The Biggest Challenges Facing Frenchies

by Sally Monroe, MD

This question was asked of Breeders by the Editor. Some would say I don’t qualify as a breeder, but puppies have two parents, and the stud dog owner has 100% veto power over the use of his sperm, so I would say that the stud dog owner is also a breeder. Unless, however, the dog is at public stud and sperm is sold to anyone willing to pay the price.  That is not breeding as it should be, and I think no dog should be at public stud.

The major challenges facing the Frenchie are its popularity, breeders, the AKC and the Judges. Popularity has increased and this is due to promotion. Frenchies are in magazines, on coffee cups, T shirts, etc.  That is new.  Popularity of the breed has lured more breeders to the French Bulldog to meet the demand for puppies. Many new breeders don’t know the standard. Many new owners know less. Even if the standard is read, many cant visualize correctness in a dog in front of them.  Many then think that a dog who wins is correct. They want to win so they try to duplicate the winners. They breed to the latest winner.

Over the last decade at least, there has been an evolution of the Frenchie to look less like a Frenchie, less like a bulldog. Forgetting the head for this discussion, just look at the body. The dogs have gotten shorter in length; they should NOT be square. Some are high on leg to boot. With the demand for a straight front which was intended to mean no fiddle front, etc., has come confusion about toeing out at the foot which is needed to support the broad front and depth of chest.  To have the feet straight, the depth of chest disappears goes as does the forechest. The shoulders lose proper angulation and fling forward. We then have a terrier front. The dog loses width in front and becomes square or rectangular depending on the length of back.  There goes the pear shape. The Frenchie should be wider in front than rear and he should double track. The rear legs should touch the ground with less space between them than the front feet.  With the new look comes the flat topline, no croup, and minimal tuck up. The gait is more terrier like. These dogs are not or are? bulldogs.

Popularity and increased breeding has been accompanied by an increase in the number of dog shows. Almost any Frenchie can become a Champion if shown in enough shows and/or is handled by popular handlers. We have many Champion pets. To many, a Championship means something, money or prestige, but it really means nothing when almost any Frenchie can be “finished”.

The next factor is the dog show Judge. With too many shows there are too many judges who know nothing about what a Frenchie should be. As one who taught young doctors how to become Radiologists, I can assure you judging is a visual skill you have or you don’t. Just as you could read 300 books on how to read an x-ray, look at a million, and still be awful at doing it, you can look at dogs forever and still not see.  Therefore, it is up to the few who know and appreciate the breed to throw the inferior out and withhold ribbons from the inferior ones. The buck ultimately stops with them.

So, learn what a Frenchie should be, should look like, and don’t just depend on what some that win look like look like who win.  Don’t let ego and/or money make you blind.  If you don’t have a good eye, find someone who does. Get on the bandwagon to have the AKC limit dog shows. Boycott judges who don’t know or don’t care about looking out for the correct Frenchie.

https://www.thedogplace.org/Breeds/French-Bulldog/Frenchie-Challenges_Monroe.asp

SSI

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