What American Achievements With French Bulldogs Mean (In 1926.)

Within the brief time that has elapsed, since Americans became interested in French Bulldogs, they have been among the main factors in the world in bringing the French Bulldog from a condition of comparatively little regularity in conformation, style, or expression to their present position as a distinct breed, everywhere now recognized as such and mainly known from definitions as to properties they should possess, as originally first described and adhered to with little deviation, by American fanciers of the breed. These properties have now become so thoroughly established, as attributes of these dogs that by application of scientific breeding methods they are capable of being reproduced as near perfection and with as much regularity as is attained by any breed, with the exception of the older breeds, whose cultivation has continued along prescribed lines during a century or more.

Had Americans not taken up, in a generous and enthusiastic way, the cultivation of French Bulldogs, when they did it is more than likely that the bat eared French Bulldogs of this breed would soon have ceased to exist, as the whole tendency both in France and England at the time as has been explained was to the preservation of the rose eared type only. Had this condition continued without the forceful opposition, such as the American fanciers provided, this asset which now gives the French Bulldogs their strongly accentuated individuality, would have been lost and there would likely have emerged a more purely miniature English bulldog.

Those whose contend that Americans exceeded their right, in first declaring, as to what should characterize a breed, that had its beginning in another country, must remember they took up its cultivation before regular classes had been made for French Bulldogs of this type at any known show, and before any country or place seemed in the least disposed to stand sponsor for them. This ignoring of their existence was, perhaps, more complete in France than in any other part of Europe. At best they were the creation of chance and as far as can be learned with no preconceived planning. They had simply “grown up” like Mrs. Stow’s immortal Topsy and when they arrived no doubt, were no more welcome or appreciated. in fact, if the early American searchers for them can be believed, they were considered in the beginning as discredited foundlings of the dog world. When Americans first began their search for them, they could be found only in the byways and haunts of the lowliest of the population of Paris. So when Americans adopted them they had gained no place of importance and it was only after their generous buying of these French Bulldogs gave them commercial value, that there was the least challenge of their right to mildly suggest, what qualities in these dogs should represent their true type.

What criticism may be leveled at us, in respect to the part people of this country have taken in the perpetuation and cultivation of the French Bulldogs, loses, however, its force in the face of the wonderful progress we have made with the breed. Today, America is not only the best market for French Bulldogs but we have without doubt, been more successful in bringing them to greater uniformity, toward a desired type, than has been attained in any other part of the world, a fact freely admitted by most dog fanciers, widely acquainted with conditions, now prevailing in this regard, both in America and abroad.