French Bulldog

French Bulldogs are one of many companion dog breeds. They are small in size and are popularly known as clowns or frog dogs. According to the name, the country of origin is France, but American and British contributions to the creation of the breed cannot be ruled out. One theory is that the original dogs were created in England as miniature variations of English Bulldogs. In around 1860, these dogs were imported into France and cross bred with French Terrier dogs. These dogs quickly became very popular with the French people and this led to their naming. When these dogs were initially exhibited in England as French Bulldogs, there was some protest because the English still considered this breed to be their own, and the Bulldog had always traditionally represented England.

These small and sturdy dogs have bat-like ears that are quite large compared to the rest of its skull. These ears are usually held erect and have rounded edges. The muzzle is powerful and the nose resembles that of a pug. The head is square but much smaller than the massive skull of the English Bulldog. The forehead is well rounded. The ideal shape for these dogs is a pear shape and the shoulders are expected to be wider than the hind part of the body. The coat is soft and short, and very easy to maintain. These dogs are found in a variety of colors, including white, brindle or fawn, or a combination of these. The skin is somewhat loose on the body which is why these dogs feel pleasant to touch and pet. The eyes are prominent, round in shape and dark in color. The tail can be either cork screw or straight.

These dogs make excellent companions. They are playful, affectionate and can be trained to perform many tricks to keep family members entertained. They are also outgoing and usually not shy of strangers. They, however, show the tendency to develop a very deep bond with any one person. Owners of these dogs need to remember to assert their leadership over the animal in a firm and non-violent way. Also, children should be taught not to provoke these dogs, and be affectionate towards them. A few French Bulldogs have been known to drool, but this is not a common characteristic.

These dogs grow up to a height of 12 inches. By weight, these dogs have been divided into two categories: ones that weigh about 19-22 pounds and others that weigh about 22-28 pounds. Dogs over 28 pounds are not allowed to participate in shows. These dogs are commonly afflicted with eye problems and also to diseases of the respiratory system. Overweight French Bulldogs may have difficulty in breathing if the abdomen swells up too much. These dogs are usually not good swimmers because of their short, stout structure, so it is advisable to keep them away from swimming pools. Potential owners should keep in mind that these dogs tend to require more maintenance than other dogs and may need to visit the vet more often.