The World of Frenchies

                                                                                                                                               This book is an outstanding achievement.  In April 2009 Bas Bosch of The Netherlands first emailed proposed correspondents around the world.  In early November 2009 the completed 308 page hardback book was in the hands of French Bulldog enthusiasts.  This is “A vital reference in a small and fast world”, to quote the front cover.

Bosch is the founder of the publisher BBPress and the editor of this first edition of The World of Frenchies.  He has been involved with frenchies for over thirty years and has judged them in various parts of the world, including at many national championship shows.

In a thoughtful Preface entitled ‘Let’s celebrate’ Bas Bosch states “What I also learned a long time ago is that these periods of (extreme) popularity give (the genuine) good breeders the best possible opportunities to make large strides in improving the breed; more puppies being bred means more to select from.  Especially in this day and age when the breed is heavily criticised health-wise, responsible breeders and breed-clubs could do a lot in a relatively short period of time.”

The first quarter of the book has articles of general French Bulldog interest.  The 2007 Centenary Show of the Dutch Bulldog Club (founded in 1907) is described in outstanding and entertaining writing by Simon Parsons of Britain’s Dog World and contains excellent color photographs (as does the whole book – over 500 of them).

The Bomlitz French Bulldogs traces the remarkable history of Vivien Watkins and her involvement with French Bulldogs for over fifty years, including reproductions from her scrapbook and her art collection.

The Danish Bulldog Club Centenary (1908 – 2008) article explains that the club twice lost its archives in fires and for some years no information was even stored.  A specially formed book committee engaged in detective work for the centenary and the article has a personal summary by the President.

Interestingly the first French Bulldog in Denmark traced was owned by Princess Marie of Orleans and there is a color picture of her with her frenchie.  She was married to Prince Valdemar of Denmark in 1888 (it seems her father gave her the dog as a wedding present when she left for Denmark).

Bas Bosch has written an article about his discovery of the Peritas bas-reliefs, the artwork of Eskandar and Marie-Noelle Magzub “… they present themselves as an artistic couple, under one name, Peritas.  Quite unusual.”  From the color photos the work is outstanding.

There follows "The French Bulldog in America" with text by Arlie Amarie Alford and Colette Seror-Secher.  This includes recording that “In 1950, AKC registrations were at an all time low, 68 in number.  In 1960 and a decade later in 1970, the number was 106.  In 2008 the AKC litter registrations were 3,852 litters – 13,702 puppies!  According to the AKC at the time of the writing, the French Bulldog is the fastest growing breed in America.”

The final article in the general section is headed "Canadian Dreamland" and comprises Frenchie Fairy Tales by Dorit Fischler (Belboulecan) with text by Bas Bosch.  These photos are almost worth the price of the book.

The whole book is interspersed with attractive and interesting photographs and advertisements.

From page 80 on we have correspondents from nineteen countries providing their reportage of the French Bulldogs in 2007 and 2008.  Throughout there are invaluable photographs and three generation pedigrees of 2007 and 2008 champions, with other details and show results.

The book really does permit a world-wide panorama of French Bulldogs.  The countries are in alphabetical order and to try to give a perspective, here are some examples and quotes:

“Australian national registration figures showed a 216 percent increase in puppy registrations between 2005 and 2008 … While it is indeed an exciting time for the French Bulldog, because of the popularity of the breed and the increased scrutiny of the dog world in general by lobbyists and governments, the breed faces challenges in the future.

To meet these challenges it is increasingly important that the three Australian breed clubs continue to actively work together to drive the ongoing improvement of the breed.”

“The Puppy Booklet … a resounding success, with more than 300 copies of the booklet already sold throughout the country and demand continuing … seems to fill the gap between the verbal (and often also written) breeder instructions given to the new puppy owner and the several good French Bulldog handbooks now available from bookshops and the internet.”

