Wilmington, Ohio • October 31–November 7, 2026
Eight days. Hundreds of French Bulldogs. The national specialty, two independent specialties, sweepstakes, the Top Twenty — and the breed’s biggest week of the year, all in Wilmington, Ohio.
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What is this show?
Every breed has one week that matters more than all the rest: its national specialty. For the French Bulldog, that week belongs to the French Bull Dog Club of America (FBDCA) — the AKC parent club for the breed, and the host of this event.
The 2026 edition is a full week: the National Specialty (Friday–Saturday, November 6–7) plus two independent specialty shows (Tuesday–Wednesday, November 3–4), all at the Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio. The national’s Best of Breed winners become the top French Bulldogs in the country for 2026.
It is also a working-dog week, not just a show week: obedience, rally, scent work, Fast CAT, CGC and Trick Dog testing, Fetch and Farm Dog all run alongside the conformation, so there is something for every French Bulldog owner.
At a glance
- Where: Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, OH 45177 (indoors)
- When: National week: Saturday, October 31 – Saturday, November 7, 2026; National Specialty: Friday–Saturday, November 6–7
- Entries closed: 12:00 PM Eastern, Wednesday, October 14, 2026
- Superintendent: MB-F Inc. (entries via InfoDog)
- National judge: Ms. Patty Sosa
- Host hotel: Holiday Inn Roberts Centre — block full; call (937) 283-3277 for the waitlist
- Show chair: Susan Misch — [email protected]
Why go?
You don’t have to be showing a dog to get something out of national specialty week. Here’s what makes it worth the trip:
See the best French Bulldogs in the country. Saturday’s National Best of Breed is the breed’s championship moment — the finest Frenchies competing head to head. French Bulldogs are the most popular breed in America; this is where you see the very best of them.
Meet breeders, not just dogs. Responsible breeders come from across the country. If you’re thinking about adding a Frenchie to your family — or your breeding program — this is where you meet them in person, see their dogs, and ask questions you can’t ask over email.
Two specialties for the price of one trip. The independent specialty shows (November 3–4, judged by Linda Moore) give you two more full days of breed judging before the national — four major shows in one week.
The Top Twenty. Thursday evening’s Top Twenty showcases the breed’s top dogs — the Frenchie world’s black-tie night.
Learn something. Thursday’s seminars, the welcome party and rescue showcase, the annual meeting, and the awards dinner round out a week built for people who live and breathe this breed.
Day by day
The schedule is tentative until entries close — the club posts updates at frenchbulldogclub.org/2026-national.
- Saturday, Oct. 31 — Fetch and Farm Dog testing; Fast CAT begins (runs through Tuesday, Nov. 3).
- Sunday, Nov. 1 — Scent Work and ATT (AKC Temperament Test).
- Monday, Nov. 2 — Obedience, Rally, CGC, and Trick Dog; French Bulldog Club of Puget Sound Specialty at 1:00 PM (Judge Richard LeBeau).
- Tuesday, Nov. 3 — Independent Specialty conformation (Judge Linda Moore); Welcome Party & Rescue Showcase in the evening.
- Wednesday, Nov. 4 — Independent Specialty conformation (Judge Linda Moore); 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy (Judge David J. Johnson); Tailgate/Music Bingo.
- Thursday, Nov. 5 — Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes (Judge Lorraine Schettino LaVecchia); seminars; the Top Twenty.
- Friday, Nov. 6 — National Specialty (Judge Patty Sosa); FBDCA annual meeting.
- Saturday, Nov. 7 — National Specialty (Judge Patty Sosa); Awards Dinner.
Who’s judging?
The judging slate, announced by the French Bull Dog Club of America:
- National Specialty (Fri–Sat, Nov. 6–7): Ms. Patty Sosa
- Independent Specialty (Tue–Wed, Nov. 3–4): Ms. Linda Moore
- Puppy & Veteran Sweepstakes (Thu, Nov. 5): Ms. Lorraine Schettino LaVecchia
- 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy (Wed, Nov. 4): Mr. David J. Johnson
- French Bulldog Club of Puget Sound Specialty (Mon, Nov. 2, 1:00 PM): Judge Richard LeBeau
Full ring times arrive with the official judging program. Find it on the ThePetAdvisor show page for this event.
How to enter (entries are closed)
Entries closed at 12:00 PM Eastern on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, through superintendent MB-F Inc. (entries were taken on InfoDog). If you didn’t get in, you can’t enter this year — but you can still come and watch. Dog shows are open to the public, and spectators are welcome at the rings.
The 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy competition lists a $25 entry fee per the AKC event record; the conformation entry fee table was not published online. Event sign-ups (welcome party, tailgate, Top Twenty, awards dinner) closed October 18.
Staying in Wilmington
The show is held at the Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, OH 45177 — just off I-71 at Exit 50, between Cincinnati and Columbus.
The host hotel, the Holiday Inn Roberts Centre, sold out its room block quickly. Call (937) 283-3277 to get on the waitlist — the club notes it usually sees at least 20% cancellations. Overflow options, about 15 minutes from the host hotel:
- Hampton Inn and Suites — 201 Holiday Dr, Wilmington, OH 45177 — (937) 382-4400
- Holiday Inn Express — 155 Holiday Dr, Wilmington, OH — (937) 382-5858
Frequently asked questions
What is the French Bulldog national specialty?
It is the biggest event of the year for the French Bulldog breed, hosted by the French Bull Dog Club of America (FBDCA), the AKC parent club for the breed. The dogs judged Best of Breed at the national specialty are considered the top French Bulldogs in the country for the year.
When and where is the 2026 French Bulldog National Specialty?
The National Specialty is November 6–7, 2026, at the Roberts Centre, 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, Ohio. The full national specialty week runs October 31–November 7, 2026, adding two independent specialty shows, sweepstakes, the Top Twenty, and companion events like obedience, rally, scent work, and Fast CAT.
Are entries still open for the 2026 French Bulldog national specialty?
No. Entries closed at 12:00 PM Eastern on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, through superintendent MB-F Inc. (InfoDog). Spectators are still welcome — dog shows are open to the public.
Who is judging the French Bulldog national specialty in 2026?
Ms. Patty Sosa judges the National Specialty on November 6–7. Ms. Linda Moore judges the two independent specialty shows (November 3–4). Ms. Lorraine Schettino LaVecchia judges the puppy and veteran sweepstakes, and Mr. David J. Johnson judges 4–6 Month Beginner Puppy.
Can I attend the French Bulldog national specialty if I did not enter a dog?
Yes. Dog shows are open to the public, and spectators are welcome at the rings. If you love French Bulldogs, the national specialty is the best place to see the country’s top dogs and meet breeders.
Where do exhibitors stay for the French Bulldog national specialty?
The host hotel is the Holiday Inn Roberts Centre in Wilmington, Ohio — but the club’s room block filled quickly and the hotel is full, so call (937) 283-3277 to join the waitlist (the club says at least 20% of rooms usually cancel). Overflow options about 15 minutes away include the Hampton Inn and Suites (201 Holiday Dr, (937) 382-4400) and the Holiday Inn Express (155 Holiday Dr, (937) 382-5858).
Planning your show season?
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See the full show page: dates, judges, schedule, hotels, and the judging program