According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the French bulldog is the fourth most popular dog breed in the United States. It’s not surprising since this breed is possibly one of the cutest and most loveable you’ll find. Still, Frenchies weren’t always at the top of the favorite breed list, especially among the British, their original breeders.
What Are French Bulldogs Bred For?
- Originated from the bulldog
- Bred to be a smaller, companion version of the bulldog
- What was unpopular in England became popular in France
- Refining the French Bulldog breed standard
How did the Frenchie become the well-known breed that it is today? One thing is for sure: these adorable companions love their families, and that’s precisely why the French took such a strong liking to the breed. The Frenchie has quite a history that has made it into the family dog it is today, keeping its status as a friendly miniature bulldog with a face you can’t help but love.
What Are French Bulldogs Bred For?
The French Bulldog’s history is an interesting one, primarily because this breed technically originated in England. How, then, did it come to be the French bulldog, and why were French bulldogs bred in the first place?
1. French bulldogs originated from the bulldog
As you might suspect, the French bulldog comes from the English bulldog. English Bulldogs were primarily used for bull-baiting, a sport in which the dog and bull were placed together in a ring. Typically, the bulldog was usually the victor. By the early 1800s, the English parliament outlawed the sport as concerns about animal cruelty arose.
Although this was a good move for animals and their advocates, numerous bulldogs were left without an ability to fulfill their purpose. Their breeders didn’t necessarily want the large, tough, and bulky animals as companions. The desire for a smaller, friendlier breed that looked similar to the bulldog was strong, leading to the beginning of the small but mighty French bulldog breed.
2. French bulldogs were bred to be a smaller, cmpanion version of the bulldog
The goal for the smaller breed was to keep the integrity of the bulldog’s looks and personality but size it down to a breed that would be more fit for a family companion dog. History points toward breeding the bulldog with terrier breeds and other small breeds to give them their less bulky, lighter weight body.
At the time, the Frenchie dog was known more by lower-class citizens than the upper-class. People living in slums or working in blue collar industries during the mid-19th century were very fond of the new breed. It was often referred to as the toy bulldog.
In fact, women working in England’s lace industry before the Industrial Revolution boom seemed to love these little pups the most, choosing to make them their companions to snuggle as they worked. As the industry grew, the average British citizen could afford to have pets—something that was once a luxury for many—allowing the little dog’s popularity to soar.
3. French bulldogs became popular in France
Unfortunately, many workers were out of jobs due to the Industrial Revolution in England if their work couldn’t keep up with the move to industrial practices. Some workers decided to move to other countries to work, which is what many of England’s lace workers did. Of course, they brought their adorable French bulldogs with them.
While the Frenchie’s popularity grew in France, feelings toward the small dog breed dwindled in England. Over time, the breed’s growth in France led to it being named the French bulldog in the early 1900s. In fact, they became so popular, people imported them from England to France just to have the opportunity to become a dog owner to the beloved breed.
4. Refining the French Bulldog Breed Standard
As the Frenchie population grew in France, high-society women began to turn the original mixed breed into a more purebred dog by developing a strict breed standard. The breed’s standards helped shape it into what it is today: a somewhat stubby dog with a broad jaw, bulky body, and pointed ears.
People started to parade the French bulldog breed in dog shows toward the late 1800s, which further contributed to the need for a breed standard. However, there was some debate between the French, British, and Americans about whether bat ears or floppier rose ears should be included in the standard.
The dispute led a group creating the French Bulldog Club of America, where only erect, bat-eared Frenchies were accepted. Soon, the American Kennel Club recognized the French Bulldog as a breed and released the official standard for each dog breeder to follow for both puppy and adult dog.
And Now…The Royal Frenchel
The history of the Frenchie goes to show just how beloved this breed is. But it’s not the only one of its kind. The Royal Frenchel may not be a breed you’ve heard of, but it’s one to keep your eye on if you’re a French bulldog fan.
The Royal Frenchel is a bulldog type that derives mostly from the French bulldog and the cavalier king charles spaniel. There’s only one official, original Royal Frenchel Bulldog breeder, making the award-winning breed relatively exclusive. If you choose to adopt a Royal Frenchel, you’ll join the select group of dog owners who have decided to make these loving pups a part of their families.
What Makes the Royal Frenchel Different?
