Non-Sporting Group
General Appearance
The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly built, and of medium or small structure. Expression alert, curious, and interested. Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws is considered mutilation and is a disqualification.
Proportion and Symmetry--All points are well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned.
Influence of Sex--In comparing specimens of different sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked degree as do the dogs.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight not to exceed 28 pounds; over 28 pounds is a disqualification. Proportion--Distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion. Substance--Muscular, heavy bone.
Head
Head large and square. Eyes dark in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In lighter colored dogs, lighter colored eyes are acceptable. No haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward. Ears Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification.
The top of the skull flat between the ears; the forehead is not flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle broad, deep and well laid back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The stop well defined, causing a hollow groove between the eyes with heavy wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose; nostrils broad with a well defined line between them. Nose black. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of the lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the underlip in front and covering the teeth, which are not seen when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad, undershot and well turned up.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is thick
and well arched with loose skin
at the throat. The back
is a roach back with a slight
fall close behind the shoulders;
strong and short, broad at the
shoulders and narrowing at the
loins. The body is
short and well rounded. The
chest is broad, deep, and
full; well ribbed with the belly
tucked up. The tail
is either straight or screwed
(but not curly), short, hung
low, thick root and fine tip;
carried low in repose.
Forequarters
Forelegs are short,
stout, straight, muscular and
set wide apart. Dewclaws may be
removed. Feet are
moderate in size, compact and
firmly set. Toes compact, well
split up, with high knuckles and
short stubby nails.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and
muscular, longer than the
forelegs, so as to elevate the
loins above the shoulders. Hocks
well let down. Feet are
moderate in size, compact and
firmly set. Toes compact, well
split up, with high knuckles and
short stubby nails; hind feet
slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat
Coat is moderately fine,
brilliant, short and smooth.
Skin is soft and loose,
especially at the head and
shoulders, forming wrinkles.
Color
Acceptable colors - All brindle,
fawn, white, brindle and white,
and any color except those which
constitute disqualification. All
colors are acceptable with the
exception of solid black, mouse,
liver, black and tan, black and
white, and white with black,
which are disqualifications.
Black means black without a
trace of brindle.
Gait
Correct gait is double tracking
with reach and drive; the action
is unrestrained, free and
vigorous.
Temperament
Well behaved, adaptable, and
comfortable companions with an
affectionate nature and even
disposition; generally active,
alert, and playful, but not
unduly boisterous.
Disqualifications
Any alteration other than
removal of dewclaws.
Over 28 pounds in weight.
Other than bat ears.
Nose other than black, except in
the case of lighter colored
dogs, where a lighter colored
nose is acceptable.
Solid black, mouse, liver, black
and tan, black and white, and
white with black. Black means
black without a trace of
brindle.
Approved June 10, 1991
Effective July 31, 1991
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