French Bulldog AKC Standard
General Appearance:
The French Bulldog is a small, robust, and muscular dog with a distinctive bat-like face. It is known for its friendly and affectionate nature. The breed should exhibit a well-balanced, square appearance with a compact body.
Size, Proportion, and Substance:
Height: Males and females should not exceed 13 inches (33 cm) at the withers.
Proportion: The body should be square, with a length to height ratio of 1:1.
Substance: The French Bulldog should be solid and muscular, with a well-developed chest and a strong back.
Head:
The head is one of the most distinctive features of the French Bulldog. It should be large, round, and broad, with a well-developed foreface. The stop is well-defined, and the eyes are large, round, and dark. The ears are large, heavy, and dropped, often described as bat-like.
Neck:
The neck is short, thick, and muscular, blending smoothly into the shoulders.
Body:
The body is short, compact, and muscular. The chest is deep and well-developed, with a slight rise behind the elbow. The back is short and strong, and the loins are broad and muscular.
Tail:
The tail is naturally short and set high, carried in a curve over the back.
Legs:
The legs are short, strong, and straight. The pasterns are strong and slightly bent.
Feet:
The feet are small, round, and compact, with well-arched toes and dark nails.
Color:
The coat should be short, smooth, and glossy. Acceptable colors include brindle, fawn, white, and any solid color, with or without white markings.
Gait:
The French Bulldog moves with a distinctive, easy gait. The front legs move straight ahead, and the back legs move in a straight line.
Faults:
Any deviation from the standard should be considered a fault and the seriousness of the fault should be in proportion to its degree.
Disqualifications:
Any dog showing a physical or behavioral defect that adversely affects its health or welfare, or that makes it unsuitable to be a member of the breed, should be disqualified.
