When Americans took up the cultivation of French Bulldogs they could hardly be said to have attained any degree of prominence in any country outside of France. True, in England, they had begun to attract attention, and a limited market for them, especially those with rose ears, had been created. In a much lesser extent, they begun to find homes in Germany, where the late Max Hartenstein had taken up there breeding, while later in Belgium and Russia, as well as here and there elsewhere in Europe, a beginning in there acquisition had taken place. This was the condition of affairs when American fanciers in large numbers began the accumulation of these dogs from France.

   There association with the breed began at a critical period in its history when, even in the home of its origin, they had received but scantly recognition, and in other European countries had met with slight encouragement. In popularity they had gained no foothold of consequence, and as a result, possessed commercially but little value. Where it ought to have been protected and fostered it received little consideration and were in fact neglected and ignored and at the dictate of outside influence was fast becoming completely changed in type. With no genuinely interested or responsible sponsors, and no organized efforts to promote its perpetuation as a distinct type of dog, the future of the breed appeared far from promising.

   That the conditions as stated above, in connection with French Bulldogs at this time, is not exaggerated, is amply proven by the experience of George N. Phelps, an early American convert to the breed, upon his visit to France in 1896. Being abroad when the first specimens of this breed were shown in New York at the West Minster Show, but impressed by the reports he had heard of them, and knowing something of these dogs during his residence in Paris in 1888 and 1889, he determined to obtain a number upon returning to France in the spring of 1896. Upon arriving in England he first called on the proprietor and editor of the London Stockkeeper, and the fountain head of knowledge concerning canine matters abroad, and of any Toy bulldogs in particular, as well as being the annual judge of these dogs at the Paris Shows. With what info and letters of introduction from these men he proceeded to France.

   In a letter to the American Stockkeeper, published about 15 years later, he gave the results of his first quest for French Bulldogs in Paris from which the following extracts are taken:

  “When I interviewed Mons. Boutroux, regarding the origin of the French Bulldog, and to ascertain from whom I could obtain some representative specimens, he replied, with the habitual French shrug, that I could obtain the information I was seeking from the charcoal burners and street sweepers of Paris and that the society of the long name took no interest whatever in the breed as it was only to be found among the canaille of the city. Mons. Boutroux has had a change of heart in the interim, for he is now the (about 1910) secretary of the French Bulldog Club of France, of which Prince Wagram is honorary president and James Gordon Bennett the active President. “Dr. Newbury views naturally coincided with those of Mr. Krehl, and after scouring the city with him, and finally selecting two bat eared dogs, Babot and Ninette, I knew he was firmly convinced of my being gold bricked when I paid $50 for the pair.”

   “From the Pairs fanciers, I learned that the dog had been bred in the city for many years, although no organized effort had ever been taken to encourage or regulate its breeding, nor was there any standard by which they could be judged. At the Paris Show the dogs came under the jurisdiction of Mr. Krehl. To an Englishman the bat eared dog is as unpardonable as an uncut tail on a Fox Terrier and from the first Mr. Krehl instilled in the minds of the French breeder the fact that the only correct type was the rose ear and to those dogs carrying it would be given the preferences under his jurisdiction.”

   As recorded in Mr. Phelps experience all the other early American searchers for these dogs in France who followed him were surprised to find that for a breed whose known existence covered a comparatively brief period, few trustworthy records could be found to even account for its origin. And that fact clearly shows that interest in its earlier development had been of such an indifferent nature that no effort has been taken to preserve anything like reliable records of the breeding. It is well known that most dogs of this breed that existed when American fanciers became interested in them were of doubtful ancestry as majority of the early importations being sold without authentic pedigrees or any knowledge such as intelligent breeders should have possessed to have been able by judicious selection to have improved the breed.

   With all these handicaps its future did not seem to offer much of encouragement when the American fanciers too up the challenge. Americans recognized the possibilities of the situation and took up the task of suing the material at hand and by intelligent and systematic methods in breeding sought to preserve and improve the breed. So enthusiastically and liberally did they undertake the work that interest was soon wildly stimulated. From a position of comparative neglect and obscurity the breed by their fostering care rose in steadily advancing stages to a position of importance in dogdom. This changed status however came about only after many battles had been fought and won by American supporters of the breed practically against all the rest of the French Bulldog world.

