I grew up with big dogs. My wife and I have raised and trained Rottweilers (www.GuardianRottweilers.com) and competed all over the world for the last quarter of a century. It has been a lot of fun and we learned so much going to seminars and expos and trainings, trials, and dog shows under some of the world’s best Rottweiler and canine experts. A good friend of mine needed someone to watch his very tiny little puppy, Mamacita. He said he did not trust anyone else other than me as she was precious to him. Our dogs have always been family, so I understood that. I was initially caught off guard by this little tiny chunk that fit in my hand. It was crazy to see a fully functioning, eating, playing puppy that was this tiny! Once I got over her size, I could not stop being impressed with her. Talk about the very definition of dynamite coming in small packages! She strutted around with our 100+ pound Rottweilers as though she were as big as they were. She was not at all put off or intimidated by them nor was she afraid to initiate play. But what I really, really loved about her was her deep connection with her peoples. Even though I was not really her person, I treasured the time we spent together and we developed a strong bond. She had so much character and was so much fun and yet, she was also the sweetest, snuggliest cuddler ever. I was hooked on this breed since my time with this little teddy bear. I had honestly never really been a small dog person. I love my Rottweilers- their calm, loyal, Guardian personalities have made my relationships with my Rottweilers some of my most treasured. But there was just something captivating about this little charmer. I had to learn more!
Conformation.
A dog’s conformation refers to his/her structure and how well they conform to the breed standard. Breed standards exist to help preserve the breed and most of the standards set by a kennel club are for the health and benefit of the breed. Correct structure = correct build/assembly = correct movement = correct function.
Here is AKCs breed standard for the French Bulldog
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. The hallmarks of the breed are the square head with bat ears and the roach back. Expression alert, curious, and interested. 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance:
Weight not to exceed 28 pounds; over 28 pounds is a disqualification.
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.
Substance – Muscular, heavy bone.
Head:
Head large and square. Eyes dark, brown or approaching black 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. Lighter brown colored eyes are acceptable, but not desirable. Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green are a disqualification. No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward. 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. Other than bat ears is a disqualification. The top of the skull flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The stop well defined, causing a hollow groove between the eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose; nostrils broad with a well-defined line between them. Nose black. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of creams or fawns without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the underlip in front and covering the teeth and tongue, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and well turned up. Wry mouths and any bites other than undershot are serious faults.
Neck, Topline, Body:
The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders, gradually rising to the loin which is higher than the shoulder, and rounding at the croup. The back is strong and short, broader at the shoulders, and tapering to the rear. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed (but not curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in repose.
Forequarters:
Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters:
Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet slightly
longer than forefeet.
Coat:
Coat is brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles. Coats other than short and smooth are a disqualification.
Color:
Acceptable colors: white, cream, fawn (ranging from light fawn to a red fawn), or any combinations of the foregoing. Markings and patterns are: brindle, piebald, black masks, black shadings, and white markings. Ticking is acceptable but not desired. Brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely shows through (“black brindle”). Only a trace of the background color is necessary; in a brindle piebald, a trace of the brindle patterning in any patch is sufficient. All other colors, markings or patterns are a disqualification. Disqualifying colors and patterns include, but are not limited to, solid black, black and tan, black and white, white with black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Gait:
Correct gait is a “four tracking” foot pattern with the front track wider than the rear track. The movement should have reach and drive and is unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Temperament:
Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous.
Disqualifications:
Over 28 pounds in weight.
Blue or green eye(s) or any traces of blue or green.
Other than bat ears.
Nose other than black, except in the case of cream or fawn colored dogs without black masks, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.
Coats other than short and smooth.
All coat colors other than those specifically described (e.g.,Solid black, black and tan, black and white, white and black, blue, blue fawn, liver, and merle). Black means black without a trace of brindle. All other patterns and markings other than specifically
Exercise Requirements and Best Environment
The French Bulldog is a compact, sturdy, well muscled breed, but he has low exercise requirements. Between his adaptability, loyal and friendly nature, social skills, and relatively low maintenance, the French Bulldog can be a great choice for a faithful companion if you live in an apartment or urban setting. His unique ability to integrate and be comfortable in nearly every setting make him a very versatile friend whether on a farm helping out or as a reading buddy fora school reading program. The French Bulldog is well known for his fondness off and genuine love for kids of all ages. Frenchies are always down for a good time and can make just about anything a game. They love to entertain almost as much as they love to cuddle. They also have great social skills with other animal friends and are known as the peacemakers when amongst other breeds of dogs. His eternal sunshine outlook and chill nature are contagious when in group settings with other dogs. I read one reference that stated it best when they said, “it is like [French Bulldogs] carry “a good vibes” only sign with them everywhere.
Nutrition
My wife taught me that, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Since she did such a great job on her nutrition page on her website, I am going to link that here. It is important to note of course that this is a much smaller breed of dog than the Rottweiler, however, quality ingredients, understand nutrition, and specific dog food brand information is universal.
Nutrition – Guardian Rottweilers
We feed our Rotties raw food. I can personally testify that dogs do excellent on a natural, raw diet. I am going to link her page on raw feeding here as well in case anyone is interested in knowing more:
Raw Feeding – Guardian Rottweilers
Grooming
Whether you get a fluffy or traditional short coated French Bulldog, grooming of the coat is very easy. A regular brushing will remove dead hair and help with shedding. The fur on the fluffy Frenchies is very silky and rarely knots, so no extraordinary care is required here either. It is important to note that care must be given to keep wrinkles clean and avoid buildup of bacteria. Because they are a brachycephalic breed, they will also need regular cleaning of the skin on the face and around the eyes. Good dental habits of regularly brushing their teeth and/or having toys and chews that help in maintaining good oral hygiene are also important.