French Bulldog "Ulla Segerstrom"

How long have you been in Frenchies? Please tell us about your start in the breed

I started in Frenchies in England in the early 40’s. I had a pied bitch as a present, she was of Russian and Swedish breeding. During Tsraist Russia the breed was very popular among Russian Army officers. This bitch had a litter of three puppies, the only survivor was a pied bitch called Ullah´s Fleurette and she became a Finnish and Swedish champion. She could have acheived her International title if the war had not stopped travelling to the third country necessary to complete this title.

Please tell us about Ullah kennel and your present dogs

Since that time I have been a true supporter of the breed. I have imported several dogs from England and Switzerland in order to establish a reliable breeding strain, which I must say has succeeded well. I have lost count of the number of champions I have bred. My present dogs are my 6-year old International and Nordic Champion Paling Corinthian, in 1973 the Dog of the Year, the highest merited of all breeds. He was 16 times best in show at all breed shows in three different countries. He is an excellent stud-dog, his progeny are sound and typical and include English Champion Paling Executive and many Swedish champions. Corinthian is also obedience trained. It was my lucky day when I judged him at Birmingham, England and put him through from puppy class to Best of breed, and then brought him back to Sweden with me.
I also have a young brindle dog. Ullah´s Illustre, very promising, with the Swiss Merlischachen blood, and the English Lachasse blood behind him. The rest are bitches of the same bloodlines.

Please tell us what the ideal Frenchie is

To me the ideal Frenchie is a small, cobby dog, 11-12 kg, with good bone, straight and firm front, well-rounded body, true mover, and of course a big flat head with nicely placed ears and dark eyes. On top of that a lovely temperament, which makes the breed so beloved.

What fault do you find hardest to breed out?

Every fault is hard to breed out!

As an International judge,which do you consider to be the main problems with the breeed?

One of the main problems I think is the anatomy which forces us to use caesarians.When I started in the breed they were still rare. Another problem has been that of slipping discs, also bad throats and bad respiration.

How has the breed improved since you began?

Some strains have been improving, and some still have a shape which is not “my cup of tea”.

How long have you been a judge? Which other breeds do you judge, and in which countries ahave you judged?

I started in 1945 and gradually extended my breeds until now I am an all-rounder, doing all breeds. I have judged in the following countries: Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, England, Scotland, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Monaco, Israel, Ceylon, India , Phillipines, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, new Zealand, USA, Mexico, Panama, Brazil and Japan; most of them repeat invitations. I have new appointmernts in Canada and South Africa.

How important is the pedigree in your breeding programme?

The pedigree is, of course, very important in the breeding programme.

Which is your favourite colour, as a judge, does colour influence you at all?

My favourite colours are brindles, and pieds with nicely placed patches and dark eye rims, which is of course important to the expression of a dog. The fawn colour admitted in Britain and the States is not allowed in the countries belonging to the FCI, nor in the native country of the breed, France. Therefore I’m not interested in this colour. Whe I judge I judge to the standard of the country, and have given a CC to a fawn in England, Boulette of Boristi.

Do your bitches self-whelp or have caesareans?

Caesareans must sometimes be used if needed. I prefer of course a bitch that can self-whelp.

Would you please give us your impressions of Frenchies in the show ring, where they score and where they fall, in Sweden and in other countries.

I have seen Frenchies in the ring in many countries, but as a breeder of many years maybe one gets too critical and demanding and expects too much. Therefore one is not too often really happy and able to say, “this dog I would really like to own.”….. and if so, it’s not for sale!