FRENCH BULLDOG Q&A
FRONTS AND REARS HAVE IMPROVED GREATLY. WE ARE SEEING BETTER EARS. TOPLINES AND BALANCE NEED TO BE WORKED ON. We see too many Frenchies that are low and long, with flat backs.
My parents owned and exhibited Bullmastiffs and Bulldogs, so I have been involved in the sport of dogs since my teenage years. I was first approved to judge in 1995. I am a graduate of Harvard College. In addition to FBDCA, I am a member of the Ladies Dog Club, Wachusett Kennel Club, Connecticut River Working Group Club, and American Bullmas- tiff Association. Currently, I serve as President of the French Bull- dog Club of America and am Chair of the FBDCA Judges Educa- tion Committee. I have judged the FBDCA National and regional specialties in the US, and have judged overseas in many European countries, and in Australia and New Zealand. How important is gait in my evaluation of the dog during judg- ing? I think it is important that French Bulldogs be sound movers; their pear-shaped bodies mean that they should move closer in the rear than the front. That being said, Frenchies are companions. As long as they are not lame or show any sign of patella issues, my deci- sion is usually based on other things besides gait. Do I tend to favor Frenchies that are more “Bulldog” or “Ter- rier” in style? I judge to the standard. The standard says nothing about a Terrier in style. Frenchies are Bulldogs—less extreme than their Bulldog cousins, which a comparison of the two breed stan- dards will confirm. In my experience, when people refer to the Terrier influence in Frenchies, it is in reference to temperament. Some Frenchies can be feisty around other dogs. Though this is not necessarily a Terrier characteristic, as (English) Bulldogs can be very feisty. How much importance do I give to ear size, shape, and set? The bat ears are a hallmark of the breed. They are very important. Everything about the French Bulldog should be in proportion, so the ears should not look too big or too small when compared to the head. The ideal set should be 11 and 1. Expression and ear set should be evaluated on the ground. I never evaluate the set of the ears, or the expression, when the dog is on the table. On the table, it is amazing what some dogs do with their ears. If a French Bulldog doesn’t have bat ears, they must be disqualified, and the dog should also be disqualified if they are missing a piece of the ear on what, otherwise, would be described as a bat ear. How important is the topline in my evaluation of the dog? The topline is another hallmark of the breed. It is very important that, in silhouette, they have a roach back—in other words, a slight arch over the loin; and the tail set should be low. Do I feel there is a color preference? There are a lot of color DQs in our breed standard, and we hope all judges understand these, as there are now many breeders of these so-called rare colors. Of those colors that are allowed, there should be no preference given to one over the other. Do I take front and rear angulation into account when judg- ing? In silhouette, rear and front angulation should be moderate. The standard does specify that the hocks should be well let down.
certain colors. For example, I see more paddling in Brindles than in other colors; pied shows more white in the eye than other colors, etc. Do I take front and rear angulation into account when judging? Front and rear angulation plays a major role in the overall outline of the dog. Without the proper angles, the dog cannot hold the proper outline while moving around the ring. The angles determine that a Frenchie with proper temperament can move around the ring with grace and style. What do I see as the biggest challenge in judging the breed? The biggest challenge in judging is that, at times, one has to be very for- giving when the depth of quality is lacking. There have been times when I have awarded points to dogs that are small in ear or lacking a topline, but are, overall, the best competing. What aspect of the breed do I feel that breeders need to work to improve? Fronts and rears have improved greatly. We are seeing better ears. Toplines and balance need to be worked on. We see too many Frenchies that are low and long, with flat backs. Do I believe that a Frenchie can be too small? I find the most appealing males are around 26 pounds and bitches around 24 pounds. Yes, a Frenchie can be too small. They are not Toy-like dogs. They are a lot of dog in a small package. It is very difficult to get a small Frenchie with proper bone and substance. Do I favor more of a “square” dog or one that is “slightly longer than tall”, or what is my preference? It is ideal if you can get a square dog with the proper outline. Most of the dogs with the proper out- lines tend to be just off-square. When they are too short-backed, it does not allow for the correct outline. Anything else I’d like to add? I would say, worldwide, the breed is in good shape and is improving all the time. Just in the last few years, I have watched the breed at the World Shows in Amster- dam, Paris, Stockholm, Budapest, Helsinki, and Milan. In 2015, I watched them at Crufts. I have attended our Nationals several times recently, and the Specialties in New York and Santa Barbara. I have judged the breed in some of the major shows of Europe. The breed is very strong in many Asian and South American countries. At the last two World Shows, an American exhibitor won big with two bitches at both shows. This year at Crufts, the BOB winner was bred in Venezuela and is of American and European breeding. Here in the States in the last couple of years, I have awarded five different Frenchies Best in Show. In several countries of the world, I have awarded Frenchies BIS. There are many top breeders in so many parts of the world, producing top quality Frenchies. VIRGINIA ROWLAND I live in Templeton, Massachusetts. Most of my activities involve dogs. I am President of the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners, and National Rescue Coordinator for the American Bullmastiff Association.
240 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021
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