FRENCH BULLDOG

It is generally accepted that the French Bulldog was developed in France, using the Miniature or Toy Bulldogs brought over from England by English lace workers. French Bulldogs introduced the “bat ear”. The French Bulldog is an affectionate and sociable companion. It is lively and playful, but not boisterous. All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned. In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the dogs. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, and of medium or small structure. Expression alert, curious, and interested. Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws is considered mutilation and is a disqualification. 

TEMPERAMENT 

Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous. 

PROPORTION AND SYMMETRY 

All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned. 

INFLUENCE OF SEX 

In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the dogs. HEAD The head is large and square. 

SKULL 

Flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The stop well defined, causing groove between the eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose. 

MUZZLE 

Broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the underlip in front covering the teeth, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. 

JAW/BITE 

The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and well turned up. 

EYES 

Dark in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In lighter colored dogs, lighter colored eyes are acceptable. No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward.

NOSE 

Black. Nostrils broad with a well-defined line between them. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of the lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable. 

EARS 

Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Fault: Cropped ears, or ears that are not carried erect. 

NECK 

The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. 

FORELEGS 

Short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Dewclaws may be removed. 

HIND LEGS 

Strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Hind feet slightly longer than forefeet. 

BODY 

The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders; strong and short, broad at the shoulders and narrowing at the loins. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. Muscular, heavy bone. Proportion, distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion. 

SIZE 

Weight not to exceed 33 pounds; Over 33 pounds is a disqualification. 

FEET 

Are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails. 

TAIL 

The tail is either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in repose. 

COAT 

Moderately fine, brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles. 

COLOR 

Acceptable colors – All brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white, and any color except those which constitute disqualification. All colors are acceptable with the exception of Merle, and solid black, Black means black without a trace of brindle. 

GAIT 

Correct gait is double tracking with reach and drive; the action is unrestrained, free and vigorous.

DISQUALIFICATIONS 

Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws. 

Other than bat ears. 

Nose other than black, except in the case of lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable. 

Merle, solid black, black means black without a trace of brindle. 

Exceeding over 33 pounds.