What the heck is a French Bulldog?

Is it a pig? A frog? A Bat? A Pug with cropped ears?

Nope, it's a French Bulldog - also known as a Frenchie, a Frogdog, Bat Ears or a "throw cushion that snores".

French Bulldogs are truly one of the most amiable and amusing dog breeds you could ever hope to find. Bred since the 1800's for the sole purpose of being a companion to man, these little dogs excell at the task they were designed for.

French Bulldogs are adaptable enough to be either a rural or an urban pet, but it's inarguable that few dog breeds are better suited to life in a big city. They revel in the luxuries of an urban life style, and are small enough to be easily tucked into cabs or carried through stores. A once or twice daily romp in a dog park is enough to satisy the exercise needs of all but the most energetic of Frenchies - thus explaining why they're often called the 'couch potatos of the canine world!'.

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While a well bred and socialized French Bulldog is amongst the most gentle and non agressive of dogs, many Frenchie owners will tell you that their gentle pet's naturally glum demeanor and sturdy little body makes some people think twice before approaching them- not always a bad thing in these days.

In the AKC and CKC (The French Bulldog Breed Standards for both countries are the same, save for minor variations of wording), Frenchies are a mid sized member of the Non-Sporting group. They share this group with the Boston Terrier and the Bulldog (sometimes called the "English" or "British" Bulldog") - the two breeds they are most frequently confused with.

While there are similarites between Frenchies and both breeds, they are also quite distinctive in their own right. Smaller than the Bulldog, more muscular and "bully" than the Boston (see the illustration above), they fall somewhere between the two in terms of their activity level. Hallmark of the French Bulldog is their unqiue "bat" ear, which occurs naturally and is never cropped or altered.

French Bulldogs are not without their problems, though. These range from serious (breathing impairments, spinal cord issues, heart defects) to seriously disgusting - Frenchies are one the most flatulent breeds known to man or woman kind! They also snore, snort and shed, so they're not the perfect dog for those with fastidious taste in house keeping.

French Bulldogs are a difficult dog to breed well, and serious breeders invest time and money in research, health testing, conformation showing and obedience. It can be tempting to simply buy one from the first breeder you find (those puppy faces could tempt anyone to act rashly!), but with the health issues known to this breed, and the horrors that puppy mill bred and commercially brokered puppies face, it's essential to do your home work. Read books, surf websites, and put time and effort into making sure that your new puppy comes from the best possibly beginning.