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Introduction
The French Bulldog was bred to be a companion dog and is still used in this capacity today. The breed has been described as a “clown in the cloak of a philosopher” mainly due to its physical appearance. The dog’s ears are tremendously over-sized in proportion to the rest of the body, and its wide mouth gives the impression of a perpetual grin. The dog is prized for their affectionate nature and comical presentation. The breed has remained in relative obscurity, mostly owned by the upper class and not in the public eye until relatively recent times. Closely resembling a Boston Terrier, the breed is mistakenly placed in the terrier class but it actually belongs to the mastiff class; the same class as the English Bulldog and the Pit Bull.

In the United States, the breed has become very popular in the past decade. Featured in movies and sitcoms because of its comical nature, the breed captured the hearts of the American public and many people began acquiring these dogs. Like most dogs that were bred for companionship, the French Bulldog is very sociable and well-adjusted to other dogs, and they are very adaptable to large family situations.

History
Despite its name, the French Bulldog breed originated in England in the 19th Century. Lace makers in Nottingham selectively bred English Bulldogs to “downsize” the breed in order to create a lapdog. When the Industrial Revolution displaced many lace makers to France, the dogs caught on there and became known as French Bulldogs (akc.org, 2011). The breed was first officially recognized in 1902 when the French Bulldog Club was founded in England. Prior to this, the breed had languished in France and was not very popular outside of France and the United Kingdom.

The breed was a favorite or the European aristocracy and did not really gain popularity in the United States until the mid-20th Century. This is primarily because the United States entered into a time of unprecedented economic growth following World War II and the emerging middle class began to become very competitive with each other, creating the “keeping up with the Jones’” mentality that still exists today. Part of this new mantra of the American middle class involved having something unique and something that was valued elsewhere as a status symbol; the French Bulldog filled the bill nicely in this department. It wasn’t long until the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club and it was allowed into dog shows, which was considered to be an idle pastime of the wealthy.

Details of the Breed
In order to be considered a true French Bulldog, the specimen must meet many exacting standards for height, coloration, and temperament. Its general appearance must be one of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone and smooth coat. The expression must be alert, curious, and interested. All points must be well-distributed and in good relation to one another. Weight cannot exceed 28 pounds; if it does, this is an automatic disqualification for entering that particular specimen in a competition. The hind legs must be long and muscular, longer than the front legs and trailing back. The front legs must be short, stout, and muscular as well as spread apart.

Acceptable colors are brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white. Black is actually not allowed for entering the dog in a competition, although there are a number of black specimens, and indeed, this color seems to be popular among those that want a pet as opposed to a show dog. There are a number of traits which will disqualify a French Bulldog from competition, and these include being over 28 pounds, not having “bat” ears, any nose that is not 100% black, and colors that include solid black, mouse, liver, and black and tan.

Complications of the Breed
The breed is not without its physical complications. This is pretty much true of any human-designed breed of animal; in order to get desired traits, there often has to be a trade-off with some undesired traits. The French Bulldog can be prone to juvenile cataracts, von Willebrand’s Disease, upper respiratory infections, premature neck disk degeneration and French Bulldogs also do not adapt well to hot weather. Owning a French Bulldog typically costs more in veterinarian bills due to their large number of health problems. French Bulldogs have a medium lifespan of between 10 and 12 years. Training French Bulldogs can be quite difficult because they are usually stubborn and have a short patience level.

Positive Aspects of the Breed
The French Bulldog does not bark much, and takes to apartment living quite nicely. The dog doesn’t need much exercise, and for this reason makes an excellent pet for the elderly or the handicapped. The sturdiness of the breed also means that it can walk for long distances without tiring. This trait makes it attractive to people who like to take long walks but don’t want a large dog.

Conclusion
The French Bulldog makes an excellent companion pet, as it was intended to be. While there are strict standards regarding competition, the majority of owners enjoy the variations of the breed because regardless of the coloring or physical traits, the disposition of the breed remains constant. The breed has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity, particularly in the United States and the jet-set class in Europe. They have been popularized so much on media that most people who like lap or toy dogs want to add a French Bulldog to their collection.

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