LAUTREC

Many theories exist about the exact origin of the French bulldog but the most prevalent opinion is that it originates from the miniature bulldog brought to France by the Nottingham lace workers during the industrial revolution..However previous origins have been discovered, a similar Indian dog lived in the ancient Peru, called Chincha Bulldog, has been discovered in excavations of mummified dogs and skeletons.

These excavations confirm that this breed, with a skull and anatomy similar to the French Bulldog, lived in Peru from 1100 to 1400 a.d.
In the 19th century, due to the economical crisis, a lot of workers lost their jobs in the textile industry and they had to emigrate to France with their small dogs. The dogs adapted themselves perfectly to the new way of life of their owners, who lived in little apartments and also the dogs became excellent ratters, the plague of that century. The british workers were welcomed with open arms by the French to the coastal towns of Normandy and particularly to Brittany and Calais where the old traditional work continued.
In the 1860 the export of miniature bulldogs, from England to France, was so great that they practically became extinct in England. The miniature small bulldog is thought to have been crossed with the native "terrier boule", owned by butchers and other meat trade workers in the abbatoir areas in the suburubs of Paris, De Villette and Pantin, which looked like a terrier or small bulldog and eventually giving rise to the French Bulldog.
These small dogs soon became favourites of the Parisian, mainly in the high society. They felt under the charm of this breed. They were the favourite dogs of artist appearing even in some of their pictures.
In this Toulouse Lautrec picture, called "Le marchand de marrons" (1897), we can see how the famous artist captures in his work the image of one of our dear "frenchies". Moreover, pictures of the Russian Royal Family with their French bulldog, have been found. But it was earlier, in 1880, when franch bulldog reached more reputation. A group of breeders and fans of the breed, began to organize meetings and, in 1888, the first club (Marcel Roger Club) was created although, it was one year earlier when the first standard was written. Nevertheless it was 10 years after, when the Canine French Society took seriously the breed. This happened when, the canine French society suggested the merge of two clubs: " The club of the lovers of the French bulldog " of Gordon Bennet and the club of Marcel Roger, what is known still as "The Bouledoge Club of France". The president of the new club was Menans de Corre and the vice-president was Godon Bennet.
Really the French bulldog is one of few breeds that owes his existence to the efforts of breeders in different countries, France, America, England and Germany. It is in 1896 when the French bulldog appears in the United States, soon it is known as " Frenchie " and only in two years the French Bulldog Club of America (1897) is created and there is adopted the standard that practically has remained until our days.