FRENCH BULLDOG BREED STANDARD

FOREWORD
It is generally accepted that the French Bulldog was developed in France, using the Miniature or Toy Bulldogs brought over from England by English lace workers. What specific breeds were crossed with the English dogs is not known, but they did introduce the “bat ear”, which is not a characteristic of the English Bulldogs. The English Bulldog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1976 and the United Kennel Club in
1965.

GENERAL IMPRESSION
The French Bulldog's appearance is that of an active, intelligent, muscular dog, powerful for its small size. It is short and compact, with good bone, a smooth, short coat and distinctive ‘bat’ ears. When comparing specimens
of different sexes, allowance is to be given to females, which do not bear the breed characteristics to the same
marked degree as dogs.
Eliminating Fault: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid (one or both testicles have not dropped).

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CHARACTERISTICS
The French Bulldog is an affectionate and sociable companion. It is lively and playful, but not boisterous.
expression and behavior of the breed.
Eliminating Fault: Viciousness or extreme shyness.

HEAD:

The head is strong, broad and square, with skin that forms nearly symmetrical folds and wrinkles.

SKULL:

The top of the skull is flat between the ears. The forehead is slightly rounded. The stop is well defined, and there is a furrow between the eyes that does not extend up onto the forehead. No prominence of occiput.

MUZZLE:

Although the muzzle is proportionately short in comparison to the size of the dog, it is evident and allows for comfortable breathing. It is broad, deep and well laid back, with symmetrical folds of skin coming down on to the lips. Cheek muscles are well developed. The thick, broad flews hang over the lower jaw at the sides and meet the underlip in front, covering the teeth. The flews are black. The deep, square, broad underjaw is undershot and well turned up.

Eliminating Fault: Heavy wrinkles that affect breathing and/or obstructs normal vision. Muzzle so short as to affect breathing.

TEETH:

When the mouth is closed, the teeth and tongue do not show. A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in an undershot bite.

Serious Faults: Any bite other than undershot; Tongue showing when the mouth is closed.

EYES:

The eyes are round and dark. They are set wide apart and low in the skull well away from the ears. Neither the white of the eyes nor the haw shows when the dog is looking forward. The eye rims are black, and
the expression is lively.

Serious Faults: Visible haw. Whites of eyes showing while dog is looking straight ahead.
Disqualifications: Eyes that are two different colors.

NOSE:

The nose is turned up slightly, and has broad, well-opened nostrils, with a well-defined line between them. Nose pigment is black, except in the case of lighter colored dogs (cream or fawn), where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.

Very Serious Fault: Any nose color other than black in adult dogs.
EARS - The breed typical "bat ears"; are broad at the base, with a round top. The elongated ears are set high on.the head, but not too close together, and are carried erect with the orifice to the front. The ear leather is fine and
soft.

Very Serious Faults: Erect ears; prick ears; button ears.
Eliminating Fault: Cropped ears; ears that are not carried erect.

USBR FRENCH BULLDOG BREED STANDARD FEBRUARY 2016

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NECK:
The short, slightly arched neck is free of dewlap.

FOREQUARTERS:

The shoulder blades and upper arms are short and thick, covered with visible
musculature.

FORELEGS:

The short, stout, straight, muscular forelegs are set fairly wide apart. The pasterns are short and strong. The feet may turn out slightly.

BODY:

The compact body is deep and broad through the chest, with a broad back and barrel shaped ribcage. The loin is very short and broad. The topline rises progressively from a slight fall off behind the shoulders to the loin, and then slopes rapidly to the set on of the tail. There is moderate tuck up.

HIND LEGS: The strong, muscular hind legs are longer than the forelegs, causing the loins to be elevated above the
shoulders. The hocks are well let down and there is moderate angulation at the hock joint.

FEET:
The compact feet are round and moderate in size. The toes are well split up and have high knuckles and hard, thick pads. The nails are stubby. The hind feet are slightly longer than the forefeet.

Serious Faults: Flat feet. Splayed toes.

TAIL:

The short tail is thick at the root and has a fine tip. It is hung low, and carried low in repose. It may beeither straight or screwed, but not curly.

Serious Faults: No tail, inverted tail, tight tail.
Eliminating Fault: Docked tail.

COAT:
Short, smooth, close, glossy and soft.

USBR FRENCH BULLDOG BREED STANDARD FEBRUARY 2016

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COLOR:

The acceptable colors include all brindles; fawn; cream; white; brindle and white; and any other color that does not constitute a disqualification.
Disqualification: Albinism, liver, mouse gray

WEIGHT:
Dogs are to be fit and without excess weight.

SUBSTANCE:

Muscular, heavy bone.

GAIT:
The correct gait is free and vigorous, with the legs moving parallel to the median plane of the body. (Double tracking.)

Serious Fault: Any bite other than undershot. Tongue showing when the mouth is closed. Flat feet. Splayed toes. No tail, inverted tail, tight tail.
Very Serious Fault:
Any nose color other than black in adult dogs

Eliminating Faults: (A dog with an Eliminating Fault is not to be considered for placement in a conformation event, nor are they to be reported to USBR.)
Viciousness or extreme shyness. Heavy wrinkles that affect breathing and/or obstructs normal vision. Muzzle so short as to affect breathing.Cropped ears
Ears that are not carried erect. Docked tail.
Disqualifications: (A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a conformation event, and must be reported to USBR.)
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Eyes that are two different colors. Albinism. The color liver. The color mouse gray.

All USBR standards belong to the Bully Registry LLC and cannot be copies or changed without permission from the USBULLYREG.com group.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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