The French Bulldog Information Page

Are Frenchies Noisy?

Actually, some owners tell of having owned Frenchies for as long as six months without ever having heard them bark! In general, though, most Frenchies as sensible barkers, doing so only if they feel that there is something worth really getting excited about.

How are they With Kids?

Whenever we are asked "How are Frenchies with children?" we like to reply "How your children with are dogs?" As with most dogs, Frenchies will play and rough house happily with older children who have been carefully introduced and taught to respect a dogs limitations. Smaller children must be carefully taught to never pick a Frenchie up, as they are a head heavy breed that is easy to drop. Some owners believe that Frenchies may play too vigorously for the average child under 2 years, but there is always the exception to the rule. As with your children, it is the way your Frenchie has been taught that will be the deciding factor.

How Much Do They Cost?

Well, quite frankly, a lot. French Bulldogs tend to be rather expensive, for a number of reasons. They are generally able to deliver only by Caesarean, have very low litter sizes. All of this tends to keep their prices rather high. Please ensure that if you find one that seems to be a bargain that it wasn't by virtue of their care being skimped on.

Do They Drool?

No! They are French, and as such would never be caught dead doing anything as uncouth as drooling - they leave that to their British Bulldog cousins!

Is A Frenchie Right For Me?

While French Bulldogs may not have the easily trained disposition of Border Collies, they are easily trained to basic obedience commands, and quite a few have competed successfully in the obedience ring, even earning Good Citizens awards . Frenchies, with their gentle nature and love of attention, make excellent therapy dogs but are not the breed to choose, however, if you are seeking a vigorous jogging companion or highly athletic dog. Their joints were not made to take the stress of constant pounding, and their impaired breathing can make heavy activity life threatening in extreme weather conditions. If there was ever a couch potato Olympics, on the other hand, I am quite sure that most of the Gold Medal Winners would be French Bulldogs. If you enjoy leisurely walks , long drives or pleasant outings to the park then a Frenchie just may be the dog for you!

The Truth about.....The French Bulldog

There’s a few reasons for.................

His size, personality, and appearance make him the ideal pet.

He is adaptable, happy in most environments, city, flat or country estates, so long as he has human companionship.

He seldom barks.

He keeps out of trouble and does not generally interfere with other dogs or other people,

He is rarely destructive.

He is happy with sensible, well behaved children, and enjoys their company.

He is unsurpassable as an adult’s companion, reading ones every mood and need and responding accordingly.

He is extremely intelligent and quick to learn.

Generally of a gentle personality, he responds to encouragement to play, and can play   by himself or with his owner. He is amusing.

 He has a short, smooth coat, and does not shed over much.

 He is distinctive; his bat ears make him a noticeable individual.

 He does not need docking, nor dew claw removal, nor clipping and trimming - he is easy to groom.

And against.............

He is totally dependant on human companionship, should not be left alone for long period of time or will, like other breeds, very destructive.  He is unsuitable for families, where all members are at work all day.

He does not take kindly to kennel life, and if used to being a house pet can pine and became ill if placed in boarding kennels.

He can suffer from flatulence !

His facial wrinkles, creases round his tail and his ears need to be kept clean at all times.

He needs some regular exercise, although he suffers in the heat and cannot be considered a ”Joggers Dog”. If you kept fit he enjoys long rambling walks on a regular basis.

Being left in a car on a hot day can kill most dogs, especially Bull breeds, very quickly. Frenchies hate to be left; panic and heat are a lethal mix.

He hates being cold too!

Without regular and caring human attention he will be a boring and bored little person; his disposition makes him the ideal pet for and ideal owner. Think very carefully before you have the French bulldog, they are addictive, but a change of home as an adult may break his heart.

The Breed Standard

French Bulldog

General Appearance Sturdy, compact, solid, small dog with good bone, short, smooth coat. No point exaggerated, balance essential.

Characteristics Full of courage, yet with clown-like qualities. Bat cars and short undocked tail essential features of the breed.

Temperament Vivacious, deeply affectionate, intelligent.

Head and Skull Head square, large and broad but in proportion to dog's size. Skull nearly flat between ears, domed forehead, loose skin forming symmetrical wrinkles. Muzzle broad, deep and set well back, muscles of cheeks well developed; nose and lips black. Stop well defined. Lower jaw deep, square, broad, slightly undershot and well turned up. Nose extremely short, black and wide, with open nostrils and line between well defined. Lips thick, meeting each other in centre, completely hiding teeth. Upper lip covers lower on each side with plenty of cushion, never so exaggerated as to hang too much below level of lower jaw.

 Eyes  Preferably dark and matching. Moderate size, round, neither sunken nor prominent, showing no white when looking straight forward; set wide apart and low down in skull.

 Ears 'Bat ears', of medium size, wide at base, rounded at top; set high, carried upright and parallel, a sufficient width of skull preventing them being too close together; skin soft and fine, orifice as seen from the front, showing entirely.

Mouth Slightly undershot. Teeth sound and regular, but not visible when the mouth is closed. Tongue must not protrude.

Neck Powerful, with loose skin at throat, but not exaggerated. Well arched and thick, but not too short.

Forequarters Legs set wide apart, straight boned, strong, muscular and short.

Body Short, cobby, muscular and well rounded with deep wide brisket; roach back; strong; wide at shoulders and narrowing at loins; good 'cut up', ribs well sprung.

Hindquarters Legs strong, muscular and longer than forelegs thus raising loins above shoulders. Hocks well let down.

Feet Small, compact and placed in continuation of line of leg, with absolutely sound pasterns. Hind feet rather longer than the fore-feet. Toes compact; well knuckled; nails short, thick and preferably black.

Tail Undocked, very short, set low, thick at root, tapering quickly towards tip, either straight or kinked, never curling over back nor carried gaily.  Gait/Movement Free and flowing.

Coat Texture fine, smooth, lustrous, short and close.

Colour Brindle, pied or fawn. Tan, mouse and grey/blue highly undesirable. Brindle: a mixture of black and coloured hairs. May contain white provided brindle predominates.

Pied: white predominates over brindle. Whites are classified with pieds for show purposes; but their eyelashes and eye rims should be black. In pieds the white should be clear with definite brindle patches and no ticking or black spots.

Fawn: may contain brindle hairs but must have black eye lashes and eye rims.

Size Ideal weight: dogs: 12.7 kgs (28 Ibs); bitches: 10.9 kgs (24 Ibs). Soundness not to be sacrificed to smallness.

 Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.  

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.