Every year, the French Bulldog gets its well-deserved recognition on National French Bulldog Day. Although the Frenchie only claimed the top spot on the American Kennel Club’s most popular dog breeds list in 2022, this beloved breed has long been number one in the hearts of those lucky enough to have one as part of their family.
When is National French Bulldog Day?
National French Bulldog Day is celebrated annually on January 13. This special day was established in 2020 by The Woof Book, a Facebook group dedicated to dog lovers.
French Bulldog Facts
In honor of National French Bulldog Day, here are some fun and interesting facts about the breed:
- Nicknames: French Bulldogs are affectionately known as “Frenchies,” but they’re also called “clown dogs” and “batpigs” due to their playful personalities and unique appearance.
- Mayor Wilbur Beast: In 2020, a French Bulldog named Wilbur Beast was elected mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, winning 13,143 votes. This was the first time a Frenchie held the position, though other dogs, like a Pit Bull named Brynneth Pawltro and a Border Collie named Lucy Lou, have served as mayor in the past.
- Parisian Pups: In the late 1800s, French Bulldogs were a common sight in Paris’ Montmartre district, where they were the companions of brothel workers. Their friendly nature helped to put clients at ease.
- Colorful Coats: The French Bulldog’s coat comes in a variety of colors. The American Kennel Club recognizes brindle, cream, fawn, fawn brindle, fawn and white, fawn brindle and white, and white as standard colors. In the UK, the recognized colors are brindle, fawn, and pied.
- A Sad Statistic: While French Bulldogs are celebrated for being the top breed in popularity, they also unfortunately top the list as the most stolen dog breed.
Famous Frenchies
- Bouboule: Immortalized by post-Impressionist artist Toulouse Lautrec, Bouboule was the companion of Madame Palmyre, the owner of the Montmartre bar La Souris.
- Gamin de Pycombe: A brindle French Bulldog, Gamin de Pycombe, was one of 12 dogs on board the Titanic. Though only three dogs survived the disaster, Gamin’s legacy lives on as a famous passenger.
- Ortipo: A quartz and jewel-encrusted sculpture of Ortipo, a French Bulldog who perished with the Russian royal family, the Romanovs, is now housed in a museum in St. Petersburg.
French Bulldogs in Hollywood
- Bridget and Beatrice: These two French Bulldogs played Stella, the Pritchett family’s dog, on the hit TV show Modern Family. Bridget even won a Golden Collar Award for her role.
- Chunk: Known for his role as Reggie in The Rental, Chunk starred alongside Dan Stevens and Allison Brie.
- Linus: This talented Frenchie starred with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah in Bringing Down the House and appeared in Just Married with Ashton Kutcher and Brittany Murphy.
- Sunny: Robert Downey Jr. was so smitten with his French Bulldog co-star from Due Date that he wanted to adopt her!
Celebrities with French Bulldogs
Here are just a few of the many celebrities who have fallen in love with French Bulldogs:
- Brian Asamoah II: The Minnesota Vikings player has a brindle Frenchie named Chrome.
- Travis Barker: The Blink-182 drummer commemorated his late Frenchie, Blue, with a tattoo on his thigh.
- Simone Biles: The gymnast’s Frenchies, Lilo and Rambo, became fan favorites during the Olympics.
- Carrie Fisher: The late actress and her Frenchie, Gary, were inseparable. Fisher even took Gary to the Chinese Embassy in London to protest the Yulin Dog Meat Festival.
- Tom Hardy: The actor brought his Frenchie, Blue, to the Venom: Let There Be Carnage premiere.
- Salma Hayek: The actress is a proud pet parent to a Frenchie named Angela.
- Patty Hearst: The heiress’ Frenchie, Tuggy, won Best in Breed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
- Jonah Hill: The actor’s Frenchie, Carmella, has Channing Tatum as her godfather.
- Vanessa Hudgens: The actress has two French Bulldogs, Bella and Lily.
- Hugh Jackman: Jackman’s Frenchie, Dali, was a beloved companion until he passed in 2022.
- Dwayne Johnson: The Rock’s Frenchie, Hobbs, appeared in Hobbs & Shaw alongside him.
- Mila Kunis: Kunis shared her life with a Frenchie named Audrey.
- Lady Gaga: Two of Gaga’s French Bulldogs, Koji and Gustavo, were famously stolen and later recovered.
- John Legend: Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, adopted a three-legged Frenchie named Penny.
- Mario Lopez: Lopez’s Frenchie, Julio, passed away in 2022, but he welcomed another Frenchie, Oscar, into his home in 2020.
- Madonna: The singer’s French Bulldog, Gypsy Rosa Lee, was a birthday gift.
- Christina Perri: The singer has a tattoo of her late Frenchie, Lexi, on her arm.
- Michael Phelps: The Olympic swimmer has two Frenchies, Juno and Legend.
- Jason Schwarzman: Schwarzman’s Frenchie, Arrow, starred with him in 7 Chinese Brothers.
- Martha Stewart: Stewart has two Frenchies, Crème Brûlée and Bette Noir.
- Megan Thee Stallion: The rapper is a proud pet parent to six dogs, including three Frenchies—Dos, 4oe, and Oneita.
- Pete Wicks: The British reality star has two rescue French Bulldogs, Eric and Pirate Peggy.
Adopting a French Bulldog
If you’re thinking about bringing a French Bulldog into your home, consider checking out the French Bulldog Rescue Network (FBRN). This 100% volunteer-run nonprofit has been rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming Frenchies in need across the U.S. and Canada since 2001.
You can also find French Bulldogs and mixes at breed-specific rescues and shelters such as: