Page 237 - Showsight March 2013

tort the alignment of the jaw and spoil the
appearance of the head.
The nose is short and has a soft roll over
the top with a well-defined stop. The nose
is black and other than black is a disquali-
fication. In the case of lighter colored dogs a
lighter nose is acceptable but not desirable.
Front of the Body
The forelegs are short, stout, straight,
muscular and set wide apart. The feet are
compact. The chest is broad and deep. The
space between the front legs, chest and the
ground should be almost square.
Hindquarters
Strong muscular hind quarters are
necessary for sound movement. The rear
legs are longer than the front legs with
hocks well let down. A too straight stifle
is a defect that creates a stilted gait in the
rear movement.
A correct gait is graceful with reach
and drive. The hind feet track inside the
front because the front is broader than
the rear. It is undesirable that the rear
feet toe inward or are cow hocked. Both
issues hinder proper movement. Move-
ment is important in our breed. If a dog
cannot move forward in a graceful man-
ner with reach and drive it may indicate
structural issues.
Coat & Color
The coat is moderately fine, brilliant,
short and smooth. Skin is soft and loose,
especially at the head and shoulders, form-
ing wrinkles. Acceptable colors are all
brindle, fawn, white, brindle and white,
and any color except those which constitute
disqualification.
Colors that are unacceptable are solid
black, mouse, liver, black and tan, black and
white and white with black (these are dis-
qualifications). Black means black without
a trace of brindle. These DQ colors can be
registered with AKC and have entered the
show ring. If you think you have a DQ col-
or before you, pay close attention to the eye
and nose color. In the case of a mouse or
blue color they will not have a black nose
or a dark eye.
There is a weight limit of 28 pounds.
If you suspect that the dog might be
too heavy, please call for the scales. The
French Bull Dog Club of America Judges
Education Committee does not recom-
mend picking up the dog. It is not pos-
sible to determine whether a dog is one
or two ounces over the limit or under the
limit by lifting it.
In Conclusion
The French Bulldog has a companion-
able and cheerful disposition. He should
be cooperative in the ring—not shy with
people nor aggressive toward other dogs.
JUDGE THE WHOLE DOG—it is
the sum of all its parts.
The standard has been used for descrip-
tive purposes; however, it is not produced
in its entirety nor have I covered every
aspect of the dog. There is a full discussion
on evaluating the French Bulldog authored
by the FBDCA Judges Education Com-
mittee available on the website as a pdf
download at http://frenchbulldogclub.or/
about-frenchies/judging-frenchies. There
is also a CD available that is produced by
the Judges Education Committee of the
FBDCA. If possible, attend the National
Specialty Judges Education Seminar and
participate in ringside mentoring. Watch
the dogs in 3D and get instant feedback on
your questions and concerns.
BIO
Sande Abernathy has been showing
and breeding dogs for 45 years, the last 28
in French Bulldogs. She is a parent club
mentor for judges for the FBDCA. She has
judged Sweepstakes for both the FBDCA
National Specialty Show and Regional
Specialty Shows. She has chaired the
FBDCA Top Twenty Committee for the
past five years. She has served as FBDCA
Secretary and Board Member for 8 years.
Her devotion to the breed and its standard
is unyielding.
An example of the front: showing a broad,
deep chest with heavy bone and straight legs.
“Movement is important in our breed.
IF A DOG cAnnOT mOVE FORWARD
In A GRAcEFUl mAnnER WITh REAch AnD DRIVE
it may indicate structural issues.”
S howS ight Magazine, M arch 2013 • 237