Alt Names: Bouledogue Français Country of Origin: France

History: The breed emerged as English Bulldogs were bred with Toy Bulldogs by the artisan community in Paris, after Toy Bulldogs were marginalized by British kennel clubs as weakening the English Bulldog breed. Toy Bulldogs were popular amongst the artisan and gay communities in Britain. The breeding of the minuscule Toy Bulldog (averaging 8 pounds (3.5 kg)) and the English Bulldog (which can vary in size, but is usually around 50 pounds (23 kg)) produced the medium-sized French Bulldog.

Appearance: French Bulldogs average 22 to 25 pounds (10 to 12 kg) and are considered out-of-breed if they are over 28 pounds (13 kg). Their physical appearance is characterized by naturally occurring 'bat ears' that are pointy and stick straight up. Their tails are naturally short, not cropped. Otherwise, their body shape is similar to that of an English Bulldog.

There are several color variations allowed by the AKC that are disallowed in Europe, including the cream color. French Bulldogs have their own variations in the amount of brindle, darkness of their coat, and amount of white areas.

Temperament: The French Bulldog is a gentle breed that typically has a happy-go-lucky attitude. Like many other companion dog breeds they have high energy and prefer interaction with humans to interaction with other dogs. They do well around other dogs and small children, though they should be monitored closely during their initial encounters; they tend to shy away from teasing or rough play. They tend to not bark a lot and are of small size; these qualities may make them a good candidate for apartment living.