by Michael Rosser
There have been four T.F.H. French Bulldog books over a period of 45 years.
Neal Pronek’s How to Raise and Train a French Bulldog was published in 1965 and sold for $1.
Pronek is important for historical reasons. There are interesting photos and captions of the frenchies of famous past names, such as those of Richard and Angel Terrett and of Janis Hampton winning under judges such as Maxwell Riddle and Percy Roberts. (The Terrett name is mis-spelled in Pronek. Dick Terrett added for his dogs, the “e’s” on to his surname’s end, to become “Terrette’s” (Frenchies). He thought it sounded better and more french.)
Although only the first 27 pages are breed specific, Neal Pronek’s writing is instructive and entertaining to this day. He records in 1965 “Today the French Bulldog ranks 84th in new registrations of dogs registered by the American Kennel Club; in 1963 there were 123 registrations, an increase of 22% over the number of registrations (101) in 1962. The increase in Frenchie registrations coupled with the declining popularity of certain other breeds was sufficient to move the French Bulldog from 87th to 84th place in number of registrations.” (Editor’s Note: in 2010 Frenchies ranked #21 in registrations).
Here is an illustration of Neal Pronek’s no-nonsense prose for those who may never be able to find a copy of this long out-of-print book:
“Despite his friendly nature, however, the French Bulldog has one failing in the eyes of those who believe that a dog should be a doormat: he refuses to let himself in for continual mauling by children. I am not speaking of the usual rough-and-tumble of a normal child-dog relationship; I am speaking of the finger-in-the eye, hand-in-the-throat, whisker-pulling abuse to which a dog is often subjected by undisciplined children, usually toddlers. No doubt he’d like to take a bite or two, but he doesn’t; he just leaves the scene of the crime. There is reproach in his exit, a haughty disdain sadly lost on his pint-size tormentor(s), but discernible to those in the know. A magnificent snub, delivered beautifully. So for those Frenchie owners whose young visitors (I can’t imagine a French Bulldog owner whose own children would be allowed to mistreat the family pet) are inclined toward resurrecting the blandishments of the Circus Maximus, beware: your dog doesn’t appreciate a playful tug on his tongue.”
This was the first French Bulldog breed book in English since the rare 1926 The French Bulldog (FBCA and FBC of New England). Many first-time frenchie owners were grateful for it.
In 1983 it was reported that the book was out of print but “Here and there one can still 
find a copy.” Get a copy if you can, but today it may be easier said than done.
1989 saw T.F.H.’s French Bulldogs by Anna Katherine Nicholas.
Unfortunately, despite the author’s impeccable credentials both as a judge and a writer, this was a lost opportunity.
Only the first three chapters (a sixth of the book) were breed specific. The origin and history first chapter seemed inaccurate and open to substantial criticism. Overall the book was overshadowed by publication the previous year of Steve Eltinge’s prize-winning The French Bulldog (MIP Publishing).
T.F.H.’s next frenchie book was published eleven years later, in 2000. Its confident title was French Bulldog A Complete and Reliable Handbook by Muriel Lee.
The book was a substantial and well-designed hardcover production with dustwrapper, quarto (10¼” x 7”) and with sixty color photos of frenchies that were a delight. It represented a giant improvement on the two previous publications.
Whilst the health sections at the end of the book are not breed specific, they are responsible, clear and helpful. They are also prefaced by the “Breed Concerns” chapter and the earlier writing.
The history chapter contains a succinct but clear record of frenchie history and breeders in America to the start of the present century.
Other chapters include characteristics, standard, bringing your frenchie home, feeding, grooming, training and showing, as well as a good introduction to the French Bulldog.
“Complete” could perhaps have been omitted from the title, for it is just not possible to put everything about frenchies in a 93 page handbook. Nevertheless the book represents a valuable and helpful handbook for the breed.
FRENCH BULLDOG A Practical Guide for the French Bulldog Lover by Lisa Ricciotti was published by T.F.H. in 2010, nearly a half century after Neal Pronek’s drought-breaking handbook.
A reasonable $14.95, spiral binding inside sturdy covers, octavo (8½” x 7”), 143 pages with about 64 color photos of frenchies enhancing the text. The design is stylish, with attractive lay-out and a good index all contributing to an excellent production.
