French Bulldogs: Favourites of the Parisian "Belles De Nuit"

French Bulldogs

by Carol Gravestock

While theories abound about the the exact origin of the French Bulldog, the most prevalent opinion is that around the mid 1800's Normandy lace workers from England took smaller bulldogs with them when they sought work in France. In the farming communities north of France that the lace workers settled in, the little Bulldogs became very popular as ratters and loyal family companions and their population began to swell. These little bulldogs were in fact "culls" of the established Bulldog Breeders in England, who were generally more than happy to sell these undersized examples of their breed to fanciers of the "new" breed in England. This was especially true of the "tulip" eared puppies that cropped up at times in Bulldog litters.

As the new, smaller Bulldogs gained popularity in France, they became favourites of the Parisian "Belles De Nuit" - the street walkers. Breed historians can still sometimes turn up notorious "French Postcards" bearing images of scantily clad French prostitutes posing with their little "Bouledogues Francais." The aura of notoriety that ownership of the little dogs conveyed soon made them a fashionable way for the well to do classes to show off how daring they could be, and they soon became favourites of the "artistic" set across Europe. Photos dating to around this time show photos of the Russian Royal family posing along side their French Bulldogs, and they were said to have imported several of the little dogs from France.

It is inarguable that without the influence of dedicated, turn of the century American fanciers the breed would not be what it is today. It is they that organised the very first French Bulldog Club in the world, and it was they who insisted that the "bat" ear so associated with the breed today was correct. Until that time, French Bulldogs were shown with either the "bat" or "rose" ear.

As a point of historic interest, a French Bulldog, insured for the at that time astronomical sum of $750, was on board the ill fated Titanic. All in all, French Bulldogs truly are an International Breed, with fanciers of many nations being responsible for the creation of the loving dogs we know today.