It’s a Frenchie revolution!
The Canadian Kennel Club says the French Bulldog is one of its fastest-growing breeds, surging in popularity to cement the number nine spot on the club’s top 10 list for 2015, up from number 10 last year to surpass its cousin, the Bulldog.
Just a decade ago, the diminutive but muscular pooch — affectionately known as the Frenchie — sat at number 67 on the list.
Charlotte Wallewein, training and behaviour co-ordinator with the Alberta Bulldog Rescue, said she’s not surprised to hear about Canadians’ love for the dogs with the batlike ears and pushed-in faces. In fact, ever since she joined the rescue organization four years ago, Frenchies were already in high demand.
“They tend to be quite friendly and goofy, they are rambunctious and have lots of personality, and they tend to do well with kids,” Wallewein said. “They are a good, all around city dog.”
She said the Frenchie’s popularity has certainly helped Alberta Bulldog Rescue — which works with Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogges, and French Bulldogs — with finding homes for the dogs that come into their care.
“We have a lot of adopters for our dogs, and we don’t get a ton of dogs. The thing is, when we do get dogs, they have significant medical or behavioural needs, which can make it hard to find the appropriate home,” she said, adding staff work to find the right families and work with them post-adoption to provide support.
Donna Williams with her foster dog, French bulldog Pierre, at their home in Calgary on Saturday February 13, 2016.
The only thing that makes Wallewein cautious when certain breeds become popular is the fear of the proliferation of puppy mills and irresponsible breeders.
“I think the biggest issue is because of the popularity, not everybody that’s breeding them is going to have the same standards of care and put the same work into raising them,” she said.
“A lot of times the dogs we receive have significant health or behaviour issues that could have been prevented had better breeding happened.”
She urged anyone who is considering adopting a French Bulldog, or any dog breed, to do their research, make sure the type of dog is right for them and their family, and to find a responsible and reputable breeder, or adopt from a rescue organization.
“We obviously love Bulldogs and we’re happy other people love Bulldogs too,” she said. “We just hope people make good decisions when they get them.”
Donna Williams, who is fostering a Frenchie named Pierre, said she loves the breed for their look and their personality.
“They are quite stubborn, but they’re so loving as well,” she said. “Pierre sleeps like a baby on me.”
Also making strides this year is the Havanese, which moved up to number six from number eight. The club says the fluffy canines first appeared on the top 10 list in 2012 and has remained a strong contender since.
Here is the complete 2015 Canadian Kennel Club top 10 list:
Labrador retriever
German Shepherd
Golden Retriever
Poodle
Shetland Sheepdog
Havanese
Bernese Mountain Dog
Yorkshire Terrier
French Bulldog
Bulldog
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