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French Bulldog

Bouledogue français

Bouledogue français

 

French Bulldog Breed standard

Bouledogue Français

The French Bulldog is a dog breed that originated from a group of English bulldog fanciers who were not interested in the dog-fighting realm. The English artisans, particularly lacemakers, breed a small bulldog that would weigh at least 16 lbs but no more than 28 lbs. As the Industrial Revolution grew in England, the lacemakers and other artisans took their skills and small dogs to France where they could continue to ply their trade. The small bulldog earned quite a following in France and by the late 1800s they were known as French Bulldogs. When wealthy Americans traveled to Paris they were very taken with the little Frenchie and imported them to the United States. The breed was first exhibited at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in 1896.

History

While theories abound about the exact origin of the French Bulldog, the most prevalent opinion is that around the mid 1800s Normandy lace workers from England took smaller bulldogs with them when they sought work in France. In the farming communities north of France that the lace workers settled in, the little Bulldogs became very popular as ratters and loyal family companions and their population began to swell. These little bulldogs were in fact "culls" of the established Bulldog Breeders in England, who were generally more than happy to sell these undersized examples of their breed to fanciers of the "new" breed in England. This was especially true of the "tulip" eared puppies that cropped up at times in Bulldog litters.

As the new, smaller Bulldogs gained popularity in France, they became favorites of the Parisian "Belles De Nuit" - the street walkers. Breed historians can still sometimes turn up notorious "French Postcards" bearing images of scantily clad French prostitutes posing with their little "Bouledogues Francais." The aura of notoriety that ownership of the little dogs conveyed made them a fashionable way for the well to do classes to show off how daring they could be, and they soon became favorites of the "artistic" set across Europe.

Photos dating to around this time show photos of the Russian Royal family posing along side their French Bulldogs, and they imported several of the little dogs from France. Other famous fanciers included Toulouse-Lautrec, the author Colette and King Edward VII. As a point of historic interest, a French Bulldog, insured for the at that time astronomical sum of $750, was on board the ill fated Titanic.

It is inarguable that without the influence of dedicated, turn of the century American fanciers the breed would not be what it is today. It is they that organized the very first French Bulldog Club in the world, and it was they who insisted that the "bat" ear so associated with the breed today was correct. Until that time, French Bulldogs were shown with either the "bat" or "rose" ear.

All in all, French Bulldogs truly are an International Breed, with fanciers of many nations being responsible for the creation of the loving dogs we know today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Bulldog

French Bulldog

Bulldog Francese

Breed Standard

OFA SUMMARY REPORTS FOR FRENCH BULLDOGS 

The OFA registries for hips, patellas, elbows, thyroids, and hearts have provided summaries of the French Bulldog data.  Here are the summaries of the findings on all Frenchies entered in each registry to date.  Note that these records do not all begin in the same year.

OFA HIP DYSPLASIA SUMMARY 

Since 1980, 205 Frenchies have been entered into OFA’s hip registry. 

Normal                        137 (66.8%)

            Excellent           2 (1%)

            Good               68 (33.2%)

            Fair                  67 (32.7%)

Borderline                  4 (2%)

Dysplastic                   64  (31.2%)

            Mild                 33 (16.1%)

            Moderate         21 (10.2%)

            Severe  10 (4.9%)

OFA PATELLA LUXATION SUMMARY

Since 1995, 258 Frenchies have been entered into OFA’s Patella Luxation registry 

Normal            249 (96.51%)

Abnormal        9 (3.49%)

OFA ELBOW SUMMARY

Since 1996, 82 Frenchies have been entered into OFA’s Elbow registry. 

Normal            80 (97.6%) 

Abnormal        2 (2.44%) 

            [NOTE:  both abnormals were Grade 1; there were no Grade 2 or Grade 3]

OFA THYROID SUMMARY 

Since 1995, 36 Frenchies have been entered into OFA’s Thyroid registry.

Normal            34 (94.4%)

Equivocal        2 (5.6%) 

            [NOTE:  none found “abnormal”]

OFA CARDIAC SUMMARY 

Since 1996, 167 Frenchies have been entered into OFA’s Cardiac registry.

 Normal            167 (100%)

French Bulldog

Breed Standard

  The French Bulldog first appeared in the United States in 1896 at the Westminster Kennel Club's show in New York.  He soon became known as "Frenchie," a name that stuck with him. He was a small to medium-size dog weighing under twenty-eight pounds with short hair and a muscular build. He was essentially a pocket-sized edition of the Bulldog, or English Bulldog as some people insist on calling them. However, his bat-like ears, held erect, his small size and his activeness set him apart from the Bulldog. He had a lively expression and a disposition described by some as roguish and fun loving . He's been referred to as "a clown in the cloak of a philosopher."

      In the late 1800's the Bulldog had long had a reputation for strength and tenacity, sterling qualities in those days of sail, which was appreciated by seafaring men the world over. So it is not surprising that French seamen engaged in cross channel trade took a shine to them. Some Bulldogs in the south of England were known to be smaller than usual. It is generally thought that seamen liked the small size dogs because they were easier to smuggle aboard ship and keep out of sight during the trip back to France. During the same period, lace workers in the south of England, displaced by machines in the industrial revolution, moved to France in large numbers to practice their trade and took their "toy Bulldogs" with them. Thus many small Bulldogs found their way across the channel as pets.

      In France, they became the dandies of "Ladies of the Night" and were quite popular in Paris, often being depicted in brothels by artist of that day. American tourist discovered the little French Bulldog and began bringing them home.

      In this country, in 1897, exhibitors, disappointed because an English judge picked a Frenchie with rose ears for his best of breed, called a meeting and formed the French Bull Dog Club of America (the first breed club for French Bulldogs in the world) and the next year adopted a standard which remains essentially unchanged today. So it was here in The United States that the Frenchies "bat ears" were standardized, their small size maintained by a weight limit and their mixture of colors preserved. Frenchies can be brindle (not black - some brown hair must show), fawn, cream, white or pied as long as the dark patches in the pied are not black.

      The French Bulldog's size and temperament make him ideal as a household pet. He readily adjusts to apartment life or to a large house. It is best, if possible, for him to have at least a small fenced yard to run and play in. He seldom barks but is alert to strange sounds. He is affectionate and likes to be near his humans and especially likes children. He is usually quiet and gentle but always ready to play. He is intelligent and quite trainable. And best of all, he needs no docking of tail or trimming of ears or other mutilation to satisfy human fads. We accept him and he accepts us just as we happen to be.

Harry V. Dunn, Jr.

 

Bulldog Angie