pets

It’s Me here, Bonnie The French Bulldog

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French Bulldog

French Bulldogs, when you first meet one, you may not be sure what the fantastical little beast is who’s bringing a smile to your face. In fact, I would be a millionaire if I had a nickel every time someone asked me my Pugs name.

Not that I don’t love pugs, but French Bulldogs, also known as Frenchies, are definitely not one and anyone interested in owning a French Bulldog should be aware of the funny little spitfire they are bringing into their lives.

As you can imagine, this breed is known for being clownlike and fearless, which can be both comical and terrifying as your 20 pound friend meets large dogs head on. Of course, everyone will fall in love with them and their bat like large ears. If  they aren’t smiling, then they have the most comical of grumpy faces you’ll ever seen.

And for such a small dog, there is a lot packed into them. So, sit back and learn everything you need to know about the French Bulldog. You are going to be delighted you did, especially if it means one or two…or maybe even four…of these delightful dogs become part of your life.

The Interesting Appearance of the French Bulldog

french bulldog

Height:

Males and Females: 11 to 13 inches (27.94 to 33.02cm)

Weight:

Males: 20 to 28 pounds (9.07 to 12.70kg)

Females: 18 to 26 pounds (8.16 to 11.79 kg)

It should be noted that any French Bulldog over 28 pounds (12.70kg) is considered to be too heavy and can be disqualified against the breed standard.

Coat Colors:

Accepted Breed Standard Colors

  • White: With or without markings
  • Fawn: Ranging from light silver to dark red fawn
  • Cream: Ranging from a light apricot to a dark red apricot

Accepted Markings:

  • Brindle: Black with brindling of fawn or apricot
  • Piebald: A mostly white dog with colored markings.
  • Black Masks: Dark mask on the muzzle, nose, around the eyes. Ears can be black as well.
  • White Markings: White markings can appear anywhere on the dog.
  • Black Shadings: Shading of fur on a fawn dog that makes the dog smutty looking.

Disqualified Breed Standard Colors

These colors have become very popular over the last few years but buyers should beware with purchase these colors. First, there are not “rare” colors so they should not be more expensive. Second, some colors are linked to health problems, which we will go over in the health section of the French bulldog.

  • Black: Any solid black with no sign of brindling.
  • Blue Fawn: A fawn with a silverfish blue color to the coat.
  • Black and White: Black dog with white markings unless brindled.
  • White and Black: White dog with black markings unless brindled.
  • Tan Points: Found in blue, blue fawn or black, tan points on French Bulldogs are similar to the points Dobermans have on the eyebrows, legs, under the tail, muzzle and chest.
  • Liver: Can range from a light liver color to a deep chocolate.
  • Lilac: A light grey/brown color.
  • Blue: Light to dark greyish blue or blue/brown.
  • Merle: A coat that is mottled colors in a solid or piebald coat. Merle’s can also have miscolored eyes.

Known for being a sturdy little dog, that is exactly what you should be looking for in a French bulldog. They are a small breed of dog that should have a compact and stocky body.

When you pick them up, you should notice some weight, however, they should never be overweight or more than 28 pounds (12.70kg). The overall look should be of a square dog that is the same length as he is tall.

The back should be level and the hips should be narrower than the chest and shoulders, giving him a tapered look. The French bulldog has a short straight or corkscrew tail. The chest of the dog should be broad and is very deep.

When it comes to their head, they should have a short, broad muzzle with a definite stop. They are a brachycephalic breed, which means the muzzle is extremely short. The head should be square and the upper lips should hang over the lower.

The forehead should be slightly rounded and they should have large, round eyes that are set wide apart. For breed standard, darker eye colors and a black nose are desired, although the nose can be lighter in light colored dogs.

But one of the most important features of a French bulldog are the large, bat like ears that are set high on the head. They should form a triangle with the base wide before it narrows to the tip. They should be held so they point forward.

The coat of the French bulldog should be short and smooth. Some French bulldogs have a single coat while others have a double coat, which consists of a thicker, shorter coat. Double coated French bulldogs shed more than the single coat, however, both are considered average shedders. There should be loose skin on the dog and your French bulldog should have wrinkles around the head and shoulders.

