Where do French bulldogs come from?
If his name is French Bulldog, he must be from France, right? Well, maybe yes, maybe no. It seems that back in the 19th century in England, before the industrial revolution, women in lace factories (particularly in Nottingham) kept their laps warm with a small dog. Many of these dogs were small or Toy Bulldogs.
When jobs in the lace factories began to dry up, many of the displaced lacemakers emigrated to Normandy, where lacemakers were still in demand, taking their little bulldogs with them. These little dogs became popular with the ladies of Paris who worked in the pleasure industry. Apparently walking a small bulldog on a leash was a good way to attract customers.
The little bulldogs, with some helpful crossbreeding with local French dogs, were recognized as a separate breed and became very popular in France. Voila, the French Bulldog.
What do the French look like?
The Frenchie is a small dog that stands between 11 and 13 inches tall and weighs less than 28 pounds. One of their distinctive features is their upright bat ears. Another similar bulldog, the Boston Terrier, also has pricked ears. The English Bulldog’s ears, on the other hand, droop. The average English bulldog also weighs about twice as much as a French bulldog.
His hair is short and straight. The Frenchie does not shed profusely but enough that it is not a hypoallergenic dog. If you are allergic to dogs, you may not want a French Bulldog.
The Frenchie’s coat comes in various colors, the most common of which include brindle, cream, white and black. They usually come in a combination of these colors and also peep.
His tail is naturally short or almost non-existent. Their tail, what there is of it, a lot of it hangs up straight, they’re stocky or they look kind of screwed up and stocky.
Are French bulldogs aggressive?
Properly socialized, they are calm and affectionate. They are not normally aggressive if properly socialized. However, if they are mistreated or neglected, they can act against other dogs or animals. Like most dogs, they can also be trained to be aggressive. If a French Bulldog is aggressive, it is almost certainly the fault of a human.
They are expensive?
Being expensive, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. And, the amount of money you have in his wallet. Purebred dogs will be expensive for most of us. Expect to pay on average around $2,000 for a French Bulldog puppy. If you want a dog with an impressive pedigree, you may need to shell out $5,000 or more.
Are French Bulldogs Smart?
The Frenchie, Bulldog, and Boston Terrier are very popular dog breeds in the United States ranking 4th, 5th, and 21st respectively on the AKC’s 2019 Most Popular Dog Breeds list. Amazingly, the Labrador Retriever is still the most popular dog in the US and has been at the top of the list for 29 years!
Are they good with children?
They are very good with children as long as the child treats them with kindness and respect. Frenchies are small dogs but they are not fragile. They may enjoy intense play but not abuse.
Frenchies were bred to be companion dogs, so they need human company and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. Your Frenchie will want to be where you are, especially if that means snuggling up on the couch.
Are they good watchdogs?
Frenchies don’t bark much compared to other small dog breeds, but they will let you know when they spot a stranger like the UPS delivery guy. They can become territorial and protective, but they are not aggressive, so don’t expect them to attack bad guys.
French bulldogs are popular with celebrities
It has become one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and is now ranked #4 by the AKC. Famous people who own or have owned Frenchies include Lady Gaga, Martha Stewart, Eva Longoria, Hugh Jackman, Reese Witherspoon, and many others.
Find out more about French bulldogs
For more information on the French Bulldog, visit the American Kennel Club and the French Bulldog Club of America websites.
