Some Good Insights About French Bulldogs
Their Ears Come in Two Shapes
THE BREED'S EARS COME IN TWO SHAPES
French bulldogs are known for their "bat" ears. Early in the breed's history, though, one could find many Frenchies with "rose" ears, i.e. folded over like an English bulldog's ears. American breeders decided early on that bat ears should be considered the standard, because they are more distinctive. Since then, rose ears on a French bulldog have been a disqualifying characteristic according to the American Kennel Club's breed standard.
They Have A Strict Weight Limit
THESE DOGS HAVE A STRICT WEIGHT LIMIT
A French bulldog can't weigh more than 28 pounds. Well, it can, but exceeding 28 pounds is an automatic disqualification for a show dog according to the AKC's breed standard. French bulldog owners who aren't interested in showing their dogs may still want to use this weight limit as a guide, because Frenchies love to eat and they tend to become obese easily.
French Prostitutes' Favorite Dogs
FRENCH BULLDOGS WERE ONCE THE FAVORITE PETS OF FRENCH PROSTITUTES
One of the most crucial influences in growing the French bulldog's popularity was their favor with late-19th and early-20th-century Parisian "belles de nuit" (aka prostitutes). In fact, these French prostitutes were the first to call dogs the breed "Bouledogues Francais," or French bulldogs. The name caught on quickly with other French bohemians, writers and artists, and spread from there.
The Most Popular in 19th Century
THE BREED ACHIEVED PEAK POPULARITY IN THE EARLY 1900s
In 1898, the Waldorf Astoria luxury hotel in New York City rented a ballroom to the French Bulldog Club of America for a special breed show. There was significant press coverage of the event, and French bulldogs immediately exploded in popularity among Americans. That popularity peaked in 1913, when 100 Frenchies competed in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
The Romanov Family's Beloved Dog
A FRENCHIE WAS AMONG THE ROMANOV FAMILY'S MANY PETS
The Romanovs had a menagerie of pets, but chief among them may have been Ortino, Tatiana Romanov's beloved French Bulldog. Tatiana gave Ortino the run of the household, and let him sleep in her bed despite his loud snoring (typical for the breed). Ortino was still alive when Tatiana and the rest of the Romanov family were executed during the Russian Revolution. Ortino's ultimate fate remains unknown.
One of the Titanic Survivors
THERE WAS A FRENCH BULLDOG ON THE TITANIC
Robert W. Daniel brought his French bulldog with him on board the RMS Titanic for the ill-fated cruise. Not just any dog, 2-year-old Ch. Gamin de Pycombe was a champion show dog who had cost Daniel the equivalent of what would be more than $20,000 today. Daniel survived the disaster and lived until 1940. Gamin de Pycombe was not as fortunate. He was last seen futilely swimming for his life in the freezing water.
