Bat ears
The big, rounded, upright ears are the breed's trademark.
Small dogs · Time every day
French bulldog
Companion dog · from England, by way of France
A small, muscular dog with a broad chest, a short snub nose and large upright ears like a bat's. Brindle, fawn or pied.
- Size
- About 30cm at the shoulder; 8 to 14kg
- Lives for
- 10 to 12 years
- Suits
- People at home most of the day, in a cool house
Bustles after you, grunting. Move your pointer and see.
Good to know
Six things about the french bulldog
Lace-makers' dogs
Small bulldogs kept by lace-makers in Nottingham went with them to France in the 1800s, and became fashionable in Paris.
It cannot swim
With a heavy front and a short nose, a French bulldog sinks. It must be kept away from deep water.
Suddenly everywhere
It has become one of the most popular breeds in Britain and America in only a few years.
It overheats easily
Like the pug, it struggles to cool down by panting, and can collapse in warm weather.
Born by operation
Because of the puppies' large heads, most are delivered by a vet.
The real thing
Photos of the french bulldog
Photos are from Wikimedia Commons, used under the free licences shown. They have been resized, and cropped where they appear in link previews.
Looking after one
It needs a couple of short walks a day in the cool. Wipe the face folds daily. Never leave it in a warm car or a hot room.
Before you get one
Its popularity has led to a great deal of bad breeding. Choose parents that have passed breathing checks, and expect higher vet bills than for most dogs.
Keep going