The French Bulldog at War

While no French Bulldogs have ever been involved in the sort of military mission recently making the news, Frenchies still had a small but important role in military history.

Frenchies were used during World War I and World War II as package dogs, messenger dogs and as general Corps Mascots, boosting morale among the troops they served with.

The photo above shows a tidy little Brindle French Bulldog with an unknown Military Corps – I leave it to someone with more experience than myself to determine who they were and what country they were from, but of the dog’s breed there is no question.

Perhaps they were the First Engineers Corp, who were mentioned in this article in the New York Times of June 30, 1917 –

Wanted – A Dog to Enlist

Co. F, First Engineers, Would Prefer a French Bulldog for Trenches

If any person possesses a dog willing to do its bit for the country George C. MacDonald, a private of Company F, First Engineer Regiment, and the rest of the company would be glad to hear about it. A mascot to take along to France is needed and the boys believe a dog would be just right.

“Any good loyal dog would do,” said Private MacDonald, who issued an appeal through the newspapers for a dog, “but a French Bulldog would be preferable”.

– New York Times, June 30, 1917