“For all litters born from 1st January 2009 onwards both parents and at least one puppy must obligatory be checked by a DNA test …

“In 2007 a Belgian law came into force that forbids the keeping and exhibiting of dogs and cats in pet stores and the buying and selling of dogs and cats on credit … Everyone who breeds dogs and/or cats will have to be legally licensed as a breeder … stream of puppies coming from Eastern Europe.”

“The French Bulldog has become more and more popular dog in Denmark the last couple of years, as never seen before.  Our breed is now in the top 20 of the most popular breeds.”

“… extremely large import figures will make an uneven standard in Denmark the coming years … It brings us a lot of new blood for breeding, but as many of the imported dogs are totally unknown, they will be a risk for health and quality too.”

“The French Bulldog is becoming more and more popular in Finland, that is for sure … 152 registrations during the year 2004 … 2008 saw a ‘miraculous’ 394 registrations of which an even [more] ‘miraculous’ 107 were imported.

“The high demand for puppies during the last years has created an opportunity for ‘black markets’ as well, resulting in several very sad stories already.  Some of the puppy buyers never received registration papers, most likely due to the fact that the parents are not pure-bred Frenchies.  Others got a very sick puppy, the result of bad breeding conditions.”

“In 1996 201 Frenchies were registered at the Kennel Club.  2005 saw 324 registrations.  In 2007 there was a dramatic increase to 692 for the year, but in 2008 a record was reached when the number registered was 1,025.  … French Bulldogs are 60th in the league table of registrations.”

“The docking ban came into effect in the UK in April 2007.  It is well documented that many breeders of traditionally docked breeds have chosen not to carry on with them now tails cannot be docked.  This may be one reason for the rise in the French Bulldog’s popularity.”

“Revised Breed Standard … The changes in the standard … will guide breeders and judges to avoid conditions or exaggerations which are detrimental to the health and soundness of the breed … Let’s hope breeders take up the Kennel Club’s ethos; health screening before breeding and putting more emphasis in general on the health of the dogs they breed.”

 “The [Italian Stud Book] registered … 247 in 2002 … 510 in 2008 … we have experienced the negative side-effects of the rising popularity of our breed.  Too many people seem to want to have a puppy overnight or, even worse, stop in front of the window of a pet-shop, see this cute puppy and go and buy it.  This lack of sensitivity and culture supports the production of puppy-mills and illegal activities from Eastern Europe.”

“A recent analysis reports that about 500,000 puppies, representing pretty much all recognised breeds, are dishonestly imported in Italy every year, mostly from puppy-mills directly to pet-shops.  The majority of them with viral, degenerative and genetic diseases.  Unfortunately this sad situation damages the breed greatly and creates a deep gap between the Frenchie you meet on the street and the ones you see at shows.”

“Thanks to the passion of a few breeders Italy has a decent number of Frenchies that have done really well, here and abroad.”

The correspondent explained that there are three bulldog clubs in New Zealand and each has one or two specialty shows per year.

“At our Specialty shows French Bulldogs are judged with British Bulldogs; usually the French Bulldogs are judged first, then the British, then the best of each breed competes for the In-Show awards.”

“Imports are coming in from Canada, the USA and Australia.  We also have frozen semen coming in from Australia and the USA, which adds to our gene pool.  The future can be looked forward to with great interest.”

“Like all European countries Norway has seen a dramatic increase in the number of French Bulldogs … until 2000, relatively rare.  In 2008 the number of registered puppies bred or imported to Norway increased by two hundred percent …”

“… downside … too many bought their new family member from a puppy mill, brought up in cages, often without any vaccinations, papers or pedigree.”

“The French Bulldog in Norway is taken care of by the Norweigan Bulldog Club (Norsk Bulldog Klubb, NVK) which includes the (English) Bulldog as well … research of the spine of the French Bulldog … in cooperation with a veterinarian at the Norweigan School of Veterinary Science.”

Photos throughout the book are of a high standard, but the photos in this section, particularly “Welcome to Norway”, the action photos and Stavanger beach walk (well worth reading the text about this carefully) and “Norwegian Frenchies saying goodbye” (pp 191 – 200) are delightful.

