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French Bulldog

Also known as Bouledogue Fran�ais, Frenchie, Frogdog

General Temperament

Bred strictly as a companion pet, the French Bulldog is sweet, lovable and possesses a great sense of humor.

They are curious and comical and love to play. Their affection for their human owners is unending, often bonding

strongly to one person in particular. They will thrive with companionship, and will be extremely unhappy

without it. Jovial, affectionate and even-tempered, most will get along with just about anyone.

Although they enjoy human company, a Frenchie will function best with older or well-behaved children who

will not tease the dog. They will happily play with other dogs, friend or stranger alike, although the

occasional male may be dog-aggressive. They get along well with most other household animals.

French Bulldogs can be a bit willful but can be well trained by a patient and consistent trainer who does

not use overly harsh tones or physical punishment.

The French Bulldog is ideal for apartment life as it does not need an excessive amount of exercise. They are

particularly prone to heat stroke and will be happiest in a milder climate. Be sure not to overexert

the dog in hot temperatures.

Breed History

The most commonly accepted theory of the evolution of the French Bulldog is that it was bred from small

(or toy) English Bulldogs by people who wanted a non-fighting version of the breed. These small Bulldogs

were taken to France in large numbers in the second half of the 19th century by English artisans,

particularly lace makers, looking to preserve their craft in the wake of the Industrial Revolution.

The breed became immensely popular in Parisian society, and two versions were established: one with

rose-shaped ears and the other with larger ears. The larger bat-like ears eventually won out in America,

leading to the modern French Bulldog that we see today.

The French Bulldog became immensely popular in the Northeastern United States around the beginning

of the 20th century, but it�s popularity began to decline dramatically at the start of World War I.

The French Bulldog Club of America sites many possible reasons for this. First of all, general interest

in pure breeds declined after the Great Depression; regardless, a new snub-nosed toy breed called the

Boston Terrier was becoming all the rage. Additionally, female French Bulldogs often encountered difficulty

delivering puppies with such large heads (safe Caesarian Sections would not be instituted for many

years to come). Overall economic growth, coupled with the advent of safer veterinary practices, lead to a

resurgence in the breed�s popularity in the 1980�s.

Body Structure and Composition

The most distinctive feature of the French Bulldog are it�s bat-like ears, which sit on the corners of a level

skull (though the forehead is slightly arched). A short muzzle, reminiscent of it�s most likely ancestor,

the English Bulldog, is wrinkled with the flews (upper lips) hanging over the lower jaw. They also share

the characteristic Bulldog underbite. It is a well-proportioned breed, approximately as long as it is tall.

The neck is thick and the skin is loose on the throat. The Frenchie�s topline is slightly higher at the

hindquarters than at the shoulder, due to it�s slightly longer back legs. The chest is deep, and it�s tail

is straight or slightly screwed and hung low.

Medical Information

As a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breed, the French Bulldog can be prone to breathing problems, as their airways

are more compressed than non-brachycephalic breeds. Subsequently breathing problems are possible in all French

Bulldog, although they occur particularly in individuals who are overweight. They are also very sensitive to

warm temperatures, and it is important to keep the dog mainly indoors during hot summer months. They routinely

wheeze and snore, and some may drool.

In addition to being brachycephalic, French Bulldogs are also chondrodystrophic, meaning that they suffer from

dwarfism. This condition results in a shortening of the vertebrae as well as the long bones of the limbs.

This can cause vertebral malformations or premature degeneration of the intervertebral discs, conditions that

become more pronounced in individuals with shorter backs. Also, with the shorter spine comes decreased lung

capacity, putting additional strain on an already debilitated respiratory system. The dog�s gait can be affected

if the long bones of the forelegs are more affected by the dwarfism than the hind legs, causing the hid legs

to overtake the forelegs when the dog trots. When choosing a French Bulldog puppy, look for parents with relatively

longer backs and well-proportioned front and back legs.

Some French Bulldog lines are susceptible to various eye conditions. Glaucoma, corneal ulcers, juvenile cataracts,

and Entropion (inward-turning eyelids) have all been known to plague this breed. Another condition called

Cherry Eye is known to occur, although is more common in the Bulldog and the Pug (this occurs when the gland

of the third eyelid - known as the nictitating membrane - prolapses and becomes visible as a red mass on the

inner corner of the eye).

The short and smooth coat of a French Bulldog is easy to care for - occasional brushing is all that is needed.

Anecdotal Information

The French Bulldog has enjoyed a dramatic increase in popularity in the last 30 years. According to the French

Bulldog Club of America, registrations have grown from 170 in 1980 to over 5,500 in 2006. During the same

period, the breed climbed the American Kennel Club�s registration list, from #76 in 1997 to #34 in 2007.

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Boston Terrier Breed Profile

Possessing great intelligence and energy, this brachyacephalic breed loves to play as well as cuddle.

The Boston Terrier is an American-bred dog originating in Boston, Massachusetts in 1865.

Bloodlines can be traced back to English Bulldogs and the, now extinct, English Terriers.

This is the same cross that also produced the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier,

American Pit Bull Terrier, and Bull Terrier breeds. Originally bred for fighting, the beginnings of the

breed were born to a male Bull-Terrier mix named Hooper�s Judge, owned by Robert C. Hooper, and another

female Bull-Terrier mix named Burnett�s Gyp, called Kate.

To develop a smaller breed of Bulldog for pet and ratting purposes, their offspring was bred to the smaller French Bulldog.

By 1891, breeders were producing puppies consistent to form with aggressive tendencies fading.

Originally called Round Heads, and sometimes referred to as Boston Bulldogs,

the breed name was changed to Boston Terrier and gained registry into the American Kennel Club in 1893.

Nicknamed the American Gentleman, since their markings sometimes resemble a tuxedo, Boston Terriers also

typically have a gentle disposition with humans and other pets, though they can occasionally get a bit scrappy

with other dogs. Standing 10 to 16 inches tall and ranging in weight from 12 to 25 pounds, these dogs are

stocky and sturdy, exhibiting power as well as grace. Their short coat, which can be black and white,

brown and white, or brindle and white, sheds very little and requires minimal grooming. Infrequent baths,

with a towel rubdown in between, is all that is needed for these dogs.

They are sometimes considered �hypoallergenic� and are well tolerated by people with allergies.

A solid white coat in a Boston Terrier usually indicates genetic weakness.

Possessing great intelligence and energy, Boston Terriers love to play as well as cuddle and make good family pets

and therapy dogs. For trainers who are patient with their occasional stubborn streak,

they also perform well in obedience and in agility. Though quite friendly and sociable, this breed�s alertness

and sharp barks serve them well as watch dogs.

As with any breed, Bostons are predisposed to certain diseases. Cushings disease, thyroid disease, unilateral or

bilateral deafness, intestinal problems, heart problems, skin diseases, neurological diseases, skeletal problems,

urinary tract abnormalities and eye problems including cataracts are not uncommon in these dogs.

However, Boston Terrier guardians can expect their dog to live for 12 to 15 years.

Boston Terriers are quite popular in the United States and always rank high in the AKC registry.

Former President Warren G. Harding, as well as Helen Keller, once owned a Boston Terrier.

These affectionate animals love being with their family and do best as inside companion dogs.

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