Frenchnese

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
France <> Cuba -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Frenchnese

The Frenchnese is a well-built little dog with a deep chest, strong straight legs, small but well padded. It can be hard to see the exact shape under their long, dense, silky coat, but these sturdy little dogs are stronger than they look. The head is rounded on top, and the dog has large, round, black eyes that peek out from under long, shaggy eyebrows that are often tied or cropped to allow better vision. Their ears may be rounded and bat-like, or may resemble the Havanese parent and be shaggy and floppy. Nostrils are often black and large. Depending on parental influence, the face may be wrinkled or fluffy and fringed, they may or may not have pendulous lips, and the tail is either short or long and fluffy in nature. Even siblings from the same litter can have different characteristics, so there's no way of knowing what each puppy will inherit from the parent dogs.

History of the Frenchnese

As with many hybrid dogs, data on the development of the Frenchnese is somewhat lacking, but by examining the characteristics of the parent breed, we can determine what characteristics your Frenchnese dog will inherit.

 

        

A little of the French Bulldog

        
The French Bulldog originated in the 19th century in the city of Nottingham, England. Lacemakers of the time decided to breed a smaller version of the English Bulldog to produce a miniature pocket dog they called a "toy" Bulldog. During the Industrial Revolution, the craftsmen moved to France, taking their little pooches with them. These toy dogs became very popular in France and were given the name French Bulldog. In time, the dogs returned to England to take part in dog shows. While the British fiercely debated the "French" modification of the dog's name, the name stuck and it has since been known as the French Bulldog.
Standard of the French Bulldog

A little of the Havanese Bichon

The Havanese is almost extinct now in Cuba, mainly due to the French, Cuban and Russian revolutions. But dedicated breeders have rebuilt the line and its popularity is now growing. It belongs to the Bichon family of dogs, which refers to its dense, curly coat. The Bichon Havanais originated in Cuba from the now extinct Havanese silk dog. Havanese enjoyed being pampered in aristocratic homes as pocket dogs. Later, they were crossed with the Poodle, which produced the dog we know today. Breeding in the USA began when a Mrs. Goodale, an experienced breeder, started with 11 dogs and is credited with saving the breed from extinction. The American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 1996.
Standard of the Havanese Bichon

Appearance of the Frenchnese

Owning a hybrid dog can be a bit like opening a secret parcel from Santa Claus - you never know what you might get. Much depends on the parent dog and the amount of one dog's genes in the mix. Puppies can vary considerably even within a litter. But generally, your Frenchnese dog will be small, solidly built and vary from a smooth feathered coat to a long silky coat. The body is often slightly longer than it is tall, and the legs will be strong but short. Feet are rounded and well padded, and some may have feathered fur. Some Frenchnese have the wrinkled face of Bulldogs and drooping lips, others have fluffy faces where you can barely see their big black eyes. Even the ears can vary from erect and bat-like to folded and floppy. This lively little dog charms everyone who meets him, loves people and likes to be part of the family. So much so that some people call them a "Velcro" dog because they stick to you so much. The Frenchnese is a true companion dog.

Temperament of the Frenchnese

Lively, active and almost comical, these little guys will keep you smiling all day long. Frenchnese have a gentle temperament that adores their family or can bond with a person. They're domestic dogs, but quite active, so they need a decent walk every day. They're very affectionate, gentle and yet versatile, they'll surprise you. One minute they'll be on the back of the sofa, looking at the world, the next minute they might be shredding toilet paper. These little dogs need mental stimulation, especially when they're young; they love games and lots of toys. Although they are eager to please and enjoy training, they will need patience as they have a stubborn sequence. Home training may take a little longer than other breeds and will require calm, loving patience. On the negative side, they can become possessive of you if they weren't properly socialized when they were young. They need lots of interaction with other people and dogs to become confident dogs. But they are intelligent and make excellent pets and companions for families, small children and other pets.

Needs and activities of the Frenchnese

The Frenchnese dog is active for its size, and will need a good walk to burn off that energy and keep them fit and healthy. They also love games and will play as long as you have stamina. But they're not always on the move, they like to snuggle and your lap is the first place. The Frenchnese breed becomes very close to its owner and family, becoming anxious when left alone for long periods. They'll endear themselves to you with their quirky ways, like having a love for paper, they love to shred it all over the house, and they also like to sit high so they can see what's going on outside. They respond well to praise and kindness and are very willing to please.

Maintenance of the Frenchnese

Depending on the coat your Frenchnese inherits from its parents, your hybrid may require a little more maintenance than most other breeds, especially if it has a long, silky coat. If this is the case, your dog will need frequent brushing and bathing to prevent the coat from matting. Use specially formulated dog products when bathing your Frenchnes to prevent skin allergies. Fortunately, longer coats have a low shedding rate. Some owners have their dogs clipped, but bear in mind that the long silky coat acts as a protective barrier against heat and cold and can influence the way they react to the climate. Your Frenchnese dog will appreciate being the center of your attention and will sit patiently while you comb, brush and wash him into shape. During this process, take time to look for signs of inflammation in the ears and keep them clean by gently wiping them with a soft, damp cloth. Brush your dog's teeth two to three times a week for optimum health, and perform a thorough examination of your dog once a week to look for sores, rashes or inflammation. Early detection of health problems means rapid treatment and recovery.

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