Chapters include history, characteristics, feeding, grooming, training, solving problems, activities and health.
Interspersed within the actual chapters are eye-catching, readable and often important sections. To give a significant example, near the start of the French Bulldog history, on page 7 there is the heading HOW NOT TO GET CAUGHT IN THE WEB. There follows a list of warning signs when using the internet – two or more red flags then buyer beware:
“Help! There aren’t any Frenchie breeders in my area, so I’m looking online. How can I tell who’s reputable from a website? I don’t want to buy from a puppy mill, broker, or backyard breeder.
Websites can be very deceptive, says the French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN), and folks who want a pet Frenchie but have no background in the breed can be easily tempted by flashy sites and cute puppy pictures. Here’s its list of warning signs to watch for when surfing – if two or more red flags pop up immediately or during later discussions – it’s buyer beware!
1. Website accepts PayPal or credit cards online.
2. Seller demands a nonrefundable deposit.
3. Website doesn’t proudly display photos and pedigrees of their dogs.
4. Seller doesn’t health test parents of puppies or compete in official dog shows (conformation events).
5. They can’t – or won’t – provide references from their veterinarian or former puppy purchasers.
6. There is no written health guarantee (of at least one year) for puppies.
7. Seller doesn’t belong to any recognized dog clubs or breed organizations.
8. Seller uses sales pressure tactics, e.g., “This puppy could be gone tomorrow!”
9. Seller is willing to ship “worldwide” – anywhere, anytime.
10. Puppies are always available, and seller offers to provide the exact gender and color you want. Seller also sells many other breeds on website.
11. Seller is offended when asked any of these questions.”
There are lots of other eye-catchers interwoven with the most readable text in the various chapters. Please allow an entirely different but fun example:
“THE FRENCH BULLDOG’S MANIFESTO
What does my French Bulldog think about all those people who insist that he’s a Pug?
Canadian French Bulldog breeder and blogger Carol Gravestock (Absolut Bullmarket) channeled the minds of her Frenchies about 14 years ago, after they’d repeatedly endured misinformed comments on walks through High Park in Toronto, Ontario. Gravestock’s translation of her French Bulldogs’ outraged sniffs and snorts became an instant classic, an anthem for annoyed Frenchies and their owners everywhere. The text (below) was proudly emblazoned on T-shirts, along with a line drawing of a purple Frenchie by artist/sculptor Becca Williams. The “What Am I?” T-shirt is still available today through the French Bulldog Rescue Network, with proceeds to aid second-chance Frenchies, at http://www.frenchbulldogrescue.org.
I am not a pig. I am not a Pug.
My ears haven’t been cropped. My tail hasn’t been docked.
I didn’t run into a wall or get hit in the face with a frying pan.
I do not bite (but my owner might).
That noise is how I breathe – I am not growling at you or your child.
Most of all … I am NOT “so ugly I’m almost cute” – and anyone who would say that is so stupid
They’re almost smart.
I am a French Bulldog and I am PERFECT in Every Way!”
The housetraining section and its five golden rules would have saved many puppy owners much angst in past times, if they had been able to have pages 76 to 79 of the book before them. (Even the short training checklist at the bottom of page 79 is an outstanding communication example in itself. Short, clear, non-patronising, not dictatorial and encouraging, helping to train the owner as well as the frenchie.)
The breed-specific health writing is refreshingly detailed, thoughtful, understandable – and of course very important and probably frenchie life-saving. It includes a well-known frenchie vet’s tips to reduce the dangers of anesthesia, a health check list and sensible comments from time to time to try to have things in proper perspective.
The emphasis on pp 112 to 114 about finding the right vet, if at all possible one experienced with French Bulldogs (and how to go about doing this) is constructive and so important.
Although Lisa Ricciotti regarded her book as very much for prospective and new owners, even the most experienced owner/breeder will find it useful, by way of reminder, check-list or whatever – and also thought-provoking.
It is significant that we gave a copy of this book to the two grandsons, when they came to collect Leon their first French Bulldog, in January 2011.
The book represents much careful work and writing and is a substantial contribution to French Bulldogs and their owners, to the great credit both of author and T.F.H.