   For some years the new champions of the breed in this country had practically no competition worth speaking of in the purchase of these dogs in France from any other class as far as bat eared specimens ere concerned and it was therefore natural that the best specimens that existed in France prior to the close of the last century and for three or four years later were purchased by Americans and found their way to these shores becoming the nucleus from which has sprung through judicious breeding the clearly defined and typically developed dog we now know here. The work that France rightfully ought to have done for the breed that unquestionably had been produced in that country was therefore assumed by Americans and the task became more of an American than a French problem. How well they have succeeded against many obstacles, the whole dog world knows and of late year has generously acknowledged the great value of their services in the perpetuation and development of the French bulldogs.

   Soon the Americans produced superior dogs besting the best imported dogs of past or present of the times.

   This has been repeatedly admitted by foreign critics as well as by some of the own experts judges of the breed those with intimate knowledge of the dogs. The preservation of the Bat ear as a distinct feature of the French bulldog was mainly due to the persistent efforts of the American fanciers. Breeders here, with very few exceptions, were from the first strong advocates of the retention of this feature as absolutely essential rightfully contending it was the one distinguishing mark that separated it from all other breeds and one that gave it its strongly accentuated individuality.

   While Americans were making a united and aggressive fight to perpetuate the Bat ear it must be remembered, as remarkable as it now seems, the tendency in Europe was well nigh universal toward the production of dogs with only

   Rose ears. Had this movement toward the latter end continued unchecked, the breed eventually would have lost what is now universally considered to be its peculiarly distinctive charm and eventually there would have been little to distinguish it from the Toy English Bulldog. That the latter situation did not come about can largely be attributed to the forceful efforts extended by American fanciers, who at this critical period in the progress of the breed had attained a position of such importance, that they were ultimately able to influence in the right direction the rest of the French Bulldog world.

   This incident is one of many showing the conspicuous part performed by American breeders in behalf of their adopted breed, a service that is now universally conceded was of vital importance in the preservation of the feature that places French Bulldogs apart from all other breeds.

   It was at the Westminster Show in February 1896, that the first group of French Bulldogs was exhibited in America.

   They mainly belonged to a number of prominent society ladies in New York, and were not entered as a classified breed.

   As the French Bulldog was not then recognized by the American kennel Club.

   It was at the Westminster Show in February, 1896 that the first group of French Bulldogs were exhibited in America.

   They were not yet a classified breed for AKC as they had not yet been recognized. The Exhibitors were Mrs. Frederic Neilson with her dogs Bellechose and Antoine, Mrs. J. D. Smith Hadden with Biblot, Mrs. P. Lorillard Ronalds Jr. with Milo, Mrs. Peter Cooper Hewitt with Bordeaux, J.L. Kernochan with Margot and Mrs. W. W. Watrous with Leida II.

   All of these French dogs had been recently imported. They aroused on end of curiosity and interest among the dog loving public and at once became a popular favorite.

   George Raper the all around English judge was assigned to judge the French Bulldogs and placed Bellechose first,. Margot second, Biblot third and Milo reserve. It would be only fair to say that the advent of no new breed of dogs ever called forth so much newspaper comment as followed the first appearance of French Bulldogs at the Garden Show. It was really the novelty of that year’s exhibition.

   The following years Westminster Show of  February 1897, where George Raper again officiated as judge, brought out the largest entry of French bulldogs that has as yet appeared and so much had the breed grown in popular favor that the front page of the catalogue of the Westminster show of that year was illustrated with an artistic drawing showing the miniature specimen of the French bulldog in the arms of its charming mistress.

   Up to the time of this show the Americans, who had become interested in these dogs, were strongly in favor of the Bat ear, although even in France the rose ears had become recognized as the correct, specimens with the latter form of ears being uniformly favored by the English judges, who had for some years been entrusted with the judging of these dogs at the annual exhibition in the Garden at the Tuilleries in Paris. J. Proctor and J.R. Krehl, the English judges, by their annual awards gave the preference to the rose eared variety. Their awards had gone a long way in fixing type, not only in France but in England.

   On this side of the water, however the fanciers who had taken up the breed believed thought personal knowledge and most carful investigation of its history, that the Bat ear was the rightful appendage and it can be imagined what a storm of protest was raised when Mr. Raper Placed Regent Street Swell first in dogs, and Mirza first in bitches, these two dogs being in every respect toy English bulldogs including the rose ears.

   Directly after the judging was completed, on February 24, 1897, largely to protest against the position taken by Mr. Raper, a meeting was called at the Garden to set in motion plans for the formation of the club. One of the results of this preliminary meeting, after much discussion, was that it was unanimously decided that the bat ears was the correct form and must be the distinctive feature of the breed, although the two eminent English experts of the time, George Raper and J. P. C. Astley, strongly protested and urged support of the rose ear.

