| Country of origin: | France |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Companion |
| Size: | 10 to 12 in tall; 16 to 28 lbs |
| Longevity: | 12 to 14 years |
| Exercise: | Low activity level |
| Training: | Challenge to housetrain |
| Grooming: | Easy |
| Colors: | Fawn, pied, red brindle, black brindle |
The Bulldog in 19th century Britain came in one size only, and small individuals were marginalized. They found more favour in France, where they were developed into this feisty and enthusiastic little companion. The French Bulldog became something of a fashion accessory, as well as the favoured companion of Parisian butchers and coachmen. Curiously, the breed was first officially recognized in the United States, where it continues to be popular. The breathing and eye problems associated with short faces make this a potentially expensive breed, and it is not as numerous at it once was. French Bulldogs are susceptible to overheating, meaning it is advisable to carry a water bottle to quench their thirst when walking in warm weather.
Breed name synonyms: Frenchie
HISTORY
Claiming part of their ancestry in Great Britain, back in the 1850’s, the French Bulldog we know today is a result of different crossings made by enthusiastic breeders in Paris during the 1880’s. At the time of the industrial revolution many English people immigrated to Northern France and brought their Bulldogs with them.
Primarily popular among Parisian market porters, butchers and coachmen, the French Bulldog, due to its unique appearance and character, soon won the hearts of the artistic world and high society.
After WWI the Frenchie’s popularity in Europe decreased dramatically. The breed survived because the French Bulldog’s popularity took a turn for better in the United States. Nowadays, this companion dog is owned by many celebrities and popular world-wide.
PERSONALITY
French Bulldogs are affectionate, incredibly loyal to their people and eager to please. They crave human companionship and hate being left alone, in which case they often develop separation anxiety.
French Bulldogs can be described as intelligent, alert, playful and with a sense of humor. They are well-known attention stealers and have the reputation for being mischievous and clownish. French Bulldogs grunt, snort, snore and are capable of making other odd sounds.
Frenchies are patient and get along well with children. They generally get along well with other dogs and pets too, but it is not wise to leave them unsupervised. Because of their low barking tendency, French Bulldogs make an excellent apartment pets. They are good watchdogs and very protective of their homes.
TRAITS
The French Bulldog is stocky, small-sized molossian type of dog, compact in all of its proportions. He is muscular with solid bone structure. The hallmark of the breed are the erected bat-like ears, the big, wide-open, dark colored eyes and naturally short tails. The French Bulldog’s wrinkled face, gives them clownish appearance.
French Bulldogs have very short, flat, glossy and smooth coats. Their skin is wrinkled at the head and shoulders. The coat comes in a variety of colors such as fawn, brindle, white and cream and any combination of these colors.
Frenchie’s height at the withers is 12’’ (30.5cm) and they should weight less than 28lb (12.5kg).
HANDLING
French Bulldogs can be a training chalenge. They are naturally stubborn and easily lose interest in repetitive activities. Therefore the training sessions should be short and the routine mixed up. Frenchies need to be handled with firmness and patience. The best training technique is a reward based regimen in which affection and treats are considered as reward.
If gently and properly motivated, French Bulldogs learn quickly. When they are interested and have audience, they put their own spin on tricks and commands. If bored, untrained or unsupervised, French Bulldogs show their destructive side.
Proper socialization is important when raising friendly, adaptable and well-behaved French Bulldog.
HEALTH
French Bulldogs can easily gain weight and are prone to obesity. Therefore they need regular daily exercises. They are also very sensitive to heat and should be kept indoors during hot weathers. In order to prevent a type of dermatitis, known as intertrigo, Frenchies need daily cleaning of their facial skin folds.
Other medical issues often reported in the breed include musculo-skeletal conditions (hip and elbow dysplasia, patella luxation, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, intervertebral diseases), ocular conditions (cataracts, entropion, persistent pupillary membranes, retinal dysplasia, cherry eye), blood-clotting abnormalities (hemophilia B or factor IX deficiency) and endocrine conditions (hypothyroidism).
The average lifespan of the French Bulldog is estimated to be 12-14 years.
The French Bulldog was at its most popular in France over 100 years ago (Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec painted them; Colette wrote about hers). Unlike the bull-baiting origins of its larger English relative, the French Bulldog was originally developed for ratting. Like other bulldogs, little of the breed’s hereditary aggression remains, and the French Bulldog makes an affectionate, playful, and reliable pet.