Finally, the French bulldog comes in many different colors and color patterns, however, be aware that only a few colors are accepted for the breed standard. See above for a full list of colors.

I Luv The Labrador

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labradorAthletic, intelligent and eager to please, it is no wonder that the Labrador Retriever has been America’s breed for over 28 years!

Of course, this charming large dog breed has been wowing crowds for decades and has often found themselves near the top of the list. Known for their three color, the Labrador Retriever is one of only four breeds that were developed in Canada.

In addition to being the most popular, Labrador Retrievers are ranked as the number one breed for families. They are known for being gentle and patient with children while having the energy to keep up with them in play. Their temperament makes them excellent for a variety of canine careers and they are often the top breed to work as service dogs.

However, even with all of their pluses, owners need to be sure that they are getting a breed that works for them. While they aren’t as energetic as some working and sporting breeds, the Labrador Retriever does require ample exercise and training. In addition, due to their popularity, it can be difficult to find a high quality, health tested pup.

But if you are willing to put in the work, you will be delighted with your versatile pup who is happiest being with you…whether that means relaxing at home together or reaching new summits on a hike. So, let’s start this journey together with everything you need to know about the Labrador Retriever.

The Athletic Appearance of the Labrador Retriever

Height:

Males: 22.5 to 24.5 inches (57.15 to 62.23cm)

Females: 21.5 to 23.5 inches (54.61 to 59.69cm)

Weight:

Males: 65 to 80 pounds (29.48 to 36.29 kg) 

Females: 55 to 70 pounds (24.95 to 31.75kg)

Coat Colors:

The Labrador Retriever has three accepted colors; however, they do have a number of mismarks that can be found in the breed including black with tan points. These are not accepted by any breed clubs, but they are not considered to be a rare color. If you are looking for a mismarked or unusual colored Labrador Retriever, be aware that they should not be more expensive and are not recognized by any kennel clubs.

In addition, Labrador Retrievers have been seen in silver, however, there is a lot of controversy about the color, which we will get into later in this article. The three accepted colors of the Labrador Retriever are:

  • Black:Preferably a dark black with dark eyes and dark nose and lips.
  • Yellow:Ranging from a light cream yellow that is almost white to a deep red, mahogany. Black or liver colored (also known as Dudley) noses can be seen in this color variation.
  • Chocolate:Medium to dark chocolate. The darker shade of chocolate is preferred. The nose and lips should match the coat color.

Labrador Retrievers are large dogs that are known for being athletic in appearance. They should have a square body with the length being equal to their height while still maintaining the look of a well proportioned and athletic dog. The topline of the Labrador Retriever should be level and the overall look of the body should be muscular with the appearance of power.

The head of the Labrador Retriever should be broad and the muzzle should not taper. There should be a moderate stop and the mouth shouldn’t have over pronounced jowls. The eyes are large and set wide apart. They should be brown in color for yellow and black Labrador Retrievers and can range from hazel to brown in chocolate Labrador Retrievers.

A very important trait of the Labrador Retriever is the otter tail. This is a tail that is thick at the base and tapers to a point. In addition, Labrador Retrievers have webbed toes that aid it when working in and around water.

The coat of the Labrador Retriever should consist of two coats. The top coat should be short and dense and should have a harder texture without being wiry. The undercoat is softer and shorter than the top coat. The Labrador Retriever coat is water resistant and handles colder temperatures. The Labrador Retriever comes in three approved colors.

Finally, when it comes to build, there are actually two different types of Labrador Retriever and both are accepted by the American Kennel Clubs as one breed, however, the types come from two different breeding lines. These are

  • Confirmation:This Labrador Retriever is often heavier with a stockier build. They have a wider head and are usually slightly shorter than the other type. They are also known as English-bred and Show type. They tend to have a calmer temperament but still have good energy, which is expected with the Labrador Retriever.
  • Field:Also called working or American-bred Labrador Retrievers, these dogs are usually taller and have a longer muzzle and thinner head. They are usually more active as many of the field lines are still used as gundogs today.
Born To Be Wild