If you’ve been thinking about welcoming a new dog into your home then you’re in good company – Royal Kennel Club (the new name for the UK Kennel Club) stats show that the number of people looking for puppies has surged to record levels.
Dogs come in all shapes, colours and sizes - there are 221 different pedigree dogs recognised by breeders in the UK, from Affenpinscher to Yorkshire Terrier (there are sadly no dog breeds starting with the letter ‘z’!).
So there’s plenty of thinking to do before you select your family’s latest four-legged addition – whether you want a large dog, family-friendly dog, or an easy to train dog.
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There is even scientific research to guide you, in particular psychologist Stanley Coren’s groundbreaking book The Intelligence of Dogs.
Choosing the right breed is absolutely essential – for example opting for a small dog if you don’t have much room at home, or a hypoallergenic dog if you suffer from allergies.
One dog that often appears at the top of people’s canine wishlists is the French Bulldog – they are currently the UK’s fifth most popular pet and have a range of positive attributes that make them a great family pet.
Here are 11 fun and interesting facts about the breed.
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1. Winter warmers
The French Bulldogs' ancestors were used to keep workers in Nottingham lacemaking factories warm. The small dogs curled up in the workers' laps - acting like hot water bottles. | AFP via Getty Images
2. Survivors
A champion French Bulldog was one of the canine victims of the sinking of the Titanic. He was called Gamin de Pycombe and was owned by Robert Daniel, who had spent the equivalent of £13,500 in today's money for his pet. Of the 12 dogs onboard only three survived the tragedy - a Pekinese and two Pomeranians. | Getty Images
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3. Canine companions
The French Bulldog was bred in the 1800s to be a companion dog and is the result of a cross between toy English Bulldogs and French ratters (terriers used to hunt vermin). | AFP via Getty Images
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4. No rocket scientists
French Bulldogs are ranked a lowly 109th in Stanley Coren's groundbreaking academic work 'The Intelligence of Dogs'. There have been dogs who have bucked this trend though - the owners of a French Bulldog named Princess Jacqueline in the 1930s claimed their pet could 'speak' 20 different words. | AFP via Getty Images