8 Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About French Bulldogs
1. Top Dog Coast-to-Coast
Frenchie fans will applaud this fact: The French bulldog is one of America’s most popular dog breeds. Oui! According to the American Kennel Club, the breed is ranked the 6th most popular dog in 2016; however, the most interesting morsel of data is how diverse the demand is for this breed coast to coast.
Major U.S. cities in different regions consider the French bulldog their top choice, including: NYC (the No.1 most popular dog); Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami (No. 2); Chicago (No. 3); Atlanta and Washington DC (No. 4); and Boston, Denver, Seattle and West Palm Beach (No. 5).
2. Follow the Yellow Brick Road…or Not
If you’ve seen “The Wizard of Oz” you know that Toto — a seriously cute Cairn terrier named Terry who was paid more than most of the actors in the film — plays a significant role. However, Frank L. Baum’s “Oz” series of children’s books featured Toto as a French bulldog, not a Cairn terrier. “Oz” illustrator R.A. Neill supposedly owned a French bulldog named Quinn and may have paid homage to his favorite breed in the book series. It is also rumored that a French bulldog was originally cast in the film but his unwillingness to take direction lead to the recasting of the Cairn terrier.
3. The Industrial Revolution Played Important Role with the Breed
The French Bulldog originated when English Bulldogs were bred with Pugs and Terriers after bull-baiting was banned in England in 1835. The smaller breed became a favorite companion for the Nottingham lace workers as the small Bulldogs loved to sit on laps and kept the workers warm. When lace-working became mechanized in England during the Industrial Revolution, many of those lace workers moved to France. The small Bulldog with bat-like ears became popular with the French, especially the society ladies. The breed then became known as the Bouledogue Francais and later the French Bulldog or Frenchie.
4. Lovable Lap Dogs
Frenchies love to spend time on their owner’s lap, a common trait traced back to their ancestors that lived with the lace workers in England. While they’re content to lounge around, the French Bulldog also will enjoy a daily walk and a bit of play time. However, because they are brachycephalic like English Bulldogs, it’s best to avoid over-exerting the smaller breed on hot or humid days. The AKC cautions, “Keep your French Bulldog cool in warm weather, and avoid strenuous exercise.”
Things To Keep in Mind If You Plan to Train Your Bulldog
5. Water Danger
All dogs can swim, right? In the French bulldog’s case, take caution when near water. Due to their short-snout respiratory issues and skinny, short legs, they are at higher risk of drowning. This doesn’t mean that some French bulldogs take exception to this advice: according to one surviving passenger of the Titanic, a French bulldog was spotted swimming in the ocean after the luxury liner sank. Make sure your French bulldog has experience swimming — or wears a life vest —before spending the day at the beach.
6. Do I Look French?
Would it surprise you to learn that “Frenchies” are actually not from France? This charming breed can trace its roots back to ancient Greece, specifically to a dog belonging to the Molossian tribe, which was then bred into what is now known as the mastiff (are you beginning to see a resemblance now?). An off-shoot of that breed, the Bullenbeisser, became the “bulldog,” predominantly used to bait bulls in England during the early 1800s. When bull baiting became outlawed, the dogs became domesticated, and were eventually cross-bred with other breeds such as terriers and the pug to create a smaller dog breed. It was during this point in time when some of these dogs were taken to France with lace workers displaced by the industrial revolution and then bred by enthusiasts. Voila! The “Bouledogue Francais” was born!
7. Famous French Bulldog Owners
Today’s celebrities have a passion for the French Bulldog. Fans can find pictures and online videos of favorite actors, performers, athletes, and artists hanging out, traveling, and doting on their Frenchie. Some famous French Bulldog owners and their pups include, but are not limited to, David Beckham and Scarlet, Reese Witherspoon and Pepper, Madonna and Gypsy Rosa, Hugh Jackman and Dali, as well as the late Carrie Fisher and her French Bulldog Gary.
8. Nine Standard Colors
There are nine standard colors of the French Bulldog officially recognized by the AKC, breeders, judges, and clubs. These are: brindle, brindle and white, cream, fawn, fawn and white, fawn brindle, white, white and brindle, plus white and fawn. “Ticked” is considered the standard marking of a French Bulldog, as listed by the AKC.
