9781422278413

shown—although in separate classes. The newAmerican breed stan- dard allowed only bat ears. It seemed like an insult. The American judge, and all the American fanciers refused to participate in the show. Instead, the club organized its own show at the luxurious Waldorf-Astoria hotel. Only bat-eared French Bull- dogs were allowed. This first specialty show of the French Bull Dog Club of America became famous in the history of the breed, as the moment when ear type was definitively established. (A specialty is a show for just one breed.) The winner of that first specialty was a brindle dog named Dimboolaa. Frenchies became hugely popular, particularly among society women on the East Coast. And the Americans had the last laugh, be- cause today Frenchies are shown worldwide with bat ears only.

However, like many breeds, numbers dwindled in Europe during World War I, and in America during the Great Depres- sion. In addition, Frenchies have a hard time giving birth naturally, because of the puppies’ huge heads, and safe vet-

erinary cesarean sections were not yet routinely performed. By 1940 French Bulldogs were considered a rare breed, and only 100 were registered with the AKC. New colors The Frenchies being shown were mostly brin- dle (a brownish or tawny color, with streaks of other colors), with a few white or

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