French Terrier: breed standard, maintenance and care

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

French Terrier is the second name of the French Bulldog breed. These small dogs are the result of a cross between English Bulldogs imported from England and local French rat-catchers. Representatives of the breed are very popular as pets all over the world.

In 2015, the French Terrier was the fourth most popular dog breed in the UK and USA. And in 2017 - the third in Australia.

Ancestors

The modern French Terrier comes directly from the dogs of the ancient Greek Molossian tribe. They were distributed throughout the ancient world by Phoenician traders. British Molossian dogs were developed into Mastiff and Bullenbeiser. They were used for bull-baiting.

Birth of a breed

Bloody sports such as bullfighting were banned in England in 1835. Bulldogs are out of work. Their breeding has changed from a sport breed to a companion breed. To reduce the size of the animals, some bulldogs were crossed with terriers, rat-catchers from the "slums"England.

By 1850 French Terriers were common in England. They began to be used in conformational shows that began around 1860. These dogs weighed around 7.3-11.3kg, although show classes were also available for those weighing less than 5.4kg.

From England to France

Nottingham lacemakers, forced out by the industrial revolution, began to settle in Normandy (France). They brought with them many dogs, including miniature bulldogs. The latter became popular in France. A trade was created with breeders in England sending out bulldogs they considered too small or with deficiencies such as erect ears. Photos of the French Terrier of that time differ significantly from the modern representation of the breed.

By 1860 there were few miniature bulldogs left in England, such was their popularity in France. Thanks to the exploits of exporting specialists, the French Terrier dog appeared. They were very fashionable and were popular with society ladies and creative people such as artists, writers and fashion designers. However, no records were kept of the development of the breed as it moved further and further away from its original bulldog roots. As the breed evolved, French Terriers began to take on traits such as long, straight ears.

First club

Bulldogs were very popular in the past, especially in Western Europe. Americans had been importing French Terriers for some time, but it wasn't until 1885 that they were brought in to createAmerican breeding program. Most of the dogs belonged to society ladies, who first showed them at the dog show of the Westminster Kennel Club in 1896. The French Bulldog Club of America was formed and a French Terrier standard was created stating that "bat ear" is the correct type.

Rockefellers and Morgans

In the early 20th century, the breed remained in vogue as pets of high society. Dogs worth up to three thousand dollars changed hands and belonged to members of powerful families such as the Rockefellers and Morgans. The American Kennel Club quickly recognized the French Terrier, and by 1906 the breed was the fifth most popular.

Conquest of England

This new breed of bulldog first appeared in England in 1893. French imports did not meet English breed standards. The Kennel Club originally recognized French Terriers as a subset of the existing English Bulldog breed rather than an entirely new species. Some breeders have bred these dogs to resurrect the toy bulldog breed.

On July 10, 1902, a meeting was held at the home of Frederick W. Cousens to form a club to achieve individual recognition of the French breed. The accepted standard was the same used in America, France, Germany and Austria. In 1905, the Kennel Club changed its breed policy and recognized it as separate from the English variety.

General Description

"The New Complete Dog Book: Official Breed Standards and All New Profiles for 200 Breeds" is the official publication of the American Kennel Club and sets the breed standards. It presents photos of the French Terrier, which depicts an active, muscular dog, with a heavy bone, smooth coat, and a dense physique. Not a single feature has an excess or lack of quality. The animal does not appear deformed or out of proportion.

Height at withers is 28 to 30. Males weigh 9 to 12.5 kilograms, females 7 to 11.

Head

A feature of the French Terrier is a square head with bat ears. The facial expression is alert, curious and interested. The eyes are dark, brown or almost black, set wide apart, deep set (as far from the ears as possible), round, of medium size, not sunken or protruding. Light brown eyes are acceptable but not desirable. Blue and green shades are disqualifications.

The top of the skull is flat between the ears, the forehead is slightly rounded. The muzzle is broad, the muscles of the cheeks are well developed. The nose is black. The cheeks are thick and wide, hanging over the lower jaw on the sides.

Physique

The back is strong and short, broader at the shoulders and tapering towards the back of the head. The body is short and rounded. The chest is wide, deep and full, ribbed, with a tucked up belly. The tail is straight or curled (but not curly), short, hanging low, thick at the root and thin at the tip.

The forelegs are short, thick, straight, muscular, set wide apart. The thumbs may be removed. The hind feet are of moderate size (slightly longer than the forelegs), compact and firmly set. The fingers are small, well split, with high knuckles and short nails.

