History & Overview

The French Bulldog first emerged in France in the mid – to late 19th century. The breeding of the minuscule Toy Bulldog (averaging 8 pounds) and the English Bulldog (which can vary in size, but is usually around 50 pounds) produced the medium-sized French Bulldog.

Character

French Bulldogs tend to display a warm, friendly demeanor to most people that they encounter, although they do tend to be especially affectionate toward their master. They make excellent therapy dogs and are perfect companions to children and elderly people. They do not drool and shed very little. He is very sensitive to heat, so special care should be taken not to overexert the dog in warmer temperatures and always provide enough fresh water and shade.

Appearance

The French Bulldog has a slightly smaller, less boxy head than does their English counterpart and is easily recognized by his “Bat” ears. Though small in size, he is far from being fragile compared to other small breeds

At A Glance

Other Names:

Frenchie

Country of Origin:

France

Utilization:

Companion, watchdog, pleasure dog

Classifications:

FCI Classification: Group 9: Companion & Toy Breeds; Section 11: Small Molossian Dogs. Without working trial
AKC Classification: Non-Sporting Group

Size:

Small (12 inches at shoulders)

Colors:

Uniformly fawn, brindled or not, or with limited patching (pied). Fawn brindled or not, with medium or predominant patching. All the fawn shades are admitted, from the red to light brown (café au lait) colour. The entirely white dogs are classified in “brindled fawn with predominant white patching.”

Litter Size:

4

Life Span:

10 – 12 years

Grooming Requirements:

Needs only a quick weekly brushing to remove dead hair.

Shedding:

Little

Personality:

Sociable, lively, playful, sporty, keen. Particularly affectionate towards his masters and the children.

Social skills:

Gets along with other small animals.

Suitability for Children:

Excellent companions to children. They will even tolerate children under 4 if properly socialized at an early age.

Exercise Needs:

A 20 minute walk or a short run in the yard. Caution should be taken in hot weather as it may cause breathing problems.

Train Ability:

Easy to train but can be slow to housebreak.

Health & Behavioral Issues:

• Breathing and heart problems
• Skin allergies
• Obesity