Different Frenchie body types?

akihba · Oct 24, 2018

Hi all! I'm doing research on the breed and I have come across some Frenchies who look quite different from each other. For example, some Frenchies have a really bulky bully type of build, while others are skinny and smaller. Then there are Frenchies with extremely smooshed snouts, and others with snouts that are extended further than the standard smoosh. I've heard of compact/mini Frenchies, as well as "exotic" Frenchies.

My googling only gives me the basics on the breed, and nothing about the body types. Does anyone know more about this? I am quite a fan of the bulky bully build but I don't know if that is more prone to health issues, for example.

Let me see if I can find some pictures...

Snout difference, from this group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1077105709066480/

bulky bully, from this site: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1077105709066480/

Any insight into health issues that comes with different types of builds would be much appreciated!!

megts · Oct 24, 2018

Just some observations/thoughts

We moved to Canada a few months ago and noticed that all frenchies we see here (Toronto, ON) are much shorter and bulkier than the frenchies we were used to seeing in the U.K./France. We did not want to have a young puppy go through moving continent and therefore waited to purchased our girl in Canada. It was important to us that her nose is not very short and "smooshed" in her face, mostly for future breathing problems.

I personally find all frenchies adorable but perhaps because I've been exposed to leaner, skinnier and taller frenchies in Europe, I swoon over them. I remember reading an article that looks at frenchies since the 19th century. The frenchies a hundred years ago used to look more like Boston terriers and eventually a shorter snout and more of a bully look became the norm.

Frenchie Grrrl · Oct 24, 2018

Here is a link that also talks about the AKC breed standard. To get a feel for what the standard looks like, aside from the pics in the link, you could search for pics of champion French Bulldogs or look for magazines that cover current champions. That might give you a better idea of what exactly the standard looks like.

GraciesMom · Oct 24, 2018

Like humans, I just think there is great variation among Frenchies, even within the same country. The breed standard does define what they are supposed to look like, but many “pet quality” Frenchies don’t adhere to every aspect of the standard. They are nonetheless lovable, fabulous dogs. The most important thing is to get a good quality pup from a reputable breeder with a focus on health and temperament. I’ve never met a Frenchie I didn’t think was adorable,

akihba · Oct 24, 2018

Thanks for the links! I like the square-ish face that the AKC dogs have, however I think in a pet pup I would be looking for a longer snout to help ease breathing issues. Does anyone know of any Frenchie breeders who aim for a less-smooshed face? I am aware that linking to breeders is not allowed here, but feel free to DM me. Also, does anyone personally know any Frenchies with a longer snout and if it's helped their breathing problems?

mattcantwin · Oct 24, 2018

Seems like a related discussion here:

http://frenchbulldognews.com/french...rench-bulldog-vs-american-french-bulldog.html

Frenchie Grrrl · Oct 25, 2018

akihba said:
Thanks for the links! I like the square-ish face that the AKC dogs have, however I think in a pet pup I would be looking for a longer snout to help ease breathing issues. Does anyone know of any Frenchie breeders who aim for a less-smooshed face? I am aware that linking to breeders is not allowed here, but feel free to DM me. Also, does anyone personally know any Frenchies with a longer snout and if it's helped their breathing problems?

I would make sure you select a breeder that does health testing. I'm not sure if there are breeders who are purposely breeding for a longer nose solely for breathing heath benefits (there very well might be, IDK), but I have heard that there are people breeding for smaller heads, etc so that there is a better chance that they can give birth naturally (for money saving purposes, not health purposes). Also, I'm not sure that a bit longer nose would automatically mean that they aren't going to have soft palate issues, and also doesn't address issues with narrow nares. My second Frenchie has a standard smooshed face, but has what looks to be great open nares. Anyway, I'm not trying to steer you away from a pup with a longer nose, as I don't know much about it, or if there are breeders out there with that goal in mind. However, since you look like you are doing your homework, just make sure you look for a quality breeder that does health testing. Best of luck.

akihba · Oct 25, 2018

Frenchie Grrrl said:
I would make sure you select a breeder that does health testing. I'm not sure if there are breeders who are purposely breeding for a longer nose solely for breathing heath benefits (there very well might be, IDK), but I have heard that there are people breeding for smaller heads, etc so that there is a better chance that they can give birth naturally (for money saving purposes, not health purposes). Also, I'm not sure that a bit longer nose would automatically mean that they aren't going to have soft palate issues, and also doesn't address issues with narrow nares. My second Frenchie has a standard smooshed face, but has what looks to be great open nares. Anyway, I'm not trying to steer you away from a pup with a longer nose, as I don't know much about it, or if there are breeders out there with that goal in mind. However, since you look like you are doing your homework, just make sure you look for a quality breeder that does health testing. Best of luck.

Oh, definitely! I'm going to look for a breeder that does health testing and doesn't "breed for money" (i.e. no designer pups with inappropriate colors and such). I'm doing research on one section of the breed at a time, starting with body type. I think I am leaning towards the European frenchie build, but my number one priority is definitely going to be a healthy puppy from excellent bloodlines. Ideally it's going to have a bit more nose and open nostrils so that it can breathe better.

