The French Bulldog: Quite The Charmer

Bat-eared, quirky, fiercely loyal but oddly beautiful, the French Bulldog has a unique appeal.

- Melissa Especkerman

Want a dog that’s affectionate? How about one that’s both amusing and playful? Or one that’s highly sociable? Now imagine all that wrapped up in one feisty little package affectionately known as the French Bulldog.

Frenchies are easygoing, charming and have an excellent sense of humour, despite looking anything but. A lovable, good-natured breed, these pups make great companions and have fast become the city-dwellers dog of choice.

Frenchies, while a reasonably quiet dog, however, snorting, wheezing, flatulence and natural noises are a part of the breed’s normal physiology.

If you love your apartment and love a Frenchie, the French Bulldog will fit perfectly. It does not need a great deal of exercise, and they will be delighted to spend most of their time at home, lapping up your attention. However, do note that the French Bulldog is not allowed as a pet in a Singapore HDB flat.

Rise To Fame

Contrary to its name, the French Bulldog does not have its roots in France. They, in fact, first originated in England in the late 18th century.

Due to their temperament, they became popular among many English workers, particularly so among lace workers in the city of Nottingham. When the lace industry moved to France, many workers brought their dogs with them.

Over in France, it is believed that they were bred with local terriers, giving us the very first bouledogues français, or French bulldogs. According to the French Bulldog Club of America, the French “developed a more uniform breed – a dog with a compact body, straight legs, but without the extreme underjaw of the English Bulldog. Some had the erect ‘bat ears’ while others had ‘rose’ ears.