AKA: Bouledogue Francais, Frenchie, Frogdog

Description: The French Bulldog is a small-sized dog with a compact and sturdy body. Its main features are its large, erect, round bat ears, powerful muzzle, and its pug nose. The eyes are round and dark-colored. The bite is undershot. The head is squarely and flat, with the forehead rounded. The body is pear-shaped; the shoulders are wider than the tail area. The tail can either be straight or cork-screw.

Dynamics: The French Bulldog is sweet and affectionate. It is very playful and can be funny with its comical personality. It is a friendly and easygoing dog, and can get along with strangers and other animals. It can be aggressive, but most often they get along with other dogs. Socialization and companionship is needed for this breed. It is people-oriented and needs patient and consistent training. It gets along well with children, especially those that are older and considerate.

Breed Group: Companion, Non-sporting, Mastiff

Weight: 2 weight classes: 19-22 (9-10kg) pounds and 22-28 pounds (10-13kg)

Height: 12 inches (30cm)

Color: The coat of the French Bulldog comes in brindle, fawn, white, and combinations of brindle or fawn with white.

Country of Origin: The development of the French Bulldog started in England but was successfully bred in France when French dog breeders crossed the developed Bulldog with the French Terrier.

Activities: The French Bulldog needs to be exercised daily. It loves to play and run around.

Grooming: Regular brushing is enough in grooming the French Bulldog.

Other Info: The French Bulldog has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. This breed is prone to eye and respiratory problems. It should not be too overweight because it might lead to a swollen abdomen and give breathing problems to the dog. For the female French Bulldog, giving birth must be delivered by Cesarean section because of the puppies’ large heads. The French Bulldog prefers cool climates. Too much heat will cause heat stroke. It is fine for the dog to live in an apartment.

Photo by Lilly M

AKA: French Mastiff, Bordeaux Bulldog

Description: The Dogue de Bordeaux is a mastiff breed that is short, stocky, and muscular. Its head is a distinctive feature, with an undershot and powerful jaw, and a distinguishable black or red mask around and under the nose, lips, and eye rims. The nostrils are very open and the upper lips hang thickly down over the lower jaw. The ears naturally hang down. There is a dewlap on the neck. The thick skin is loose. The front legs are straight and the tail is straight, curving when the dog is excited.

Dynamics: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a calm and gentle personality, although originally it was considered ferocious. It is a brave and loyal companion, and is patient and devoted to its family. It is gentle with children and other family members. It makes a wonderful watchdog and guard dog.

The Dogue de Bordeaux can be aggressive with other dogs. It has to be socialized and trained firmly from an early age. Male Dogue de Bordeaux generally does not tolerate other male dogs.

Breed Group: Mastiff

Weight: 120-145 pounds (54.4-65.2kg)

Height: 23-30 inches (58-75cm)

Color: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes in shades of fawn to mahogany. The black or red mask on the face is always present. White markings on the toes and chest are acceptable.

Country of Origin: The Dogue de Bordeaux comes from France, where it has been a dog of many services throughout history, from being a war dog to becoming a cattle driver and bodyguard.

Activities: The Dogue de Bordeaux needs a lot of exercise as it has a huge amount of energy within. This breed has served man throughout history as a war dog, flock guardian, dog fighter, cattle driver, watch dog, and guard dog.

Grooming: The Dogue de Bordeaux’s coat does not need that much attention. An occasional combing and brushing is enough.

Other Info: The Dogue de Bordeaux has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years. It is generally a healthy breed, although litters are small and birth is difficult because of the puppies’ large heads. The Dogue de Bordeaux will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised.

AKA: Chien d’Artois, Artois Hound, Picard

Description: The Briquet is a moderate-sized dog that has a compact and muscular body. It has a black nose, round and dark brown eyes. It has thick lips and its jaws form a scissors bite. It has a broad back and a tail that it carries in a sickle fashion. The tail has slightly offstanding hairs towards the tip.

Dynamics: The Briquet is a brave dog that is full of energy and endurance. It has a calm and pleasant temperament, affectionate and sweet to people its family. The Briquet has an excellent sense of smell. It was bred as a hunting dog and is exceptional in hunting rabbits. It is fast, agile, and independent. Training this breed has to be firm and consistent.

Breed Group: Scent Hound

Weight: 55-65 lbs

Height: 22-23 inches

Color: The Briquet’s coat is a dark fawn tricolor. Its main combination of colors is tan and black and white.

Country of Origin: The Briquet, more popularly known as the Artois Hound, came from France, where it was already popular with prominent people like Louis XIII.

Grooming: Grooming the Briquet does not require any special attention. Brushing it regularly is enough. Bathe only when necessary. Wiping it with a damp cloth is a good alternative to bathing it.

