8 Fascinating Facts About French Bulldogs, the Most Popular Dog Breed in America
These loyal, loving pups may look très chic, but they’re not actually French.
With their smushed faces, bat-like ears, and stout silhouette, French Bulldogs are as easy to love as they are willing to give it. They have so much personality, it’s no wonder the breed was named the most popular dog in America! They just claimed the title for the 4th year in a row, according to the American Kennel Club’s annual ranking.
“The French Bulldog’s even disposition, affectionate and charming nature, along with their smaller size and adaptability, make them extremely popular with urban and suburban dwellers,” says Brandi Munden, AKC Vice President of Communications and Public Relations.
Along with being one of the cutest dog breeds, Frenchies treat lap lounging like a competitive sport. Their eager-to-please nature and easygoing demeanor make them not only highly trainable but also excellent therapy dogs. Read on to discover more about the little charmers winning hearts everywhere.
They’re not actually French
Contrary to popular belief, Frenchies do not hail from France. They are, in fact, British. In the late 19th century, lace makers of Nottingham, England, began breeding a smaller toy version of a Bulldog as a lap companion. During the Industrial Revolution, when many lace makers were out of work, they relocated to France with their French Bulldogs in tow.
They aren’t born with their signature bat ears
Those lovable bat ears are undoubtedly one of the Frenchie’s most endearing traits, but when puppies are born, their ears are floppy. Depending on their rate of development, some may have perfectly erect ears at 4 weeks old, while others may take 10 weeks or longer for their ears to rise to the occasion.
They do more than just bark
These pups don’t deliver a classic canine-style “woof.” Rather, they have a unique way of “talking” that can range from dramatic screeches to high-pitched yells that sound more like a parrot than a pooch. And thanks to their short snouts and a tendency to get overexcited, they have a famous reverse sneeze. It can sound alarming, like they’re gasping for air, but the snort is actually a quirk of the breed.
Swimming is NOT their strong suit
Their stocky bods and big heads are a breed standard, and we love them for it. But those same features can really weigh them down in the water. Blame it on their dense bones, bulky front ends, and short airways: Frenchies should never be in deep water—a little paw dip is just enough to get their feet wet and call it a day.
Hot weather is their nemesis
Frenchies are a brachycephalic breed, which means they have flat faces and shortened noses. What it also means is they require careful monitoring in hot weather. Heavy panting can make it harder for them to breathe and lead to a condition called Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
They’ve been painted into history
In the Montmartre neighborhood of Paris in the 1890s, French Bulldogs were as common as can-can dancers, since they were popular companions to the women working in the cabaret clubs. Along with their mistresses, Frenchies were often subject matter for painter Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, who recorded the area’s nightlife in his works.
They have royal roots
Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna, daughter of Tsar Nicholas II, had a beloved Frenchie named Ortipo. Tragically, it’s believed that Ortipo suffered the same unfortunate fate as the rest of the Russian imperial family. Today, the dog’s likeness lives on in a bejeweled quartz statue crafted by Fabergé in a museum in St. Petersburg.
A Frenchie went down with the Titanic
Sadly, a champion French Bulldog named Gamin de Pycombe was a casualty of the fateful voyage. The dog even made an appearance in a deleted scene in the movie Titanic, swimming through the frigid waters as Jack and Rose look on.
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