Frenchie Love

[adora's mom]

How did you all become interested in French Bulldogs? And how/when did you realize they were the breed for you?

I have always liked bull breeds - especially Boston Terriers, Bulldogs & APBT. One of my good friends growing up had a Boston & another had an APBT, both were wonderful dogs that I still miss to this day (8+ years later!). My family had mixes from the shelter and neither the money nor the inclination to buy a purebred dog. I had some misconceptions about purebreds, and really never considered having one until I met my first Frenchie, now I can't imagine life without a Frenchie around! :D

I fell in love with Frenchies a year or two ago after watching an episode of "That's My Baby" on Animal Planet with Arlie Alford (of Kennel LeBull & the French Bullytin fame for those who might not know who she is) - the episode was about a brindle pup named Solo. Solo was just THE cutest, sweetest, most spunky little guy that my husband & I had ever laid our eyes on.

Shortly after that, I met a Frenchie at the dog park when I was there with Beckham. He was such a little firecracker! I was intrigued, so I bought a few books on the breed & started to research everything to see if it would be a good match for us. It turns out Frenchies have the same goals in life as we do: eat, sleep, exercise as little as possible, snuggle, command lots of attention, be stubborn, independent & silly :lol:

I'd love to hear how everyone else first became interested...

[Carolyn]

Leslie: We have had Bostons and Standard Poodles since 1983. We have had 4 Bostons over the years and just had to euthanize our Piglet (14 yrs) a week ago. We still have one Standard, Ripley who is 16 yrs old. To make a long story short....I was in mourning over the loss of Jill (another Boston) who had suffered from a heart based tumor. After nearly a year...my husband decided it was time to get another puppy. I asked him what breed he thought we should get. He pointed to a picture of two adorable puppies that had been on our refrigerator door for years. I never knew they were Frenchies. I plunged into researching the breed and several months later we found Abby. Abby was not having much luck getting Ripley and Piglet to play with her so two years later we acquired Ferris. I had no idea how unique their personalities are. I was expecting them to be much like a Boston...but they are very different. I will always have a Frenchie. They are like no other dog in the world. ;) Carolyn

[adora's mom]

Carolyn,

I'm so sorry to hear about Piglet :(

Your husband sounds like he has good taste in dogs, it's neat to hear how you happened upon the breed.

When/where did you meet your first Frenchie in person?

I think you are in So Cal too (?) and French Bulldogs are a rare sight around here. I have only come across 4 in the last 2 years - 2 at the dog park and 2 adult Frenchies last night at PetSmart.

I am glad that you have Abby & Ferris to keep you entertained with their Frenchie games :rolleyes:

[franp]

For many years I wanted to get another dog; after my divorce I just felt that it was not the right "place".I do not care for little dogs;terriers or dogs that need to be groomed. So what does that leave? Especially living in NYC? I needed a dog that could travel with me and that did not bark.

One day (April 1,2000) I was walking on W12 st and saw a Brindle frenchie; later I even found out whose dog it was.The next day, on E86 ST I saw a Pied. That was IT! I was hooked. Called my Vet, asked him what he thought;his fateful words" If you can find a good breeder than I like them".

I STOPPED doing everything and sat at the computer. Not realizing how hard these dogs were to get from reputable breeders..Well a while later, my friends suggested that I call rescue. The woman who headed rescue in NY sent me to a breeder (there were no dogs available then). That breeder had no dogs, so she sent me to Dari's breeder.

Reference checks were done. Vet checks were done. Home checks were done. And on April 15 Dari was in my home..
After having a Rottie, beagle and various other breeds; this is IT. Frenchies will be the breed I will always have.

[Carolyn]

Leslie....we never saw a Frenchie before we went to see Abby when she was only 4 weeks old. My brother is also our veterinarian... he has been in practice for many years and Abby was only the second Frenchie that he ever saw in his hospital. He has since had a couple of clients with Frenchies...but for the most part..they are a rare sight in our area. Where are you? If you are near...would love to get together. Carolyn