Also thanks for the discussion thread, this was an interesting bit I found there:

Anyway, before you can breed in Germany, you need to get a breeding license for each dog. That includes many health tests that they all have to pass and they now also have to walk 1 km in a certain time without the dog become to exhausted. So if the dog overheats, lays down,starts panting excessively or shows any other symptoms in regards of breathing issues, they fail and wont get licensed.

Now onto researching the typical health issues in the breed

Cbrugs · Oct 25, 2018

akihba said:
Oh, definitely! I'm going to look for a breeder that does health testing and doesn't "breed for money" (i.e. no designer pups with inappropriate colors and such). I'm doing research on one section of the breed at a time, starting with body type. I think I am leaning towards the European frenchie build, but my number one priority is definitely going to be a healthy puppy from excellent bloodlines. Ideally it's going to have a bit more nose and open nostrils so that it can breathe better.

Also thanks for the discussion thread, this was an interesting bit I found there:

Now onto researching the typical health issues in the breed

It is great that you are doing your research! Common issues other than palate and nares are allergies and IVDD. Make sure you read up on IVDD as there is no way of knowing if a dog will get it and some cases are more severe than others (my guy has already had 3 surgeries in less than 1 year).

poley02 · Oct 25, 2018

akihba said:
Thanks for the links! I like the square-ish face that the AKC dogs have, however I think in a pet pup I would be looking for a longer snout to help ease breathing issues. Does anyone know of any Frenchie breeders who aim for a less-smooshed face? I am aware that linking to breeders is not allowed here, but feel free to DM me. Also, does anyone personally know any Frenchies with a longer snout and if it's helped their breathing problems?

Prior to getting my first Frenchie, I also did quite a but of reading and searching. I found a breeder in the Netherlands (xxxxx) that breeds for health only. All of the pups in their litters are spoken for, but I found it interesting what they do.

I did not find a breeder in the US who followed the same philosophy as xxxxxx say they aren't out there...

I purposely looked for a frenchie with a longer snout and open nostrils. I cant say yet if those things will help, but Jake doesnt snore. Of course he is only 5 months old so there is plenty of time for issues to appear.

I really like the breed. Jake is a wonderful companion!

Good luck with your search!

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

akihba · Oct 26, 2018

poley02 said:
I purposely looked for a frenchie with a longer snout and open nostrils. I cant say yet if those things will help, but Jake doesnt snore. Of course he is only 5 months old so there is plenty of time for issues to appear.

I really like the breed. Jake is a wonderful companion!

Good luck with your search!View attachment 12477

he's a beautiful boy! I love his nose. thanks for sharing!

akihba · Oct 26, 2018

by the way if anyone is interested in reading more about the correlation between a longer snout and better breathing, here's what xxxxxxx has on their site: PM me for linke

In summary, it's important to focus on the neck, throat, palate, and nose overall to ensure a clear passage for good breathing. A longer snout certainly does help, but it is not a stand-alone fix. This is good to know when looking for quality breeders!

Jkeighs · Oct 28, 2018

These are my two frenchies that we chose for breeding. Both we’re imported from Denmark. The female has a long body, short legs with a flat face. The male is long, taller has more of a snout and is 35 pounds.. It’s interesting to see how athletic and better breathing these European frenchies are. My male can play for 30 minutes without stopping to catch a breath. Both have had breeder dna tests for disease and coat color, along with multiple health checks. May I add they also mated and tied on their own, and the female had her first litter naturally and remained very healthy. The taller longer frenchies seem to be able to breed better, breathe better, remain playful for long periods of time but yet have that frenchie laziness to them. Male is the fawn, female the brindle.

mattcantwin · Oct 29, 2018

akihba said:
he's a beautiful boy! I love his nose. thanks for sharing!

Ditto!

megts · Oct 29, 2018

Jkeighs said:
View attachment 12484 View attachment 12483

These are my two frenchies that we chose for breeding. Both we’re imported from Denmark. The female has a long body, short legs with a flat face. The male is long, taller has more of a snout and is 35 pounds.. It’s interesting to see how athletic and better breathing these European frenchies are. My male can play for 30 minutes without stopping to catch a breath. Both have had breeder dna tests for disease and coat color, along with multiple health checks. May I add they also mated and tied on their own, and the female had her first litter naturally and remained very healthy. The taller longer frenchies seem to be able to breed better, breathe better, remain playful for long periods of time but yet have that frenchie laziness to them. Male is the fawn, female the brindle.

Great to see another girl with the same body type as my girl! She is also European, longer snout, long body, short legs, no panting/snoring and very athletic. We are lucky to have a couple of frenchies (all with short snouts and more bully looking) in the neighbourhood that are around her age but they get exhausted much quicker than her.

Shes currently six months and here is a snout picture