   A committee was appointed and did draw up by-laws and on April 5th of that same year a very enthusiastic meeting was held where the formation of the club was formed. There were officers appointed, and most importantly a Breed Standard was adopted at this meeting. It was the first authoritative declaration, by any organized body, clearly defining the qualities that should characterize the French Bulldog.

   The American position, in regard to the Bat ears, was considered a radical one, especially in England, was evinced by the adverse comments that appeared in the English kennel papers after the Westminster Show of 1897. The London Stockkeeper, in an article supporting the judging at this show, stated: “ Mr. Raper and Mr. Astley both declared in favor of a small edition of the ordinary bulldog, which would of course, include the rose ear. The Englishmen were perfectly correct and consistent. The first prize was awarded to Regent Street Swell, who is well known as a winner on this side. The Americans, however are original as well as enterprising and the Transatlantic Specialty club (The F. B. D. C. of America) for the breed, declared in favor of a type of their own, which included among its points Bat ears. We do not make tulip ears a disqualification because that shape is an old English Bulldog ear carriage, but not great ears, broad at the base and rounded at the top and as big as bat’s wings. In an American account of the toy bulldog we read: ‘The one distinctive point which stamps the individuality of the breed is that large prick of tulip ear which is the passport of the dog in this country. This is a mighty cool assertion, anyhow the bat ear is not the passport in France nor in England. that we affirm. This American standard accepts that in all other respects the variety shall be a small bulldog.”

   At this time it is always well to remember, there existed no published standard defining the breed in France or in any other part of Europe or the world. Nor did there exist any organization of club devoted to the breed, although the society Centrale pour l’Amelioration des Races de Chiens. the cheif authority in dogdom in France, in response to a letter of inquiry from the secretary of the French Bulldog Club of America, had declared: “The ears should be small as possible, thin and soft to the touch and falling back. After the ear which falls back the on-half straight ear should have the preference. The ear perfectly straight and the bat ear are bad.”

   Thus it will be seen that at the time of the advent of The French Bulldog Club of America, the tendency both in France and England was decidedly in favor of the rose ear. This tendency was checked by the positive and emphatic declaration of the American club in favor of the bat ears and the courageous fight this club made for this point, when the forces everywhere else seemed overwhelmingly against its decree, is its proudest achievement. Its position, although fiercely criticized both in France and in England, was founded on such sensible reasons that eventually the tie was turned in its favor and today if there is one point beyond another that all French bulldog fanciers agree upon throughout the world, it is that the dog should have the Bat ear, first and officially described in the standard of The French Bulldog Club of America.

   Well as could be or should have been expected the Westminster Kennel Club Show of 1898 was an occasion that proved a real storm center as far as French bulldogs were concerned and marked another important period in the history of the breed. As the French Bulldog Club of America had made a liberal donation of specials to this show, and E. D. Faulkner, one of its official judges had been selected to judge the breed, the membership of the club were surprised to find, when the premium list appeared that the Westminster Kennel Club had provided two classed for the breed, one to be judged according to the standard it erroneously claimed had been adopted by the Societe Centrale pour L’Amelioration des Races de Chiens en France and another class to be judged according to standard of The French Bulldog Club of America.

   A vigorous protest was made by the officials of the organizations against the action of the Westminster kennel Club which thus sought to provide classes under the name of French Bulldogs for both the Bat eared as well as the rose eared variety, thereby giving recognition to the type that the American fanciers almost without exception, contended had no right to exist under the same name of French Bulldog, and for which even the French Society had never provided classes at shows held under its auspices. The Westminster Club, however ignored the request to withdraw the classification it had made. Under the circumstances, Mr. Faulkner refused to serve as judge, The French Bulldog Club of America withdrew its specials and in explanation of its course issued the following circular:

   “The present circular is intended to describe the condition of affairs created by the action of the Bench show Committee of the Westminster Kennel Club, in matters affecting the status of The French Bulldog Club of America, at the coming Bench Show to be held at the Madison Square Garden. As the said Committee has decided to create a class for French Bulldogs “to be judged according to the standard of the Societe Centrale pour l’Amelioration des Races de Chiens en France.” and in view of the fact that the Bench Shows of the said “Societe Centrale” have no class for French Bulldogs, the Executive Committee of The French Bulldog Club consider the action of the said Bench Show Committee as misleading and unjust. Their protests against the creation of this class, to be judged in accordance with the standard of the ‘Societe Centrale” as formerly made, but was not admitted in spite of the fact that said Societe had no special class for French Bulldogs as above stated.