The Royal Frenchel is part French bulldog, but what sets them apart from the Frenchie? There are a few differences between these loving, friendly breeds:
Health
One of the most significant perks of having a Royal Frenchel over a French bulldog is that the Royal Frenchel’s health is almost unmatched. Frenchies are susceptible to a wide range of ailments and conditions. Some of the more common French bulldog health problems include:
- Cardiovascular problems
- Allergies
- Cleft palate
- Patellar luxation
- Gastroenteritis and colitis
- Deafness
- Hip dysplasia
Frenchies are also a brachycephalic breed, making brachycephalic syndrome a common issue. A responsible breeder won’t knowingly breed Frenchies with these problems, but some may still pass through to French bulldog puppies through breeding and family genetics.
A Royal Frenchel, on the other hand, is very similar to a French bulldog in many ways, but lacks many of the same health problems. In fact, Royal Frenchel’s have ten times fewer health conditions and issues as Frenchies. The breed’s likelihood of getting cancer, seizures, digestive issues, allergies, and spinal problems is much lower than that of the typical French bulldog.
When you have a dog from a reputable breeder that’s transparent about the breed’s health potential, you’ll know more about what to expect when it comes to your dog’s health. Overall, you might spend less time and money at the vet’s office and more time loving and snuggling your new family member.
Lifespan
That brings us to our next point: the lifespan of a Royal Frenchel vs. a French bulldog. The French bulldog lifespan is an average of 10 to 12 years, although smaller versions of the breed, like the mini or teacup French bulldog, could live closer to 12 to 16 years. Common Frenchie health problems can cause complications that may shorten the average lifespan for the breed.
The Royal Frenchel, however, can live as long as 14 to 20 years! The smaller the Royal Frenchel, the longer they could live, with many of reaching closer to 20 years. Much of this stems from reputable breeding practices and fewer health problems that plague the breed. It’s never a bad thing to have more years to spend with your beloved pup.
Temperament
We admit that there’s much to love about a French bulldog puppy or adult’s temperament. These dogs are some of the friendliest and loveable pups that you can add to your family. Still, many people have a soft spot for the Royal Frenchel, which exhibits the same positive temperament characteristics as the French Bulldog.
Where the Royal Frenchel shines is in its trainability. While the Frenchie is known to be quite stubborn, the Royal Frenchel is adaptive, intuitive, and super intelligent. The mixture of these character traits lends well to Royal Frenchel’s ability to quickly and naturally pick up tricks and obedience skills. Give them some treats, attention, and praise, and Royals will continue to please.
Royal Frenchels also have a personality that’s entirely their own. They’re ready to make you smile, laugh, and feel loved at the drop of a hat. These playful pups blend in perfectly with active families.
Why You Should Consider a Royal Frenchel Instead of a French Bulldog
Whether it’s a merle French bulldog, a tea cup French bulldog, or any other Frenchie in between, we adore the French bulldog breed. As you can see from the breed’s history, these dogs have had a strong, devoted fanbase from the start, and it continues to be as supportive now as it was then.
Still, it’s undeniable that many Frenchies have unfortunate health issues that stem from their breeding history. Several health problems stem from being a brachycephalic dog breed, causing breathing, snoring, eating, and overheating issues. Other issues can be more severe, affecting the quality of life and the lifespan of your furry family member.
French bulldogs can also be stubborn. Although highly intelligent, the Frenchie sometimes uses its intelligence rebel in situations it doesn’t want to be in, like training.
Royal Frenchels take the best traits of the Frenchie and add to it. The Royal Frenchel breed is all about health transparency so that you know what to expect from your dog. Royals are also exceptionally intelligent and intuitive, but without as much of the stubbornness of the Frenchie. Royal Frenchels aim to please, making training a breeze when you do it correctly and consistently.
The Royal Frenchel breeders also stand apart from other breeders. Throughout your pup’s training and beyond, we stick with you to make sure you have all the tools you need to raise a successful family dog. That’s what it means to be a part of the Royal Frenchel family.
French Bulldog Breed vs. Royal Frenchel: Which One is the Right One for You?
Have you had your heart set on a French bulldog? We don’t blame you. We love the breed, which is why they’re one of the primary breeds used to create the Royal Frenchel. But, we believe the Royal Frenchel could be the right choice for you or your family if you’re looking for that adorable French bulldog look, but want an excellent lifespan, training cooperation, and a shining personality.
Before you adopt a Royal Frenchel, you’ll get to meet our Royals in person or via Skype to find the perfect dog to fit your family. After you adopt, you receive training sessions and education to help you along the way. It’s our way of welcoming you to our family and smoothing the acclimation to your new family member.
Contact us today to learn more about the process of adopting a Royal Frenchel.