After having been forgotten for many decades, the French Bulldog is back in everybody’s heart, thanks to its original look and its endearing character.
The French Bulldog would be the descendent from the antique Tibetan or Asian Mastiff. This dog later gave birth to the Macedonia mastiff, which the Phoenician merchants exported through the entire Europe. When it arrived in England, it was crossed with native terriers, and its size decreased along the centuries. Although the breed experts’ opinion are numerous, it is generally admitted that this dog is the results of three crosses: the English Bulldog, which gave it its mollossoid type, the Terrier, which gave it its straight ears, and the pug, for its round and slightly prominent eyes.
In the middle of the 19th century, a small dog arrived in Paris from Great Britain, and this small dog had characteristics very close to these of the modern French Bulldog. It immediately became a favourite of the Parisian popular neighbourhoods. The butchers adopted it very quickly too, as it was very skilful to rid their shops and the abattoirs from the vermin. The merchants and women from the society used it too as a guard dog despise its small size, as it was fast and strong. It also charmed the coachmen by accompanying them in their rides. And then the way was open for the French Bulldog’s career. At the end of the century, all the artists from the French capital wanted to have one. The “Boule” seduced Chaliapine, Mistinguett, Colette, Caruso, Joséphine Baker. And even the European crowned heads were touched by its mischievous eyes. You could then see it on King Edward VII’ lap, or in one of Nicolas II’s dachas.
In France, the first breed club was created in 1880. the breed was officially recognised in 1898, with the redaction of the first official standard. The two World Wars greatly reduced the number of dogs, and the breed slowly fell into oblivion. Its revival dates back to the end of the 1980’s. In the last 10 years, the number of registrations in France has boomed, with 486 puppies in 1991, to 1600 in 2000.
The French Bulldog must convey an impression of power and dynamism at first sight. Its compact and muscular body evokes the mastiffs, but at a miniature level. Its head is strong, wide and square, the folds of its head are symmetrical and not too numerous. Its ears, which make it so easily recognisable, are carried straight and erect. They are wide at the base and rounded at the tip.Most of colours are authorised. Bringed, and white and bringed, are especially appreciated. Fawn is rare, and this colour was authorised only in 1994. its short, thick, glossy hair is soft. Of course, its tail is small, and wide at the base and tapers towards the end.
The french Bulldog is a lively and playful dog, and its only vocation is to be the companion of its owner and to all his/her family. It doesn’t take much to make it happy: to put its nose inside of a bin full of paper will be as much fun as its owners trying to catch it in the yard. The French bulldog has lost all the aggressiveness it could have had when it was used as a mice hunters in La Villette or Pantin’s abattoirs. Its is now a very pleasant dog, with a docile character. It adapts perfectly to its owners, whether they are a young dynamic couple or elderly, quiet people. However, it doesn’t stand very well to be left alone all day long. It always wants to be near its owners, and it can stay quiet when it feels that this is working and silence time. Although it doesn’t bark a lot, it can warn of any foreign presence without truning into a terrifying Cerberus.
This dog does not stand very well long efforts. It rather likes quiet walks. If you are a sportsman, you should choose a sport, which fits it, like agility for instance. It is a very sociable dog, and enjoys greatly the presence of other French Bulldogs or animals. The French Bulldog is rustic and robust. Robust, because it generally is very healthy, and suffers from no specific disease. Rustic, because its life expectancy goes from 9 to 12 years, and this is an age superior to the average Molossians’ life expectancy.Like all the short faces, it doesn’t stand heat, and it must never be left alone in a car. If you are walking next to a lake or pool, be careful because it is not a very good swimmer. Indeed, because of its short legs, it can kep its head above the water.
Attention toutefois, comme toutes les " faces courtes ", il supporte difficilement les fortes chaleurs et ne doit jamais être laissé seul dans une voiture. Pensez à le surveiller au bord d’un étang ou d’une piscine car il ne nage pas avec aisance et peut couler : ses pattes trop petites et trop éloignées pour brasser assez d’eau ne lui permettent pas de maintenir sa tête hors de l’eau.
With its short and thick hair, you’ll only have to brush your dog once a week, using a rubber glove, to make it look beautiful and glossy. The folds of its eyes and face will require more attention: they’ll have to regularly cleaned with hot water. When it is really dirty, after a walk in the park or a bath in the mud, there is no harm in bathing him, always with a special shampoo.
Its fame has increased the number of so called breeders, who are merely attracted by money and fashion. Yet, the French bulldog is breed quite difficult to breed. The litters are generally small, and most of births take place through a caesarean. When you go to a serious breeder, you are able to see the mother and its puppies, their socialisation, while visiting the facilities. This is definitely the best way to choose a balanced and healthy puppy.
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