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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9. Small but perfectly formed
The reason that the French Bulldog is a small breed is that more diminutive dogs were considered unfashionable in England, so British breeders exported the tinest pups across the Channel. | Getty Images
10. Landlubbers
If you are looking for a breed of dog that'll enjoy splashing around in the water then the French Bulldog isn't for you. A combination of their disproportionately large head, short legs and short muzzle means they aren't able to swim. | AFP via Getty Images
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11. Short-lived
Tragically a recent study of the deaths of 30,563 dogs in the UK found that the French Bulldog had the lowest life expectancy of all the breeds looked at. They lived for an average of just 4.53 years, compared with 11.23 years for dogs generally. | AFP via Getty Images