French Bulldog Breed Info: The French Bulldog Personality.
When people call me looking for information about the French Bulldog Breed, they always want to know more about their personality. It’s an important question, and has a lot of bearing on whether the French Bulldog is the best choice of breed for particular people.
I have gotten to know the French Bulldog breed probably as thoroughly as anyone! And my dogs all live in my house with me, I do not have a kennel – I’ve only ever kept a handful at a time, always living closely with me as part of my family.
History and Origins
Understanding the origins and history of the French Bulldog breed gives a lot of clues about the breeds personality. As its name suggests, the French Bulldog derives from Britain’s native Bulldog, which as far as relatives go was bigger and – during the early part of the 19th century, at least – badder. Bulldogs had to be if they were to compete in bull-baiting, which involved grabbing an enraged bovine by the nose and hanging on for dear life.
When bull-baiting and other forms of animal combat were banned in England in the 1830s, Bulldogs headed to the show ring, where they were divided into classes by size, including ones for the smallest of these charmers – the English Toy Bulldog. History
In the mid-1800s, a toy-size Bulldog found favor in some English cities, including Nottingham, then a center for lace making. The toy Bulldog became something of a mascot for Nottingham’s lace makers. This was the height of the Industrial Revolution in England, and such ‘cottage industries’ as lace making were increasingly threatened. Many in the lace trade relocated to northern France, and of course, they brought their toy Bulldogs with them.
The little dogs became popular in the French countryside where lace makers settled. Over a span of decades, the toy Bulldogs were crossed with other breeds, perhaps terriers and Pugs, and, along the way, developed their now-famous bat ears. They were given the name Bouledogue Français.
Paris eventually discovered the delightful new breed, and thus began the Frenchie’s reputation as city dog par excellence. The breed came to be associated with Paris café life, and with the bon vivants and fancy ladies who sought nocturnal pleasures in Parisian dance halls. Edgar Degas and Toulouse-Lautrec depicted the Frenchie in paintings of the Paris demimonde.
By the end of the 19th century, the Frenchie’s popularity had spread across Europe and to America. The breed was tougher sell in England. The Bulldog was a national symbol, and it rankled many Englishmen that their age-old rivals, the French, would dare adapt it to their purposes.
American devotees of the early 1900s contributed to the breed by insisting that the bat ear, as opposed to the ‘rose ear,’ was the correct Frenchie type. It is by this distinctive feature that the Frenchie is instantly recognizable the world over.
Personality traits
French Bulldogs are known to be gentle, friendly, affectionate, and loyal to their owners. They’re also entertaining, playful, and alert. Often described as clownish, it is playful, and fairly energetic. Frenchies enjoy relaxing as much as playing and are ideal for the elderly. The breed is also good for children, as long as they understand the dog’s limited ability to tolerate excessive heat or exercise.
French Bulldogs are renowned for their love of a good nap, often wanting to share these cozy moments with their favorite humans. If your Frenchie seeks you out for cuddle sessions or curls up next to you, it’s a clear indication that they feel safe, content, and deeply attached to you.
TerraSassa French Bulldogs 