French Bulldog

These fanatical early breeders had no need for publicity and little interest beyond the purely local. As such they didn't get out much. Humble workers in their majority, breeding French Bulldogs was for them a favourite pastime, a way of relaxing and a source of pride. No effort was too great when looking for the type of dog that they most desired. It can't be said too often that they were a small group of modest artesans and tradesmen who gave rise to the small F.B.,wine sellers, shepherds, butchers cheesemakers, rag and bone men... With little money or resources, but with a clear idea of what they wanted, these genuine fans brought the breed to a point where it caught the admiration of those who love dog breeds from all parts, and would later make the fortunes of some foreign breeders.
" This little dog, despite all that has been said and written, came from us, the workers of France.That is why people from many countries come to us who gave rise to the breed.
It is possible that this dog has sprung from a Terrier or an English Bulldog, it even seems probable, but the FB as we have him today, with erect ears and his agile and joyful manner resulting in a definite breed, this is our work."
The words of M. Charles Roger, one of the most valued and oldest breeders. An expert in the breed, he was a judge for many years in the dogshows of Las Tullerias who had his first FB in 1870 at 14 years of age.
However, there was another theory put forward by Americans and English. The idea was that of M. Krehl amongst others and said that the FB was a direct descendant of the Dogo de Bourdeaux. This opinion was shared by the French SCC and by the English writer J. W. Stubbs. Apart from the fact that the Dogo de Burgos (and therefore the Dogo de Bourdeaux) were the great ancestors of all the bulldogs of the time how many years would have been necessary to reduce the size of the Dogo de Bourdeaux to that of a Frenchy?