping bedding for scent, then short supervised meetings with the dog on a lead. Their bouncy, body-slamming play is more than some cats will accept.

Litters are small, often 3 or 4 puppies, and most are born by caesarean section because of the breed's shape, which adds considerable vet costs. Proper health testing of the parents costs more again. Unusual colors such as blue, merle or lilac often carry large premiums, yet they are not accepted by the major kennel clubs and tell you nothing about a puppy's health.

Most adults cope with 3 to 4 hours once they have practiced it. Frenchies are strongly attached to their people, and some develop separation stress, shown by howling, scratching at doors or chewing near exits. A walk and a meal before you leave, a long-lasting chew and a cool, quiet room help. For full working days, a dog walker or daycare is kinder than 8 hours alone.