The History of French Bulldog Breed
Though English and French Bulldogs are brothers still each of this
breed reflects its peculiarities and differences. These are two
separate breeds with similar standards. If compared, the similar
part of the standard has it that Bulldog's chest should be broad and
full as well as the colors of dogs are also of the same kind. French
Bulldog is a smaller dog with bat ears.
And now let’s talk about the history of French Bulldog.
English Bulldogs have been massively introduced on the European
continent at the middle of the 19 century. At that time the breed
standard has not yet been worked out and the Bulldogs greatly
differed from each other, particularly in weight and size.
In 1848-1860 years there was raging economic crisis in England and
the flow of unemployed, mostly weavers, gushed across the Channel -
to the north of France and Belgium in search of a better life. They
brought Bulldogs for the entertainment and protection of property,
as well as a piece of their native England. British workers chose
smaller Bulldogs as companions as far as it was more convenient in
traveling.
In addition, their owners probably interbred dogs with the
descendants of the Spanish Bordeaux Bulldogs, as well as, possibly
with Terriers and Pugs. The immigrants settled mainly in the
suburbs, forming a densely populated area, and soon a new breed -
the French Bulldog was born in the outskirts of Paris.
The breed was not recognized in England - the Bulldog's home for a
long period of time. Patriotic members of English society, many of
whom were dog breeders, considered the Bulldogs to be only of
English origin. It could not go on forever. In 1890 French Bulldogs
were imported from France to the UK continue and it became
impossible to ignore the existence of this species.
However, the English Kennel Club sat tight and in 1894 identified
small (weighing less than 20 pounds) British Bulldogs in a special
group - the Toy Bulldogs, declaring that they are the very French
Bulldogs whose owners have encroached on British national treasure.
Although the difference in exterior between so-called Toy Bulldogs
and French Bulldogs was obvious - the latter were more elegant and
had large rounded bat ears. Both breeds were evaluated in the ring
in England for a long time. In 1902 there was established English
Club of French Bulldogs and in 1904 this breed was sounded in the
ring for the first time. A year later the breed was finally
recognized by the Kennel Club of Great Britain. This occurred even
earlier than in France, and, thus, the conflict was over. The
priority for miniature Bulldogs won France.
English Toy Bulldogs remained popular until 1910. According to the
standard, they differed only in size from the rest of the Bulldogs.
The breed didn't have support any more, and soon the toy Bulldogs disappeared. Concerning
France Bulldogs have become national pride as well as English in the
UK. Although with the lapse of time English Bulldogs got their fans
in France, the popularity of French Bulldogs stayed incomparable.
There is an interesting fact from the history of French Bullies.
They were of high popularity among Parisian prostitutes and later
gain fame with fashionable people, especially ladies.