*French Bulldogs are in AKC's non-sporting group.
The French Bulldog has the appearance of an active, intelligent, muscular dog of heavy bone. They have short, smooth coats, are compactly built, and of medium or small structure. French Bulldogs have a variety of facial expressions including alert, curious, and interested.
Proportion and Symmetry--All points should be well distributed and bear good relation one to the other; no feature being in such prominence from either excess or lack of quality that the animal appears poorly proportioned.
Size--French Bulldogs should not weigh more than 28 pounds. Over 28 pounds is a disqualification. Proportion--Distance from withers to ground in good relation to distance from withers to onset of tail, so that animal appears compact, well balanced, and in good proportion. Substance--Muscular, wirh solid, heavy bone.
Head--French Bulldogs should have a large, square head. Eyes should be dark in color, wide apart, set low down in the skull, as far from the ears as possible, round in form, of moderate size, neither sunken nor bulging. In lighter colored dogs, lighter colored eyes are acceptable. Ears are broad at the base, elongated, with round top, set high on the head but not too close together, and carried erect with the orifice to the front. French Bulldogs have ears that are sometimes known as "bat ears". They stick up like a bunny rabbits' ears. Any variation from bat ears is considered a disqualification. Nose other than black is a disqualification, except in the case of the lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable but not desirable.
Neck, Topline, Body--The neck is thick and well arched with loose skin at the throat. The back is a roach back with a slight fall close behind the shoulders; strong and short, broad at the shoulders and narrowing at the loins. The body is short and well rounded. The chest is broad, deep, and full; well ribbed with the belly tucked up. The tail is either straight or screwed.
Forequarters--Forelegs are short, stout, straight, muscular and set wide apart. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails.
Hindquarters--Hind legs are strong and muscular, longer than the forelegs, so as to elevate the loins above the shoulders. Hocks well let down. Feet are moderate in size, compact and firmly set. Toes compact, well split up, with high knuckles and short stubby nails; hind feet slightly longer than forefeet.
Coat-- The French Bulldog coat is moderately fine, brilliant, short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose, especially at the head and shoulders, forming wrinkles.
Color--Acceptable colors - All brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white, and any color except those which constitute disqualification. All colors are acceptable with the exception of solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black, which are disqualifications. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
Temperment--French Bulldogs are well behaved, adaptable, and comfortable companions. They have an affectionate nature and even disposition; generally active, alert, and playful, but not unduly boisterous. French Bulldogs are ideal pets for novice dog owners and experienced dog owners alike. They do well indoors and do not require a large amount of exercise.
Disqualifications--
*Any alteration other than removal of dewclaws.
*Over 28 pounds in weight.
*Ear set other than bat ears.
*Nose other than black, except in the case of lighter colored dogs, where a lighter colored nose is acceptable.
*Solid black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and white, and white with black. Black means black without a trace of brindle.
