In 1897, French Bulldogs were “the dog of the moment.” Then, as now, they were a popular breed, albeit hugely expensive and owned only by the wealthy. Indeed, advertisements offer prize-pups on sale for £75 [1] at a time when the average wage for a working man was £56 / year. [2] But our story concerns a Mr George Raper, who in March 1897 was called on to judge the French Bulldog class at a New York dog show. [3]
A controversy arose over Mr Raper’s choice of champion. It transpires Mr Raper was hardline when it came to ear shape. His belief was the classic, English rose-shape was the only acceptable ear profile. However, this was problematic because he was judging in America, where the bat-ear (closely allied with the tulip-ear) was favoured. His decision to award first place to a French bulldog with rose-shaped ears was so controversial it made the news back in England. It was said the English judge caused such a stir that he triggered the formation of a tulip-ear French bulldog club in the US.
Mr Raper went on to justify his decision by explaining that he judged according to English breed standards (preferring the rose-ear) but also took into consideration other significant anatomical factors such a muzzle shape, head size, shoulder development, length of back, and carriage. It just so happened that the winning female and male, both with rosebud ears were also superior in these other points, and he had not debarred of bat or tulip ears. Opinions remained divided as to how satisfactory this explanation was for those who disagreed.
Prior to this, the superiority of one ear form over another had been hotly debated in the British press. Here is one such piece: “The bulldog of France is a very fine fellow, …should he have bat ears or rose ears…that is the question. Rose ears for the English type, say the English authorities; but in France and America…the argument being…the French type is semi-Spanish in origin and has nothing to do with the English breed…and entitled to have bat ears.”[4]
There were other nuances than ear shape between the US and UK types. For example, the rose-eared dog is described as having a square face, whilst the bat-eared variety had a rounder, more pugnacious visage. Contemporary accounts [5] suggest that an Englishman presented with an American-type French bulldog would be at a loss to recognise what breed it was…such was the difference.
But in the popularity stakes, the US-type rapidly gained traction here in the UK. Within a year, in 1898, there were newspaper reports about the Marquis of Anglesea who was fined £20 for bringing an unlicensed French Bulldog into the country from the States.[6] And of course, the rest is history…with the bat-ear being the dominant type of French Bulldog in the modern day…including my own dear, Tora.
References
[1] Field. 4 September 1897
[2] Income vs Expenditure in the Working Classes. Victorian History.
[3] Country Life. 27 March 1897
[4] Morning Leader. 23 April 1897
[5] The Sketch. 12 May 1897
[6] Dundee Courier. 22 December 1898
