Young brown French Bulldog playing
Where Do French Bulldogs Come From?
If its name is French Bulldog, it must be from France, right? Well, maybe yes, maybe no. It seems that back in the 1800s in England, before the industrial revolution, women in lace factories (particularly in Nottingham) warmed their laps with a small dog. Many of these dogs were small, or Toy Bulldogs.
When jobs in lace factories began to dry up, many of the displaced lace workers immigrated to Normandy where lace-makers were still in demand, and they took their small bulldogs with them. These small dogs became popular with the Paris ladies who worked in the pleasure industry. Apparently, walking with a small bulldog on a leash was a good way to attract customers.
The small bulldogs, with some helpful crossbreeding with local French dogs, became recognized as a separate breed and became very popular in France. Voila, the French Bulldog.
What Do Frenchies Look Like?
The Frenchie is a small dog standing about 11 to 13 inches tall and weighing under 28 pounds. One of its distinctive features is its erect bat-like ears. Another bulldog look-alike, the Boston Terrier, also has erect 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.
Their hair is short and straight. The Frenchie does not shed profusely but enough so that is not a hypoallergenic dog. If you are allergic to dogs, you might not want to get a French Bulldog.
The Frenchie’s coat comes in several colors, the most common including brindle, cream, white, and black. They usually come in a combination of these colors and also piebald.
Their tail is naturally short to almost non-existent. Its tail, what there is of it, many hang straight dog, be stumpy, or look somewhat screwed and stumpy.
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 out 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.
Are They Expensive?
Being expensive, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. And, the amount of money you have in your wallet. Purebred dogs will be expensive for most of us. Expect to pay on average about $2,000 for a French Bulldog puppy. If you want a dog with an impressive pedigree, you might need to shell out $5,000 or more.
Are French Bulldogs Smart?
The Frenchie, the Bulldog, and the Boston Terrier as very popular dogs breeds in the United States ranking 4, 5 and 21 respectively according the AKC’s Most Popular Dog Breeds of 2019 listing. 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 Kids?
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 can enjoy rigorous play but not mistreatment.
Frenchies were bred to be companion dogs so they need human companionship and do not like being left alone for long periods. Your Frenchie will want to be where you are especially if that means cuddling on the couch.
Are They Good Watchdogs?
Frenchies do not bark much compared to other small dog breeds but they will let you know when they detect a stranger like the UPS delivery guy. They may become territorial and protective but they are not aggressive so don’t expect them to attack the bad guys.
French Bulldogs Are Popular With Celebrities
They has become one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States and now ranks number 4 by the AKC. Famous people who own or have owned Frenchies include Lady Gaga, Martha Stewart, Eva Longoria, Hugh Jackman, Reese Witherspoon, and a host of others.
