FRENCH BULLDOG Q&A
the front and behind, with short upper arms, resulting in the pad- dling—or the “rotary” front gait that is called for in the Norwegian Lundehund Standard. What do I see as the biggest challenge in judging the breed? For me, it is sorting through a total variance (or lack) of type, with very few complete, balanced dogs. Many exhibits may show qual- ity in a specific area: great head, great topline, great bone, great legs. Unfortunately, for a very popular breed, we see very few great Frenchies. With a standard that is not very specific, I think you have to be somewhat of an artist. You take a chunk of clay and you mold it to make the elements: topline, heavy-yet-moderate-bone, give room for the pear shape in the body, the large, square head with bat ears; all staying within the 28-pound weight limit. We have very specific, unique features that our breed must possess that make up the Frenchie type. When you find it, reward it! It is a very challenging breed. What aspect of the breed do I feel that breeders need to work to improve? Breeders need to become more familiar with the breed standard. I read our standard every time I judge our breed (as I do every breed) and always pick up on some point I might have forgot- ten. Breeders need to work with each other to produce better quality dogs. Since most Frenchies are “finishable” largely because they are shown against dogs of equal quality, often there is no great incentive to improve quality. After all, you never know whose turn it will be to win on a given day. Do I believe that a Frenchie can be too small? As a breeder, my size preference is for a larger dog. As a judge, I try to weigh (pun intended) all sizes equally as long as I have the muscular dog of heavy bone that the standard calls for. Remember that the Frenchie is not a Toy breed, and yes, they can be too small. I call for the scale whenever I have a dog whose weight I question. I would much rather weigh, and if the dog weights in, judge it accordingly; if it weights out, disqualify it. I’ve actually had judges tell me that they try to “pick from the mid- dle” so that they don’t have to worry about having an oversized dog. Weigh the damned dog, don’t ignore it or put it at the end of the line! Judges who do not come from a weighable breed need to weigh, to set size in your mind. I probably call for the scale about every third or fourth time I judge the breed, and I weighed two dogs at the National when I judged it; and they both weighted in! By now, most exhibitors know not to show us oversize dogs. Do I favor more of a “square” dog or one that is “slightly longer than tall”, or what is my preference? Again, I reference my earlier comment that the standard was written for “dog people.” When this section of the standard was written in the late 19th century, the Frenchie proportions resembled more of a Staffy Terrier type of dog than what the breed looks like today. If you have an overly short (square) dog, there is no room for the pear shape or the roach topline. Although not described in the standard, I believe that most well-proportioned Frenchies are between 10% to 15% longer than tall. The standard does call for the “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.” So even if this distance from the withers to the onset of tail were equal to the height at the withers, we would have a slightly longer than tall dog. I feel the most poorly written part of our standard is the phrase: “Forelegs are short…” How short and in comparison to what? In comparison to the hind legs (to elevate the loin above the shoulder) and give the correct roach topline; which the next paragraph clarifies. Lack of understanding of this
relationship by both breeders and judges results in short-legged, flat- backed caterpillars, too often seen in the ring. Anything else I’d like to add? Just remember that the Frenchie is the most important breed at the dog show (as is every breed to its exhibitors). Remember to judge on the positives and on the overall dog, not the parts. You are judging breeding stock and you know what can and what can’t be easily fixed. Be kind, fair, and treat all exhibits and exhibitors equally, and most importantly, don’t leave your common sense at home! What’s the funniest thing I’ve ever experienced at a dog show? One experience I can share in print happened when Mrs. Clark judged our Centennial National. An exhibitor called weight on a number of exhibits in the Breed ring (as was her right). When one of the dogs weighted in, its exhibitor proclaimed, “Thank God!” to which Mrs. Clark, without missing a beat, responded, “You’re welcome.” ROBIN STANSELL
I have been exhibiting since 1976 and judging since 1991. Outside of dogs, I do very little! I have enjoyed sports cars and a little racing in the past, but now have little time. How important is gait in my evalu- ation of the dog during judging? Gait is specific for each breed and, as such, is part of type. Do I tend to favor Frenchies that are more “Bulldog” or “Terrier” in style? I favor Frenchies that meet the breed
standard. I see no reference to different styles. How much importance do I give to ear size, shape, and set? Ears are a hallmark of the breed. Correct size and shape are critical to type. How important is the topline in my evaluation of the dog? Again, this is a unique feature of the breed. As with all features, there is an acceptable range—with the midpoint being perfection. Do I feel there is a color preference? Any color permitted in the Standard is fine with me. Do I take front and rear angulation into account when judging? To function correctly, the rear angulation needs to match the front. What do I see as the biggest challenge in judging the breed? The biggest challenge is judging a class of mediocre dogs when it is impossible to feel satisfied with your winners. What aspect of the breed do I feel that breeders need to work to improve? Ear set and size, toplines, proportions, and sound movement. Do I believe that a Frenchie can be too small? I will award the dog that I feel best conforms to the standard, but find adult bitches under 18 pounds and adult dogs under 20 pounds to be less likely to have the substance and bone described in the standard. Do I favor more of a “square” dog or one that is “slightly lon- ger than tall”, or what is my preference? Again, I see an acceptable range, but find more dogs that are too long than ones that are too short. However, both extremes exist! What’s the funniest thing I’ve ever experienced at a dog show? Various wardrobe failures, including my own. I never exhibit with- out having a spare pair of pants with me!
242 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, NOVEMBER 2021
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