The purpose of the FBDCA Ambassador of Health (“AOH”) program and Pioneer of Health (“POH”) designation is to promote betterment of the French Bulldog breed through health testing by recognizing French Bulldogs that have met specific health testing requirements. Eligible Dog/Bitch must be owned or co-owned by a FBDCA member in good standing, although it is not necessary to be a FBDCA member at the time the tests were performed. The Dog/Bitch must have an AKC registration number (Canine Partners and/or AKC PAL registration numbers are ineligible) and must have French Bulldog Breed Standard Coat Type and Color. The AOH may be awarded posthumously if criteria are met. An AOH title can be advertised at the end of the name of the dog like the Registry of Merit and Versatility of Merit titles.
Passing results are required on all eligible certifications (passing results eligible for certification are defined by OFA). Any DNA result must be either a Clear or Carrier – Affected results are not eligible. All results must be submitted to OFA and be verifiable in their public database, except proof of the submission to the Spinal Database from OFA must be provided with the application.
In addition, any French Bulldog receiving an AOH certificate that has also participated in any FBDCA initiated or recognized research project will receive a Pioneer of Health Designation (“POH”) which will be included on their Ambassador of Health certificate. Certificates for CHIC DNA repository and OFA Spinal Database may also be submitted for inclusion in the POH designation. Proof of participation is required for any other FBDCA initiated health studies in order to be included in the POH. A study like the Cystinuria study counts as long as the dog was also tested for Cystinuria and received a passing result, which would apply to participation in any study where the testing is also available. If the French Bulldog participated in a study that benefits French Bulldogs that was not initiated by the FBDCA, the Health and Genetics committee will review that submission on a case-by-case basis. The POH can also be applied for as a stand-alone certificate.
The program has 5 levels of recognition – Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, plus the POH designation.
AOH Bronze (AOH-B): successful completion of any 5 of the eligible certifications/DNA screenings.
AOH Silver (AOH-S): successful completion of any 6 of the eligible certifications/DNA screenings.
AOH Gold (AOH-G): successful completion of any 7 of the eligible certifications/DNA screenings.
AOH Platinum (AOH-P): successful completion of 8 of the eligible certifications/DNA screenings.
AOH Diamond (AOH-D): successful completion of 10 of the eligible certifications/DNA screenings.
Eligible Certifications:
- OFA Congenital Cardiac (all certifications accepted, Advanced preferred)
- OFA Patellar Luxation
- OFA Tracheal Hypoplasia
- OFA Thyroid
- OFA Eyes
- OFA Hip Dysplasia (OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation or PennHIP Evaluation with results registered with OFA). For a passing result, the PennHIP evaluation must have a DI of 0.60 or lower, and have been conducted no earlier than 24 months of age.
- OFA Elbows
- OFA BAER Testing
- OFA RFG - passing results are Grades 0-2
- OFA Spinal Database Submission
- AKC Coursing, FastCat, or Agility Title - counts as one certification
- AKC ATT or Therapy Title – counts as one certification
Eligible DNA based health screenings:
• Hereditary Cataracts, Juvenile Hereditary Cataracts
• Type 3 Cystinuria DNA Marker
Certificates will be awarded to all French Bulldogs whose owners have submitted a completed application and the required verification to the Health Committee by the deadline date. The deadline date will vary based on the date of each year’s National specialty show. For 2024, the Application Deadline is August 31, 2024.
All awards are designed to be a one-time award for each recipient rather than a reoccurring annual award. Additional levels can be applied for in subsequent years provided all required verification is provided to the Health and Genetics Committee.
Each eligible French Bulldog will be awarded a certificate suitable for framing which indicates the level of achievement and details the health certifications the dog has successfully completed. Diamond and Platinum level certificates will be awarded annually at the National banquet. Certificates for all other levels can be picked up at each year’s National specialty. Any certificates not picked up will be distributed by the FBDCA Health and Genetics Committee.
To view the Ambassador of Health Award recipients click here - Updated through 2024.
If you wish to apply for any of this award or designation, please click here to download the application (pdf format), fill it out and attach it along with the required documentation and e-mail it to Stephanie Chilton, at stephanielchilton@gmail.com, before the annual deadline, which is August 31, for this year's Awards Banquet.
Revised: July 2024