Other names/Nickname:
- Bouledogue Francais
- Frenchie
Country/Date of origin:
- France
- 1800′s
Height:
- 12 inches
Weight:
- Up to 28 pounds
- An average would be 18 pounds
Personality:
- A perfect little companion.
- Although the Frenchie tends to be a one-person dog, it is cordial to all.
- Always ready to play.
- Sweet-tempered and dependably cheerful.
- Quiet. Bark little as a rule.
History:
The history of the Gallic Bulldog is entwined with that of the English Bulldog. There is considerable debate about whether the dog was a miniature version of the English Bulldog and was shipped off to France as an undesirable, or was developed on the European Continent and later brought to England. At any rate, the Frenchie is without doubt a miniature version of its stouter Anglo Saxon cousin. There are two rather significant differences beyond the obvious size one. The Frenchie’s wide-set, bat ears are unique to it, and its skull is flat between the ears and domed as it comes down toward the nose. In the larger Bulldog the ears are held in the tightly-curled, rose position and the skull must show no signs of a bulging dome. The Frenchie was traditionally a woman’s pet. It was shown in the United States in 1898 in the ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, the first time a dog show had been held in any place so grand. It caused quite a sensation.
Body Type:
- In appearance, a miniature Bulldog with erect ears.
- The head is very big and the body wedge shaped, wide at the front and tapering to the rear.
- The naturally-short tail is set low and can be either straight or screwed, but not curly.
- The ears are erect and have a distinctive, batlike shape. These identifying hallmarks of the breed are not altered.
Coat:
- Short, fine coat that lies close to the body.
- Permissible colors include all brindles, solid colors (with the exception of liver), mouse, or black.
- The acceptable colors may or may not be combined with white.
- Minimal grooming required.
Health and Wellness:
- Brachycephalic airway syndrome.
- Cleft lip and palate.
- Pyloric stenosis.
- Hemivertebrae.
- Dystocia.
- Atopy.
- Follicular dysplasia.
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).
What you should know:
- A breed on the comeback trail. Once, one of the most popular dogs in America, the Frenchie was out of favor for many years. Today, its registrations are on the rise again, and deservedly so.
- This is an excellent pet for an apartment dweller.