   It was then considered proper by the Executive committee to formally withdraw all special prizes offered by this club an notify the Westminster Kennel Club that the official judge appointed by the club, had under the circumstances declined to serve. This notification was made in writing to the Bench show Committee several days before the premium lists of the show went to press. Not withstanding this fact the lists were printed and distributed, as though no such notification had been received. It was therefore deemed advisable that the members of The French Bulldog Club of America should be informed of the forgoing facts. At a meeting of the club held January 24, 1898 it was decide to so inform those interested, and to take steps towards organizing a Bench Show for French Bulldogs only, to be held under the auspices of The French Bulldog Club of America. The committee appointed for that purpose is now enabled to report that such a Bench Show will be held on February 12, 1898, at the Waldorf-Astoria, in the Sun Parlors. Admittance by invitation only. Entries for this show can be made up to and including February 4th, by application to the Secretary.” February 12, 1898, French Bulldogs at the Waldorf-Astoria  Picture Link !!!

   Thus, out of the disagreement between the two clubs, on a point that was considered of vital interest to the breed, was inaugurated the first specialty show ever held in the world for French Bulldogs, sanction having been obtained from the American Kennel Club for this purpose.

   This event, therefore is deserving of special mention. it occurred five years before England had organized a club to foster the interest of the breed. France, considerably later than the English supplied this lack of an organized sponsorship and up to this time had not provided classes for French Bulldogs as its principal shows held under the Societe Centrale pour L’Amelioration des Races de Chiens en France. this then was the deplorable condition that pertained to the breed in the home of its origin and for which England had supplied the breed to make possible this new type of dog.

   The incidents that had brought about this show received no end of space in the public press, while the project itself aroused wide public interest. Periodicals devoted to dogs as well as the newspapers of New York, Boston and Philadelphia gave much prominence to this novel undertaking.

   It was the first time in the history of American dogs that a show has ever been held under such luxurious surroundings as the Waldorf-Astoria afforded, while the high social character of those who stood back of the enterprise made the event one that prominent society people very generally patronized. In fact. perhaps no dog show, before or since, attained the same prominence in this respect as the first exhibition of The French Bulldog Club of America. Several hundred finely engraved cards of invitation were sent out and the day of the show the room in the Waldorf-Astoria was thronged with an enthusiastic crowd of admirers and supporters of the breed. E. D. Faulkner, who from the advent of the breed in this country had taken a keen interest in its progress, served as judge. There were twenty-six dogs and twenty bitches entered for competition, by far the largest number that had yet appeared at any show in America. As this was the first Specialty show ever held, devoted exclusively to the breed.

   The judging in all the classes was most carefully done by Mr. Faulkner, who was well qualified by his experience as a breeder and owner of French Bulldogs.

   Never was a bench show held within so sumptuous an environment as that of the French Bulldog Club held at the Waldorf-Astoria yesterday afternoon and evening. Far up in the sun parlor, on the topmost floor of the building amid palms and potted plants, rich rugs and soft divans, fifty six little bulldogs were on exhibition.

   Those who think of bulldogs as large and ferocious animals would be surprised by the appearance of this French half hundred, for they were all so small as to seem like toy or baby bulldogs. and they had funny little faces and monster ears.

   The French Bulldog has but lately come into prominence, but already he as attained the rank of a principal favorite of society, and on the seat of many a carriage whirring up Fifth Avenue or through Central Park, the funny faced bulldogs may be seen beside richly dressed ladies, who frequently pet and caress them.

   The high favor that this breed of bulldog has already won was shown by the large number of prominent society people who thronged the sun parlor from the time that the exhibition opened, at 2 o’clock until it closed at 10 o’clock.

   Few of the dogs ever attain a size of more than twenty-two pounds. One, a cute little black thing named Gretel, and owned by the president of the club, is three years old and weights but seven and a half pounds. Gretel is said to be the smallest full grown bulldog known.

   A striking feature was the entrance of prominent ladies into the rings to display their pet dogs before the judge. This innovation was possible because of the semi -private character of the exhibition, as compared with the usual dog shows. 

   This is the first show were woman were allowed to show dogs in what would be considered a public manner. This was solely a mans sport up until this day. Woman everywhere now have the brave American woman with their fine French Bulldogs to thank for women being introduced into the world of dog shows!

   Exurbs for this article taken from The French Bulldog book published by The French Bulldog Club Of American and The French Bulldog Club of New England 1926.