I learned that catalogues have revealed a 1902 toy bulldog and in 1909 three French Bulldogs were shown.  A most interesting brief history follows, as well as lots of information, pedigrees and photos well up to the standard throughout the book.

This provides a splendid history of the breed with lots of stories, characters and fascinating photos.

The national breed club for the French Bulldog was formed in 1991.  The list of Russian wins abroad is impressive and as usual excellent photos and three generation pedigrees provide a feast of beautiful dogs and information.  

This answered a question for me.  Yes there is a South African French Bulldog Club – The Klun French Bulldog Club of the Free State (Klun is Clown in Afrikaans).  The inaugural meeting was on 9 March 2008, affiliation was confirmed in June 2008 and there is a color photo of the Frenchie enthusiasts who attended the inaugural meeting – and a happy band they obviously are.

The article also mentions the club’s website address and gives lots more details and information, as well as pedigrees and photos.

“Before 2000 hardly anyone in Spain knew about French Bulldogs … In 2001 a French Bulldog appeared in a popular Spanish movie …”

As soon as it became better known, its popularity increased and “… the breed is becoming one of the most popular of all breeds in the country.”

Several breeders have started with an Association for the French Bulldog in Spain in 2007.  In September 2008 it was recognized by the Spanish KC as the only official club for the French Bulldog in Spain.  Once again beautiful dogs and photos and plenty of pedigrees, information and details.

“ – everyone seems to want a Bully.  This has been both delightful and frightening.”  The fawn and the pied frenchies have also become much more popular.

Because of the large puppy demand in Sweden illegal importation of puppies has been significant and the French Bulldog Club is warning the public about dog smuggling and about the risks of buying a puppy of doubtful origin.

Once again, lots of information, results, three generation pedigrees and those excellent color photos.

There are strict health controls before puppies from approved parents can be registered with the Swiss KC.  This includes a Patella test and the article contains details.  (It was a pity that there were not photos and pedigrees of all the champions referred to.)

Since 1993 the Hollandse Buldoggen Club (HBC) became the Dutch breed club solely for the French Bulldog.  (Before that it also included the Bulldog).  The Centenary show (17 & 18 May 2007) “was a record breaker in all aspects”.  [The entertaining Simon Parsons article about the centenary show has already been mentioned near the beginning of this writing.]

From the text there has clearly been a great deal of Dutch French Bulldog activity aside from the Centenary Show.  The first major French Bulldog breed book in Dutch (by Bas Bosch) was published in 2007.  On 1 July 2008 the new basic rules for breeding set by the Dutch KC came into force and the club changed its rules and prepared for the 2009 breeders meetings.

Many shows, results and photographs all reflect the healthy activity reported.

Informative writing about the major shows that would be helpful to any frenchie enthusiast.

Reflecting the world-wide trend shown by this book, (and repeating some statistics in the general part of the book) “According to the AKC, the French Bulldog is the fastest growing breed today having increased its numbers by 467 percent in the decade 1998-2008.  In 2007, there were 3330 litters (11,753 pups) registered with the AKC and in 2008 3852 litters (13,702 pups).”

There are detailed results of the various major shows including of course the Nationals, Westminster and the Texas Regional and Northern California Specialty and Eukanuba Championship shows, again complemented by excellent color photos, three generation pedigrees and detailed information.

The high number of advertisers and subscribers who supported The World of Frenchies in 2007 and 2008 made it a success before it was even published.  There is the unequivocal statement in the September 2009 Preface that BBPress will produce a second ‘World of Frenchies’.  (The World of Chows is in its fifth edition, for the years 2007 and 2008.)

Countries and correspondents will no doubt fluctuate but France needs to be in the next edition, possibly Japan, perhaps Mexico and perhaps also some of the other European countries including Austria.

This book is a wonderful frenchie trip around the world, covering 2007 and 2008.  It is all the more interesting for the different correspondents’ reports and texts.  Photographs and pedigrees alone would justify the purchase price of euro 59.50 plus postage. For info go to  http://www.bbpress.nl    or email to:     sales@bbpress.nl