Activities: The Briquet is a highly active dog and needs to be sufficiently exercise to avoid behavioral problems. It needs to be taken outdoors from time to time and given its own space. This breed is widely used in hunting, where it displays its excellent abilities in tracking and hunting down prey.

Other Info: The Briquet has a life expectancy of 13 years. It is a generally healthy breed. While this breed will do well in an apartment, it prefers to have a small yard or area where it can run around and exhaust its energy.

AKA: Berger de Brie, Berger Briard

Description: The Briard is a large herding dog characterized by its coarse, long, and slightly wavy coat. It has a bushy look all over, and it has a beard, mustache, and shaggy eyebrows. It has a black nose and its ears can be cropped or left naturally. The tail is feathery, and has a crochet hook at the tip.

Dynamics: The Briard is a natural herder and farm worker dog. It is always alert and has a strong protective instinct. It is sensitive and is equipped with an exceptional hearing ability. It is gentle and sweet, and brave and loyal that it makes an excellent watchdog.

The Briard is very intelligent and has a good memory. It is eager to please its owner, but it also has a will of its own. Training it should involve showing who is the master because it can be stubborn if not raise properly. Socialization should begin in its early years and the training has to be consistent. The Briard can become destructive and very unfriendly if it is not brought up well. It can get along with children and other household pets but it has to be treated with affection and respect.

The Briard is a very dedicated and faithful dog to its family, almost to the point that it disregards other people. This breed requires lots of activities and work to satisfy its energy and be happy.

Breed Group: Herding

Weight: average 75 lbs (35 kg)

Height: males 24-27 inches (62-68 kg), females 22-25 inches (56-64 kg)

Color: The Briard comes in either black, gray, or tawny. The coat of the tawny Briard puppy will turn to a lighter yearling coat, and then deepen again to a darker color as it grows.

Country of Origin: The Briard is an ancient breed that originated in France. It became popular in 1863. By this time, its look has improved because of crosses with the Beauceron and Barbet.

Activities: The Briard is a breed that is happy when it’s working, otherwise it becomes restless and destructive. It needs to be exercised enough and given the time to run around freely. The Briard is a natural herder and flock guardian, but it is also used in search and rescue, police work, military work, watchdogging, and guarding.

Grooming: The Briard’s coat is coarse and a little rough. It doesn’t get dirty easily. But it can become matted if not brushed regularly. Excessive hair in the ears and between the pads of its feet should be removed. The ears should be checked regularly, too.

Other Info: The Briard has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. It is a healthy breed but is prone to PRA, cataracts, and hip dysplasia. This breed is also prone to bloat and may experience stomach torsion, which can be fatal. The Briard will get along fine in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised and taken outdoors. This breed is devoted to be with its family, but it also loves to be outdoors.

AKA: Bourbonnais Pointer, French Pointing Dog, French Pointer

Description: The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized pointing dog with muscular features and a round head. Its nose is the same color as its coat and its eyes are big with the color of hazel or dark amber. Its ears are slightly set at eye level hanging down.

The body of the Braque du Bourbonnais is solid, wide, and muscular. Its chest is wide and deep, and its ribs are well-sprung and rounded. The tail is set low and short. Sometimes, the tail is naturally absent. The forelegs are straight, and both legs are well-constructed.

Dynamics: The Braque du Bourbonnais is an affectionate dog with a calm personality. It is only when hunting and running around when its passion and vigor is clearly seen. The Braque du Bourbonnais is intelligent and quick to learn. It can adapt quickly to any terrrain and condition. It is also very cooperative and agreeable, which makes it an excellent hunting and companion dog.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a people-oriented dog and likes to be with its family at all times. It can also get along well with other breeds.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: males 39.5-55 lbs (18-25 cm), females 35-48.5 lbs (16-22 cm)

Height: males 20-22.5 inches (51-57 cm), females 18.5-22 inches (47-56 cm)

Color: The coat of the Braque du Bourbonnais has two colors: liver and fawn. It can be moderately ticked, with possible spotting. There is also a spot that covers one eye.

Country of Origin: The Braque du Bourbonnais comes from the Province of Bourbonnais, France, tracing far back to 1598.

Grooming: Brush and bathe only when necessary. The ears should be checked regularly and the nails trimmed.

Activities: The Braque du Bourbonnais is a hunting dog so it naturally prefers to be outdoors. Lots of exercises and time outdoors is needed for this breed.

Other Info: The Braque du Bourbonnais has a life expectancy of 13-15 years. It is generally healthy, but still prone to hip dysplasia, ectropion eyes, and pulmonic stenosis of the heart. The Braque du Bourbonnais is not fit to live in an apartment. It may be people-oriented but it is an active breed which is bred for hunting and outdoors.