Pawscessories is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Learn more.
You’ve started to notice your french bulldog likes to lay down rather, well, frog-like. The scientific term (absolutely not scientific) for when a french lies down with their legs stretched out behind them is splooting.
So…
Why Do French Bulldogs Sploot:
French bulldogs sploot because they find it a comfortable way to lie down. When they’re young and flexible they’ll sploot to stretch, help themselves cool down, or to even get your attention. It’s more common in puppies and younger dogs, but adult dogs may still find splooting comfortable.
In this post you’ll discover:
- 6 real reasons why french bulldogs lay like frogs (sploot)
- The different kinds of splooting
- 4 dangers of your frenchie splooting too much (danger #3 & 4 could be why your pup is splooting in the first place)
- And much, much more
Let’s jump right in.
Table of Contents
What is Splooting?
Splooting is when your frenchie lies on their stomach and has their legs stretched out behind them.
Most dogs will lie down with their legs underneath their body which is why when a dog decides to sploot, it’s quite funny to see.
It’s most commonly done in young puppies or small dogs because their bodies are flexible enough to enjoy laying this way.
Because of the way it looks when a frenchie, or any dog for that matter, lays like this it’s also called:
- Frogging
- Flying superman
- Pancake flop
- Frog doggin’
- Dog froggin’
- Frog legs
Whatever comes to your mind when you see it is an acceptable name for it!
Splooting is a made up name for this lying position but is the funniest/cutest which is typically why it has stayed.
6 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Lay Like Frogs (Sploot)
1) They’re Stretching
At its core, when your frenchie lays like a frog, it’s to give themselves a nice stretch.
Just like after you’ve been sitting for an extended period of time and want to stand up and have a full body stretch, this is your pup’s way of doing that same thing.
Their little legs are usually tucked under their body whenever they’re lying down so the occasional, or frequent, sploot helps stretch their little legs.
It’s an easy way for them to increase their leg mobility.
2) Enjoying Their Young & Flexible Body
Is your frenchie a young puppy and splooting?
Well, as you might know all too well, when you start to get a little older your body becomes tighter and less able to move in certain ways.
But when you’re young, you can move any which way and are completely free.
Since your pup is young, they have full range of movement in their legs without any pain or stiffness.
Which is why this position is comfortable for them.
They’re young & flexible and taking advantage of it!
3) It’s Comfortable
When you’re lying down in bed, you probably have a favorite position that you find the most comfortable.
Whether it’s sleeping on your left side, right side, on your stomach with a pillow supporting your chest, whatever sleeping position you find most comfortable.
And you probably resort to that position every night.
Which is similar to why your frenchie might be splooting often.
It’s simply their most comfortable resting position.
While they can get by resting with their legs underneath them, sometimes a good sploot is just much more comfy.
4) Helps Them Cool Down
When your frenchie lies with their legs extended out behind them, it gives their legs some air and helps cool them down.
If their legs are tucked underneath their body it will keep them warm.
Which can be good in some situations.
But if your pup is feeling overly warm, splooting can help cool themselves down by giving their legs some air or the ability to feel a breeze if they’re outside.
5) To Get Your Attention?
Your frenchie is a smart pup.
Over time, they’ve learned what gets a reaction out of you and gets them attention.
And if every time they sploot, you go over to them, tell them how cute they are and give them loving pats on the head, they’ll want to keep splooting.
More importantly, they don’t seem to get any attention when they lie down normally.
So a sploot can become their preferred position of choice when lying down because they think it’ll get them some attention.
6) It’s a Learned Behavior
If your frenchie saw another dog splooting, they may have thought to themselves..
Hey, that looks pretty darn comfortable… I’m going to try that!
Which has started them on a splooting frenzy.
Many times dog’s will pick up instinctual/feel-good behavior from other dogs.
Things like digging, barking or in this case, even splooting.
If you’re hoping your frenchie might copy another dog’s good, learned behavior like roll over, pawing at a bell to let their owner know they need out, or high five, you might be disappointed.
Typically dog’s will only mimic behavior that feels good simply when they do it, not when they’re rewarded for doing something.
Sorry.
The 4 Types Of Splooting
Half Sploot
The half sploot is when your frenchie doesn’t feel like stretching both legs/hips.
So they only stick one leg out from underneath them.
And voila! You have the half sploot.
Side Sploot
The side sploot is more common among dogs.
This is when both legs are out from underneath them, but more off to the side.
They’re still primarily lying on their stomach, but their legs/hips are pushed out from underneath their body and to the side.
Upside Down Sploot
The upside down sploot is when your frenchie is on their back with their front and back legs fully stretched out.
All the same splooting fun but with their belly facing up!
Regular Sploot
A regular sploot is simply when their legs are fully stretched out behind them with their front legs stretched out in front of them or beside their body.
4 Potential Dangers Of French Bulldogs Laying Like Frogs (Splooting)
There’s a reason why for the most part only young puppies and small dogs sploot.
It’s because it can be hard on their hips and joints. Especially as they get older and stiffer.
But if they get used to it as a puppy, they could run into issues doing it as they get older.
1) Arthritis
When your frenchie lies stretched out for long periods of time over many years, it can damage the protective layer of their hip joints.
This is also known as degenerative joint disease and happens when joints get inflammation which deteriorates the cartilage.
So when they lay in this comfortable, but not very practical position, it can give them arthritis in their hip joints as they age.
2) Hip Dysplasia
While hip dysplasia is more common in big dogs, it can still affect small dogs, especially when more pressure is put on their hip joints.
When they lie flat out like that and stretch their hips, they’re putting added strain/stress on their joints.
Which when done for long periods of time can affect their hips ability to function properly.
Progressively, it could negatively affect their hips ball-and-socket joint causing pain, lameness, or general lethargy.
3) Rash
Sometimes a french bulldog will sploot not because they enjoy the comfortable position, but because they have a rash.
It’s a good idea to check your pup’s belly to see if they have any rashing or skin irritations.
If their skin is painful or irritated enough when it’s touched, they may sploot to avoid this.
4) Injury
In the similar case to a rash, your frenchie might sploot because they have an injury you might not be aware of.
If their leg is in pain or they have a cut/ wound, splooting might be more comfortable because it doesn’t flare up their pain.
Have a closer look at your pup to see if they’re walking funny or wince/cry when you touch their belly or legs.
Splooting FAQs
Do Other Dog Breeds Sploot?
Splooting isn’t breed specific.
Somes dog’s may never sploot as a puppy because it never entered their mind to try lying like that.
Other dogs figure out it’s a comfortable position to lay and find themselves doing it more often.
However, there are certain breeds that do seem to do it more than others.
Those are corgis, pugs, dachshunds, poodles and the different kinds of bulldogs (including frenchies)
Do Other Animals Sploot?
Interestingly, yes! Other animals sploot as well because they find it comfortable.
Other animals include:
- Rabbits
- Polar bears
- Chipmunks
- Squirrels
- Turtles
- Cats
Is Splooting Bad For Puppies?
Splooting isn’t bad for puppies.
But, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
So it’s best to not let them lie this way all the time or it could contribute to them getting an arthritic hip.
It could also be a sign they’re in some type of discomfort which is something to look out for.
Other posts you might find interesting:
12 Best Beds For French Bulldogs: Beds That Last
9 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Are So Lazy + Tips To Help
11 Reasons Why French Bulldogs Are So Hyper + 4 Tips
9 Reasons French Bulldogs Are High Maintenance + 4 Tips
Sources:
Why Does My Dog Pick Up Bad Behavior From Other Dogs?