What are French bulldogs bred for?
French bulldogs, Frenchies, or frog dogs, whatever you call them out of love, were bred to be friendly, happy companions of humans. And they are very good at that.
You’ll find your lovely furries in movies, on TV, on social media, and especially in their owner’s lap. These lap warmers are miniature domestic toys. They look more like their descents, English Bullies, but can be more affectionate and playful.
A Sneak- Peek to French Bulldog’s History:
Frenchies have a fascinating history. From the time they were discovered till this day, one thing that never changed is their popularity as a family dog.
How did they make their way to France?
Let’s date back to the mid-1800s. A cute dog breed was receiving massive hype in English cities, especially, in Nottingham – the center for lace making. Not surprisingly, that lovely breed was toy-sized bulldogs.
They were serving their owners as ratters.
The arrival of Industrial Revolution in England brought serious threats to the cottage industry. Resultantly, those working in the endangered domains relocated themselves to France. Of course, they brought their ratters along.
Later on, the newly came, toy-bulldogs were crossed with another breed – English bulldogs. Voila! France discovered a delightful new breed, Bouledogue Français. Fun-sized, bat-eared, and endearing!
Interesting Reputation:
The 19th century was the era of French Bulldogs. They started gaining fandom, and soon they started getting recognized as a high-class city dog breed.
Frenchies made their way to Paris café life, Parisian dance halls, and into the lives of ladies of the elite class. The Frenchies were the darlings of fancy ladies of France.
Their followership doesn’t end there, renowned French artists Edgar Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec have also depicted them in their paintings.
The fame of the French bullies skyrocketed across Europe and America by the end of the 19th century.
Recognition by the AKC:
Wealthy American ladies started importing Frenchies to the US. They were bred there too, and in no time, they became the best-loved breed of American’s upper society.
In 1896, they were first exhibited in the Westminster dog show, and the following year they were featured on the cover of Westminster Kennel Club’s catalog. At that time, the French bulldogs were not even AKC sanctioned.
In the early years of their discovery, there were two types of French bulldogs; bat-eared and rose-eared. The English breeders preferred rose-eared dogs. On the other hand, the Americans liked the bat-eared breed.
The American Kennel Club officially approved Frenchies to be an authorized breed in 1989, but the standard Americans drew to be a French bulldog were their bat ears.
French Bulldogs’ Appearance:
They are mini English bullies, but with a funnier attitude. They are muscular, heavy-boned, and compact. Small in build, but broad at shoulders!
The unique features setting them apart from other bulldogs are their bat-ears. Their stocky size and different shape really add to their expression.
They are 11-12” tall. A male Frenchie may weigh 20 to 28 pounds, while a female Frenchie will generally weigh 18 to 24 pounds.
Frenchies have a smooth short coat, square head – half flat and half domed, and wrinkled skin. The AKC suggests white, cream, fawn, and brindle to be the standard shades of Frenchies.
French Bulldogs’ Temperament:
Normally, French bulldogs are an affable breed can keep you entertained all day. They get along with people, children, and other pets well.
Due to their mild nature, they make great apartment dogs. Frenchies are talkative. They talk in their special expressions. And guess what?
Sometimes they even sing along with you. Cute, right?
They are happy in a small space and don’t need much exercise. You can take them daily for walks to manage their weight and make sure they get some of their energy out.
French bulldogs are much more likely to be a sensitive breed. If you scold them, they mind. They take criticism at heart, and they express it by moping around.
French Bullies respond better to positive reinforcement with lots of food rewards, encouragement, and play. If they are not well-trained or socialized, they can show you their stubborn streak.
In Conclusion:
French bulldogs are a cherished pet of many dog fanciers. The sole purpose of breeding them was to enjoy their companionship, and that’s what they do the best.
You’ll come across many Frenchie owners claiming their furry as the best fellow. Believe me! None of them are wrong.
Have a great time with your little French fella!
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