Despite their names, French fries, French toast and French bulldogs are not French!
Today I will speak about the origin of French bulldogs and the differences between French and English bulldogs.
Enthusiasts early in the 19th Century bred miniature bulldogs from British bulldogs. These toy bulldogs were popular amongst textile weavers and lace makers and began appearing in competitions in the 1860s.
The industrial revolution put many textile workers out of work forcing them to find factories yet to be modernised. Their relocation to France included their miniature bulldogs which quickly became popular amongst the Parisian working class.
The dog’s spinal dip, underbite, saggy jowls and bowed front legs were bred out of the toy bulldog while introducing softer features and a flatter face. During this process miniature bulldogs where crossed with French Terriers and Pugs making them larger and more muscular.
| French bulldogs | English bulldogs |
| Smaller (between 29 and 35 cm) Larger upright, pointed ears Lighter (between 7 and 14 kg) | Larger/ thicker/ wider (between 30 and 37 cm) Folded, rose-shaped ears Heavier (between 18 and 25kg) |
Bulldog in French is Bouledogue.
Whether you find them ugly or on the contrary adorable, Bulldogs are very popular.
So popular than even in Perth, we have a French Bulldog Parade (during the Subiaco French Festival) where bulldogs parade on stage dressed according to a theme. Some are awarded prizes such as Best Dressed, Best Attitude & Public Choice Award 🙂