Centenary

Between these two photos are some 50 years of difference and one great similarity: the unconditional love of a breed of dog. However this year the two presidents span 100 years of history.

To commemorate this important event the FBCE has programmed various events. Amongst which is the show to be held at The Heathrow Park Hotel, Longford, Middlesex on June 7th. The dogs will be judged by Mrs Vivien Watkins.

It promises to be a special occasion not to be missed, given that French Bulldog lovers will probably not have another chance to attend a centennial celebration in England. Many interesting people from the French Bulldog world will be there. And, now that the ghost of quarantine has finally been laid to rest we hope to see some legendary dogs. There will be a parade of Champions, both English and from abroad. And a party in the finest English tradition where fun is guaranteed. See you in the centenary !

Seventy five years ago, a group of enthusiasts met at 32 Eaton place, the home of Mr F.W. Cousens, to found the French Bulldog Club of England.

Lady Lewis, who for some years had worked vigorously to get the breed recognised and established in this country, was elected as its first President.

Despite fierce opposition from the Toy Bulldog Club, the new Club grew and prospered, so that, by 1905, it was able to hold its first championship show, having got the breed formally recognised by the Kennel Club.

Lady Lewis remained President until 1920. She was succeeded by a series of distinguished breeders. These included Mrs Romilly (of Taplow), Mrs Colman (of Nork), Mrs Hubers Roberts (L´Entente) and Mr Townsend Green. In 1926 Mrs Townsend Green, who owned the famous Barkston kennel and had been involved with French Bulldog since 1894, began her long Presidency. This lasted eighteen years. She was followed by a much-loved President, Mrs Jean Cochrane (Bonhams Close), who did much to get the Club on its feet again in the difficult post-war years. Then come Mr Frank Morley (of Tollington) and Major Dick Gibson, another stalwart of this period who, with his wife Audrey, made such a contribution with their succcessful Elmsleigh line. The last of prewar breeders to hold this office was Mrs Anderson (of The Moorings), breeder of many famous champions and a leading figure of the fifties and sixties.

You may imagine that it was with some diffidence that I then took over in the wake of these great names in the history of the French Bulldog. I was indeed fortunate that, although I came to the breed as very young woman, I was just old enough to know some of predecessors and to have had the legend passed on to me by those who had played a major part in the early days.

Since 1947, the membership of the Club has doubled. Although we have seen a decline in the size of the average kennel, the number of active breeders has grown. This, in its turn, has given us a dramatic increase in the number of exhibitors and in the size of show entries. Another welcome development has been the strenghening of our links with the breed in other countries. the general pattern of travel today enables us to form valuable personal contacts and so have a better understanding of how others are interpreting the French Bulldog ideal.

On this special day, wich the generosity of so many Members has helped to make possible, it is particularly appropriate that our judge, Mrs Janis Hampton, should come from the United States, the home of some of the truly great names in French Bulldog history and the source of so much of the strength in our own breeding.