French Bulldog - History

It is considered that the English bulldog is the ancestor of the French bulldog. However, actually the origin of the "Frenchman" is more difficult. The standard specifies that its ancestors are medieval dogs (the Spanish bulldogs) which have disappeared till now.

In the Middle Ages in Spain there were some breeds of bulldog-type dogs. These big dogs with short muzzle were used as the bulls' herds convoy, and also for fights with bulls. The city of Burgos was the most known centre of such actions. The bulldogs of Burgos reminded a today's French bulldog with the form of their big standing ears. They were the participants of fights. Undoubtedly, appearance of the French bulldog in many respects inherits a structure of an English bulldog, especially the body. The most widespread theory considers that in the breed deducing participated, so-called, English toy-bulldogs which planted in England in the middle of 19-th centuries. Then in England there was an industrial revolution owing to what a lot of qualified workers migrated to France, and took with them the bulldogs also.

In the middle of 19-th centuries in England a big group of toy-bulldogs have been deduced. The dogs' weight was up to 12 pounds (compared with weight of a standard dogs of 16 - 25 pounds). The appearance, the head form and ears structure of that toy-bulldogs were polytypic and in England they did not have adherents. However, emigrants carried these dogs to France where they become very popular and even became an export subject, that has led practically to their disappearance from England by the end of 60-th years.

Creation of the new breed was a result of crossing of that-bulldogs with a bulldog from Burgos, and, probably, with pugs and terriers. The short muzzle with standing ears became one of the main signs of the new breed, thus the head of the Burgos bulldog was combined with the body of the reduced English.

There are no exact documentary facts which would reflect work of the French dog breeders, but such work though and without record in breeding books, was unequivocally conducted throughout 19 centuries.

By the end of 19 centuries the French bulldog already had certain appearance and could apply for becoming independent breed.

This new breed was very popular in France among aristocrats, artists, actors, and in 1870 the club of fans of the French bulldogs has been created. The first exhibition in which the French bulldogs have taken part, as independent breed, has been spent in 1903.

Englishmen for a long time did not recognise the French bulldog as independent breed and considered that the bulldog can be only English. But in the end of 1904 it all the same has been recognised by English kennel-club and got the name «Le Bouldogue Francais». In the further its English equivalent became «French Bouldog» then in England the nurseries which are engaged in cultivation of the French bulldogs have been created.

The contribution of Englishmen to development of this breed is huge and today in the country there is a set of remarkable nurseries, and dog breeders from all over the world dream about their dogs.

The cynologists of the USA have made a lot for the development of the breed. They seriously were engaged in cultivation of these dogs in 80-th years of 19 centuries. There the first-ever specialised club of the French bulldogs has been created, and in 1889 in New York the first monopedigree exhibition, which continued to be spent regularly since then, was held. In 1903 100 dogs were its participants already.

Today the French bulldog is one of the most popular breeds as well in our country. The small size, friendly character, simple care of a wool do the French bulldog an attractive dog for the big set of people of different ages prosperity levels.