The adorable French Bulldog resembles the larger English bulldog in miniature, except for the large, erect “bat ears” that are the breed’s trademark feature. Their head is large and square, with heavy wrinkles rolled above the extremely short nose. The body beneath the smooth, brilliant coat is quite compact and muscular.
Bright and affectionate, a Frenchie is also quite the charmer. Dogs of few words, Frenchies don’t bark much – but their alertness makes them excellent watchdogs. They easily adapt to life with singles, couples, or families, and do not need a lot of outdoor exercise. They get along very well with other animals and enjoy making new human friends as well. It is no wonder that people fall in love with this amusing and companionable breed.
Affectionately known as “Frenchies” they are bred primarily as pets. Frenchies are remarkably intelligent and can actually serve as watchdogs as well…
The breed was developed in the mid-1800s when a small-sized Bulldog found favor in some English cities. This was at the height of the Industrial Revolution in England. The lace-making industry was among the “cottage industries” that were increasingly threatened. Many in the industry relocated to Northern France and brought along their toy Bulldogs who had become somewhat of a mascot for lacemakers and the little dogs became quite popular in the countryside.
Over a span of several decades, the toy Bulldogs were crossed with other breeds. Probably terriers and Pugs along with other breeds. Along the way developing their now-famous bat ears and were given the name Bouledouge Francais.
Paris eventually discovered the breed and before long was associated with Paris cafe life and Parisian dancehalls. By the end of the 20th century, The Frenchie’s popularity had spread across Europe and to America. The breed was a tough sell in England where the English Bulldog was a national symbol and many Englishmen were insulted that their long-time rivals, the French were trying to change the breed into something else.
American devotees in the early 19th century contributed to the breed by their insistence that the bat ear and not the “rose ear”, a strain that had persisted for a while, was the correct Frenchie type. This feature is what makes the Frenchie instantly recognizable the world over.
