In the last few months I’ve done more research on dogs than I would care to admit. Although I don’t plan on getting a dog for a few years, I’ve started to look up information on different breeds to curb any future impulse decisions. One dog that was initially on my list was the French bulldog. After looking past their adorableness, I’ve reconsidered.
Surprisingly, the French bulldog is actually English. During the British industrial revolution breeders mixed together a doggy cocktail of a dwarf English bulldog, a pug, and a terrier. The resulting dog was both adorable and bizarrely proportioned. Don’t plan on taking your french bulldog surfing; they are so top heavy that they are unable to swim. Because their heavy fronts are coupled with narrow hips, male french bull dogs are unable to actually mount females. Instead, all French bulldogs are artificial inseminated. And when it comes time for birthing, puppies have to be delivered via c-section because they have such large heads.
The expense and complications involved make me question if the French Bulldog is a breed that should exist. I don’t want to use the term “unnatural” but it’s hard to get past that this breed exists only because of human creation and propagation. It’s almost more of a luxury item than a pet. One positive aspect of the complex breeding process? You won’t see many French bulldogs at puppy mills. If you do decide that you absolutely need a French bulldog, consider adopting from a rescue.