Coat and color

Another feature of the dogs, which should definitely be mentioned when describing the French Terrier, is a shiny, short, smooth coat. The skin is soft and loose, especially on the head and shoulders. Forms wrinkles.

Acceptable colors:

• white;
• cream;
• fawn (light to red);
• any combination of the above.

The patterns are as follows:

• brindle;
• skewbald;
• black mask;
• black shading,
• white spots.

Temperament

The character of the French Terrier is cheerful and free-thinking. This is a smart loving dog who wants and needs to spend a lot of time with his owner. She should not be left alone for more than a few hours. Otherwise, the dog is anxious. Being alone for too long can lead to destructive behavior in the French Terrier, which can even include chewing on household items.

The breed is sometimes called a "frog" or "clown" dog. The first nickname refers to their broad, round muzzle and unique way of sitting on their hind legs. The second - to a cheerful and lively temperament.

FrenchThe terrier is an excellent companion. He rarely barks. Mostly to get attention, to indicate that he needs something. Representatives of this breed are patient and affectionate with their owners.

Dogs are ranked 109th in Stanley Coren's Dog Intelligence. A female French Terrier named Princess Jacqueline, who died in 1934, understood 20 human words and responded correctly to them.

Basic care

The French Terrier is unpretentious in keeping. He doesn't need to move much. Representatives of the breed have a rather low energy level. Although there are exceptions to every rule. However, in order to maintain their weight, they need daily exercise during short walks. Many French Terriers love to play and spend a lot of time in a variety of activities. But they are not so energetic that they need a large yard or long periods of exercise.

Dogs of this breed are prone to heat exhaustion and should not exercise in high temperatures. When training, it should be taken into account that dogs are smart and usually eager to please, but they can be naughty and stubborn. When studying with them, many different teaching methods work successfully. To pique the Frenchman's interest, you can make learning feel like a game with lots of fun and prizes.

Grooming and hygiene

The breed gets only positive feedback. French Terriers do not require much grooming. They only need occasional brushing. They have an average degree of molting. It is necessary to start caring for a Frenchie at a young age. You need to teach the puppy to stand on the table or the floor.

Check periodically for any scabs, skin lesions, bare spots, rough, flaky skin, or signs of infection. Ears, eyes and teeth also need to be examined for any discharge or unpleasant odors. It is necessary to regularly clean the ears with a damp warm cloth and run a cotton swab along the edge of the canal. Do not insert a cotton swab into the ear canal. If the edges of the ears are dry, you can apply a small amount of baby oil. It is also used on dry noses.

French Terriers need regular nail trimming. This prevents splitting and tearing, which can be painful for the dog. Wrinkles on the face should be kept clean and dry to prevent infection. Bathe your dog monthly with a high quality shampoo.

Reproduction

French Terriers often require artificial insemination and caesarean sections for childbirth. Over 80% of litters appear this way. Many Frenchmen are not capable of natural selection. This is because they have very thin thighs, making it impossible for the male to mount the female for natural breeding. Therefore, breeders should carry out artificial insemination. On average, French Terriers have about three puppies per litter.

He alth problems

The main he alth problems in French Terriers are:

• Dysplasiahip joint. This is an inherited condition in which the femur is loosely attached to the pelvic socket of the hip joint. Some dogs experience pain and lameness on one or both hind legs. Arthritis can develop with age.
• Brachycephalic syndrome. This disorder occurs in dogs with small heads, narrowed nostrils, and an elongated or soft palate. Their airways are obstructed and can cause noisy, labored breathing or complete collapse. Dogs usually sniff and snort. Treatment includes oxygen therapy, as well as surgery to widen the nostrils or shorten the palate.
• Allergy. There are three main types: food, contact, and inhaler allergies. They are caused by certain foods in a dog's diet, flea products, dog shampoos, household chemicals, pollen, dust, and mold.
• Hemivertebrae. This is a malformation of one or more vertebrae. The anomaly may occur on its own or with other defects.
• Pathology of the knee joints. This is a common problem in small dogs. It is caused when the three-piece patella (femur, patella, and tibia) is misaligned and slips in place. This causes lameness or an abnormal gait. The disease is congenital. It can lead to arthritis. Severe luxation of the patella may require surgery.
• Disease of the intervertebral discs. Occurs when a disc in the spine ruptures. It presses on the spinal cord. Nerve transmission blocked. It can be caused by trauma, age, or simply the physical jolt that occurs when the dog jumps off the couch. The pet usually feels pain. There is weakness and temporary or permanent paralysis. Treatment includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs made specifically for dogs.