10/04/2026
One photo, two very different futures for the French Bulldog.
On the left is Arnie, a former AKC show French Bulldog. On the right is Flint, bred in the Netherlands by Hawbucks French Bulldogs, a kennel focused on creating a healthier, more athletic version of the breed.
The difference is easy to see. Flint has a longer muzzle, more balanced proportions, better movement, and features selected with easier breathing in mind.
French Bulldogs are famous for their flat faces, compact bodies, and snorty charm. But those same exaggerated traits can be linked to serious health problems, especially breathing difficulties connected to brachycephalic anatomy.
In the Netherlands, breeding dogs with excessively flat snouts is illegal. The country first banned the breeding of flat-faced dogs in 2014, with criteria published in 2019. That helped push a bigger conversation about what popular breeds should look like when health is prioritized.
Hawbucks founder Chantal Wageveld-van Kruining, who is also a veterinary nurse, began breeding French Bulldogs in 2016. Her approach focuses on longer muzzles and necks, open nostrils, no respiratory sounds while resting, better movement, and tails, while also making health testing more transparent.
Not everyone agrees on what the “ideal” French Bulldog should look like. Traditional breeders and dog show circles have often rewarded the compact, flat-faced appearance, while health-focused breeders argue that the breed can still be recognizable without the most extreme traits.
It is a striking example of how selective breeding can shape not only how animals look, but also how comfortably they live.
Would you prefer French Bulldogs to keep the classic flat-faced look, or move toward a healthier athletic build?
Sources: But Is It True?, Bored Panda, Iheartdogs
