French Bulldog

Experts have debated, and continue to debate, the origins of this breed. A small English Bulldog, perhaps one as small as a toy, may be one of the ancestors, but there were probably several different breeds in France that were crossed with the Bulldogs in the late 1800s.

One of the distinguishing features of the breed today is the upright bat ears; Early American breeders can be established with crediting this feature. European dogs of this time period had the rose ears of the English Bulldogs.

The French Bulldog stands 10 to 12 inches tall and generally weighs between 16 to 28 pounds. The head is large and square, with a domed forehead.

The muzzle is very short. The eyes are large and dark; the bat ears are large and upright. The body is muscular and heavy-boned. The tail is straight on screwed. The coat of the French Bulldog is short and smooth; many colors are acceptable, but brindle and white or brindle and fawn are the most common.

This breed's coat should be brushed twice weekly. The wrinkles on the face should be cleaned daily. Frenchies are relatively low-activity dogs, although they do like to play and enjoy long walks. Their short muzzles make them prone to breathing difficulties, though, so exercises should be avoided during hot, humid weather.

Training should begin early. Although Frenchies are companion dogs, they can also have a mind of their own. The French Bull Dog club of America says, "Although cute and cuddly-looking, a French Bulldog has a big personality and needs an adequate amount of training to make it a civilized companion." House training can sometimes be a challenge.

This breed makes an excellent companion for a sedentary person who is home quite a bit. Although this breed can be good with children, they prefer adults to active kids. Unfortunately, as a brachycephalic (short-muzzled) and dwarf breed, French Bulldogs do have some health concerns, including breathing problems, back disorders, and difficulties with anesthesia.

Registries: AKC, CKC,UKC

Occupation: Companion

Size: 10 to 12 inches tall; 16 to 28 pounds

Longevity: 12 to 14 years

Exercise: Low activity level

Training: Challenge to house train

Grooming: Easy

To learn more about French Bulldogs and other dog breeds you can visit the all breed website and forum at http://www.PetPedigreeDatabase.com/

Patryk Janiszewski