The Best Harness, Collar and Bed for a French Bulldog

For most French Bulldogs, the best choice is a well-fitted harness for walking, which keeps lead pressure off the neck and airway, with a light collar worn simply to carry ID. The RSPCA and The Kennel Club both advise walking flat-faced dogs on a harness rather than a collar. Add a bed sized for a small but solid dog, and a summer routine that respects how easily the breed overheats.

Size and build

The PDSA gives an average adult weight of 11 to 12.5kg and an average height of around 30cm for a French Bulldog, with a short coat that usually needs only a weekly brush. The Kennel Club classes the breed as small and suggests up to an hour of exercise a day, which the PDSA recommends splitting into a few shorter walks.

For kit, that weight matters more than the height. A Frenchie is small by height but carries a fair amount of weight for it, so collars and harnesses sized by breed name alone can be a poor fit. Measure the neck, and above all the chest at its widest point, just behind the front legs.

Why a harness that avoids the throat

French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, meaning they have a shortened face. The PDSA explains that this is linked to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS), a condition that can cause serious breathing problems. The RSPCA advises walking flat-faced dogs on a harness rather than a collar and lead, as this avoids putting pressure on the neck, and The Kennel Club gives the same advice to avoid pressure on the airway.

A harness only helps if it fits well. When you try one on:

• Check where the front sits. The front of the harness should rest across the breastbone, not ride up across the throat, including when the lead is pulled taut.
• Use a back lead clip for everyday walking, so the lead attaches on the back rather than near the neck.
• Allow two fingers under every strap, and check behind the front legs for rubbing after the first few walks.
• Avoid anything designed to tighten when the dog pulls.

The Pimlico Harness is a step-in tweed harness with a padded chest panel, adjustable chest and girth straps, metal hardware and a back lead clip. It comes in XS to L, with chest ranges from 36 to 48cm at XS to 57 to 83cm at L. The chest measurement matters most when choosing, and if your dog is between sizes, choose the larger. For more on what separates a good harness from a merely pretty one, see our harness guide.

Does a French Bulldog still need a collar?

Yes. Under the Control of Dogs Order 1992, a dog in a public place must wear a collar with the owner's name and address on it, or on a plate or badge attached to it. Microchipping is a separate legal requirement and does not replace it. A phone number is not legally required, but it is strongly advisable. Our guide to the dog ID tag law in the UK explains the detail.

For a flat-faced dog, the collar's job is ID only, so clip the lead to the harness and keep the collar comfortably loose: you should be able to slide two fingers underneath. The Kensington Collar has a soft plush band and a warm gold quick-release clasp engraved with your dog's name and your number, so there is no tag to jangle. It is adjustable, in sizes S to XL; measure your dog's neck and check it against the size guide on the product page.

Keeping a Frenchie cool

The Kennel Club notes that brachycephalic dogs are at high risk of overheating in warm weather, even in the UK. The RSPCA and PDSA advise:

• Walking early in the morning or later in the evening in summer, rather than in the heat of the day.
• Avoiding walks on hot days altogether, and keeping your dog out of the sun.
• Making sure fresh water is always available.
• Keeping exercise steady and regular rather than strenuous.

Both the RSPCA and The Kennel Club also point out that extra weight puts more strain on breathing, so keeping your Frenchie lean is one of the kindest things you can do. If your dog struggles to cool down or to recover after exercise, the PDSA notes these are not normal for the breed, so speak to your vet.

The best bed for a French Bulldog

With an average weight of 11 to 12.5kg, a French Bulldog sits right at the boundary between our Large and XL bed sizes. The Savanna Bed is handcrafted in the UK, with a zebra-inspired print, a removable cushion, pocket sides, a non-slip base, and is washable at 30°C. Its Large size (55 to 60cm diameter) is listed for dogs of approx 6 to 12kg, and XL (65 to 70cm) for approx 12 to 20kg. If your dog is near 12kg, or sleeps stretched out, choose the XL.

A few points that matter for this breed in particular:

• Place the bed somewhere cool in summer, away from sunny windows and radiators.
• Give them something to lean on. A bed with sides offers a natural headrest.
• Watch how they sleep. The RSPCA lists sleeping with the head raised, or propping the mouth open with a toy to sleep more comfortably, among the signs of breathing problems in flat-faced dogs. If you notice either, mention it to your vet.

Frequently asked questions

Should a French Bulldog wear a harness or a collar?

Both, for different jobs. The RSPCA and The Kennel Club advise walking flat-faced dogs on a harness to avoid pressure on the neck and airway, while a collar with your name and address is still required in public places.

What size harness does a French Bulldog need?

Choose by chest measurement rather than breed. Measure around the widest part of the chest, just behind the front legs, compare it with the size guide, and if your dog is between sizes, choose the larger.

How do I keep my French Bulldog cool in summer?

Walk early in the morning or later in the evening, avoid walks on hot days, keep your dog out of the sun and always provide fresh water. If your dog struggles to cool down, speak to your vet.

What size bed does a French Bulldog need?

French Bulldogs average 11 to 12.5kg, so they sit between a bed for dogs up to about 12kg and one for 12 to 20kg. If your dog is near 12kg or likes to stretch out, choose the larger.