AKC MEET THE BREEDS®: French Bulldog
Often described as "a clown in the cloak of a philosopher," the French Bulldog originated as, and continues to be used as a companion dog.
The breed is small and muscular with heavy bone structure, a smooth coat, a short face and trademark "bat" ears. Prized for their
affectionate natures and even dispositions, they are generally active and alert, but not unduly boisterous. Frenchies can be brindle,
fawn, white, and brindle and white.
A Look Back
Lacemakers in 19th Century Nottingham, England selectively bred the early bulldog for a downsized or "toy" bulldog, for use as a lap pet.
When the Industrial Revolution displaced some lacemakers to France, they took the dogs with them, and soon the "toy" bulldogs became
popular in France, where wealthy Americans doing the Grand Tour saw and fell in love with them. In the late 1800s these "toy bulldogs"
became known as French Bulldogs.
Right Breed for You?
Frenchies are indoor dogs, but require air conditioning in warm weather. While good at alerting their owners to danger
(Look! The UPS Guy is coming!), their main role is that of lap warmer. The Frenchie requires minimal exercise and grooming.
French Bulldog Breed Standard
Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance
The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, and of
medium or small structure. Expression alert, curious, and interested. Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws is considered
mutilation and is a disqualification. Proportion and Symmetry--All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the
other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned.
Influence of Sex--In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do not bear the
characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the dogs. Size, Proportion, Substance Weight not to exceed 28 pounds;
over 28 pounds is a disqualification. Proportion--Distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset
of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion. Substance--Muscular, heavy bone.
Head
Head large and square. Eyes dark in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form,
of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In lighter colored dogs, lighter colored eyes are acceptable. No haw and no white of
the eye showing when looking forward. Ears Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head
but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat
ears is a disqualification. The top of the skull flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle
broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The top well defined, causing a hollow groove between the
eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose; nostrils broad with a well defined line between them.
Nose black. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of the lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored
nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the underlip
in front and covering the teeth, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and
well turned up.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders;
strong and short, broad at the shoulders and narrowing at the loins. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and
full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and
fine tip; carried low in repose.
Forequarters
Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are moderate in size, compact and
firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down.
Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet
slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat
Coat is moderately fine, brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles.
Color
Acceptable colors - All brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white, and any color except those which constitute disqualification.
All colors are acceptable with the exception of solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black,
which are disqualifications. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Gait
Correct gait is double tracking with reach and drive; the action is unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Temperament
Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and
playful, but not unduly boisterous.
Disqualifications
Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws.
Over 28 pounds in weight.
Other than bat ears.
Nose other than black, except in the case of lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.
Solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Approved June 10, 1991
Effective July 31, 1991
The preceding information is directly from the AKC website: http://www.akc.org/breeds/french_bulldog/index.cfm