BREED STANDARD
General Appearance
The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active,
intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone, smooth coat, compactly
built, and of medium or small structure. Expression alert,
curious, and interested. Any alteration other than removal of
dewclaws is considered mutilation and is a disqualification.
Proportion and Symmetry--All points are well distributed
and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in
such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the
animal appears poorly proportioned.
Influence of Sex--In comparing specimens of different
sex, due allowance is to be made in favor of bitches, which do
not bear the characteristics of the breed to the same marked
degree as do the dogs.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Weight not to exceed 28 pounds; over 28 pounds is a
disqualification. Proportion--Distance from withers to ground in
good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that
animal appears compact, well balanced and in good proportion.
Substance--Muscular, heavy bone.
Head
Head large and square. Eyes dark in color, wide apart, set
low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round
in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In
lighter colored dogs, lighter colored eyes are acceptable. No
haw and no white of the eye showing when looking forward.
Ears, Mouth
Known as the bat ear, broad at the base, elongated, with round
top, set high on the head but not too close together, and
carried erect with the orifice to the front. The leather of the
ear fine and soft. Other than bat ears is a disqualification.
The top of the skull flat between the ears; the forehead is not
flat but slightly rounded. The muzzle broad, deep and well laid
back; the muscles of the cheeks well developed. The stop well
defined, causing a hollow groove between the eyes with heavy
wrinkles forming a soft roll over the extremely short nose;
nostrils broad with a well defined line between them. Nose
black. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in
the case of the lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored
nose is acceptable but not desirable. Flews black, thick and
broad, hanging over the lower jaw at the sides, meeting the
underlip in front and covering the teeth, which are not seen
when the mouth is closed. The underjaw is deep, square, broad,
undershot and well turned up.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat.
The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the
shoulders; strong and short, broad at the shoulders and
narrowing at the loins. The body is short and well rounded. The
chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly
tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed (but not
curly), short, hung low, thick root and fine tip; carried low in
repose.
Forequarters
Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide
apart. Dewclaws may be removed. Feet are moderate in size,
compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high
knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters
Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so
as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let
down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes
compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby
nails; hind feet slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat
Coat is moderately fine, brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is
soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming
wrinkles.
Color
Acceptable colors - All brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white,
and any color except those which constitute disqualification.
All colors are acceptable with the exception of solid black,
mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with
black, which are disqualifications. Black means black without a
trace of brindle.
Gait
Correct gait is double tracking with reach and drive; the action
is unrestrained, free and vigorous.
Temperament
Well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions with an
affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active,
alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous.
Disqualifications
Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws.
Over 28 pounds in weight.
Other than bat ears.
Nose other than black, except in the case of lighter colored
dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.
Solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and
white with black. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Approved June 10, 1991
Effective July 31, 1991
Source: www.akc.org