The French Bulldog is part of the Utility group which is a mixture of breeds selectively bred as 'fitness for a purpose' but not included in the gundog or working group criteria.

Officially recognised as a breed by the Kennel Club in 1906, their origins can be traced back to ancient Greek tribes before becoming popular in England and developed into the toy bulldog. These were taken by lace workers displaced by the industrial revolution over to Normandy, France where they became very popular and were further developed into the breed we see today.

Today they are the 2nd most popular pedigree breed registered with the Kennel Club, with over 33,000 puppies registered annually, and they have had a surge in popularity in recent years, with the number of registrations increasing 10 fold.

It is worth noting that due to their flat, wide heads, flattened faces and short muzzles, they are categorised as brachycephalic, which means they may be at higher risk of certain health conditions including breathing difficulties, skin problems, dental problems, and eye conditions.

Not all french bulldogs will have these health conditions but it is important to be aware of them, and please do research as much as you can - the breed club has a health scheme which records results of health tests in their database, and make sure you feel comfortable that the breeder is a responsible breeder that has checked the health of both parents.