The French Bulldog - A Complete Anthology of the Dog

By Read Books Ltd.

The French Bulldog - A Complete Anthology of the Dog gathers together all the best early writing on the breed from our library of scarce, out-of-print antiquarian books and documents and reprints it in a quality, modern edition. This anthology includes chapters taken from a comprehensive range of books, many of them now rare and much sought-after works, all of them written by renowned breed experts of their day. These books are treasure troves of information about the breed - The physical points, temperaments, and special abilities are given; celebrated dogs are discussed and pictured; and the history of the breed and pedigrees of famous champions are also provided. The contents were well illustrated with numerous photographs of leading and famous dogs of that era and these are all reproduced to the highest quality. Books used include: The Twentieth Century Dog by Herbert Compton (1904), Dogs Of The World by Arthur Craven (1931), Hutchinson's Dog Encyclopaedia by Walter Hutchinson (1935) and many others.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Nov 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781447491408

Book preview

1935

THE BULLDOG (FRENCH).

ORIGIN.—Nothing definite can be learned of this breed of dogs. Many exhibitors claim that it is little else than a diminutive English bulldog, bred originally in Brussels and later (about 1860) in France, with the exception that it has prick-ears and generally carries them erect, as that term indicates. Its weight should not be over 24 pounds, the lighter the better. In France the breed is fast becoming very popular among the haut ton, and promises to be well received here. As yet there is neither a scale of points for judging nor a club to foster the breed, so the reader will be obliged to consult the picture of Mr. G. N. Phelps’s winning dog, Monsieur Boulot, in order to form a correct idea as to its outline, etc. Its exceeding intelligence is greatly in favor of its becoming a popular breed of pet dogs. The extreme difficulty attending its breeding and rearing precludes the possibility of it ever becoming common. At present even ordinary specimens are held at long prices.

Mr. G. N. Phelp’s (28 Osborne St., Cambridge, Mass.)

CHAMPION RICO

THE FRENCH BULLDOG

Origin.—Little, or nothing definite is known or can be learned of this breed, except that, in the early part of the nineteenth century, it was extensively bred in Brussels, and in about 1860 its cause was espoused by the French, who since then have bred it to a state closely bordering on perfection. Many exhibitors claim that it is little else than a diminutive English bulldog, ornamented with tulip (bat or prick) ears, which, as the terms indicate, are carried erect. This contention, however, is not borne out by facts and is also controverted by the picture illustrating a typical specimen of the breed. In many respects, however, they are similar, still they are easily distinguished from the English Toy bulldog, which should have rose ears, though some are possessed of the bat or prick ear.

Uses.—These dogs were first shown in this country in 1896, and directly afterwards sprang into great favor, on account of their size, compactness, general appearance, charming disposition, and clever ways as well, all resulting in the formation of the French Bulldog Club of America, which in 1897 was admitted to membership in the American Kennel Club. In France this dog is a great favorite with the haut ton, but it is infinitely more popular here, where it is almost exclusively in the possession of the wealthy classes. In 1897 there were nineteen entries of these dogs at the Westminster Kennel Club Show, and in 1900 there were forty-nine, thus showing how rapidly this breed has grown in popular favor. The extreme difficulty attending the breeding and rearing of these dogs, as is the case in all large-headed breeds, precludes the possibility of their ever becoming common.

General Appearance.—The general appearance of the French bulldog should be that of an active, intelligent, muscular dog; smooth-coated, compactly built and of small stature.

Head.—Large, square and broad, cranium almost flat, jaws large, powerful, deep, square, and undershot; the muscles of the cheek well developed; the face extremely short, broad and very deep. Stop strongly defined, causing a hollow or groove between the eyes, and extending well up the forehead.

Eyes.—Wide apart, set low in skull, as far from the ears as possible, round, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging, and very dark. No haw and no white of eye should be visible when looking forward.

Mrs. E. Pulsifer’s (2469 Broadway, New York City)

MAURICE

Nose, etc.—Muzzle, nose and lips should be black. The lips thick, and nose deep, and nostrils broad. Neck short, thick and well arched.

Ears.—Ears bat ears, large in size, broad at base, well elongated, with rounded top, set high on head, but not too close, yet carried erect, with orifice plainly visible when seen from the front.

Body.—Short, well rounded, well let down between shoulders and fore-legs, chest deep, broad, full, well-ribbed, with belly well tucked up. Back short, strong, broad at shoulders and narrowing at loins. Fore-legs short, stout, straight, and muscular, set wide apart; hind-legs longer than fore-legs so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Feet compact and firmly set, turning slightly outward. Toes compact, with high knuckles and short nails. The tail can be either straight or screwed (not curl), short, hung low, downward carriage, thick root and fine tip. Preference given to short, straight tail.

Color.—Uniform, pure of its kind, and brilliant; preference given